Planning a trip to Seoul? Already in Seoul and not sure what to do next? This section will give you all of the information that you need. This Seoul travel blog section is targeted solely (seoul…ly?) at Seoul, you can find posts covering the best accommodation options, activities for all ages, and even the best cafes in the city! Please feel free to navigate through the sections below to find exactly what you are looking for. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out at [email protected].
P.S. Wondering about the location in the image above? The photo was taken in Jongno district in Seoul and shows Cheonggyecheon. This stream is a very famous landmark in Seoul and is within walking distance of Gyeongbokgung palace! It is home to many festivals throughout the seasons and definitely worth visiting.
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Seoul Seasonal Guides
Spring
Spring is perhaps the most beautiful time to visit Seoul. Or… is it fall? Either way, spring is a fantastic time to visit the capital of South Korea and it’s made even better by the comfortable temperatures.
Spring is a great time to visit if you are interested in travelling to Seoul without the extreme weather that summer and fall bring. The cherry blossoms (along with many other stunning flowers) also make the city especially stunning during the months of March to May.
Summer
Summer in Seoul can get pretty hot (to say the least) and temperatures can reach 40 degrees celsius at times. With that being said, the season brings its own unique attractions and activities.
Summer is a great time to explore many of the indoor activities that Seoul offers. From art galleries and museums all the way to the wonderful cafe and coffee culture that the city offers.
Fall
Fall in Seoul is similar to spring in many ways. The weather is less extreme than both summer and winter and there are many natural attractions. If you love colour, then fall is a fantastic time to visit as the city takes on warm tones with stunning foliage.
Fall starts in September and runs until December. During the start of fall, it’s a great time to get out and explore the parks of Seoul. During the latter half of the season, it can get a bit chilly and it’s a great time to head indoors and do indoor activities.
Winter
Winter in Seoul is the complete opposite of summer. Wait, that sounds obvious. Of course, it’s the opposite! Anyway, what I meant to say is that winter is the extreme opposite. Where summer can reach 40 degrees celsius, winter can drop as low as -20 degrees.
Snow in Seoul is not that common – it usually snows 3 or 4 times per season. However, although quite rare, the city becomes beautiful and takes on a whole new feeling during this time. While it can be bitterly cold at times, it’s a great time to get out and explore a totally different city.
Where to Stay in Seoul
Seoul is massive. There’s no other way to say it. With the city itself being home to over 10,000,000 people and the metropolitan area containing more than 25,000,000 Seoul is one of the biggest cities in the world. This means that there are also a LOT of neighbourhoods to stay in and a lot of accommodation options within each. If I was visiting for the first time again I sure know that I would be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice!
Luckily, you don’t need to worry about where to stay! This full guide on where to stay in Seoul has you covered. From popular hotspots such as Myeongdong, Hongdae and Gangnam to quieter areas such as Hyehwa and Sinsa, this article covers all of the best places to stay in Seoul.
Seoul Public Transport
Seoul Public Transport Guide
Public transportation in Seoul can feel daunting. Trust me, I understand! I spent a couple of years not using buses in the capital because I was worried about that could go wrong. However, public transportation in Seoul truly is world-class (if not the best in the world). It’s cheap, prompt, and most importantly, navigatable in English.
Discover Seoul Pass
If you’re looking for an easy way to explore Seoul that is all contained within a package (yet isn’t a tour) then the Discover Seoul Pass might be the ideal choice for you. This pass can be purchased for a set amount of time and provides access to a range of different attractions as well as transportation methods to reach them.
KTX Guide
Although this page is all about Seoul, there are bound to be times when you want to escape the city. Whether for a day trip or for a weekend getaway, the KTX train system is fantastic. These bullet trains are affordable and offer a great travel option within the Korean peninsula.
Domestic Bus Trips
While the KTX is a great travel option, it tends to be pricier than using buses. Further, some people simply prefer travelling via bus. If this is the case, there is also an extensive network of domestic buses that offer trips all across the country at an affordable price.
What to Eat in Seoul
Seoul has a large range of delectable food. As a Seoul travel blog, what else could I do but try everything that I find and write about my experiences and thoughts? If you’re visiting Seoul, make sure to add some food experiences to your itinerary – make sure to visit some markets to try Korean street food and also to visit some of the fantastic restaurants in the city. Of course, you shouldn’t skip instant food such as snacks and ramyun too. Despite being relatively new, they have a large impact on modern Korean culture.
Seoul Travel SIM Card
Travelling can be hard. Planning a trip can be stressful and there are so many things that are easy to forget. Connectivity is one of the things that I myself have often overlooked when it comes to planning a trip. Luckily, Korea is one of the most connected countries in the world and this is reflected in the number of SIM card options that are available for visitors to the city. Whether you are looking for SIM card for one person or a WiFi egg for multiple users, this post covers all options.
Markets in Seoul
Yongsan Electronics Market
Yongsan Electronics Market is my personal favourite marketing in Seoul. Stocking everything imaginable (as long as it’s electronics), this market can be found very close to Yongsan Station. Whether you’re looking for obscure cables, custom circuits, or top-of-the-line computer components and cameras, you can find them here!
Gwangjang Food Market
Gwangjang Market is a very large market within Seoul yet it’s often overlooked by visitors to the country. This market is particularly famous for its street food. Offering everything from the delicious hotteok to the polarising sundae, this market has food for everyone. If you explore beyond the front of the market you can also find a lot more than just food!
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is the most famous market in Seoul and it feels that way. This market is very large and offers a massive range of goods. Whether you want clothes, souvenirs, food, or otherwise you can likely find them at Namdaemun. Namdaemun is quite tourist-focused and this means that it has a lot of vendors selling popular goods. However, it also means that the market tends to be a bit more pricey and that it can often be more expensive than smaller markets in Seoul.
Best Views in Seoul
Namsan
Namsan is the most famous view in Seoul and for that reason alone many people discount it. However, ‘popular’ doesn’t have to be synonymous with ‘boring’ as it often seems to be. Rather, Namsan is one of the most stunning views in Seoul and one that I highly recommend everyone sees.
Namhansanseong
Namhansanseong is, in my opinion, the most breathtaking view that Seoul has to offer. While getting there is a bit difficult, this vista overlooks all of Seoul. Not only will you see Lotte Tower and Namsan Tower, but you can also see the Han River winding through the centre of the city.
Han River
Ah, the Han River. No list of the best views in Seoul could be complete without the river that stands at the heart of the capital. The Han River flows right through the centre of the city and there are over 10 bridges that cross the river. This means that it offers many stunning views!
Lotte Tower
Lotte Tower is the tallest building in not only Korea but also in the OECD. Standing at 550 metres tall, this building dominates the Seoul skyline and you can see it from almost anywhere in the city. The Skydeck at the top of the tower offers one of the most expansive views of the city.
Cafes to Visit in Seoul
This particular section might seem a bit out of place on a Seoul travel blog. After all, things like accommodation, SIM cards, food, and such all make sense in the context of travel. However, a section specifically dedicated to cafes? Why?
Korea, and Seoul in particular, actually has a very interesting coffee culture. Not only is this phenomenon very interesting, but it’s also very important in modern Korean culture. When the word ‘cafe’ is mentioned, most people’s minds will go to a place where one drinks coffee. However, in Korea cafes are so much more – there are animal cafes, board game cafes, art cafes, and so much more!
Other Seoul Travel Blog Posts
Seoul Souvenir Ideas
It can be hard to choose gifts for friends and family back home when you just want to travel. With that in mind, I put together this post covering the best gift options from traditional gifts to contemporary choices. Whether you are looking for travel souvenirs or a birthday gift for someone that loves Korea, this post covers the best options.
Christmas in Seoul
Christmas in Seoul is quite different from many other countries and it can cause confusion for travellers when the day comes. Where many western cities will totally shut down for Christmas, Seoul is as alive as ever. In fact, Christmas isn’t even a particularly big day in Korea! Make sure that you understand how Christmas in Korea is and how it will impact your travels.
Instagrammable Spots in Seoul
Whether you are looking for stunning photo spots for Instagram or fun spots to record videos for Tiktok, Seoul has a lot of both. This post includes a range of locations in Seoul that I found to make for fantastic social media images – whether colourful and eyecatching, natural and breathtaking or otherwise!
Travelling Seoul on a Budget
Travelling can be stressful, and travelling on a budget can be even more so. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to explore Seoul while saving some money. If you are wanting to explore Seoul but don’t want to break the bank this Seoul blog post will help a lot!
Where Can I Find Personalised Seoul Travel Advice?
If you’re looking for personalised advice and tips you can join the Korea Travel Advice group on Facebook. Both the admins and members are very active and can help with any questions you may have.
What if I Want to Visit Other Places in South Korea?
This page is dedicated purely to being a Seoul travel blog. However, if you want to travel to Korea make sure to check out the Korea travel blog.
Do You Offer Seoul Travel Itineraries?
No. However, you can find a fantastic itinerary for both Seoul and Korea here at Joel’s Travel Tips.
I Can’t Visit Seoul Right Now, Is There a Way to Experience Seoul at Home?
There sure is! Recently many companies have begun offering virtual tours of both Seoul and Korea. Further, there are many ways to experience Korean snacks and other products with Korean snack boxes.