Trust me, you will not get bored in Seoul. One moment, you’re immersed in the ancient architecture of a palace, and before you know it, you’re wandering through a street full of lights, looking for a karaoke. I adored Seoul for all the different type of atmospheres you can experience in the span of a day. Visiting Seoul with a local, I enjoyed both the touristic side of the city, and a glimpse of the local life, which made my trip feels fun and authentic.
Find below my favourite things to do in this wonderful city, with both touristic highlights and calmer moments. Note that I went during the summer and some of the recommendations are more suited for this season.
Rent a Hanbok and visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
There are five palaces in Seoul, and it’s common for both tourists and locals to rent Hanboks (Korean traditional costumes) to visit them. You can book a slot to rent a Hanbok in a boutique close to the Palaces or try to find one on the go. The entrance is free if you are wearing one. I rented mine for three hours, handpicked the pieces, and was helped by a lady to set up my hair and add accessories. They are different styles of Hanbok depending on the era. According to my Korean friend, some are more modern with shimmers and sparkles, and some are more ancient and authentic. Once you’ve rented your costume, you can find a photobooth studios in the areas to get some memories printed.
Out of the three Palaces I visited, Gyeongbokgung was my favourite. At some point of the visit, you reach an area surrounded by water and nature. I adored the atmosphere and stillness of that place and stayed here breathing-in the moment (try breathing in a Hanbok) for a long time.
For a bit of background, it’s the largest and main one of the five palaces, as it served as a royal residence during the Joseon Dynasty. You will encounter this name frequently, given their long rule over Korea from the 14th century up to their annexation by Japan in 1910. As you stand in the courtyard, imagine several centuries of nobles and aristocrats strolling around in ancient costumes, along with a staff of 3,000 people bustling about the place. Visitors wearing Hanboks really add to the historical atmosphere and take you back in time.
The Changdeokgung Palace
This secondary Palace is a close walk from Gyeongbokgung. You can also enter for free if you are wearing a Hanbok. Personally, I had to cut short my time in the costume as I could barely breathe in it, and the heat was unbearable. I arrived at sunset, and the palace was completely empty.
While I didn’t explore it, the Palace is renowned for its Secret Garden, which requires a separate ticket for admission.
The Namsan Tower
As one of the main landmark of Seoul, you cannot miss the breathtaking panoramic view from the Namsan Tower at night. Thousands of lights illuminate the city, with buildings extending far into the horizon, and you start imagining the lives of 10 million people all intertwined in this big city.
I recommend heading to Namsan Tower before sunset to enjoy the breathtaking views both during the day and at night. On your way to the tower, you might come across a long queue in front of an elevator. However, note that this elevator only takes you to the cable car, not directly to the tower. I’d suggest skipping it and walking 10 minutes to the cable car. If you have the energy and time, consider hiking through Namsan Park to the base of the tower.
Once you reached the Tower, the view is already a treat for sore eyes but you can take another elevator all the way up for a full experience. If you go there, make sure you use the bathroom. The walls are fully covered in glass so you can have the most scenic bathroom break of your life.
Deoksugung Palace
Deoksugung is another of Seoul’s palaces, and its architecture blends both Korean and Western styles, as some of the buildings were constructed in later periods. Deoksugung Palace hosts a daily Changing of the Guard ceremony. Although the visit is charming, I’d actually recommend it for the the walk in the shadows of the trees right outside the walls of the Palace.
Gwanghwamun Square
Skyscrappers in the back, mountains and palaces ahead, I loved the vibrant atmosphere of Gwanghwamun Square in the late afternoon. Since I visited in the summer, I found the place very inviting, as there were chairs to chill and have a break. I was quite impressed by the statues of Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-Sin as it’s a different style of memorial as what I’m used to in Europe. Sejong the Great is one of the most remembered monarch of the Joseon Dysnasty for its legacy and contributions to South Korea. He implemented the Hangul Korean writing system to overcome the complexities of Chinese characters and he was also a supporter of arts, science and culture. Admiral Yi Sun-Sin is considered one of the greatest naval commanders in history, defending Korea from the Japanese naval forces. He is famous for inventing the turtle ship.
The Han River (Hangang)
In the evening, locals gather along the banks of the Hangang, right next to the Hangang Bridge. They buy instant noodles and beers in convenience stores or have Korean fried chicken delivered. The area is crowded and so lively as Koreans enjoy food and drinks with their friends and family. When I was there during the summer, there was water light show from the bridge and it was beautiful to watch. It’s a really nice place to enjoy an evening out in the summer and definitely an opportunity to see locals living their lives.
Bukchon Hanok Village
This village is a neighbourhood of traditional Korean houses built 600 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. It’s located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, and members of the Court and Aristocrats used to live there. The village is still inhabited by locals today, but you can also find tea houses and art galleries.
Bukchon Hanok Village is such a charming and peaceful stroll. It’s a unique place in Seoul to observe ancient Korean architecture surrounded by a scenic view over the city and the mountains. It’s requested to be mindful of the noise and respect the residents’ privacy when exploring the area.
The Seoul Forest
If you have some spare time during your trip or need a nature break, you can take a stroll in Seoul Forest. There, you have the option to rent bikes and badminton rackets and enjoy the afternoon. Badminton is very popular in Korea and many people were playing in the park.
You can visit the Botanical Garden, the deer park, an insect garden, and a butterfly observatory. I went for a bike ride, so I cannot personally vouch for whether the other attractions are worth a visit.
The National Museum of Korea
This impressive building hosts many collections of artefacts, calligraphy, crafts, and Buddhist sculptures. Notable artworks include the Pensieve Bodhisattva in the Contemplation Room. My favourite piece was the sculpture in the picture that captivated me, but sadly, I cannot retrieve its name.
Cheonggyecheon Stream
The Cheonggyecheon Stream is a peaceful and calm watercourse nestled amidst skyscrapers and bustling streets. It’s a very relaxing place to take a break or refresh yourself by the water. If you are in the area, definitely have a break there.
Lotte World Amusement Park
One day, my friend sent me an address and told me to meet her there at 4pm, explaining that it was a park with some attractions. Can you imagine my surprise when I realized it was a huge amusement park with several roller coaters, and not the local fair I was imagining! Turns out that for Asia, it’s actually quite a small park and my friend didn’t think there was much to brag about.
I actually wish I had spent the whole day there, so if you like scary rides, you should definitely save a day or an afternoon for it. There are fantastic roller coasters (Pharaoh, Atlantis Adventure, French Revolution) and other calmer rides. Mind that the queues can get quite long. Fun tradition: Koreans rent school uniforms when spending the day there.
Outside the park is the Lotte World Tower, the fifth largest tower in the World, hosting offices, a luxury hotel and a shopping mall.
You will see the name Lotte a lot in Korea as it’s one of the largest company in the country with business in retail, food and beverage, entertainment and real estate.
The Starfield Library at the COEX Mall
When I was planning my trip, I would often see the Starfield Library in the recommendations. Located in one of the largest shopping mall in East Asia in the Gangnam district, it’s a impressive place to see for a bookworm, or if you happen to be in the neighbourhood. Although, I wouldn’t make it a priority.
Hongdae
One thing I wanted to experience going for the first time in East Asia was a busy colourful, crazy, crowded, noisy street, and Hongdae was up to my expectations. This street is so vibrant you can easily feel overwhelmed by all the movements, smells, music and people. There are many shops, restaurants, bars, arcades, karaokes and coffee places. Worth a stroll at night.
Insadong
This bustling artsy area is nearby the two Palaces mentioned above where you can look through souvenirs shops, tea houses and restaurants. The street is famous for its antique art and traditional objects.
Visit a karaoke
Koreans love karaoke and it’s one of my best memories there. In South Korea, karaokes are small private rooms you can rent for an hour or more (if you have some voice left), order drinks and have fun. My korean friend told me she sometimes go alone when she want to unwind, definitely something I would do after work here if this was common in Europe.
Visiting Seoul, you feel the ancient history and the traditions when you visit the Palaces, the Bukchon Hanbok Village, or Gwanghwamun Square. You feel peace, quiet, and nature when you take a rest at the Cheonggyecheon Stream, a bike ride in the Seoul Forest or a hike in the Namsan Park. You feel the vibrations of a large modern hectic capital when you gaze at Seoul from the Namsan Tower or fight your way through Hongdae. Finally, you feel the local life when you have a drink by the Hangang or visit a karaoke.
So peaceful, vibrant, modern and ancient, I wouldn’t have loved Seoul so much if I had not experienced it with different perspectives. I want to thank my Korean friend for putting so much energy into finding the best things to do and the best restaurants. It would not have felt the same without your precious guidance, and I hope everyone can see the Seoul you have shown me.
Chapter 26
If you visit Seoul, you might also want to check:
Chapter 26 
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