Best Travel Guide to Seoul : Everything You Should Know

The capital city of South Korea is Seoul and it is a vibrant city. It is a place where skyscrapers of the future are lined next to millennium palaces, where ultra–fast internet can give life to ancient tea houses and lead them to the world arena, and where K-pop music could be heard in the same streets and already many centuries ago the kings were having impressive parades. Seoul is a destination not only, but rather an experience of the senses, with its ancient touch and contemporary cool. Be it your interest with Korean culture, being an enthusiast of K-dramas and K-pop, interested with ancient history, or simply want to visit a place that is both colourful and rich in tradition, Seoul promises an unending adventure. It is a guide to the very best Seoul has to offer: the best time of year to visit, where to stay, what to eat (and drink), what to see and do, among other things.

The Reason to Travel to Seoul

1. Cultural Heritage in Motion

Seoul is an inner complex of the experiences of culture. Take a stroll in royal palaces such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, delve deep into the customs and guidelines of traditional Bukchon Hanok Village or get indulged in the serenity of temple surroundings such as Bongeunsa and Jogyesa.

2. The Pop Culture Phenomenon

Seoul, being the epicentre of K-pop and Korean drama on a global scale, is a paradise to fans. Check out the best entertainment companies headquarters and visit the shooting places or buy the newest merchandise in Myeongdong or Gangnam.

3. Trendy and High Tech

In an ability to combine efficiency with fun, Seoul is equipped with one of the most advanced tech infrastructures in the world. Cashless conveniences, automated systems, Smart travel apps, and high bandwidth Wi-Fi simply make navigation easy.

4. You Want to Die for Food Scene

Seoul has culinary thrills and treats on every corner, whether it is sizzling Korean barbecued kebabs and warming bibimbap dishes, or street nibblables, such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and hotteok (sweet pancakes).

5. Natural Beauty

Although it is a very densely-populated city, Seoul is relatively green. Outside getaways do not take long with Han River, Namsan mountain, and the various city parks.

The Best Time to Visit Seoul

Spring (March–May)

The weather is cool comfortable and cherry blossoms bloom. It is one of the prettiest periods to visit but well-known parks may be too busy.

Summer (June–August)

It is hot and humid and there is a chance of monsoon rains. In spite of the weather there are summer festivals, night markets and hangouts in riversides.

Autumn (September–November)

Locals and tourists all favor autumn. Brisk cool weather, blue skies and fall foliage are a great place to sight-see and hike.

Winter (December–February)

Cold, and in winter usually snowy. Excellent to feel the Korean winter traditions, palaces covered with snow, and to skate on ice. Perfect to those who love winter activities.

What to Do to Get There and Around

By Air

The vast majority of international travelers are directed to Incheon International Airport (ICN), which has been rated as one of the best worldwide on a steady basis. And then you can reach Seoul by any means like you can use AREX (Airport Express Train) or through limousine bus or Taxi and personal transfer.

Public Transport

Seoul possesses a large efficient network of subway and buses. Subway is easy to make around, it is not littered, signs are written both in English and Korean. Get a T-money card to convenient tap-and-go transport.

Ride-Hailing and Taxis

Cabs are cheap in global terms and in supply. There is great use of ride-hailing apps, such as Kakao Taxi. In advance English-speaking taxis may be ordered.

Making Use of Feet and the Bicycles

Seoul is a city that can be walked around and particularly in the tourist areas. The Han River has bike routes, and most neighborhoods such as Insadong and Hongdae are walkable.

Seoul Place to Stay

Myeongdong
Street food, subway access and good shopping area. Ideal even with first time visitors.
Hongdae
Young and hip, full of cafes, indie music, street acts and cheap hostels.
Gangnam
Fancy and fashionable, a place of luxury hotels, luxury shopping, and so-called the Gangnam Style atmosphere.
Insadong
All traditional experiences like tea houses, antique shops, and near palaces and temples.
Itaewon
Various and multinational. The city is known as a party destination with plenty of international food options and queer-friendly places.

What to See in Seoul Must-Sees

Gyeongbokgung Palace
The biggest and most well-known of the Five Grand Palaces. Wear free don traditional hanbok clothes and great pictures.
Bukchon Hanok Village
An old residential district of traditional hanok style houses. A global mixture of history and culture.
N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)
Visit this panoramic view point by bicycle system or hiking through the mountain of Namsan. Secure a love lock or even have dinner with a skyline view.
Insadong
A nearby neighborhood with antique crafts, tea houses, calligraphy and tea shops.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
A cultural complex, amazing architectural experience. The place of exhibitions, shopping, and Seoul Fashion Week.
Cheonggyecheon Stream
A green running stream in the city center, allows peaceful walks and helps to get rest of the city life.
Danish Castle Tower The Avant-garde World Tower
The tallest building in the world (number five). Have fun with the view deck, aquarium and the luxury mall.
Memorial War of Korea
A cultural and heart-thumping nostalgia ride about Korean military history. It is memorable because of detailed displays and life sized models.

Food in Seoul: The Seoul Food Scene

Must Try Street Food

Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes which are usually accompanied by fish cakes and boiled eggs.
Hotteok: Sweet pancakes floured by brown sugar and cinnamon.
Odeng: Boiled fish cakes on a stick-they are served in hot soup- excellent during winter.
Gimbap: Seaweed rice rolls, the Korean equivalent of sushi except that it has cooked filling.
Bungeoppang: Sweet red bean pastry filled with a fish shaped pastry.

Korean Dishes Traditional

Bibimbap: a rice dish in a bowl that has vegetables and meat and red hot gochujang sauce.
Samgyeopsal: Pork belly barbecue, cooked table side.
Kimchi Jjigae: Kimchi stew that is made with tofu and pork.
Sundubu Jjigae: this is warm and comforting silken tofu stew.

Coffee Shops and Pastry

The Instagram-famous cafes in Yeonnam-dong or Ikseon-dong can be visited. You can make an attempt to taste bingsu (shaved ice dessert) or matcha lattes with cute latte art.

Seoul Shopping

Myeongdong: Filled with skin care, beauty products and fashionable clothing. The company is infamous with endless free samples.
Dongdaemun: This district remains open until dawn with anything ranging to wholesale fashion to fabric markets.
Namdaemun Market: Old style market where you can find great bargains on anything including ginseng to souvenir.
ApgujeongBo and Cheongdam: In the case of luxury brands and expensive boutiques.
COEX Mall: The biggest underground shopping center in Asia that offers fashion, book stores and aquarium.

Evening Life and Entertainment

Hongdae: Rumouring with live music, bars, karaoke and dance clubs. Young, and active.
Itaewon: It also has a reputation of being global in ambiance- hookah bars, rooftop bars, and English speaking restaurants.
Gangnam: More exclusive, having shiny nightclubs and lounges.
Noraebang (Karaoke): An epitome of a Korean. Make a reservation of a personal room and sing your throat out until the dawn.

The Seoul Making Day Trips

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): An intriguing and wake-up call. Tours involve taking in observation posts, and underground tunnels.
Nami Island: It is well-known being known of tree-lined sidewalks and locations that K-dramas are being filmed. Perfect day trip of romance.
Everland or Lotte World: The best amusement parks in South Korea. Adventurous and lots of fun with families.
Suwon: It has the Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located an hour away Seoul.

Sample 5 Days Itinerary

Gyeongbokgung Palace
Bukchon Hanok Village
Lunch and tea Insadong
N Seoul Tower in evening

Myeongdong strip buying and culinary
Dongdaemun design plaza
The night market of Dongdaemun

Morning during the period at the War Memorial
COEX Mall and Aquarium afternoon
Gangnam dining out

Day tour of Nami island or DMZ
Dinner at Itaewon Returning in the evening to have drinks

Take a walk in Cheonggyecheon stream
The lunch of Yeonnam-dong
Ikseon-dong cafe hops
Last minute shopping in Namdaemun Market

Travel Tips

Towels: It is advised that you bring a couple of towels with you on your trip.
Language: The official language is Korean and although people in the tourist zones understand English very well. Translation applications come in handy.
Currency: KRW (South Korean Won). Pretty much everywhere, they accept credit cards, yet having some cash is advisable.
Tipping: It is not conventional. Tips are not expected to most restaurants, and taxis.
Connectivity: There is a portable Wi-Fi product or Korean SIM card available at the airport.
Safety: Seoul is also a safe city in Asia. Take usual precaution.

Final Thoughts

Seoul is more than a place to visit, it is an act of timelines, a colorful tile of memoirs to create. It is where the neon lights flicker against the walls of a palace and the street meal is cooked in the imminence of a 500-year-old entry gate. You will have memorable flavors, food-related tales engraved in your memory and some K-pop chorus stuck in your brain.

Travel slowly. Catch it up. By the fact that the longer you devote time to it in Seoul, more you get in response.

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