Things to Do in Seoul
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Seoul, South Korea, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Seoul. Ancient palaces sitting quietly between glass towers, a round-the-clock food scene, a capital that ruled Korea for roughly 500 years under one dynasty and has more recently become one of the biggest cultural exporters on the planet through pop music and television dramas. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Seoul: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits deserve the late-night snack run. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace served as the main royal residence during the Joseon dynasty, a dynasty that ruled Korea for roughly 500 years, leaving several grand palaces across the city, the largest and most significant of Seoul's five palaces, allow a proper few hours to explore the throne hall, gardens, and surrounding pavilions.
The changing of the guard ceremony, held at set times throughout the day, is a great one to time a visit around, colourfully dressed guards performing a traditional ceremony that adds real pageantry to the palace grounds.
Hours Daily except Tuesdays, roughly 9am–6pm
Address Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
Seoul's K-Pop & Drama Export Boom
Seoul is widely credited as a global centre for the export of entertainment, often called Hallyu, K-pop and Korean dramas have become a massive cultural export over the past two decades, a huge part of Seoul's modern identity and economy, the Hongdae and Gangnam districts both reflect this cultural energy directly, entertainment agency buildings, themed cafes, and shops selling merchandise for specific groups and shows.
Several agencies offer museum-style exhibits and experiences tied to their artists, a good one to seek out if you're a fan of a specific group, and even without a specific fandom, wandering Hongdae's street performance scene in the evening gives a good sense of this cultural moment.
Best time Evening for Hongdae's street performance scene
Address Hongdae district, Seoul
The Han River
Seoul is divided by the Han River, bridges and riverside parks along this river are a defining feature of the modern city, spend an evening at one of the riverside parks, Yeouido and Banpo among the most popular, both offering picnic space, cycling paths, and views of the river's illuminated bridges after dark.
The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, a proper spectacle combining coloured lights with water jets synced to music, runs on a set schedule during warmer months, time an evening visit around this if it's running during your trip.
Best time Evening, particularly for the Banpo Bridge fountain show (seasonal)
Address Han River Park, Seoul
Best time to visit Seoul
March through May and September through November give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's heat and humidity.
Seoul's palaces and entertainment districts work well year-round, so don't rule out visiting even outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Seoul
Seoul's subway is extensive, cheap, and one of the best metro systems in the world, covering virtually every part of the city efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Seoul worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, Gyeongbokgung Palace's centuries of royal history and the city's booming K-pop and drama export culture together give it real depth spanning both ancient and thoroughly modern Korea.
- How many days do you need in Seoul?
- Four days covers Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hongdae, and the Han River comfortably.
- Is Seoul expensive?
- Moderate, generally affordable for food and local transport, entertainment-related experiences and shopping can add up depending on your interests.
- What is Seoul famous for?
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal residence of the 500-year Joseon dynasty, its role as a global centre for K-pop and Korean drama exports, and the Han River running through the city centre.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
