Places to Visit

Gyeongbokgung Palace

경복궁 · Seoul, Jongno-gu

Seoul's grandest Joseon-era palace, famous for its wide courtyards, royal guard-changing ceremony, and views of Mount Bugak.

🚇 Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5 · ⏱ 2-3 hours

Changdeokgung Palace

창덕궁 · Seoul, Jongno-gu

A UNESCO-listed palace known for its beautiful Secret Garden (Huwon), a peaceful landscape garden behind the palace buildings.

🚇 Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3 · ⏱ 2-3 hours

Bukchon Hanok Village

북촌한옥마을 · Seoul, Jongno-gu

A hillside neighbourhood of hundreds of traditional Korean hanok houses, with scenic lanes and views over the palace rooftops.

🚇 Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 2 · ⏱ 1-2 hours

Myeongdong

명동 · Seoul, Jung-gu

Seoul's busiest shopping and street-food district, packed with cosmetics shops, fashion stores, and food stalls from morning to late night.

🚇 Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 6 · ⏱ 2-4 hours

Hongdae

홍대 · Seoul, Mapo-gu

A young, energetic district around Hongik University, full of indie shops, cafes, street performers, and nightlife.

🚇 Hongik University Station (Line 2 / Airport Railroad), Exit 9 · ⏱ 2-4 hours

Gangnam

강남 · Seoul, Gangnam-gu

Seoul's modern business and fashion district, home to wide boulevards, luxury shops, K-pop entertainment offices, and the COEX area.

🚇 Gangnam Station (Line 2 / Shinbundang Line), Exit 10 · ⏱ 2-3 hours

N Seoul Tower

N서울타워 · Seoul, Yongsan-gu

Seoul's iconic hilltop tower with a 360-degree observatory, the famous locks of love, and one of the best sunset views in the city.

🚇 Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 3, then cable car or bus · ⏱ 2-3 hours

Insadong

인사동 · Seoul, Jongno-gu

A charming street of traditional teahouses, craft shops, antique stores, and galleries, perfect for souvenirs and a slow afternoon.

🚇 Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 6 · ⏱ 1-3 hours

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

동대문디자인플라자 · Seoul, Jung-gu

A futuristic silver building by architect Zaha Hadid, hosting design exhibitions, fashion events, and markets in the Dongdaemun shopping area.

🚇 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, 5), Exit 1 · ⏱ 1-2 hours

Gwangjang Market

광장시장 · Seoul, Jongno-gu

One of Korea's oldest traditional markets, famous for its food alley of bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, and handmade noodles.

🚇 Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1), Exit 8 · ⏱ 1-2 hours

Namdaemun Market

남대문시장 · Seoul, Jung-gu

Seoul's largest traditional market, a maze of stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, kitchenware, and street food next to the historic Namdaemun Gate.

🚇 Hoehyeon Station (Line 4), Exit 5 · ⏱ 2-3 hours

Banpo Hangang Park

반포한강공원 · Seoul, Seocho-gu

A popular riverside park on the Han River, famous for the Banpo Bridge rainbow fountain show and evening picnics.

🚇 Banpo Station (Line 7) or Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9) · ⏱ 1-3 hours

Itaewon

이태원 · Seoul, Yongsan-gu

Seoul's most international district, with restaurants from dozens of countries, bars, and shops catering to foreign visitors.

🚇 Itaewon Station (Line 6), Exit 2 · ⏱ 2-4 hours

Yeouido Hangang Park

여의도한강공원 · Seoul, Yeongdeungpo-gu

A wide riverside park on Yeouido island, loved for cherry blossoms in spring, picnics, and views of the city skyline across the Han River.

🚇 Yeouinaru Station (Line 5), Exit 2 · ⏱ 1-3 hours

Lotte World Tower & Mall

롯데월드타워 · Seoul, Songpa-gu

Korea's tallest building, with the Seoul Sky observatory on the 123rd floor, a large shopping mall, and an aquarium underneath.

🚇 Jamsil Station (Lines 2, 8), Exit 2 · ⏱ 3-4 hours

COEX & Starfield Library

코엑스 · Seoul, Gangnam-gu

A giant convention and shopping complex in Gangnam, famous for the free Starfield Library with its towering bookshelves and the COEX Aquarium.

🚇 Samseong Station (Line 2), Exit 5 or 6 · ⏱ 2-3 hours

National Museum of Korea

국립중앙박물관 · Seoul, Yongsan-gu

Korea's largest museum, covering 5,000 years of Korean history and art, with free permanent exhibitions and a peaceful garden.

🚇 Ichon Station (Line 4 / Gyeongui-Jungang Line), Exit 2 · ⏱ 2-4 hours

Deoksugung Palace

덕수궁 · Seoul, Jung-gu

A compact palace in the heart of downtown Seoul, mixing traditional Korean buildings with Western-style stone halls and a famous stone-wall road.

🚇 City Hall Station (Lines 1, 2), Exit 2 · ⏱ 1-2 hours

Cheonggyecheon Stream

청계천 · Seoul, Jongno-gu / Jung-gu

A restored stream running through downtown Seoul, with stepping stones, waterfalls, and walking paths — a cool, calm break from the city streets.

🚇 Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 5 · ⏱ 1-2 hours

Seoullo 7017 Skygarden

서울로 7017 · Seoul, Jung-gu

An elevated park built on a former highway overpass near Seoul Station, with gardens, cafes, and views over the old station and the city.

🚇 Seoul Station (Lines 1, 4, Airport Railroad), Exit 2 · ⏱ 1 hour

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

수원화성 · Gyeonggi, Suwon-si

A UNESCO-listed 18th-century fortress wall around Suwon, with gates, watchtowers, and a scenic walk along the full wall circuit.

🚇 Suwon Station (Line 1 / Suin-Bundang Line), then bus · ⏱ 3-4 hours

Everland

에버랜드 · Gyeonggi, Yongin-si

Korea's largest theme park, with roller coasters including the wooden T Express, a safari, seasonal festivals, and gardens.

🚇 Jeondae-Everland Station (EverLine), then free shuttle bus · ⏱ Full day

Korean Folk Village

한국민속촌 · Gyeonggi, Yongin-si

An open-air museum village recreating Joseon-era Korean life, with traditional houses, craft workshops, and folk performances.

🚇 Suwon Station (Line 1), then bus · ⏱ 3-4 hours

Imjingak & DMZ area

임진각 · Gyeonggi, Paju-si

A park and memorial near the DMZ with the Freedom Bridge, a peace bell, and views toward North Korea, plus the option of a guided DMZ tour.

🚇 Munsan Station (Gyeongui-Jungang Line), then bus or taxi · ⏱ Half day (Imjingak) to full day (with DMZ tour)

Heyri Art Valley

헤이리예술마을 · Gyeonggi, Paju-si

An artists' village near the DMZ with galleries, museums, book cafes, and striking modern architecture in a quiet hillside setting.

🚇 Take the subway to the nearest station, then walk · ⏱ 3-4 hours

Nami Island

남이섬 · Gyeonggi, Chuncheon-si (Gangwon-do border, via Gapyeong)

A small, tree-lined river island made famous by the drama Winter Sonata, with walking paths, bike rentals, and seasonal scenery.

🚇 Gapyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), then shuttle bus and ferry · ⏱ Half day

Garden of Morning Calm

아침고요수목원 · Gyeonggi, Gapyeong-gun

A large arboretum in the mountains with themed gardens, flower festivals, and a famous winter light festival.

🚇 Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), then bus or taxi · ⏱ 2-3 hours

Gwangmyeong Cave

광명동굴 · Gyeonggi, Gwangmyeong-si

A former mine turned into a themed cave attraction with underground tunnels, a wine cellar, light shows, and an aquarium section.

🚇 Gwangmyeong Station (KTX) or Cheolsan Station (Line 7), then bus · ⏱ 1-2 hours

Petite France

쁘띠프랑스 · Gyeonggi, Gapyeong-gun

A colourful French-themed village with pastel buildings, a Little Prince theme, puppet shows, and views over Cheongpyeong Lake.

🚇 Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), then bus · ⏱ 1-2 hours

G

Gapyeong Rail Bike

가평레일바이크 · Gyeonggi, Gapyeong-gun

A pedal-powered rail bike ride along a disused railway line, crossing a river bridge with views of the Bukhan River.

🚇 Gapyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), then shuttle or taxi · ⏱ 1-2 hours