Seoul
Seoul blends ancient heritage with cutting-edge innovation, offering you a dynamic mix of historical sites, modern attractions, and distinctive culinary experiences. This category provides factual, practical information for exploring the capital city of South Korea, with expert recommendations based on seasonal considerations, transportation options, and cultural insights.
Explore Seoul’s Historical Treasures
Seoul’s palaces stand as testaments to Korea’s Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), with five major royal complexes preserved within the city. Gyeongbokgung, the largest palace, covers 410,000 square meters and houses the National Folk Museum of Korea; guided English tours run three times daily at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features a 78-acre Secret Garden that requires separate admission and advance reservations.
Plan your Seoul trip with expert advice on palaces, modern districts, Korean cuisine, public transportation, seasonal highlights, and convenient day trips from South Korea’s capital.
Traditional hanok houses cluster in neighborhoods like Bukchon, where approximately 900 historic homes create an architectural landscape between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. The narrow alleyways and courtyard homes in this area date back 600 years, providing you with authentic glimpses into Korean traditional design and urban planning.
Navigate Seoul’s Modern Districts
Gangnam District represents Seoul’s contemporary face through high-rise buildings, luxury shopping, and entertainment venues spread across 39.5 square kilometers. The COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground shopping center, houses over 200 retail stores, an aquarium with 40,000 sea creatures, and the Starfield Library with its 50,000-book collection.
Hongdae, the area surrounding Hongik University, offers creative energy through street performances, independent boutiques, and over 200 cafés and small music venues. This district hosts weekend free markets where approximately 100 artists sell handcrafted items, making it an ideal location for finding unique souvenirs and experiencing Korean youth culture.
Sample Korean Culinary Traditions
Korean cuisine presents distinctive flavors through fermented preparations and communal dining practices. Gwangjang Market, operating since 1905, contains over 5,000 stalls and serves authentic street food specialties like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) at reasonable prices; most dishes cost between 3,000-8,000 won (approximately $2.50-$7.00).
Korean barbecue restaurants offer tabletop grilling experiences with various meat cuts priced by weight or set menu. Samgyeopsal (pork belly) remains particularly popular, often accompanied by unlimited banchan (side dishes) that typically include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and stews. Many establishments operate late into the night, with peak dining hours occurring between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
Practical Transportation Information
Seoul’s public transportation system connects all major attractions through 23 subway lines and over 400 bus routes. The T-money card serves as a reloadable payment method for all public transit, offering discounted transfers when changing between buses and subways within 30 minutes; cards cost 4,000 won (approximately $3.50) and can be purchased at any convenience store.
Subway signage appears in both Korean and English, with announcements made in multiple languages. Trains run from approximately 5:30 AM until midnight, with service frequency of 2-5 minutes during peak hours and 5-10 minutes during off-peak times. The base fare starts at 1,350 won (approximately $1.15) for trips under 10 kilometers.
Seasonal Considerations for Your Visit
Seoul experiences four distinct seasons with significant temperature variations: summer (June-August) brings temperatures averaging 22-30°C (72-86°F) with high humidity and monsoon rains; winter (December-February) produces averages of -7 to 1°C (19-34°F) with occasional snowfall. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer milder conditions with average temperatures of 10-20°C (50-68°F).
Cherry blossom season typically occurs in early April, lasting approximately 10 days; popular viewing locations include Yeouido Park and Seoul Forest, which attract over 100,000 daily visitors during peak bloom. Fall foliage reaches maximum color in late October through early November, with Bukhansan National Park and Namsan Park providing excellent viewing opportunities within city limits.
Day Trips from Seoul
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) stands 48 kilometers north of Seoul, requiring organized tours that must be booked 3-7 days in advance with passport information. These tours typically include visits to the Joint Security Area, infiltration tunnels, and observation points; most tours depart from central Seoul around 8:00 AM and return by 3:00 PM.
Suwon, located 30 kilometers south of Seoul, features Hwaseong Fortress, an 18th-century UNESCO World Heritage site with a complete 5.7-kilometer wall circuit. Direct trains from Seoul Station reach Suwon in 30-40 minutes, making it suitable for half-day or full-day excursions; the fortress opens daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with admission costing 1,500 won (approximately $1.30).