Top things to do in Seoul
Attractions, tours and activities in Seoul
Recommended museums in Seoul
Where to discover culture and the arts in Seoul
Seoul: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Seoul
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Myeong-dong
In the city centre
Shop. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. Myeong-dong lives for consumption and consumerism. Shiny shop fronts snare unsuspecting passers-by with the twin assault of saccharine K-Pop and free makeup samples. Need some doe-eyed respite from the dog-eat-dog world of high-street retail? Pop into Café Gaenae, where you can sip coffee in the company of 25 puppies.
Places to stay from £8 per night
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Gangnam-Gu
5.1 miles from city centre
There’s no flashier district than Gangnam. Style is skin-deep here. In Seoul’s cosmetic-surgery capital, you’ll see all the airs and graces satirised in Psy’s hit song. Dress to the nines and sashay around Garosu-gil before hitting the dance floors of Octagon or Ellui, where you can splash your hard-won “won” alongside Seoul’s movers and shakers.
Places to stay from £9 per night
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Seodaemun-Gu
2.4 miles from city centre
Seodaemun-gu’s home to contrasting symbols of conflict and renewal. Picture life behind bars at Seodaemun Prison Museum before looking to a brighter Korean future – the area’s the seat of high-flying universities like Yeonsei and Ewha. Student life and bar life go hand in hand, so turn on, tune in and drop out in Woodstock or Mike’s Bar.
Places to stay from £6 per night
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Mapo-Gu
3.1 miles from city centre
Insomniacs rejoice – Mapo-gu’s a district that never sleeps. During the day, Hongdae’s a street performance hotspot. Once lectures are over, Mapo’s student population clink glasses of “soju” at joints like Bar Fly or Factory. Then it’s time to boogie on the dance floors of NB or Cocoon. Still up? Unwind past sunrise at a jjimjil-bang (sauna).
Places to stay from £5 per night
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Jung-Gu
0.5 miles from city centre
The heart of Seoul. Suited salarymen and camera-toting tourists cross paths on these pulsating streets. Retail fiends flock to Namdaemun Market or Myeongdong Street, and adventurous gourmands sample the wares of the various “pocha” (street food vendors). After dark, lovebirds steal kisses on Deoksu Palace steps or the banks of Cheongyechong Stream.
Places to stay from £6 per night
About Seoul
Including tips for the best time to visit Seoul
Old and new coexist in Seoul, South Korea's capital and largest city. Skyscrapers dominate the sprawling metropolis, whose streets are lined with mega malls and karaoke bars blasting K-pop alongside well-preserved remnants of Korea's past. Against a backdrop of glass and steel buildings, Bongeunsa Temple and Jogyesa Temple are tranquil respites where visitors can witness the lifestyle of Buddhist monks. Jongmyo Shrine – the world's oldest Confucian shrine – honours Joseon Dynasty rulers.
Seoul's grand palaces offer an atmospheric lesson in Korean history and culture. You'll see ancient architecture, throne rooms and banquet halls as well as picturesque pavilions at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. The National Museum of Korea, meanwhile, offers a wider overview of Korean history and art.
Shopping is a favourite pastime in Seoul, where you'll find endless opportunities to lighten your wallet. Dongdaemun, one of the city's largest shopping districts, sells everything from silks and electronics to traditional Korean cuisine. At Gwangjang Market, the country's oldest street market, you can pick up fresh produce, handicrafts, textiles and more. You'll also need ample time to explore Lotte World Mall's 17 floors of retail space, aquarium and indoor theme park.
Navigating a city as big as Seoul can be daunting. Luckily, the capital features one of the most extensive transit systems in the world. Seoul Station services commuter and intercity trains, which can take you to the plethora of shops near Myeongdong Station or Gangnam Station for entertainment and nightlife.
Tonight
From £32 per night
Next weekend
From £200 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | KRW 10,000 = £5.85 |
| Language | Korean |
| Average weekend price | £90 per night |
| Average weekday price | £87 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Seoul
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Seoul
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Dongdaemun Gate- Heunginjimun
1.7 miles from city centre
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Lotte World
7.3 miles from city centre
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Gwanghwamun Gate
0.9 miles from city centre
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Dongdaemun Market
1.6 miles from city centre
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Gyeongbokgung Palace
1.2 miles from city centre
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Apgujeong Rodeo Street
4 miles from city centre
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Garosu-gil
3.7 miles from city centre
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63 Building
3.7 miles from city centre
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N Seoul Tower
0.8 miles from city centre
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Namdaemun Market
0.2 miles from city centre
Seoul reviews
What other travellers say about Seoul
The Westin Seoul Hotel truly surprised me!
18 April 2024
The Westin Seoul Hotel truly surprised me! I knew to expect a lovely hotel considering the Westin name. However the Westin Seoul far exceeded our expectation. It is truly a 5 star property. The historic hotel is stunning! Very clean, modern and elegant. The best part was the staff. All of them! The staff was so gracious, extremely helpful, worked very hard to assure our satisfaction. The breakfast buffet offered multi-culture options. The happy hour might as well be dinner since the buffet was large and offered so many options with nice liqours and wines with a beautiful view of Seoul skyline. Highly recommend and will stay there again.
A vibrant and interesting city with an endless list of...
18 April 2024
A vibrant and interesting city with an endless list of things to do! Lots of inexpensive eateries with local and international food, lots of budget food choices at convenience stores, and lots and lots of fun shops or spots like photobooths to take fun group (or single!) pictures. Plus a wealth of history and culture!
Seoul is an amazing city that mixes the old (north of the...
16 April 2024
Seoul is an amazing city that mixes the old (north of the Han) and the new (south of the Han). We managed to visit a lot of places of our interest including museums, palaces, shopping malls and even Lotte World (amusement park). There is so much to see and do. Taxis (based on 4 travelling) are cheap and a good option to go from places that are far from each other - don't underestimate the time it takes to get from one place to another. Probably the only consideration is that there are a lot of stairs (including underpasses) and not always lifts so this may affect people with reduced mobility.
We did a quick trip from Japan to Seoul (3 full days) since...
15 April 2024
We did a quick trip from Japan to Seoul (3 full days) since it was only a 2 1/2 hour flight, why not :) Wish we had more time in Seoul to explore so plan your days according to area/location. Most "to do" are scattered all over Seoul so you will need at least a day in each area/location like Myeondong, Itaewon, Bukchon, Cheonggyecheon to name a few. Each area will take you about 30 minutes by train depending on your home base hotel. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes....Get ready for walking, steps, trains and maybe taxis. For the 3 days we visited the Lotte World area, Coex Aquarium, Starfield Coex Library, N. Seoul Tower, Banpo bridge at night for the rainbow water lights, Gwangjang market for local Korean food stalls, Myeondong shopping district, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and some underground train shopping areas. Food experience anywhere but our favorite was Lotte Department store food level in Myeondong. You MUST visit Olive Young for Korean skin care. WISH we had MORE time but will return.
I thought it might be difficult because I don't speak...
15 April 2024
I thought it might be difficult because I don't speak Korean, but everyone I met was kind and helpful, I they did not speak English they went out of their way to find me someone who did. I saw a lot and really enjoyed the trips I went on and the street markets and just the differences from home. I found the found fresh and healthy.
Wasn’t expecting to feel so relaxed in a city of 10 and a...
15 April 2024
Wasn’t expecting to feel so relaxed in a city of 10 and a half million people but felt very relaxed , the transport system is great and cost to eat out is good. I am definitely going back and plan visiting more cities as spent majority of time in Seoul with a couple of days in Busan. Only negatives are the smell of sewage at times and impossible to buy good flat white coffee.
Popular places to stay in Seoul
Stay in some of the best accommodation Seoul has to offer
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private house JNP stay Jongno-Gu, Seoul
From £222 per night
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Viva La Vida - Seochon Private Apartment Jongno-Gu, Seoul
From £146 per night
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Seoul Vibes Seongdong-Gu, Seoul
From £93 per night
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Close to Gangnam, COEX & Luxury Apartment near Lotte world Songpa-Gu, Seoul
From £123 per night
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If House Hongdae Mapo-Gu, Seoul
From £79 per night
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Other accommodation in Seoul
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Seoul
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Apartments
From £24 per night
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Villas
From per night
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Cottages
From £269 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £26 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £269 per night
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Guest Houses
From £6 per night
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Hostels
From £5 per night
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Motels
From £22 per night
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B&Bs
From per night
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Homestays
From £14 per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £8 per night
