A. About Seoul

Nickname:  The Soul of Asia

Set among eight mountains and divided by the Han River, Seoul, with a population of over ten million, is one of the most populous and successful cities on earth.

The speed with which it has been transformed has produced a fascinating combination of ultra-modernity and ancient tradition.


The Good: 

Seoul is home to several substantially pedestrianized shopping districts, five ancient palaces, and numerous temples and shrines. 

In addition, the city remains very safe and delights visitors with glorious shopping and vibrant nightlife.

Due to an excellent public transport system, the South Korean Capital is extremely easy to get around.

The Not-So-Good:

The price level is rather high.

Furthermore, do not expect great weather in winter it is generally cold and in summer often very rainy. As the best months to visit, we recommend September to November and March to May.


B. Best Things to Do in Seoul in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than fifty sights in Seoul. The following sights contribute to a score of 7.25/10 in this most important category:

# Gyeongbokgung Palace 7

Gyeongbokgung with its wonderful royal court architecture of high historical significance and attractive gardens is the largest and arguably the most beautiful of the five Joseon palaces in Seoul and the most visited tourist site in Korea.

Among the many fascinating sights in this huge complex including hundreds of edifices, don't miss the two-story hexagonal Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and its distinctive arched bridge (Chwihyanggyo) over a small lake, the Gwanghwamun gate, where you can see the changing of the guards, the Main Throne Hall (Geunjeongjeon) and the Royal Banquet Hall (Gyeonghoeru), the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum

Palace reconstruction, still ongoing

# CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE 7

While the colorfully painted buildings of the palace grounds are remarkable, the highlight of the Changdeokgung is its vast 78-acre (32 ha) beautiful Secret Garden 'Biwon', with its lotus pond, fountains, and pavilions surrounded by 26,000 trees.

The Secret Garden can be visited through a guided tour.

Palace complex with gardens World Heritage Site: since 1997

Best Things to do in Seoul | Best Cities | Seoul | CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE (huge complex with immense SECRET GARDEN)

# Lotte World Tower 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Completed in 2017 and standing at a height of 555 m, the sleek Lotte World Tower is the sixth-highest building in the world.

From the observation deck "Seoul Sky" located on the 117th to 123rd floors of the tower, which is at 554 m the second highest in the world (after Shanghai World Tower) you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

Skyscraper Total Height: 555 m | Observation Deck Height: 554 m | Completed: 2017

Best Things to do in Seoul | Best Cities | No. 26: Seoul | Lotte World Tower | 7/10

by Cyberdoomslayer / CC BY-SA 4.0

# N Seoul Tower 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Built in 1969, this 236.7 m (777 ft) communication and observation tower sits on top of Namsan mountain (243 m or 797 ft).

N Seoul Tower — a symbol of Seoul — is renowned for its unique 360-degree view of the city.

Observation Tower Total Height: 236 m | Observation Deck Height: 168 m | Completed: 1975

Best Things to do in Seoul | Best Cities | Seoul | N Seoul Tower

by Cyan / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Dongdaemun Design Plaza 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Designed by the world-renowned Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid and inaugurated in 2014, this extremely futuristic structure resembles a giant spaceship.

The vast $466 million complex houses ultramodern retail stores, large global exhibition spaces, a walkable park on the rooftop, and parts of the restored Seoul fortress.

Modern Building

Best things to do in Seoul | Best Cities | No. 26: Seoul | Dongdaemun Design Plaza (by Hadid)

# National Museum of Korea 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The impressive and immense National Museum of Korea holds an extensive collection of artifacts and art covering ancient history, medieval and early modern history.

Leading exhibits include the 13 m-high 14th-century "Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Story Pagoda" and the fifth-century Silla gold crown.

Archaeological Museum Gallery Space: 27,090 m2 / 291,600 ft2 | Opened: 1909, relocated 2005 | Visitors (2017): 3,476,606

Best Cities | No. 26: Seoul | Best Things to do in Seoul | National Museum of Korea

by Ian Muttoo / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Myeongdong 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The dense grid of streets found in this lively neighborhood is the most popular commercial and shopping area in Seoul.

Except for early morning and late-night delivery hours, the atmospheric district is pedestrian-only.

City District

Things to do in Seoul | Best Cities | Seoul | Myeongdong (city district, shopping)

# Cheonggyecheon Stream 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

This scenic 11-kilometer-long riverside walk with gardens, public squares, waterfalls, and quaint bridges is a successful eco-friendly urban renewal project.

Stream with modern riverside walk

Best things to do in Seoul | Best Cities | Seoul | Cheonggyecheon (Stream with modern riverside walk) |

# War Memorial of Korea 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Established in 1993, this huge museum and memorial displays military airplanes, tanks, weapons, and other military equipment.

Museum Highlight of the collection: Replica of an ironclad turtle warship (Geobukseon)

Best Cities | No. 26: Seoul | Best Things to do in Seoul | The War Memorial of Korea

by Adbar / CC BY-SA 3.0

# JONGMYO SHRINE 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Completed in 1395, Jongmyo Shrine is the earliest surviving Confucian royal shrine in the world.

Shrine World Heritage Site since 1995

Best Cities | No. 26: Seoul | Best Things to do in Seoul | JONGMYO SHRINE

by João Trindade / CC BY-SA 2.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Seoul

    • Insadong (city district) 5.5
    • Bukhansan National Park 5.5
    • Bukchon (traditional city district) 5.5
    • Hongdae (city district) 5.5
    • Dongdaemun Market 5.5
    • Namdaemun Market 5.5
    • City Hall 5
    • 63 Building (skyscraper with observation deck) 5
    • Banpo Bridge 5
    • National Palace Museum of Korea 5
    • Leeum Samsung Museum (by Botta, Nouvel and Koolhaas, 2004) 5
    • Tangent Seoul (modern architecture by Libeskind, 2005) 5
 
 

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Seoul

HWASEONG FORTRESS in Suwon (World Heritage Site since 1997, ca 30 km from Seoul) 6


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Seoul (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Seoul for at least three entire days:

Gyeongbokgung Palace 7

CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE with SECRET GARDEN 7

Lotte World Tower (total 555.7 m) 7

N Seoul Tower (total 236 m) 6

 HWASEONG FORTRESS in Suwon (ca. 30 km from Seoul) 6

Dongdaemun Design Plaza 6

National Museum of Korea 6

 Myeongdong (city district, shopping) 6

 Cheonggyecheon (stream with riverside walk) 5.5

War Memorial of Korea (museum) 5.5