Hongdae (홍대)

Hongdae is a neighborhood under the influence of Hongik University, which is well known for its prestigious art college. Since many musicians and street artists decided to set up their ateliers in this area in the 1990's, Hongdae has unique artistic vibes and provides lots of graffiti murals and music concerts by independent artists. Today, the neighborhood is known for its youthful ambience, with street performances, shopping, street food, games, and unique cafes and restaurants.

Myeongdong (명동)

Myeong-dong is known as one of the most popular downtown areas in Seoul. You can enjoy shopping and all kinds of street food on Myeong-dong Street, which stretches from Myeong-dong Station to Eulji-ro Station. If shopping is the main purpose of travel, it is a must-visit place!

N Seoul Tower (남산타워 / N 서울 타워)

N Seoul Tower, also known as Namsan Tower, is a 236.7 m (777 ft) transmission tower on top of Namsan Mountain. It is close to Myeongdong. You can reach Seoul N Tower by either cable car or foot. At night, the tower shows different colors such as red, blue, or green, based on the air quality level. Around the fences of the tower, a lot of couples lock their own love padlocks to represent their love. With the admission ticket, you can access the observation tower to see Seoul with mountain views.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first palace to be built after Taejo of Joseon founded the Joseon dynasty, and moved the capital city to Hanyang (currently Seoul) in 1935. Although Gyeongbokgung Palace had its age of prosperity, due to a long history of fires and invasions by neighboring countries, it suffered severe damage, and reconstruction is still in progress since 1867. While exploring the Gyeongbokgung Palace, you will be able to see magnificent architectural works such as Gwanghwamun, the main entrance; Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall; and Gyeonghoeru, the pavilion in which royal banquets were held. If you rent hanbok (traditional clothing of Korea) around Gyeongbokgung Palace, the admission to the palace is free.

Insa-dong (인사동)

One of the most visited streets in Seoul, Insa-dong features all kinds of different parts of Korean culture. It features traditional tea houses, traditional restaurants, galleries, crafts stores, antique stores, and art rooms. A lot of businesses also feature Korean signages instead of using English.

Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

With more than 100 years of history, Gwangjang Market is Korea’s first regular market and also Seoul’s biggest traditional market. It is famous for various foods, including bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), yukhoe (raw beef), gimbap, makgeoli, and hotteok. You can also experience sit-down restaurant food in this market.

Han River (한강)

Han River is the second longest river in South Korea, with a width of over 1km. It divides Seoul into North and South, and there are a lot of facilities around the river such as parks and bicycle roads. You can also hop on the cruise ship in the river. You can enjoy various delivery foods at various Han River parks located along the Han River, such as Yeouido Hangang Park, Banpo Hangang Park, and Mangwon Hangang Park, sitting on the mat.

Lotte World Tower (롯데월드타워)

Lotte World Tower is a 123-story building with a six-story underground, with a height of 554.5m, being the tallest building in Korea and the fifth tallest building in the world. There are various facilities such as hotels, movie theaters, shopping malls, and aquariums, and the observation deck is considered a main observation deck in Seoul along with the observation deck of 63 Building and N Seoul Tower. You can enjoy a walk at Seokchon Lake Park right next to you, or you can enjoy various rides at Lotte World, one of the world's largest indoor amusement parks, located right next to the Lotte Tower.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village (익선동 한옥마을)

With more than a century of history, Ikseon-dong Hanok Village features coffee shops, restaurants, and small stores all in the traditional house of Korea (Hanok).

Deoksugung (덕수궁)

Deoksugung, one of the five palaces from the Joseon Dynasty, features both the traditional Korean-style of wooden architecture and Western-style architecture. It is the only palace to have those two features at the same time.

National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korea. Featuring more than 400 thousand artifacts, it is the biggest museum in Korea.

Seongsu-dong & Seoul Forest (성수동 & 서울숲)

Seongsu-dong once was home to many factories. Now, it features unique coffee shops, restaurants, and exhibition spaces for artists on old factory buildings. It is close to the Han River and neighbors the Seoul Forest.

Seodaemun Prison History Hall (서대문형무소역사관)

About a hundred years ago, Colonial Japan built the Seodaemun Prison History Hall to control Koreans under Japanese imperial rule. After liberation from Japanese rule, it was called the Seoul Detention Center, used to lock up protestors who opposed the military dictatorship. Now, it is modified to be a museum for Korean independence activism, and democracy activism. If you are interested in Korean history, highly recommend visiting!

Songdo Central Park (송도 센트럴파크)

Central Park, located in the center of Songdo International City, is the first ever seawater park in Korea with an area of 370,000m². An artificial waterway measuring 110 meters by 1.8km flows across Central Park, creating an exotic atmosphere with blue-green areas and high-rise buildings. Along the waterway, there are walking pathways, terrace gardens, and han-ok villages, and lots of aesthetic sculptures and artworks. In the boat house, you can enjoy water leisure sports like water taxis, canoes, and boats. There is a cost- free observatory on the 33rd floor of G Tower nearby, so we highly recommend you to visit if you want to overlook the scenery of Songdo.

Triple Street (트리플 스트리트)

Triple Street is an entertainment complex opened at Songdo International City in 2017 with three conceptual areas which consist of Ground Street, Under Street, and Park Street. It is easily accessible from the venue via Techno Park subway station on Incheon Line 1. You can spend time visiting clothing stores, restaurants, cafes, and movie theaters with your friends and families.

Hyundai Premium Outlets Songdo (현대 프리미엄 아울렛 송도점)

Along with the Triple Street, you can also visit Hyundai Premium Outlet via concourse. We highly recommend you visit it because the outlet has many restaurants, clothing brands, cafes, bookstores, and grocery stores, along with Haneul Garden (a rooftop park).

Wolmido (월미도)

Wolmido Island is an island belonging to Bukseong-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, and is currently connected to the land as reclamation takes place. With the establishment of various amusement parks such as Wolmi Theme Park, it has become one of the most representative marine tourist destinations in the metropolitan area, and the Viking ride and Disco Pang Pang of Wolmi Theme Park have become fan-favorite rides. In addition, you can take the Wolmi Sea Train to see the scenery of Wolmi Island, Incheon Bridge, and Incheon Sea at a glance.

Chinatown (차이나타운)

Located in Bukseong-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, Incheon Chinatown was formed in 1884 when Incheon Port was opened and Chinese residents of the Qing Dynasty moved to Korea. Flamboyant red and gold buildings fill the streets, and you can try out Chinese food and various street foods. It is not far from Wolmido Island, so I recommend you to tour two places at once.

Busan (부산광역시)

Known as South Korea’s second city, Busan is the city with a beautiful ocean. The city features unique features, such as complex city structures caused by urban sprawl during the Korean War and urban areas on steep sides of mountains. You can experience various food options, attractions, and marine sports.

Jeju Island (제주도)

On the center of Hallasan Mountain, Jeju Island has hundreds of parasitic volcanoes. Located southwest of South Korea, Jeju Island is the most populated island and biggest island in South Korea. Due to its unique, beautiful nature, Jeju Island is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is convenient to travel through Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. Highly recommend visiting if you visit South Korea for a long time!