Seoul places
Browse all 40 Seoul places recommended by Seoulhood, grouped by area
40 places
Jongno · Junggu
12 places
4.7Changdeokgung & Secret Garden
A UNESCO World Heritage palace with the most natural and beautifully landscaped garden of any Korean palace — each season tells a different story.
4.7Gyeongbokgung Palace
The grandest of Seoul's Five Grand Palaces, built in 1395. Walk through royal courtyards, throne halls, and pavilions framed by Bukhansan in the distance.
4.6Gwangjang Market
The street-food heaven that went global on Netflix. Bindaetteok, mayak gimbap, and yukhoe alleys all under one roof.
4.5Bukchon Hanok Village
A hillside neighborhood of 600-year-old hanok homes between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung — teahouses, craft studios, and Seoul rooftops.
4.5Deoksugung Palace
A small palace where Western-style buildings meet traditional hanok. Its stone-wall walking path is one of Seoul's most beloved strolls.
4.5Ikseondong Hanok Alley
A maze of 1920s hanoks converted into cafés, bars, and small restaurants. Modern coffee in a traditional courtyard is the signature mood.
4.5Jongmyo Shrine
The royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon Dynasty — a UNESCO site. The long, low main hall creates an awe-inspiring sense of space.
4.4Insadong
A street lined with traditional teahouses, souvenirs, ceramics, and calligraphy shops — Korean restaurants hide in the side alleys.
4.4Seochon
The quiet neighborhood west of Gyeongbokgung. Small galleries, indie bookstores, and old restaurants run up to the slopes of Inwangsan.
4.4Tongin Market
Famous for the coin-lunchbox: trade 5,000 won for brass coins and assemble your own dosirak from market vendors.
4.3Myeongdong
Seoul's iconic shopping district, packed with cosmetics flagships, fashion stores, and a street-food market that lights up after dusk.
4.3Namdaemun Market
A 600-year-old general market. Galchi-stew alley, kalguksu alley, eyewear wholesalers — each category has its own corner.
Gangnam
11 places
4.6Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky
The 117th-to-123rd-floor observation deck of Korea's tallest building (555m). Glass-floor Sky Deck plus a full 360° Seoul panorama.
4.5Bongeunsa Temple
A 1,000-year-old temple across from COEX in the middle of Gangnam. The 23m Maitreya Buddha against the skyline is striking.
4.5Lotte World Adventure
A combined indoor-outdoor urban theme park. Carousel, ice rink, and Gyro Drop all in one place.
4.5Olympic Park
The main park of the 1988 Seoul Olympics — wildflowers, sculptures and wide lawns make it a top picnic and cycling spot.
4.5Seokchon Lake
An artificial lake around Lotte World. A 2.5km loop shows cherry blossoms in spring and bright foliage on the water in autumn.
4.5Starfield COEX Mall
A massive underground complex: the 13m Byeolmadang Library, cinemas, an aquarium, and 100+ restaurants.
4.4Garosu-gil (Sinsa)
The ginkgo-lined street of Sinsa-dong — designer boutiques and concept cafés flank an 800m stretch.
4.3Apgujeong Rodeo Street
A street where K-pop idols and celebs are often spotted. Multi-brand stores and celeb-owned cafés cluster here.
4.3COEX Aquarium
An urban aquarium inside Starfield COEX. Fourteen themed zones and 40,000+ creatures across 650 species.
4.3Gangnam Station
Gangnam's heart. Underground arcades stretch for blocks, and K-pop agencies, trendy restaurants and bars surround the area.
4.2Cheongdam Luxury Street
A boulevard of global luxury flagships — even the storefront architecture is a sight, with galleries and Michelin tables alongside.
Hongdae · Mapo
7 places
4.5Seongsu-dong
Old warehouses turned into cafés and select shops. Combine with D-Museum and Seoul Forest next door for a great half-day.
4.5Yeonnam-dong
A café-and-restaurant district along the old Gyeongui rail park. Calmer than Hongdae, with grassy lawns made for picnics.
4.4Hongdae
The youth district around Hongik University: indie live houses, dance crews, late-night bars, and one of Seoul's best walking scenes.
4.4Mangwon Market
A local market close to the Han River — sweet-and-spicy chicken, korokke, and tiny gimbap rolls are cheap and generous.
4.3Gyeongnidan-gil
A quieter food-and-drink alley a block off Itaewon. Wine bars and global indie restaurants hide along the lanes.
4.3Itaewon
Seoul's international district with food from around the world, plus Seoul Central Mosque, antique furniture lanes, and the Haebangchon hill.
4.2Hapjeong Mecenatpolis Mall
A complex directly above Hapjeong Station — cinema, large bookstore, fashion, and a substantial food court. A great rainy-day option.
Han River
5 places
4.6Banpo Hangang Park
Home to the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. Night fountain plus chicken-and-beer picnics define Seoul summer.
4.5Seoul Forest
A large urban park bordering Seongsu-dong. A deer enclosure, insect-and-plant gardens, and a mirror pond make it a hit for families and couples.
4.5Yeouido Hangang Park
The river park next to 63 Building. April cherry blossoms on Yunjung-ro are a Seoul classic. Bike rentals and Han River cruises available.
4.4Ttukseom Hangang Park
Pools, the Jabeolle observation deck, and bike rentals make this the most active Han River park — especially popular with young visitors.
4.3Nodeul Island
A small island culture complex in the middle of the Han River — live music, bookstore, restaurants and night-view photos by the water.
Landmark
5 places
4.7National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum, free to enter, with 40,000+ pieces spanning prehistory to modern. The Pensive Bodhisattva room is sublime.
4.5Inwangsan
A granite peak just west of central Seoul. Round-trip in about 2 hours, with a sweeping view down to Gwanghwamun and the Blue House.
4.5Namsan Park
Wide trails encircle Namsan — pair with N Seoul Tower for a perfect downtown nature break. Cherry-lined path in spring is exceptional.
4.4N Seoul Tower
The needle on top of Namsan with a 360° view over Seoul. Walk up through pine paths or ride the cable car for the classic photograph.
4.3DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza)
Zaha Hadid's flowing-curves landmark. Design exhibitions, pop-ups, and the LED Rose Garden at night make it a Seoul icon.