Explore Seoul

44 places

Seoul National University (Gwanak Campus)Sight · SNU & Nakseongdae · Gwanaksan Stn · 5 min walkKorea's top university sits right at the foot of Gwanaksan, with a big green campus open to walkers.1–2 hoursFree

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)Sight · Myeongdong & Euljiro · Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn Exit 1 · 2 min walkZaha Hadid's silver curves; the facade becomes a free light show during 'Seoul Light DDP' seasons.1–2 hoursFree

Bukchon Hanok VillageSight · Jongno & palaces · Anguk Stn Exit 2 · 10 min walkHilly lanes of lived-in tiled-roof houses with views over downtown rooftops.1–2 hoursFree

Ikseon-dong Hanok StreetSight · Jongno & palaces · Jongno 3(sam)-ga Stn Exit 4 · 3 min walkNarrow alleys of 1920s hanok turned into cafes, dumpling shops and bars.1–2 hoursFree

Insadong & SsamziegilSight · Jongno & palaces · Anguk Stn Exit 6 · 5 min walkA spiral ramp of small craft shops on Insadong's antique and tea street.1–2 hoursFree

IFC MallShopping · Yeouido & river · Yeouido Stn Exit 3 · 7 min walkUnderground mall linked to Yeouido Station, with a big food court and a cinema for rainy days.1–2 hoursFree

Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (Banpo Bridge)Night · Yeouido & river · Express Bus Terminal Stn Exit 8-1 · 15 min walkThe bridge itself sprays lit-up water jets over the river, set to music.1–2 hoursFree

Nodeulseom (Nodeul Island)Night · Yeouido & river · Nodeul Stn Exit 2 · 10 min walkIsland under Hangang Bridge with one of Seoul's best sunsets over the river and 63 Building.1–2 hoursFree

Seonyudo ParkSight · Yeouido & river · Seonyudo Stn Exit 2 · 15 min walkA former water-treatment plant on a river island, turned into moody gardens among concrete ruins.1–2 hoursFreeOK to eat alone

The Hyundai SeoulShopping · Yeouido & river · Yeouido Stn Exit 3 · 5 min walkSeoul's buzziest mall: pop-up stores, an indoor forest under a glass roof, tax refund on 6F.1–2 hoursFree

Yeouido Hangang ParkSight · Yeouido & river · Yeouinaru Stn Exit 2 · 3 min walkSeoul's classic riverside lawn: picnics, bikes, convenience-store ramyeon and the Hangang Bus pier.1–2 hoursFreeOK to eat alone

Bongeunsa TempleSight · Gangnam & Jamsil · Bongeunsa Stn Exit 1 · 2 min walkA 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple sitting right across from COEX's glass towers.1–2 hoursFree

Starfield Library (COEX)Sight · Gangnam & Jamsil · Samseong Stn Exit 5 · 5 min walkFree library with 13 m-tall bookshelves in the middle of COEX Mall, a famous photo stop.1–2 hoursFree

Myeongdong CathedralSight · Myeongdong & Euljiro · Myeongdong Stn Exit 8 · 7 min walkAn 1898 red-brick Gothic church, a calm break from the Myeongdong shopping crowds.1–2 hoursFree

Namsangol Hanok VillageSight · Myeongdong & Euljiro · Chungmuro Stn Exit 3 · 5 min walkFree restored Joseon-era houses and a quiet garden right below Namsan, a short walk from Myeongdong.1–2 hoursFree

Seoullo 7017 SkygardenSight · Myeongdong & Euljiro · Seoul Station Stn Exit 2 · 3 min walkA former car overpass turned elevated garden walk, with Seoul Station and Namsan views, best at night.1–2 hoursFree

Gwanghwamun SquareSight · Jongno & palaces · Gwanghwamun Stn · 1 min walkSeoul's main boulevard, with King Sejong and Admiral Yi statues framed by the palace gate.1–2 hoursFree

Jogyesa TempleSight · Jongno & palaces · Jonggak Stn · 5 min walkThe head temple of Korean Zen Buddhism, right downtown; calm at dawn and dusk.1–2 hoursFree

Gwanaksan Mountain (SNU trail to Yeonjudae)Sight · SNU & Nakseongdae · Gwanaksan Stn · 2 min walkThe easiest way up Gwanaksan: a 3-4 hour round trip to a cliff-top hermitage with city views.1–2 hoursFree

Garosu-gil (Sinsa-dong)Shopping · Gangnam & Jamsil · Sinsa Stn Exit 8 · 5 min walkGinkgo-lined street of fashion, cosmetics and café shops; side alleys hide small roasters.1–2 hoursFree

Gentle Monster Haus DosanShopping · Gangnam & Jamsil · Apgujeong Rodeo Stn Exit 5 · 10 min walkFive-floor flagship where eyewear, perfume and a robot art installation mix like a gallery.1–2 hoursFree

Lotte World MallShopping · Gangnam & Jamsil · Jamsil Stn · 3 min walkMall at the foot of Lotte World Tower, handy before or after Seoul Sky and the lake.1–2 hoursFree

Seokchon LakeSight · Gangnam & Jamsil · Jamsil Stn Exit 3 · 10 min walkA 2.4 km lakeside loop under Lotte World Tower, lined with about 1,000 cherry trees.1–2 hoursFree

Mangwon Hangang ParkNight · Hongdae & Mangwon · Mangwon Stn Exit 1 · 15 min walkLocals' riverside spot for sunset and a night picnic by the Han River bridges.1–2 hoursFree

Gyeongui Line Forest Park (Yeonnam section)Sight · Hongdae & Mangwon · Hongik Univ. Stn Exit 3 · 1 min walkA long green strip on an old rail line, lined with Yeonnam's cafes and picnic lawns.1–2 hoursFree

Leeum Museum of ArtSight · Itaewon & Hannam · Hangangjin Stn Exit 1 · 6 min walkSamsung's art museum: Korean celadon and modern art in striking buildings; the antiques floor is free.1–2 hoursFreeOK to eat alone

National Museum of KoreaSight · Itaewon & Hannam · Ichon Stn Exit 2 · 5 min walkKorea's biggest museum, free to enter, with 5,000 years of history under one roof.1–2 hoursFreeOK to eat aloneEnglish menu

Seoul Central MosqueSight · Itaewon & Hannam · Itaewon Stn Exit 3 · 7 min walkKorea's first mosque, on a hill above Itaewon, ringed by halal restaurants and shops.1–2 hoursFreeOK to eat alone

War Memorial of KoreaSight · Itaewon & Hannam · Samgakji Stn Exit 12 · 3 min walkFree, huge museum on the Korean War with real tanks and aircraft parked outside.1–2 hoursFreeOK to eat alone

Cheonggyecheon StreamNight · Jongno & palaces · Gwanghwamun Stn Exit 5A stream that was once buried under a highway, now a cool 11 km walkway through downtown Seoul, starting at a giant twisted sculpture.1–2 hoursFree

Suseong-dong ValleySight · Jongno & palaces · Gyeongbokgung Stn Exit 3 · 20 min walkA rocky stream at the foot of Inwangsan, praised by Joseon scholars, at the top of Seochon.1–2 hoursFree

Banpo Hangang ParkSight · Yeouido & river · Express Bus Terminal Stn Exit 8-1 · 15 min walkWide lawns under Banpo Bridge, the floating Sebitseom islands and the rainbow fountain after dark.1–2 hoursFree

Byeolbit Naerincheon Stream (Dorimcheon)Night · SNU & Nakseongdae · Sillim Stn Exit 4 · 5 min walkA restored stream walk right by Sillim station, with media art at night and a light festival every December.1–2 hoursFree

Olympic Park & the 'Lone Tree'Sight · Gangnam & Jamsil · Olympic Park Stn Exit 3 · 10 min walkOne lone tree on a huge grassy hill, Seoul's favourite picnic and photo spot.1–2 hoursFree

Songridan-gilShopping · Gangnam & Jamsil · Songpanaru Stn Exit 1 · 5 min walkResidential lanes by Seokchon Lake turned into cafés and small shops, with Lotte Tower views.1–2 hoursFree

Starfield COEX MallShopping · Gangnam & Jamsil · Samseong Stn Exit 5 · 5 min walkHuge underground mall around Starfield Library, easy to spend a rainy day in.1–2 hoursFree

Ewha Womans University (ECC)Sight · Hongdae & Mangwon · Ewha Womans Univ. Stn Exit 2 · 7 min walkA sunken glass valley cut into the campus, one of Seoul's most photographed modern buildings.1–2 hoursFree

Hongdae Walking Street (busking street)Sight · Hongdae & Mangwon · Hongik Univ. Stn Exit 9 · 5 min walkHongdae's main pedestrian strip, where street dancers and singers gather after dark.1–2 hoursFree

Kyobo Book Centre GwanghwamunShopping · Jongno & palaces · Gwanghwamun Stn · 2 min walkKorea's flagship bookstore, underground at Gwanghwamun, with a big stationery and gift section.1–2 hoursFree

Nakseongdae ParkSight · SNU & Nakseongdae · Nakseongdae Stn Exit 4 · 12 min walkA quiet neighborhood park honoring Goryeo general Gang Gam-chan, with a big history festival each October.1–2 hoursFree

Itaewon Antique Furniture StreetShopping · Itaewon & Hannam · Itaewon Stn Exit 4 · 5 min walkA street of Western antiques and vintage that began with US soldiers selling furniture in the 1960s.1–2 hoursFree

Seoul ForestSight · Seongsu · Seoul Forest Stn Exit 3 · 5 min walkA huge free park of lawns and tree-lined paths, right next to Seongsu’s café streets.1–2 hoursFree

Seoul Children's Grand ParkSight · Seongsu · Children's Grand Park Stn Exit 1 · 2 min walkA big free park with a small zoo and botanical garden, popular with Seoul families.1–2 hoursFree

Ttukseom Hangang ParkSight · Seongsu · Jayang Stn · 2 min walkRiverside lawns for a picnic, bike ride or sunset over the Han River.1–2 hoursFree

Explore Seoul · Months in Seoul