Seoul Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Seoul tours, Gyeongbokgung Palace and hanbok experiences, Bukchon Hanok Village walks, street-food and night tours, plus the famous DMZ day trip to the North Korean border. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Seoul itinerary.
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Explore Seoul by interest
Whatever brings you to Seoul — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Palaces & hanbok
Gyeongbokgung and royal Korea.
ExploreCity highlights
Palaces, towers and markets.
ExploreBukchon Hanok Village
Traditional houses and lanes.
ExploreFood & markets
BBQ, street food and Gwangjang.
ExploreDMZ tours
The North Korean border.
ExploreNami Island
Tree-lined avenues and K-drama.
ExploreN Seoul Tower
City views and night lights.
ExploreDay trips
DMZ, Nami Island and beyond.
ExploreTop attractions in Seoul
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul’s grandest royal palace.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Traditional houses and lanes.
N Seoul Tower
City views and night lights.
Gwangjang Market
Street food and Korean classics.
The DMZ
The North Korean border.
Nami Island
Tree-lined avenues and K-drama.
City highlights
Palaces, towers and markets.
Changdeokgung
The palace and Secret Garden.
Seoul in 1 day
- 1Gyeongbokgung & hanbok
- 2Bukchon Hanok Village
- 3Gwangjang Market
- 4N Seoul Tower at night
Seoul in 2 days
- 1Day 1: palaces & markets
- 2N Seoul Tower
- 3Day 2: DMZ tour
- 4Hongdae nightlife
Seoul in 3 days
- 1Day 1: palaces & markets
- 2Day 2: DMZ
- 3Day 3: Nami Island
- 4K-culture nights
Palaces & hanbok
- 1Gyeongbokgung guard ceremony
- 2Hanbok rental near the palace
- 3Bukchon Hanok Village lanes
- 4Changdeokgung Secret Garden
DMZ day tour
- 1Imjingak & Freedom Bridge
- 2Third Infiltration Tunnel
- 3Dora Observatory views
- 4JSA / Panmunjom (permit required)
1 hr awayThe DMZ
The tense North Korean border.
1.5 hrs awayNami Island
Tree-lined avenues and K-drama fame.
1 hr awayKorean Folk Village
Traditional life near Suwon.
1.5 hrs awayPetite France
A French-themed village and K-drama set.
1.5 hrs awayGarden of Morning Calm
Beautiful seasonal gardens.
1 hr awaySuwon Fortress
A grand UNESCO walled fortress.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Seoul visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–November) bring mild, clear weather, blossoms or autumn colours — the best times to visit.
Spring (Apr–May)
Mild days with cherry blossoms across the city and palaces — beautiful and comfortable.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and very humid with a monsoon rainy season in July — pack for heat and showers.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp, clear days with spectacular autumn foliage — arguably the best season for Seoul and Nami Island.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and dry, sometimes snowy, with festive lights and nearby skiing; bundle up warmly.
Cherry blossoms
Early-to-mid April brings cherry blossoms to the palaces and parks — stunning, but a busy, popular time.
One day
Enough for a palace, the hanok village, a market and the tower.
Two days
Add the powerful DMZ border tour.
Three days
The sweet spot: the city, the DMZ, and Nami Island.
Four to five days
Add more palaces, theme parks, shopping and a wider day trip.
A week or more
Use Seoul as a base to explore more of South Korea.
Travelling with kids
Mix a palace, the tower, a theme park and Nami Island at a gentle pace.
The subway
Seoul’s vast, cheap, English-friendly subway is the best way to get around; a T-money card makes it seamless.
T-money card
The rechargeable T-money card pays for the subway, buses and even taxis and shops with a tap — a must.
Buses
Extensive city buses complement the subway, though the subway is easier for visitors.
On foot
The palace and hanok-village areas, Insadong and Myeongdong are best explored on foot.
Day-trip transport
Guided tours bundle transport for the DMZ and Nami Island; trains and buses also serve the region.
From the airport
Incheon Airport links to the city by the AREX train in about an hour, or by limousine bus.
Book the DMZ ahead
DMZ tours require advance booking with your passport, as access is controlled and permits are limited — reserve early.
Free entry in a hanbok
Wearing a rented hanbok lets you enter Gyeongbokgung and other palaces free — fun and great for photos.
Get a T-money card
Buy a T-money transport card on arrival for cheap, seamless travel across the subway, buses and taxis.
Currency
South Korea uses the won; cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for market stalls.
Eat at the markets
Gwangjang and other markets offer the best, cheapest street food — a food tour shows you the highlights.
Mind the season
Summers are hot and rainy and winters cold — spring blossoms and autumn foliage are the loveliest times.
DMZ tours
Passport-controlled and limited — book well ahead.
Hanbok & palace tours
Popular palace experiences and hanbok rentals fill up — reserve ahead.
Food tours
Small-group market food tours fill up — book early.
Nami Island trips
Day trips fill up at weekends and in autumn — reserve ahead.
N Seoul Tower
Pre-book to save time at this popular viewpoint.
Cherry blossom season
Early April fills hotels and tours — plan well ahead.
Palaces & hanbok
Around €15–35 for a palace tour, plus €10–20 for a hanbok rental.
DMZ tours
Roughly €40–70 for a half-day DMZ tour from Seoul.
Food tours
About €50–90 for a guided market and street-food tour.
Nami Island trips
Around €45–75 for a day trip, often with Petite France.
N Seoul Tower
About €10 for the observatory, more with cable car or tour.
How to save
Use a T-money card and the subway, eat at markets, and enter palaces free in a hanbok.
Seoul through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild days and cherry blossoms.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Early April for blossoms; book ahead.
- Best for
- Hot, lively days and festivals.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot, humid and a July rainy season — pack accordingly.
- Best for
- Crisp, clear days with autumn foliage.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Arguably the best season; Nami Island shines.
- Best for
- Cold, dry days with festive lights and skiing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Bundle up warmly; enjoy fewer crowds.