Best Places to Visit in Seoul in 2024

There is no place better to visit in the country of South Korea than the capital city of Seoul. This is a rich historical city that is well known for its sporting events such as football. It is also a popular entertainment destination for travelers and is known to host musical performances on a regular basis.

Seoul is a city that offers a lot to visit and see. From the bustling streets of Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Design Plaza to the beautiful temples of Gwanghwamun, Bukchon, and Seodaemun, there’s something for everyone. You can also take a stroll through Cheonggyecheon Stream, which runs through the heart of the city, with its famous cherry trees, or stroll along the banks of Seoul’s Han River, where you can enjoy stunning views. And if you’re looking to spend some time in nature, head to Yeonsan Mountain or Monkey Mountain. The view from atop these two peaks is simply breathtaking. You can also visit Woljeongsa Temple, home to a collection of 1,000 gold sandalwood Buddha statues; Seokguram Grotto, also known as the “Caves of Happiness”; or Namsangol Hanok Village, which is home to over 500 traditional Korean-style hanoks (traditional Korean houses). Furthermore, you can also explore Korea's first UNESCO World Heritage Site: Changdeokgung Palace and royal tombs in the nearby complex known as Gyeongju Historic Areas.

Even if you’ve visited other cities in Korea, you’re still going to want to visit Seoul when you visit the country. Not only is it one of the most culturally diverse and modern cities in the world, but it’s also one of the most photogenic. Sure, there are many things about Korea that might not be your cup of tea and vice versa—but visiting Seoul is still a must-do for anyone who visits Korea. And as someone who has visited many parts of Korea, visiting Seoul was one of my fondest experiences there. So here are 10 places you should visit in Seoul when you’re visiting Korea for the first time!

List of Best Places to Visit in Seoul in 2024

The Insa-dong Folk Village

If you’re visiting Korea for the first time and you’re interested in the local cultures, visiting Insa-dong and the folk village is a must. As the capital of the Incheon region, Insa-dong is where most of the Korean traditional cultural festivals are held. The whole area is also full of small shops selling traditional Korean goods. The folk village, just west of Insa-dong, is a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can meet the locals and try some traditional Korean cuisine. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time and you’re interested in the local cultures, visiting Insa-dong and the folk village is a must.

Gyeonghui Museum

The Korean Folk Village in Insa-dong isn’t the only museum in Seoul with a cultural bent. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to go to the Gyeonghui Museum. The Gyeonghui Museum is the official museum of the royal family, and it’s where you can see many of the royal artifacts that are housed there. Some of the items displayed at the Gyeonghui Museum include royal crowns, crown jewels, royal seals, royal weapons, royal costumes, royal foods, paintings, calligraphy, and more. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to go to the Gyeonghui Museum.

Gangnam Street

The neon-lit Gangnam Street is immediately iconic when you think of Seoul. It’s not just the city’s most famous street, but it’s also one of the most exciting places to visit in Seoul. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit Gangnam Street and the surrounding areas for nightlife, shopping, and dining. Gangnam Street itself is home to high-end fashion stores, restaurants, and cafes. There’s also an outdoor LED-light walkway that runs the entire length of the street, so you can explore the area at night without worrying about walking into the street.

Namsan Tower

The Namsan Tower is another iconic place to visit when you’re in Seoul. It’s the second-tallest tower in the country, and it’s a truly beautiful place. Nam San Tower is located northwest of Seoul, and if you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit it. The view from the top of the tower is truly spectacular, and if you go on a clear day, you can see the whole city. There’s also a restaurant on the top floor that offers a 360-degree view of Seoul and beyond. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit the Namsan Tower.

Yongsan Park

The last place on this list is Yongsan Park, which is in the southeastern part of the city. It’s one of the most iconic places to visit in Seoul, and it’s a stunning park. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit Yongsan Park. The park is full of statues and monuments, and it also has a beautiful lake. The park is also home to the National Cemetery, which is a popular place for visitors and locals to visit. If you want to visit a city park in Seoul, Yongsan Park is a great choice. It’s also a great place to visit if you’re interested in Korean history and culture.

COEX Convention and Exhibition Center

One of the most unique places to visit in Seoul is the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center. The COEX Center is the largest convention center in the country, and it’s also the home to the Korea Wave Pavilion. The Korea Wave Pavilion is an interactive exhibition about Korean culture and pop culture, and it’s a popular place for visitors to visit in Seoul. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center.

Bonaereum Co. Ltd. Home of Whisker Cat Food

Bonaereum is another one of those places you have to visit when visiting Seoul. The Bonaereum Co. Ltd. is a cat café where you can feed and play with cats while you’re there. Bonaereum is also home to Whisker Cat Food, a brand of cat food that is actually based on a recipe from the royal family. The café is run by volunteers, and it’s a great way to see the locals in Seoul. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit Bonaereum.

Hanbok Street (or Hangang Fashion Street)

One of the most popular places to visit in Seoul is the fashion street or Hangang Fashion Street. The street is home to many of the most popular Korean fashion brands, and it’s also a great place to browse for souvenirs. Hangang Fashion Street is also a great place to visit if you’re interested in traditional Korean clothing. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, be sure to visit Hangang Fashion Street.

The Football Grounds in Seoul

Seoul football stadium Seoul football Ground is a fascinating place to visit in the city of Seoul. The football ground hosts international football tournaments all throughout the year. The summer season is the best time for viewing football tournaments at this destination. The Seoul Football Ground can be explored by tourists when tournaments are not in progress. There are one or two dining destinations over here that serve good Korean cuisine, with the Kim Chi item being a popular eating option among visitors.

The Gardens of Seoul

Rose Garden of Seoul There are wonderful gardens in the Korean city of Seoul that can be viewed on the part of travelers when they arrive at this destination. The garden area is filled with children at all times of the day. One can engage in sporting activities over here. One can also engage in rejuvenating and relaxing activities like napping and photography given the vast number of flowers and plants which exist over here.

Visiting the Picturesque Trails

bikes Trails SeaulThere are many good areas for taking long walks in the Korean destination of Seoul that tourists can explore. These areas are extremely easy to navigate and are consequently wonderful to travel along, particularly in the season of summer. One can take one’s own bike when exploring the picturesque trails in Seoul. One can also take hired bikes which are available for the use of travelers exclusively. The exploration activities generally occur in the late hours of the morning though on Sundays these can start at some time early as well.

Shops in Seoul

Seoul shopping mall My Fashion and Shoppers Delight are two very popular malls where tourists can witness and purchase items when they visit the city of Seoul. These malls are known to deal in products like electronics, food items, garments, shoes, and accessories. One can also come across video cassettes being sold over here. The malls cater to high-end travelers only. Mid-range travelers can shop at the streetside stores which sell similar products at lower prices.

Art Museum of Seoul

Art Museum of SeoulThere is an excellent gallery of art that can be visited in the city of Seoul on the part of tourists. The gallery lies in the heart of the city and can be reached using the public transport services that are available at hand. There are also rental car services which can be used for visiting this place. The museum contains art exhibits that are devoted to the works of famous painters like Hussein. One can also find the works of modern painters like Picasso over here who is a renowned northern European artist.

Conclusion

There are many places to visit in Seoul when you’re visiting Korea for the first time. These are just a few of the most popular places to visit. If you want to explore more places, be sure to visit the Insa-dong Folk Village, the Gyeonghui Museum, the Yongsan Park, the COEX Convention, and Exhibition Center, the Bonaereum Co. Ltd. Home of Whisker Cat Food, the Hanbok Street (or Hangang Fashion Street), and the fashion street, or Hangang Fashion Street.