🇰🇷 South Korea

10 best places in Seoul

Seoul is a city of contrasts, where Joseon-dynasty palaces stand in the shadow of neon towers and Korean food becomes a round-the-clock ritual.

Sight

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The grand main palace of the Joseon dynasty, famous for its ceremonial changing of the royal guard.

District

Bukchon Hanok Village

A hillside neighbourhood of traditional hanok houses, popular for strolls in rented hanbok.

Museum

National Museum of Korea

The country's largest museum, holding five millennia of Korean history and art.

Sight

N Seoul Tower, Namsan

A hilltop observation tower where couples clip padlocks to the fence at its base.

Market

Gwangjang Market

Seoul's oldest market, famous for bindaetteok pancakes and rows of covered street-food stalls.

Park

Cheonggyecheon Stream

A restored urban stream running through downtown, now a beloved pedestrian artery.

District

Hongdae

A youthful district near the arts university, alive with busking, indie shops and clubs.

Café

Anthracite Coffee, Hapjeong

A cult-favourite café in a converted factory, emblematic of Seoul's specialty-coffee scene.

Restaurant

Tosokchon Samgyetang

A city institution serving ginseng chicken soup, samgyetang, in a traditional hanok setting.

District

Insadong

An artsy street of antique shops, tea houses and traditional-craft galleries.

FAQ

Best time to visit Seoul?

April for cherry blossom and late October for the maples. Summer is humid, with the jangma rainy season in June and July. Winter is dry and cold, and the wind off the continent makes -5C feel sharper than the number suggests.

How many days do you need in Seoul?

Four or five to take in the palaces, Bukchon, the National Museum, Namsan and the markets without rushing. The city is huge but the metro is fast, so two neighbourhoods a day is realistic. Add a DMZ tour or a run to Busan and you are at a week.

Do you need a visa for South Korea?

Korea has visa-free arrangements with a number of countries, including Russia, but travellers usually still need K-ETA electronic authorisation, and long questioning or refusal at the border does happen. The eligible list and conditions change regularly, so check the official site before booking.

Can you move to South Korea?

Realistic routes are a sponsored work visa, study followed by employment, starting a business, and the points-based track for skilled professionals; a remote-work visa with an income requirement has also appeared. Permanent residence and citizenship are attainable but slow, and both career and daily life are much harder without Korean. Visa categories are updated often.