Gyeongbokgung Palace
CultureThe grandest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces: watch the changing of the guard, explore Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and rent a hanbok for free entry.
~$3
Seoul
South Korea
CurrencySouth Korean Won (KRW)
LanguageKorean
Best SeasonMarch - May
Daily Budget$55 – $350
VisaUS passport holders: visa-free for up to 90 days (K-ETA required).
About Seoul
Seoul is a city of restless reinvention layered over deep tradition. Centuries-old Joseon palaces sit beneath the glass towers of Gangnam. Buddhist temples share city blocks with K-pop entertainment headquarters. The Han River bisects the metropolis, its banks lined with cycling paths, floating cafes, and waterfront parks where families picnic and office workers exercise after dark.
The food alone justifies the trip. Korean barbecue in Mapo-gu, where you grill marbled beef over charcoal at midnight, is a primal thrill. Gwangjang Market's pojangmacha stalls serve bindaetteok (mung-bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap to standing crowds. The alleyways of Ikseon-dong — Seoul's oldest surviving hanok village — have been repurposed into tea houses, vintage shops, and tiny restaurants serving creative Korean cuisine in courtyard settings.
The city's design sensibility is . The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a Zaha Hadid creation of sweeping silver curves, hosts fashion weeks and night markets. Bukchon's traditional hanok rooftops cascade down the hillside between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. And the subway system — clean, cheap, and comprehensively signed in English — makes all of it effortlessly accessible.
Top 10 Experiences
Bukchon Hanok Village
CultureWander narrow lanes of 600-year-old traditional Korean houses perched between two palaces, with city views framed by curved tile rooftops.
Free
Gwangjang Market
Food WineSeoul's oldest market: sit at a pojangmacha counter for bindaetteok, knife-cut noodles, and raw beef yukhoe amid the bustling crowds.
~$10
Namsan Tower & Locks
RomanticCable car up Namsan Mountain to the iconic tower for 360-degree city views. Couples attach padlocks to the terrace fences.
~$12
DMZ Tour
CultureVisit the Joint Security Area at the world's most heavily fortified border, peer into North Korea, and explore infiltration tunnels.
~$50
Hongdae Night Scene
CityThe university district's pedestrian streets come alive at night with buskers, indie clubs, noraebang (karaoke rooms), and street food.
~$20
Changdeokgung Secret Garden
CultureA UNESCO-listed palace with a stunning rear garden of ponds, pavilions, and ancient trees — guided tours only, limited visitors per day.
~$8
Insadong Art Street
CultureTraditional art galleries, calligraphy supplies, tea houses, and the Ssamziegil shopping complex with its spiraling outdoor walkway.
Free
Korean BBQ in Mapo-gu
Food WineGrill thick-cut samgyeopsal (pork belly) or galbi (short ribs) over charcoal, wrapping each piece in perilla leaf with ssamjang and garlic.
~$25
Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky
CityObservation deck on the 117th-123rd floors of Korea's tallest building, with glass-floor platforms and views spanning the entire metropolitan area.
~$25
Dining Highlights
Maple Tree House
Korean BBQ · $$$Premium galbi and hanwoo beef grilled tableside in an upscale Gangnam setting, popular with locals and visitors alike.
Tosokchon
Korean traditional · $$The definitive samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) restaurant: a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, jujubes, and ginseng in a rich broth.
Myeongdong Kyoja
Korean noodles · $Perpetually packed for its kalguksu — hand-cut wheat noodles in a light anchovy broth with dumplings. Simple, satisfying, and under $8.
Jungsik
Modern Korean · $$$$Two Michelin stars for refined Korean cuisine: deconstructed bibimbap, soy-milk noodles, and wagyu with gochujang in a sleek Gangnam dining room.
Neighborhoods
Ikseon-dong
Seoul's oldest hanok neighborhood reimagined: century-old courtyard houses converted into craft cafes, vintage shops, and tiny restaurants.
Hongdae
University district energy: indie music venues, street performers, quirky cafes (cat cafes, VR cafes), and a buzzing nightlife strip.
Itaewon
Seoul's most international neighborhood: global restaurants, rooftop bars, vintage shopping on Usadan-ro, and the gateway to Yongsan.
Gangnam
South of the river: corporate towers, upscale shopping at COEX Mall, the K-pop entertainment headquarters of SM and JYP, and excellent Korean BBQ alleys.
Weather
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High-1°3°10°17°23°27°29°30°26°19°10°2°
Low-8°-5°1°7°13°19°22°23°17°9°2°-5°
Rain21mm25mm46mm64mm106mm133mm395mm348mm169mm52mm53mm25mm
Travel Advisories
Visa Information
US passport holders: visa-free for up to 90 days (K-ETA required).
Ready to go?
Let our AI travel agent plan the perfect trip to Seoul.
Plan a trip to Seoul