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South Korea
Seoul
Joseon palaces and hanok lanes, Gwangjang Market's street food, Namsan's tower views, nights out in Hongdae and Myeongdong, and city-wall hikes on Inwangsan and Bukhansan.
The best of Seoul, according to 4 travel creators
We read 4 Seoul itineraries and counted which places come up again and again. Higher on the list means more creators recommend it.
Save to PinterestBest things to do in Seoul
1.Bukchon Hanok Village
Jongno-gu4 of 4 creators recommendFree
Residential neighborhood of preserved traditional hanok houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.
Tip: Tourists are barred from the red zone from 5 pm to 10 am, with fines up to 100,000 KRW.
2.Gyeongbokgung Palace
Jongno-gu4 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2.26
The largest and main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, with daily gate-guard ceremonies at Gwanghwamun.
Tip: Free entry if you wear hanbok. Closed Tuesdays.
3.Hongdae
Mapo-gu4 of 4 creators recommend
Youthful nightlife and busking district around Hongik University.
4.Changdeokgung Palace
Jongno-gu3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $2.26
UNESCO-listed Joseon palace known for its rear Secret Garden (Huwon), visited by guided tour.
Tip: The Secret Garden is a guided tour for 5,000 KRW more. Closed Mondays.
5.Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Jung-gu3 of 4 creators recommendFree
Zaha Hadid-designed curving landmark hosting exhibitions, beside the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park.
6.N Seoul Tower
Yongsan-gu (Namsan)3 of 4 creators recommendfrom $20
Communications and observation tower atop Namsan, reachable on foot or by the Namsan cable car.
7.Bukhansan National Park
Northern Seoul / Goyang2 of 4 creators recommend
Granite mountain park on Seoul's northern edge whose highest peak is Baegundae (836 m).
8.Changgyeonggung Palace
Jongno-gu2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $0.75
Joseon palace adjoining Changdeokgung, with a pond and a Victorian-style glass greenhouse.
9.Cheonggyecheon Stream
Jongno-gu / Jung-gu2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Restored 11 km urban stream with walking paths below street level.
10.Inwangsan Mountain
Jongno-gu / Seodaemun-gu2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Rocky peak traversed by the Seoul City Wall trail with views over the palace district.
11.Jogyesa Temple
Jongno-gu2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and center of the Lotus Lantern Festival.
12.Jongmyo Shrine
Jongno-gu2 of 4 creators recommendfrom $0.75
UNESCO-listed royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon kings.
14.COEX Mall
Gangnam-gu (Samseong)1 of 4 creators recommend
Large underground mall home to the Starfield Library, near Bongeunsa Temple.
15.Deoksugung Palace
Jung-gu1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $0.75
Compact palace mixing Korean halls and Western-style buildings, beside the Deoksugung stone-wall walk.
Where to eat in Seoul
1.Gwangjang Market
Jongno-gu3 of 4 creators recommend
One of Seoul's oldest traditional markets, famed for bindaetteok, mayak gimbap and raw-food stalls.
2.Insadong
Jongno-gu2 of 4 creators recommendFree
Pedestrian street of galleries, tea houses and traditional craft shops, including the Ssamziegil complex.
3.Myeongdong
Jung-gu2 of 4 creators recommend
Dense shopping district known for cosmetics stores and evening street-food stalls.
6.Chatteul Tea House
Jongno-gu (Bukchon)1 of 4 creators recommend
Traditional hanok tea house serving tea and rice cakes.
7.Common Ground
Gwangjin-gu (Konkuk Univ.)1 of 4 creators recommendFree
Shopping and dining complex built from shipping containers.
9.Jongno 3-ga pojangmacha street
Jongno-gu1 of 4 creators recommend
Strip of evening tented street stalls serving snacks and soju.
Where to stay in Seoul
1.Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
Jongno-gu (Gwanghwamun)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $394/night
Luxury hotel steps from Gwanghwamun Square.
2.Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
Mapo-gu1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $109/night
Midrange IHG hotel beside Hongik University Station.
3.Siloam Sauna
Jung-gu (near Seoul Station)1 of 4 creators recommendfrom $10
Large 24-hour jjimjilbang near Seoul Station that is popular with foreign travelers.
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