PlanoPlanoSeoul moves at a breathtaking pace, cycling through trends in food, fashion, and pop culture faster than any city in Asia. Things to do in Seoul range from Joseon-dynasty palaces and serene Buddhist temple stays to 24-hour Korean BBQ joints, underground shopping malls, and the global epicentre of K-pop culture.
Read the full Seoul travel guide →5 days
April, May, September
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Changdeokgung Secret Garden
The UNESCO-listed rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace covers 32 hectares of woodland, lotus ponds, and pavilions, accessible only by timed guided tour.
Leeum Museum of Art
Samsung's private museum in Itaewon pairs ancient Korean ceramics and Buddhist art with a contemporary wing holding works by Giacometti, Rothko, and Korean video artist Nam June Paik.
National Museum of Korea
The free museum in Yongsan holds 310,000 artefacts including the gilt-bronze Maitreya and Goryeo celadon ceramics, making it the sixth-largest museum in the world.
Gwangjang Market
Korea's first permanent market, opened in 1905, has an alley of stalls serving bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, and yukhoe (Korean steak tartare) from dawn to late night.
Bukhansan National Park
The granite mountain park on Seoul's northern boundary has 20 peaks and 100 km of trails, including the strenuous 836-metre Baegundae summit hike accessible by subway.
Ikseon-dong hanok village
A cluster of 1920s-era hanok (traditional houses) between Jongno and Dongdaemun, converted into tea rooms, dessert cafes, and independent fashion boutiques.
Mangwon-dong neighbourhood
The quiet Mapo district neighbourhood west of Hongdae has a thriving weekend market, bakeries, and the local restaurants where Seoul food bloggers eat.
DMZ and JSA tour day trip
Guided tours to the Demilitarised Zone 60 km north of Seoul include the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, the Third Tunnel of Aggression, and the Dora Observatory overlooking North Korea.
Dongdaemun night shopping
Five multi-storey malls around Dongdaemun DDP stay open until 05:00, making it the largest 24-hour fashion market in Asia, with wholesale and retail floors.
Hongdae indie club scene
The university district west of the Han River has over 100 live music venues, busking stages, and clubs open until dawn, with no cover charge at most indie bars.
The best months to enjoy things to do in Seoul are April, May, September, October. Plan around these months for the best weather and fewer crowds.
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