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Field guide

Seoul's top sights

Mr. Latte

This guide picks the four places most visitors reach for first. A palace, a tower, a hanok neighborhood, and a craft street each show a different side of the city, so a day or two here covers a lot of ground. Every photo shows the actual place, sourced from Wikimedia Commons.

The short version

One palace, one viewing tower, two neighborhoods to walk. That covers most of what makes Seoul feel like Seoul, and all of it is reachable by subway in a day or two.

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Right now

  1. 1Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday. Check the day before you plan the trip.
  2. 2Everything here is reachable by subway. A transit card is all you need to get around.
  3. 3Bukchon Hanok Village is a real neighborhood where people live. Keep the noise down and be considerate.

What to have ready

  • A transit card: Works on both subway and bus.
  • Comfortable shoes: Bukchon has slopes and narrow alleys.
  • A little cash and a card: For palace admission and small purchases.

Phrases you can copy and paste

Step by step

  1. 1
    Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Where:
    Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3
    Cost:
    3,000 won for adults (free for some age groups)

    The main palace of the Joseon dynasty. The axis from the front gate to the throne hall is the highlight. It is closed every Tuesday, and opening and closing times shift by season, so check the official site for that day's hours before you go.

    161 Sajik-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea · ★ 4.6 (46,643)

    Open in Google Maps
  2. 2
    N Seoul Tower

    N Seoul Tower

    Where:
    Reachable from Myeongdong Station (Line 4) or Chungmuro Station (Lines 3/4) by cable car, bus, or on foot

    A viewing tower with a wide view over the city. It sits on top of a mountain, so there is no station right at the base. You choose the cable car, the circular bus, or a walk up. The observation deck itself charges admission, while the park around it is free to walk. On a cloudy day the view can be poor.

    105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea · ★ 4.5 (67,657)

    Open in Google Maps
  3. 3
    Bukchon Hanok Village

    Bukchon Hanok Village

    Where:
    Anguk Station, Line 3

    A hillside neighborhood dense with traditional hanok houses. The alleys are open at all times and mostly free to walk. People actually live here, so keep it quiet, and some lanes post signs asking visitors to stay out during certain hours.

    Gyedong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea · ★ 4.4 (24,301)

    Open in Google Maps
  4. 4
    Insadong

    Insadong

    Where:
    Anguk Station (Line 3) or Jonggak Station (Line 1)

    A street of craft shops, galleries, and tea houses. The street itself is always open, but individual shops keep their own hours, so check ahead if you have somewhere specific in mind.

    Insa-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

    Open in Google Maps

Easy to miss

  • Showing up at Gyeongbokgung on a Tuesday and finding it closed is a common mistake.
  • N Seoul Tower is on a mountaintop, not a five minute walk from any station. Plan the cable car or bus route ahead of time.
  • Bukchon is a residential area. Be careful not to point your camera into windows or private yards.

You can skip this if

  • If you have already covered the palace and the tower, the food markets guide is a good next stop.

Where this comes from

Rules, fees and deadlines change and depend on your exact case. Please confirm the details with the official sources before you act.

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