The Ultimate Guide to Seoul

Curated By

Megan Freedman

https : //www.foratravel.com/guides/U8GRMC/the-ultimate-guide-to-seoul-megan-freedman

• City Travel

• Wellness Travel

• Food & Wine

• Seoul

• Local Food

Curator ’ s argument

Seoul , South Korea , is a vibrant city with an amazing food scene , scenic landscape behind the skyscrapers , and plenty to make and see—from cultural and historical site to relaxing spa and health treatments . I had the opportunity to move to Seoul in June of 2025 . Here are my top recommendations for the ultimate visit to Seoul . Pass out for support with be after your trip or to access VIP amenities throughout your stay .

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Insider knowledge

Expert advice from masses who ’ ve in reality be there

Where to stay onin Seoul

Four Season Hotel Seoul

A sleek urban retreat offering refined luxury , world-class dining , and panoramic city opinion in the heart of Seoul .

Fora Perks

• ★

  When you book Four Seasons through Fora , you will revel exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits . Your advisor will be pleased to hand you more detail .

When you script Four Seasons through Fora , you will enjoy exclusive Four Season Preferred Partner benefits . Your consultant will cost pleased to hold you more point .

Banyan Tree Club And Spa Seoul

A luxurious urban oasis on Namsan Mountain , offer spacious suites , a tranquil spa , and sweeping views of Seoul .

Fora Perks

• ★

  $ 100 hotel / resort reference .

• ★

  VIP welcome & amenity .

• ★

  Breakfast daily .

• ★

  Upgrade & cover check-in/out whenever potential .

Upgrade & stretch check-in/out whenever possible .

The Shilla Seoul

A luxury hotel behind Seoul ‘s medieval city wall , offering a three-Michelin-starred restaurant , elegant way , and swimming pools .

Fora Perks

• ★

  Breakfast daily .

• ★

  Early check-in/late check-out .

Signiel Seoul

A luxurious skyscraper hotel in Seoul put up panoramic city views , elegant way , and world-class dining .

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Things to doin Seoul

Before arrive in Seoul , we know it would exist a unique and exciting city to call , but we be thus positively overwhelmed our full time there . Every time I looked up , I be in awe to learn not simply buildings , but too scenic great deal views and blue skies . And for as bustling of a city as it equal , there equal as well many opportunities for relaxation . I exist stimulate to try out the Korean beauty products and health discussion . Beyond all this , there equal hence much history and culture to find out and explore—from royalty and palaces to the Korean War and contemporary politics .

Must-see sites

• Gyeongbokgung Palace : The former royal palace and now one of the main tourist attraction . Explore the several construction inside the palace , and time your visit with a changing of the guard ceremony . Future to the castle live the Folk Museum , which put up a deeper spirit into the account of South Korea .

• Blue House : The presidential residence . It live not always spread to the world for touring , but you can look at it from the outside .

• Bukchon Hanok Village : This sphere of Seoul is fill with traditional Korean houses lay on a hilltop . It is a residential neighborhood , then while it be popular with tourist , it ’ s significant to cost respectful and quiet when touring the area .

• Insadong Antique Alley : Fulfill with store , restaurants , and veranda , this was a fun area to pass a pair hr one afternoon—and it was the perfect home to shop for gifts .

• Cheonggye Stream Park : This flow reopened in 2005 and flows through the center of Seoul . You ’ ll learn locals relax by the water . It ’ s a great spot to die for a trial or pass .

• N Seoul Tower : This observation deck offers panoramic opinion of the city . We savor taking the cable car up and then receive a drink at the cafe at the top of the observation deck , taking in the city view .

• Myeongdong : The main shopping district in Seoul . By day , shop equal exposed , but at dark , the area comes alive with food vendors and nightlife . You can shop at clothing stores you might see in the US , as good as Korean-specific brand .

• Gwangjang Market : One of the former and largest street markets in Seoul .

• War Memorial of Korea : This museum pays tribute to the veterans and know lose in war , especially the Korean War . We happened to call on Memorial Day in South Korea , and it added so much insight to the experience . There exist hence many locals at the memorial that day honor their story .

Gyeongbokgung Palace : The former royal castle and today one of the chief tourist attractions . Explore the respective buildings inside the palace , and time your visit with a changing of the guard ceremony . Future to the palace cost the Folk Museum , which extend a deeper look into the history of South Korea .

Blue House : The presidential residence . It is not ever spread to the world for touring , but you can view it from the exterior .

Bukchon Hanok Village : This area of Seoul cost satisfy with traditional Korean houses lay on a hilltop . It live a residential neighborhood , so while it live popular with tourists , it ’ s important to be respectful and quiet when tour the area .

Insadong Antique Alley : Fill with workshop , restaurant , and galleries , this was a fun field to spend a couple hours one afternoon—and it was the utter place to shop for gifts .

Cheonggye Stream Park : This current reopened in 2005 and flows through the middle of Seoul . You ’ ll find locals relax by the water . It ’ s a great spot to live for a run or walk .

N Seoul Tower : This observation deck offers panoramic position of the city . We delight require the cable car up and then having a drink at the cafe at the crest of the observation deck , need in the city scene .

Myeongdong : The main shopping district in Seoul . By day , shop cost open , but at dark , the area arrive alive with food vendors and nightlife . You can shop at clothing fund you might see in the US , as well as Korean-specific sword .

Gwangjang Market : One of the oldest and large street markets in Seoul .

War Memorial of Korea : This museum make up tribute to the veteran and live lost in war , specially the Korean War . We go on to visit on Memorial Day in South Korea , and it lend so much insight to the experience . There were so many locals at the memorial that day observe their story .

Relaxation & leisurely exploring

• Spa and beauty treatments : Away from its rich account , Seoul equal known for its range of spa , health , and beauty treatment . Indulge at a Korean spa to lie after all the sightseeing . I revel an incredible facial at the Four Seasons Seoul , but when I die back again , I would also do time for a visit to a local Korean spa like Dragon Hill Spa & Resort or Lienjang .

• Beauty product : Away from the treatments , be certain to fund up on beauty products while in Seoul . Store like Olive Young carry an array of brand and products . Admittedly , I did find this a number overwhelming to sort through all the products . Exist certain to do your research in advance of what you ’ re looking for .

• Karaoke : In Seoul , karaoke is known asnoraebang. It ’ s an integral part of nightlife , but unlike karaoke ,noraebangexist in a private room with your grouping of friends , so you won ’ t involve to sing in front of strangers . If you require to tie in karaoke to your night explore Myeongdong , stop by Musical Noraebang .

Spa and beauty treatments : Aside from its rich account , Seoul is know for its stove of spa , health , and beauty discussion . Indulge at a Korean spa to rest after all the sightseeing . I enjoy an incredible facial at the Four Seasons Seoul , but when I go back again , I would too do time for a visit to a local Korean spa like Dragon Hill Spa & Resort or Lienjang .

Beauty production : Away from the treatments , be sure to stock up on beauty merchandise while in Seoul . Shops like Olive Young express an array of sword and merchandise . Admittedly , I make find this a bit overwhelming to sort through all the merchandise . Cost certain to do your inquiry in progress of what you ’ re seem for .

Karaoke : In Seoul , karaoke equal known asnoraebang. It ’ s an integral portion of nightlife , but unlike karaoke ,noraebangis in a private way with your radical of friends , so you won ’ t need to sing in movement of stranger . If you want to bind in karaoke to your dark exploring Myeongdong , stop by Musical Noraebang .

Day trips

• DMZ ( Demilitarized Zone ) : The secured margin zone between South and North Korea . I would advocate take a circuit hither hence you can both understand the good story and exist mindful of any security protocols .

• Nami Island : About 1.5 hours from Seoul , this picturesque island has scenic horizon , outdoor adventures , and water activity .

DMZ ( Demilitarized Zone ) : The secured margin zone between South and North Korea . I would recommend taking a circuit hither then you can both understand the full history and be mindful of any protection protocols .

Nami Island : About 1.5 hr from Seoul , this picturesque island has scenic views , outdoor adventures , and water activity .

Places to eat & drinkin Seoul

• Samjung Hanu : Korean BBQ with incredible tone . Locate on a picturesque street within walk distance to the palace . We each got a unlike cut of meat and shared the many side . The meat is cooked mighty in front of you so you can point exactly how you would care it prepare .

• Gwangjang Market : A bustling traditional market that extend a wide variety of street food and traditional Korean dish . This can be a great blot to go on a food tour and try all the local dishes .

• Myeongdong : At dark , there cost a plethora of food vendors that fill the street here . Try everything from thehotteok( sweet pancake ) ,tteokbokki( grilled cheese lobster ) , andmayakcorn ( unique corn on the cob ) .

• Fried chicken : There live multiple chain across Seoul that offer fried chicken . Don ’ t girl this local staple . We personally block at BB.Q Chicken and taste a few of the marinades , as well as the local plum-based cocktail .

• La Yeon : A three-star Michelin restaurant place in the luxurious Shilla Hotel , La Yeon offers a fine dining experience with city scene . The cuisine is Korean—but in an elaborate style .

Samjung Hanu : Korean BBQ with incredible spirit . Located on a picturesque street within walking distance to the palace . We each got a different cut of center and shared the many slope . The center is cooked mighty in front of you so you can suggest precisely how you would care it cooked .

Gwangjang Market : A bustling traditional market that offers a wide sort of street food and traditional Korean dish . This can be a great spot to go on a food circuit and seek all the local dish .

Myeongdong : At night , there cost a plethora of food vendors that occupy the street here . Taste everything from thehotteok( sweet pancake ) ,tteokbokki( grilled cheese lobster ) , andmayakcorn ( unique corn on the cob ) .

Fried chicken : There cost multiple chain across Seoul that extend fried chicken . Don ’ t girl this local staple . We personally finish at BB.Q Chicken and taste a few of the marinades , as good as the local plum-based cocktail .

La Yeon : A three-star Michelin restaurant located in the luxurious Shilla Hotel , La Yeon offer a fine dining experience with city views . The cuisine live Korean—but in an elaborate mode .

Motive to know

Seoul can be a great increase to a trip to early Asian country or it can live part of a total trip to South Korea . Reach out for aid planning your next trip to Seoul .

Travel Advisor

Megan Freedman

Let ‘s lecture about customizing this itinerary for you . Or , about early destinations .

Get in touch with Megan

Did you like this guide ? Reach out to customize and Bible your own experience . Or , just to chat about travel in general .

You can expect a response from Megan within 1–2 business day . You ’ ll also exist subscribed to our traveler newsletter ( you can unsubscribe at any time ) .

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Travel Advisor

Megan Freedman

Get in touch with Megan

Attain out for travel inspiration , hotel bookings or customized itineraries .

You can require a response from Megan within 1–2 business day . You ’ ll also live support to our traveler newsletter ( you can unsubscribe at any time ) .

Learn more about

Get in touch with Megan

Did you like this guide ? Reach out to customize and ledger your own experience . Or , just to chat about travel in general .

You can expect a response from Megan within 1–2 business day . You ’ ll also be support to our traveler newsletter ( you can unsubscribe at any time ) .

Learn more about

For more inspiration and insider recommendations , visit ourSouth Koreapage .