If you’re coming to Korea for tourism, there’s plenty to see. And although there are literally hundreds of tourist attractions in Seoul that we can list, here’s a list of 50 Seoul attractions we think are pretty awesome π
Note: While our previous post focuses on cool places to hang out in Seoul (21 Hotspots: Where to Go in Seoul and How to Get There), this post focuses on attractions (not places).
1. Gyeongbokgung (경볡κΆ)
The main palace of the Joseon Dynasty (Korea’s last royal dynasty), located in the heart of Seoul (and in our hearts ;)).
How to get there: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3 – Exit 5). Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5 – Exit 2)
Useful links: Korea Tourism Organization
2. Gwanghwamun Gate (κ΄νλ¬Έ)
The main gate to Gyeongbokgung (if you’re seeing #1, you’ll have to go through this). Also, the name has an ultra cool translation: βmay the light of enlightenment blanket the world.β Deep!
How to get there: Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5 – Exit 2). Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3 – Exit 5).
Useful links: Korea Tourism Organization
3. Heunginjimun (ν₯μΈμ§λ¬Έ) – Dongdaemun – The East Gate
Heunginjimin (aka Dongdaemun or the East Gate) is located in the center of Korean fashion. If you dress nice for the gate, you will be blessed with good luck (may or may not be true). Stop by on your way to shopping at Dongdaemun Market.
How to get there: Dongdaemun Station (Line 1, Line 4 – Exit 6 or 7)
Useful links: exploringkorea
4. Sungnyemun (μλ‘λ¬Έ) – Namdaemun – The South Gate
Another cool gate. This one was actually burned down by arson, but it is under reconstruction and should be rebuilt by the time you’re in Seoul (was due for completion at the end of 2012… so…uh.. lets give Seoul another few months :)) Stop by while you check out Namdaemun Market.
How to get there: Seoul Station (Line 1, Line 4, Airport Express Line aka AREX, Gyeongui Line, Gyeongbu Line – Exit 4), or Hoehyeon Station (Line 4 – Exit 5), make a right at the large intersection
Useful links: corealocal
5. Cheonghwadae (μ²μλ) – The Blue House
Cheongwadae is the official residence of the president of South Korea. Unless you reserve and pay for the official tour, you’ll need a swat team to get in here on your own. We recommend going with the official tour. Reserve in advance.
How to get there: Go through the back gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace (which is also very nice to see). Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3 – Exit 5). (Or Gwanghwamun Station, see entry #2).
Useful links: lifeinkorea
6. Changgyeonggung (μ°½κ²½κΆ)
If you think big crowds will ruin your peaceful palace viewing experience, come to this palace. There’s less people, and the only things that might ruin your palace perusing are the obnoxious pond and insufferable botanical garden. (Obviously jk, but you know how people on the interwebs are ;).)
How to get there: Anguk Station (Line 3 – Exit 3)
Useful links: Marmot’s Hole, and Marmot’s Hole #2
7. Jongmyo (μ’ λ¬)
Jongmyo is where all the royal rituals took place. Come on the first Sunday of May to see a yearly ritual with traditional Korean music, food and dudes with old school Korean hats.
How to get there: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1, Line 3, Line 5 – Exit 7)
Useful links: SouthKoreaTravelGuide.com
8. Changdeokgung (μ°½λκΆ)
Seoulites say that Changdeokgung is the prettiest of all the palaces. And on top of that, there’s a garden called the “Secret Garden” (νμ/huwon). Be a snoop and check it out.
How to get there: Anguk Station (Line 3 – Exit 3)
Useful links: daleskoreantempleadventures
9. Deoksugung
Without knowing the history, these palaces can all seem very similar. Deoksugung is the exception. It’s got a Russian designed cafe and a British inspired museum. Although they forgot the French bidets.
How to get there: City Hall Station (Line 1, Line 2 – Exit 2)
Useful links: Marmot’s Hole
10. Unhyeongung (μ΄νκΆ)
This residence of the royal family is a bit more interactive than the other palaces. Here you can try on traditional Korean clothes (hanbok), watch a traditional royal wedding ceremony and other royal stuff to make you feel like you’re living in large in the 1800’s.
How to get there: Anguk Station (Line 3 – Exit 4)
Useful links: Korea Tourism Organization
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67 Comments
These are all links to tourism websites with very little real information. Did the author actually visit Seoul?
Very lazy work. Just links to other people’s blogs and pictures.
At least this guy bothered to put them together so give him some credit. And the lot from Seoulistic, as far as I know, are from Korea anyway.
Useful information for me – I’ve been in Seoul 4 times and there are still some of these places that I’ve never been to before. Would be a good guide for me.
This is really good!! Thank you! There’re so many things to do and I wouldn’t even know where to start, this is great.. Is there a Part 2: “51 to 100 things to do2? π
Oh come on, this article is for informing us more that this places exist amd if we want we can read more informations aboutvthem on other sites, not to make a 1 km long page with every detail. i actually thing it was a good job, because i wouldnt know there are such a markets and etc.! i tought that wad a purpose of this article
Your comment…Thank you so much for compiling together in one article these locations/attractions. I will definitely keep a copy of this for my future trip to Korea — ahhhmn – that is the trip I will take as soon as I can save up enough money to get there (and stay there long enough to visit EVERYTHING!) – My life’s dream right now – a month long visit to Korea. (and to learn the Korean language). ( Fighting!!).
@Allison – This is simply a list of 50 attractions for visitors to Korea and how to get there. Sorry you didn’t find this useful. If you find other lists out there that are more helpful, please feel free to share π
PS Although we are in Korea, this still took quite a while to compile. I don’t think it’s very fair to say it was lazy work π Thanks everyone for the appreciation π
hey Keith! Loving the website, def can see all of your hard work! Though to note, Noryangjin fish market is really only open in the morning.. and early morning at that (like dawn). Even if you go at 11am, they are packing it in and about half the place is empty. The ppl that are leftover in the afternoon are SUPER shady. (I know from personal experience) You can also buy seafood at the market, and take it to one of the neighboring restaurants and have them cook it for you. π
Any plans to visit NY? I think I may swing by Korea this year, but not sure. Anyways, hope all is well!
Allison the directions are there with exact subway stops. What more info do you need? I actually found this list really helpful for ideas where to vist. Some people are so ungreatful.
I soon come to visit seoul and I am very satisfied to read this kind of list. It’s not easy to know what to see when we go sightseeing a city or a country which we don’t know !!
Then thank you for your work !! =)
This is really great, thank you so much for this! π I didn’t know half of these, and I didn’t even know about the pretty Hanok Village! π
Hey Keith!! Loved this!!! Just found your website two days before I’m leaving for Seoul and wishing I had known about much earlier!! The information you have shared is sooooo helpful!! Thanks heaps!!!!!
Thank you for compiling everything, ΓΌber helpful! Nice workieee!
where arethe other posts?
admin—-I’m an indian I want to get a sigin of bigbang guys for my loved one I don’t knw he I would get but I ll get one day. .for tat I ll com to see korea. .
admin—-I’m an indian I want to get a sigin of bigbang guys for my loved one I don’t knw how I would get but im sure tat one day I ll get. .for tat I ll com to see korea. .
You completed a few nice points there. I did a search on the matter and found the majority of persons will consent with your blog.
Thank you for this list! I like read posts about interesting places in Seoul and South Korea. I hope to go to Korea as soon as possible and visit these and other Seoul Attractions )))
P.S. Now I write my own list of attractions)
Hi Keith, I will travelling to Seoul in Sep 2013 for my 1st time…. I am glad that my friend had introduced to me to this website… it is so useful that I can find all information at here… Thanks and keep it up and I have been sharing this website to all of my friends in FB… Cheers!!!
How much will it cost(in Indian rupees) to take a tour of this all places?
thank you so much for the information. It makes planning much easier. And the links to additional info is good. Better than 1000 page long post forcing readers to read and read in every detail.
@Allison, I think you are too lazy and want to be spoon fed.
Hi…I’m taking my 14 year old daughter to S. Korea mid January 2014 (3days/2 nights). She really loves Kpop and watches Kdrama…I would like to know where I can take her….she likes museums, shopping, and food.
Hello! This is one of the most useful sites I’ve come across in planning my itinerary. Thanks for compiling this list! I really appreciate it.
The information are helpful for someone like me that have no idea on how to get there and where are the places of interest in Seoul. I trust much effort you have put in in this write up. θ°’θ°’δ½ οΌ
The 3000 Korean freedom fighters who slept with tens of other dudes in one cell, Saved hundreds of Korean comfort women from sleeping with tens of Japanese forever.
People who fight for freedom do not care their comfort.
is the times sqaure mall thinggimajiger reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllllll if so then good cuz wat if you stole it from somwhere
u said Coex is reportedly the longest underground shopping center in Asia.duz that mean its starts from bello ground leve? am stupid about som stuff so i dont understand
still a great site no criticism
i find this site very interesting. π and useful too. i hope, i can go to south korea someday. ^^
Hi
I find this Information to be very useful. I didn’t know there were very many places to go. Now I will have to save more money before I can travel to Korea.
Thank you so much!