Hi! My name is May and in this guide I’ll be highlighting the best things to do in Seoul plus providing some tips for your visit. I’m a blogger and content creator for The Luxury Lowdown. My passion for travel grew after one summer in Paris that I took at a study abroad program with my college. It was only for a month and I was super poor, but I had the best time! That experience really made me wonder what other adventures the rest of the world had to offer and really kick-started my lust for travel. Since then, I have been to 60 countries and over 100 cities and still counting.
My goal for The Luxury Lowdown is to help people find a way to travel and look out for amazing deals. I mean who doesn’t love saving money, right? I actually love finding deals and then sharing them with all my friends. It feels like I’m cracking a code or cheating the system somehow.
My Experience & Review of Seoul
For my trip to Seoul, I went with a friend and we were there for six nights. Honestly, we could have stayed another week because there was so much to do. We got to dress up in hanboks and take pictures at the palaces. Did you know if you dress up, you get free admission? We also ate our hearts out! Everything from KBBQ to Michelin-star restaurants. Also, the cafe culture is insane there. You have to go to Cafe Onion. It’s my favorite!
I would rate Seoul high as a major travel destination, especially with the popularity of KPOP and KBeauty nowadays. I’m already trying to plan another trip back. The city is so clean and you definitely feel safe walking around with friends or even by yourself. With that being said, Seoul is a dense metropolitan city – so if you’re not the type of person who likes crowds, this may not be the best place for you. Also, English is very limited, more so than other cities, so make sure you learn some basic terms at least.
Favorite Place in Seoul: Bukchon Hanok Village
My favorite place in Seoul has to be Bukchon Hanok Village. I got there during sunset, so it was very magical. There’s also a rule that you have to be quiet while walking around this neighborhood since people still live there. That made the visit more enjoyable since there aren’t loud people talking all around you. It’s definitely a great place to get your picture taken!
10 Best Things To Do in Seoul
1. Visit the Food Markets Like Gwangjang Market
There are lots of food markets in Seoul but the best is Gwangjang Market. Here, you can order a bunch of things from different stalls. There is so much to try and you don’t want to fill up with just one thing. I can recommend getting the twisted donut, tteokbokki and mung bean pancake.
2. Get Dressed Up in a Traditional Hanbok at the Palaces
Renting a hanbok, the beautiful traditional dress with its flowing sleeves and rich colors, instantly makes you feel regal. You can head to one of Seoul’s grand palaces for this experience such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, with its imposing gates and intricate details, or Changdeokgung Palace, famed for its Secret Garden. You’ll be transported to another era. Don’t worry, everyone and their mothers are doing it. You won’t be the only one.
3. Go to Starfield Library and Just Walk Around
Located in the COEX Central Plaza, the futuristic looking Starfield Library is the perfect place in Seoul to relax over a good book and enjoy a bit of people-watching. This two-story library boasts 13-meter-high bookshelves and adjacent elevators that create unique, Insta-worthy scenes.
4. Gorge on Delicious Korean BBQ
There’s an undeniable charm about grilling your own KBBQ in Seoul. Imagine sizzling marinated meats on a charcoal grill, surrounded by steaming bowls of banchan (side dishes) and the lively chatter of fellow diners. Although it’s rumored that the US has better quality meats at their KBBQ joints, there’s still something special about having KBBQ in Seoul.
5. Take Photos at the Picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village
For architecture and photography lovers, visiting Bukchon Hanok Village is a must-do. With over 800 traditional Korean houses to explore – “hanoks” boasting intricate wooden frames and tiled roofs – you’ll easily be able to spend a good few hours here getting lost down the narrow alleyways, soaking up the tranquil atmosphere and taking plenty of photos!
6. Experience the Cafe Culture of Seoul
We tried to hit up a cafe every day but our stomachs just didn’t have room. My personal favorite was Cafe Onion, where the pastries were divine. If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable spot though, Greem Cafe takes the cake. Stepping inside feels like you’re walking right into a comic book with its unique, 2D cartoon-styled design.
7. Relax and Unwind at a Korean Spa
Although I didn’t have the time to try it, I really wanted to go visit a Korean spa. They are popular in Los Angeles, yet I haven’t been to one. I hear they are usually open 24 hours and you can even sleep there if you’re too tired to get home. I think, overall, it would just be a fun experience to try.
8. Shop for KBeauty Products in Seoul
Shopping for KBeauty products in Seoul is so much fun (especially for the girls)! You have to go to this one store called Olive Young. It’s almost like a Sephora but it has thousands of locations across the country. I stocked up with like 50 face masks to bring back home for myself and my friends.
9. Have Afternoon Tea at One of the Fancy Hotels
My friend and I decided to spend one afternoon at the Park Hyatt Seoul, and indulge in their afternoon tea. I like getting afternoon tea in other countries especially when the US Dollar is strong against the currency. It feels like I’m getting a deal compared to what I would get at home.
10. Hike Up to Namsan Tower
Last but not least, you’ll want a way to burn off all that food – so definitely do the walk up to Namsan Tower. It’s an incline hike that’s fairly paved (or you can explore and go a little off path) all the way up, so you don’t need any special hiking shoes or anything like that. Once you reach the top, it opens up to a huge plaza where you have an amazing view of Seoul city. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes for you to relax at as well. If you can’t do the hike, there’s a local bus that you can take up and down the hill.
Top 3 Places to Eat in Seoul
- Best Market – Gwangjang Market: This market is known to be a foodie paradise, so much so that we went back three times during our trip!
- Best Restaurant – Buchon Yukhoe: A long standing Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that is known for their raw beef. I know a restaurant dedicated to just raw beef might sound weird but (trust me) it was so good! I still think about that meal all the time. Make sure you order the “raw sliced beef” and the “raw beef bibimbap” – they’re absolutely delicious!
- Best Bar – Alice Cheongdam: My favorite bar in Seoul was definitely Alice Cheongdam. It’s Alice and Wonderland themed and has a very fun cocktail menu. I don’t normally like cocktails but I would come back for these. On top of that, their bartenders speak English – so if you’re not confident in Korean, you can feel more at ease here speaking English.
What the Culture is Like in Seoul
If you haven’t been to an Asian metropolitan city, then Seoul might come as a culture shock. But if you’ve been to places like Tokyo, then you’ll be pretty well prepared. Koreans take great pride in their work and they take food very seriously – everything from street food stalls to Michelin-star restaurants. They are very hospitable and always make sure that you aren’t leaving hungry. You’ll never have a bad meal once you step foot in Seoul!
Which District to Stay at in Seoul
If I were to visit Seoul again, I would stay in Myeongdong or Insadong. There’s a lot of street markets and cute cafes, and I like that these areas are walkable. We stayed in Gangnam, Itaewon and Myeongdong. Myeongdong ended up being our favorite. Gangnam is across the river and too far to get to sights conveniently. Itaewon could have been okay except we stayed at a place on top of a hill that you could only get to by taxi.
Tips for Your Visit to Seoul
- Tip 1: Uber is used everywhere and is super cheap. If you’re traveling with friends or family, it might be cheaper than taking the subway.
- Tip 2: Although Seoul is a massive city, English isn’t widely spoken there yet – so try to learn a few Korean phrases if you can or at least have good cell phone data so you can translate things on your phone applications.
- Tip 3: When shopping for clothes, always size up one or two sizes. The sizes are smaller in South Korea (and for most of Asia in general).
- Tip 4: Seoul is a very diverse city and you have many choices in regards to food and accommodations. Anything from the budget-conscious backpacker to the honeymoon couple that want to splash out. That’s what I love about Seoul, there is truly something for everyone here!