Seoul

Best things to do in Seoul

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   1. Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

   • Check with the tour operator
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Adults
   • No car needed

   A buffer strip about 250 km long and 4 km wide across the Korean peninsula. Visitors from the South can see parts of it on guided tours, including viewings of the third of four tunnels dug by North Korea. Photographing the fence is illegal.

   Access is controlled and tour buses in the control zone are accompanied by armed soldiers. Rules and availability can change, so check with an approved tour operator first.

   30,144 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Korean Demilitarized Zone
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   2. Gyeongbokgung Palace

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Families
   • Couples
   • No car needed

   The first royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, founded in 1395 in the Jongno district. Its main hall, Geunjeongjeon, is the largest main hall of any Joseon palace. The National Palace Museum stands on the grounds, and a changing-of-the-guard ceremony is held twice a day.

   Our sources do not give opening days or ticket rules, so check the official site before you go.

   15,956 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Gyeongbokgung
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   3. Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky

   • 1 to 2 hours
   • Tickets needed
   • Couples
   • Families
   • Rainy day

   At 555 m and 123 floors, South Korea's tallest building, opened to the public in April 2017 in Songpa District. The Seoul Sky observation deck takes the top floors (117 to 123), with a glass floor on level 118.

   Admission to the observation deck is charged. Check the official site for tickets and opening times.

   14,203 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Lotte World Tower

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   4. Han River parks

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Families
   • Couples
   • Active

   The Han River runs through the middle of Seoul, with walkways, cycle paths, parks and restaurants along the lower stretch. Thirty-one bridges cross it in the Seoul area. A Hangang Bus ferry has served seven piers since September 2025.

   6,160 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Han River (Korea)
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   5. Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Families
   • No car needed

   A Joseon royal palace founded in 1405 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The rear Secret Garden (Huwon) has ponds, pavilions and over 160 tree species.

   Most of the Secret Garden is open, but some parts need a reserved tour. Check the official site for tickets and times.

   5,517 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Changdeokgung

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   6. Cheonggyecheon stream

   • 1 to 2 hours
   • No booking needed
   • Families
   • Couples
   • No car needed

   A stream about 10.9 km long through downtown Seoul. It was uncovered in a restoration begun in July 2003 and reopened in September 2005, after a 5.6 km elevated expressway above it was removed.

   5,360 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Cheonggyecheon
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   7. Lotte World

   • A full day
   • Tickets needed
   • Families
   • Rainy day
   • No car needed

   A big theme park in Songpa District, opened in 1989. It has an indoor section called Adventure and an outdoor one, Magic Island, which opened in 1990. An ice rink sits on the third basement floor of Adventure.

   Check the official site for tickets and opening times.

   5,330 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, Lotte World
8. 8

   8. N Seoul Tower and Namsan

   • 2 to 3 hours
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Couples
   • Families
   • No car needed

   A tower 236 m tall on Namsan, open to the public since 1980, with enclosed observation decks. The Namsan Cable Car, South Korea's first aerial tramway (1962), runs up in about three minutes. Visitors have left a huge number of love locks here since 2006.

   Our sources do not give tickets or hours, so check the official site before you go.

   4,410 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, N Seoul Tower

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   9. National Museum of Korea

   • Half a day
   • Check entry rules before you go
   • Families
   • Rainy day
   • No car needed

   A museum in Yongsan with over 310,000 pieces, about 15,000 of them on display at a time. It reopened in its current building in October 2005 and is described as the sixth largest museum in the world by floor space.

   Our sources do not say whether entry is free or give hours, so check the museum's site before you go.

   3,503 readers a month

   Sources

   • Wikipedia, National Museum of Korea

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    10. Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon

    • Half a day
    • Check entry rules before you go
    • Couples
    • Active
    • Families

    A fortress with a 5.74 km wall, built from 1794 to 1796 under King Jeongjo and listed by UNESCO in 1997. It is in Suwon, about 30 km south of Seoul.

    Our sources do not cover transport or opening hours, so check how to get there before planning.

    3,269 readers a month

    Sources

    • Wikipedia, Hwaseong Fortress

Just missed the list: Everland (11th by readers; a theme park south of Seoul); Bukchon Hanok Village (12th by readers; a traditional house district)