The food was absolutely delicious! A single metro ticket costs 1,150 KRW and you can get them at “Ticket Vending” machine or by using a T-Money card. If you do not want to buy an actual fish (which is clearly understandable as you are probably going to stay in a hotel), there are some nice restaurants upstairs where you can either choose something from their menu (the fish is from the market), or bring them the fish you bought and ask them to prepare it for you. PRICE: 46,000 KRW (US$39) Day-time One-day Pass per adult on the official website, but I found a much better and cheaper price here (US$14). If you’ve never heard of or tasted Korean BBQ before, let me explain it! The War Memorial of Korea is an interesting stop on your city tour; you will see all the military equipment and the actual war memorial monument that serves as an educational venue. These are the options: You can take the All Stop train to Seoul Station. And like most markets, you can’t forget about the street food here! Seoul Grand Park. You can think of it as a small children’s paradise with all the most healthy and attractive fun stations! It’s located in the Seoul Train Station, making it a convenient stop to provide some energizing and delicious treats to keep you going. Directions: Alight at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Subway Line 2, 4 and 5) and take Exit 1. The name, Garosu-gil, means tree-lined street. Korean cosmetics are much cheaper here in Seoul, Korea (duh)! Walk down Samil-daero. During this full-day tour, you will arrive in Busan and get to visit the Yonggungsa Buddhist Temple located on a cliff, have a customized photo-shoot at Songjeong Beach with its peaceful surroundings, and even head over to the biggest market place with tons of delicious street food, most of it local seafood dishes! Directions (There’s a Lotte Mart in Seoul Station! Most people head to the bridge for the Rainbow Fountain show. Here you can find some traditional Korean houses, a traditional garden, and even a time capsule plaza (they buried a capsule with cultural objects to be opened on Seoul’s 1000th anniversary in 2394!). Is food in Korea expensive? You have the most detailed blog of Seoul! Also, don’t forget to check out the meat markets and have some iffy Hanwoo as well as the Pochas to have delicious tent food when it’s in season! There is no extra charge for this imaginative and enchanting experience. Indulging yourself on this street may make you never want to leave. On weekends it gets so full of visitors you will feel like you are in a packed shopping mall where everyone wants to take a picture with the fake tower background, and you might even miss the show projected on the wall. Shopping in the Myeongdong area offers access to major department stores as well as small boutiques. You can find stores renting hanboks everywhere between the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Changdeokgung Palace. Bukhansan National Park has some of the most beautiful trekking trails among creeks and mountain scenery! Best Things to do in Seoul South Korea. Bindaetteok – mung bean pancakes that combines soaked mung beans with vegetables and meat, all pan-fried in a circular shape. Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jeodong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The venue doors will open at 5 p.m. “Seoul Africa … This rechargeable smart card will make your rides much cheaper on public transportation because for every single ride you save about 100 KRW if paid with the T-Money card. There are various trade shows, exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts and performances to view there. It was created due to so much traffic congestion, so this was to be a public park where pedestrians could move along. National Parks (19) Bukhansan National Park. Some of the city’s biggest bars and craziest nightclubs are located in the area. This post contains affiliate links which … This will only depend on which restaurants you want to go to, but it’s actually cheap to try local dishes at food stalls and markets! If you are not such a fan of adrenaline rushes, you can step away from the rides and walk around the World Square where you will find traditional buildings from all over the world. I am all for hotels when it comes to Korea! The hotel’s front desk clerk spoke good English so they could answer my questions, there was room service available everyday, and I did not need to figure out the heating part (yay!). Here are some great, fun things to do in Seoul: Visit Lotte World – a complex that has an indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park, an artificial island, a Korean folk museum, and even a movie theatre! Also, Namdaemun food market is larger with a broader selection for sure, but Gwangjang is much more authentic! It’s a 15 minute walk towards the Pacific Hotel. Dried chili peppers add a hot zing to the dish. So overall, the prices are not expensive, but you will most probably go shopping. Some of the most popular edibles include Crown Butter Waffles, Lotte Biscuit Sticks and Honey Butter Chips. N Seoul Tower. I went on a weekend and still remember how horribly long the line was to buy a ticket. It has been used since the 16th century and has tablets with the teachings of all the royal family members. Not including tasting this entree as a part of things to do in Seoul is like not trying pasta in Italy. Their fare starts at 3,800 KRW (US$3). The rear garden at the palace was done to create the ideal resting place for the royal family members – I definitely recommend checking it out! Naengmyeon – literally means “cold noodles” in English, and they are noodles served in a cold soup. As well as inexpensive clothing and accessories for women, there are popular Korean beauty products on sale, and several hair salons. South Korea has a little something for everyone. … You can book your online ticket here. After the cruise you will all head towards a bus that will take you to Mount Namsan at the N Seoul Tower, perfect to enjoy the panoramic view. There are soooo many options for good restaurants in Seoul, but  here are some of the best recommendations: In case you have more time on hand, here are the places I recommend you check out, located close to Seoul: If you want to understand the current situation between North and South Korea better, this is one of the top things to do during your Seoul holidays! I recommend going for an organized tour such as this 11-hour tour to JSA & DMZ, so you have your ticket beforehand and don’t need to be emailing other independent tour companies. Seoul Grand Park is the first and largest theme … Even though you may include a trip to Everland on your first visit to Seoul, you can’t possibly do everything there is to do at Everland in just one visit. You will find out what to do and where to go in Seoul, some tips on how to get around the city and save money on attraction tickets, where to stay and where to eat as well! The pass also includes discounts to places like Lotte World, Seoul Land, and the Duty Free stores. Their outdoor amusement park is called Magic Island, as it is surrounded by water amidst a labyrinth of shopping malls, luxury hotel facilities and movie theaters, linked by a monorail for an effortless tour throughout the park. As part of the fun and educational side, there are also experience programs like “Animal School” and “Ecology Touring Class” that can be joined throughout the year. Situated right in the heart of Seoul, Seoul Alive Illusion Museum is the first museum to bring interactive 4D optical illusions to South Korea. Banpodaegyo or Banpo Bridge is a two-tier bridge over the Han River that connects the districts of Seocho and Yongsan. Address: 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. I was basically walking around the Palace alone; then, by 10 AM, it was already much more crowded. The museum is divided into a Main Exhibition Hall and a Children’s Museum, with galleries holding many national and international pieces. Most of the stalls in the area sell fashion items like clothing, shoes, and accessories for young women. Address: 100-177 Hoehyeon-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu | Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. If you can’t find whatever it is you’re looking for at Namdaemun Market, you won’t find it anywhere. Esmod Seoul, a French fashion school, is also situated in the area. Here are the extra things I would highly recommend visiting: This district is the area where most expats prefer to live, which means you’ll find a great variety of international cuisines and stores here! But to protect these artifacts, only one of these houses is open for public visiting, the Yoon-ssi of Okin-dong, which is decorated as a tearoom so you can have a cup of traditional tea while gazing at the interiors. Meanwhile Museum 2, made by French architect Jean Nouvel and Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, has modern and contemporary art elements from Korean and international artists. You will be inside a small tented space that offers Korean street food and local alcoholic beverages. You will most probably arrive at the first one, just like I did. For all kinds of accommodation in Seoul, take a look at this super detailed article from the blog! The savory version of this same snack might be filled with vegetables and noodles. PRICE: 10,000 KRW (US$9) for the Museum, free for the guided tour. If this is your first visit, be prepared for a busy and fun adventure experiencing the mouth-watering food, fabulous shopping and unique attractions. Airport, but you can return the device at any other local airport! And the best part is… you don’t need to worry about transportation; it’s all handled for you! Directions: Dongdaemun Station (Subway Line 1 and 4) / Dongdaemun Stadium Station (Subway Line 2). It is usually served with some makgeolli or soju. As is always true with traveling, be sure to explore on your own off the beaten path. Common Ground is an out-of-the-ordinary shopping mall, built with 200 shipping containers making it the first and biggest container mall complex in the world. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is really useful. Unfortunately I never figured out how to use it during my stay because the interface was in English but the names only in Korean. In case you want to travel to South Korea as I did, continue reading to find out more about the top things to do in Seoul as well as how to save money on sightseeing and tours during your vacation! If you have a yen for pancakes, head over to The Original Pancake House, serving breakfast and brunch. Thank you. Clothing, shoes, bags and make-up are in never-ending supply, some at discounted prices. Okay, but how can you choose a good Jjimjilbang out of all the choices? Jjimdak is the Korean style braised chicken, a popular dish that combines savoury, a bit of salt and sweet, while having an extra subtle spicy touch. PRICE: 12,000 KRW (US$10) is the price on the official site. The NANTA Theater Show is the longest running show in Korean history. Namdaemun Market is not the trendiest market, but it is the oldest and most traditional one. Address: 200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05071, South Korea. Each temple has unique tributes to Buddha that … The smaller shops hidden away from the main thoroughfare are where you’ll find the best discounts. Address of Express Bus Terminal Mall: 194 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06545, S. Korea. The hanbok rental can be from 1.5 hours to a full day and the prices range between 5,000 to 15,000 KRW (US$4 to US$14). One of the best … What about the nightlife? Some of these hanoks are used as cultural centers, restaurants, and guest houses so you can go inside and immerse yourself in the traditional Korean culture. Only one word – jjimjilbang! Insa-dong Street has many alleys and smaller streets that branch from it which create a street food paradise with food carts all along the way. You will then arrive at Doseonsa Buddhist Temple and then the highest peak of Baegundae. Discover 56 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in South Korea from Trick Eye Museum to Jangsan Puppy Cafe . She was traveling around the world for over 4 years now. It’s straight ahead. Address: 281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04566, South Korea. It has approximately 40 rides that include roller coasters and movie theatres, all fit for all ages! Five hanok houses in the village were redone to represent common houses from the different social classes during the Joseon Dynasty. Walk around the traditional Gyeongbukgung Palace, 3. I don’t think you would get bored even after a month! You will find a lot of stores around the palaces! Samgye-tang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) – a rich soup that uses a whole chicken and is filled with rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng. BTW I have a question I’ml learning hangul, when you’re in Korea do have a hard time talking to people? Over at Lotte World Garden Stage you can listen to different themed musicals that match the season, and the Lotte World Star Avenue showcases local Korean stars. These are only available to foreigners and although you can’t book them beforehand, you can see their schedule here. You will get a great variety of easy eating treats like tteokbokki, soondae, or mandu, all with a glass of beer or makgeolli. From there you will see the boarding point for the cable car. Throughout the year, there are different educational events and cultural programs that visitors can be part of; you can see the updated program here. This trek can take you between 4 and 6 hours; it mostly depends on your individual pace. 5700 into the park. If you want to mix your meals a bit, this is your perfect destination because it has restaurant cuisines from all over the world: Spanish, Italian, Brazilian, Indian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Canadian, Mexican, Turkish. The best location to watch it is from Banpo Hangang Park! It is connected to the complex. Directions: Alight at Samseong Station (Subway Line 2) and take Exit 6. PRO TIP: If you are wearing a hanbok you will enter all the palaces for free! It has helped me a lot for my next trip. I know that many of you are not traveling by yourselves, but with your families, so I created this list of amazing things to do in the city with kids! Directions: From Myeong-dong Station (Subway Line 4). On my trip to Seoul, I stayed in 2 different accommodations (that is what happens when you book last minute, everything is taken!). Let’s say you have 2 days in Seoul and you want to visit the following attractions: Gyeongbokgung Palace (3,000 KRW) + N Seoul Tower (11,000 KRW) + COEX Aquarium (28,000 KRW) + National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (4,000 KRW) + Seoul City Tour Bus (20,000 KRW) = 66,000 KRW (US$55). Hongdae neighborhood is mostly known for its underground culture, the freedom of self-expression, and the youthful vibe. The countries that require their citizens to obtain a visa before heading to South Korea are mainly African and Asian countries. If you do have to wait, the delicious dish will be worth it. PRO TIP: Starting at 11 PM is probably the best time to visit the market when all the shoppers are going around looking for the best deals and sampling some of the street food stalls! You can find the tricks behind the painted illusions and even be a part of them. Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, and is the largest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces. By the way, Deoksugung Palace means “palace of virtuous longevity”! Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Many of them are in hanoks, traditional Korean houses so they have a nice, homey and relaxing feel. After the Palace, I headed over to the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village since they are so close to each other. This street is where you’ll find the deepest discounts in your shopping excursions. Well, first of all, you might find some communication problems with the owner; probably because of our different mentalities we didn’t seem to understand each other as well as one would expect. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are also some events taking place there from time to time, you can check them out on their website. Take Exit 6. I’m happy you are leading people to the memorable places. Busan is a city on the southern coast of Korea that is filled with lovely historical sights and breathtaking beaches! Completed in 1938, its design followed the Joseon-dynasty style. Trick Eye Museum. Complimentary sweets come with every tea order. But if you’re in Korea, especially in Seoul, there are more opportunities to dive into the real K-pop world. Lotte World Adventure is a place where you can learn about different countries, taste a variety of international cuisines, and enjoy the biggest indoor amusement park in the world. Directions: Alight at Anguk Station (Subway Line 3) and take Exit 2. Most of these jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours and have a lot of visitors on the weekends. Here’s our ultimate guide to how you can experience the genuine K-pop music at various attractions in Seoul. Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village located on a hilltop where you’ll be amazed by the many tiny alleys that weave in and out throughout the village. Once ordered you will get a bowl of warm white rice with some seasonal vegetables (namul) and chili pepper paste (gochujang) on top, as well as a fried egg or sliced meat. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, that can be viewed from the bridge, has over 380 water jets and multicolored lights in a show that can be seen from April to October. Both indoor and outdoor halls have different exhibits. PRO TIP 2: Don’t forget to ask for your tax refund form. Visit Namdaemun Market, the locals’ favorite, 7. It is a bowl of shaved ice decorated with fruits, sweet red beans, rice cake pieces and topped with sweet creamy condensed milk. It is so peaceful you won’t even realize you are still in the city! Insadong is the place for that. I recommend going there to take a break, unwind, take a look at all the books (they have tons of foreign books as well! The rear garden which has always been preserved as naturally as possible and contains a huge, 300-year-old tree. But it was a good excuse to test out different hotels around the many districts, so that was fine. PRO TIP: If you are staying a couple of days in the city, I would first buy samples, try 2 or 3 and figure out the ones your skin likes the most, then buy a huge box of it (it’s cheaper if you buy in big quantities!). Patbingsu – a classic Korean dessert, most popular during the summer. Here is my experience staying in the city: During my trip, I stayed at an Airbnb the first 3 days, but to be honest, I did not enjoy it as much as a hotel. The cheapest shopping is not found here, but some of the trendiest is. If you want to visit the village as part of an organized tour, I recommend going for this tour that includes Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village. If you are not into many rides you can always enjoy the seasonal themed festivals like Tulip Festival, Rose Festival, Summer Splash, Halloween Festival, and more. Walking down from the top with a picnic lunch in tow can be a relaxing and fun way to spend one of your days is Seoul. There are almost as many things to do in Seoul, South Korea as there are people. The card works as a free admission ticket for many attractions such as N Seoul Tower, the Gyeongbokgung Palace, COEX Aquarium, among the total of 53 attractions. There are also some educational and cultural demonstrations to help you understand and somehow feel part of the traditional Korean lifestyle! While I was in Seoul, my list of potential places to visit only grew bigger and bigger. Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu, South Korea. Seoul, as a city, is safe, crimes and theft are almost non-existent. PRICE: Free to enter the Tower / 27,000 KRW (US$23) per adult for Seoul Sky on the official website. For local transportation I suggest buying the T-Money card and picking it up at the airport on arrival or purchasing it at most convenience stores or subway ticket booths. They are soaked in a hot pepper sauce and stir-fried. Some shops might be a bit pricey, but you can always go inside for some window shopping only! Address: 12 Insadong-gil, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. I recommend staying in Seoul city center because every main attraction is pretty much within a 15-minute walk away. Do Not Worry About Safety. Walk straight ahead for about 5 minutes. PRO TIP 2: For wonderful photos, again, you can use the traditional hanbok (the classic Korean dresses); you will see plenty of people doing so! If you are tired of walking around the city, why not take a cooking tour and learn how to make traditional Korean food? Visit the colorful Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, 18. Thanks for this!! Thank you for your blog, it is really helpful. Address: 11-4 Insa-Dong 10Gil, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-300 Korea. Book your online ticket here or purchase a ticket at the gate. Tiny villages, children’s playground, ice-skating rink, shops, restaurants and Lotte World Garden Stage presenting musicals make it a venue for the whole family to completely enjoy. Add Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park to a New List. I will tell you this right from the start: make your life and Seoul trip easier by getting your local SIM card right in the airport after landing and before heading to your hotel! Taking the family over to the Children’s Grand Park is an amazing idea to enjoy this nature-related theme park that has a zoo, a botanic garden, children’s playgrounds and a small amusement park. 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