Seoul is the capital of South Korea and an amazing city. It is an assault on your senses. Everywhere you go you smell food, see wondrous buildings, frenzied activities, have the eardrums rammed out of your ears by one of the of thousands of karaoke bars. And once the sun goes down, the city is lit up with neon letters.
Bustling Seoul
That it is such an energetic city is not surprising given that Seoul has more than 10 million inhabitants. And that in an area of 'only' 600 square kilometers. Seoul is also one of the most densely populated places in the world for good reason. Everywhere you go, you see people. But Seoul is not just a busy metropolis. It is also a city with a rich history and tradition.
You'll find ancient palaces from the Joseon Dynasty, tiled roofs of traditional wooden hanok houses, traditional dances and old shops selling stuff you've never seen before. As you explore the city, you'll find it a delight to return to a cosy hotel, where you can unwind and process the day's experiences. In the distance, you can see Bukhansan National Park, the world's most visited national park.
A visit to Bukhansan National Park is the ideal day trip from Seoul
Of course, any trip's success is often pinned on where you stay. Since you're headed for the vibrant city of Seoul, why not stay at one of the best places? You can discover a range of excellent accommodation options on tophotels.com. Enjoy your exploration of Seoul!
24/7 life Seoul
Seoul is the ideal city for night owls. Whatever you are looking for or want at any time of day, you can get it in Seoul. You can visit ancient temples in the morning, drink tea in a tea house, get snacks in a street tent in the middle of the night, party in Hongdae or Itaewon, take a bath in one of the saunas or spas or drink Soju (Korean vodka) in a bar.
And all for 24 hours, 7 days a week. It's never boring here!
Seoul's skyline
Seoul is also a city with a modern transport system with the metro as its flagship. And despite its busy, hurried and chaotic life, the locals are incredibly friendly and willing to tell you all about the city they live in.
In the old districts/streets of Insadong, Samcheongdong and Nukchon you will find souvenirs, teahouses, small streets, traditional houses and museums
5x fun things to do in Seoul
Seoul is a huge city with a host of highlights worth visiting. Walking around the city you will already come across a lot of sights. The small streets, old shops, museums and traditional houses already offer plenty of entertainment. Still, there are a few more must-see sights.
#1 Visit the Changdeokgung Palace
This was the second palace built in 1405 after the Gyeongbukgung Palace. What makes it special is that the buildings have remained largely intact and can still be visited today. Korea's last emperor Sunjong died here in 1926.
The palace has also greatly influenced architecture in the rest of Korea.
TIP ♥ - entrance fee for adults (19 to 64) is 3,000 Won. children pay (7-18) 1,500 Won. Opening hours; April - October: 09:00-18:30. March and November: 09:00-17:30. December and February: 09:00-17:00.
The Changdeokgung Palace
#2 Go to Bukchon Hanok Village
This is a village with about 900 traditional hanok houses. Old Korean houses. It is a popular destination for tourists and very special to walk among the small streets with low walls and houses covered with tiled roofs.
It is a world of difference from the energetic city in the distance. At the Bukchon Traditional Culture Centre, you can learn more about the history of the hanok houses.
TIP ♥ - it is open Monday to Friday (9am to 6pm).
Bukchon Hanok Village
#3 Climb the walls of Bukak-san
Seoul's city walls. Built in 1396 and still to be admired today. Over 18 kilometres long, the wall connects the peaks of Bukak-san, Nak-san, Namsan and Inwangsan.
Over the years, the wall has been damaged but because it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is being renovated. You can't walk the entire wall but you can walk large parts of it. You could see it in one day with the Bukak-san being the most beautiful part.
TIP ♥ - buy a T-Money Card. This is the Korean version of the public transport chip card and super convenient to pay for the metro, bus, train and even taxis.
The ancient city walls of Bukak-san
#4 Cycling along the Han River
Perhaps not the most famous but one of the most fun tours in Seoul is a bike ride along the Han River. You can cycle (or walk) along the banks of this river for 15 kilometres.
You will pass Seonyudo and Bamseom Island, among others. You can rent bikes at Yeouido Hangang Park. Along the way, you will come across all kinds of beautiful things!
The Han River
#5 Try the delicious food!
Do you love food? Then you'll love Seoul anyway. If there is one city in Asia where you can eat lots and lots of delicious food, it is in Seoul. Restaurants serve spicy national dishes (kimchi) and they seem to lure you in with the amazing aromas and flavours.
And Korean chefs can make nice non-Korean dishes too. Equally delicious is eating hotteok (pancakes with sweet or savoury fillings) at the street corner, or a delicious crab soup at the Noryangjin Fish Market. In short, there is plenty to eat!
Staying in Seoul
In Seoul, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of options where you can spend the night. Reservations are often not possible because there are plenty to be found. The best is of course to stay in a traditional hanok house but there are also other options like hotels, hostels and motels, a popular option in Seoul and the rest of South Korea.