Seoul

Travel Guide
Seoul featuring a city and modern architecture as well as a small group of people
The South Korean metropolis has some of Asia’s busiest markets and nightlife districts alongside tranquil teahouses and palaces surrounded by gardens.

Seoul is brimming withyouthful vibrancy. Art galleries, cinemas, bars and boutiques are dotted allover the city. Seoulites are also in touch with their past, and you’ll findplenty of instances of traditional Korean culture in palaces and theatres.

Korea has suffered frommany conflicts, and some of the bruises still show in Seoul. The city’s FiveGrand Palaces are testament to this all of these complexes have been destroyedor badly damaged. Today they have largely been restored to their former glory andhouse national treasures, art and traditional architecture. For particularlyfine examples of these palaces, visit Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugungand Changgyeonggung.

Locals possess optimismand friendliness in abundance. Younger Seoulites will be eager to use theirlanguage skills to help you out, and older residents, although not asproficient with their English, are still overwhelmingly warm.

Shopping opportunities inSeoul are boundless. Choose from designer outlets in Myeongdong,traditional craft shops at Insadong and bargain malls at the huge DongdaemunMarket. Wear your new attire while exploring the city’s nightlife. HongdaeYoung Street has an eclectic collection of bars, clubs, live music andindependent cinema.

Soak up classic Koreanculture at venues like Chongdong Theatre. Here, you can marvel atspectaculars featuring traditional music, dance and costume. Sample localcuisine at well-priced stalls and restaurants that serve Korean classics suchas kalguksu (“knife noodles”) or donkas (deep-fried pork cutlets). Foodies willwant to pay homage to the Korean national dish (kimchi) at the PulmuoneKimchi Museum. Kimchi is a fermented vegetable (cabbage, radish orcucumber) dish seasoned with spices. Finish your dining experience with a visitto one of Seoul’s excellent teahouses.

When you want some quiettime, escape to one of Seoul’s regenerated areas, such as CheonggyecheonStream. This stretch of water in the city center features greenery,wildlife and local art. It’s a great example of Seoul’s ability to innovate,educate and entertain all at once.

Seoul has hot summers andcold winters. The best time to visit is around March through May (spring), orSeptember through November (fall) . Navigate the city using the well-priced andefficient subway system, considered one of the best in the world.

Seoul Travel Guide Video

Where to stay in Seoul

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is $119 per night from Oct 3 to Oct 4
$119
per night
Oct 3 - Oct 4
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,371 reviews)
"I was pleased with everything about the hotel. I recommend it!"

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is $283 per night from Oct 4 to Oct 5
$283
per night
Oct 4 - Oct 5
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 6 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Gorgeous views. Beautiful lobby. Professional staff."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2023

Grand Hyatt Seoul
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Lotte Hotel Seoul
5 out of 5
30, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is $250 per night from Oct 5 to Oct 6
$250
per night
Oct 5 - Oct 6
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the bar and the room service in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,101 reviews)
"Very comfortable high class hotel for family to stay including golf, swimming, spa, sauna, shopping. Etc."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Lotte Hotel Seoul
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Uljiro Co-Op Residence
Uljiro Co-Op Residence
3 out of 5
246, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a 24-hour business center. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,179 reviews)
"Airport limousine stop was conveniently located in front"

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2023

Uljiro Co-Op Residence
Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Oakwood Premier Coex Center
5 out of 5
46, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Popular attractions Lotte World and Starfield COEX Mall are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,102 reviews)
Tabasco
"Great just what I wanted a room with a kitchen"

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2023

Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Somerset Palace Seoul
Somerset Palace Seoul
4 out of 5
7, Yulgok-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbok Palace ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,274 reviews)
"Conveniently located directly adjacent to both the palace grounds and the very walkable Insadong neighborhood. Attentive and helpful staff both pre arrival and throughout our stay."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2023

Somerset Palace Seoul
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Seoul

Seoul has an extensive public transportation system and you will never have trouble getting to any corner of this sprawling city. Glance at the subway map and you might feel intimidated, but it is much easier to use than it looks, and the signs in English make a big difference. Buses are available too, but you will probably use these far less. Taxis come in regular, deluxe and limousine varieties. Visit the Seoul Metro website.Browse Seoul rental cars.

Best time to visit

Each of Seoul’s seasons has its own charms. Cherry blossom season, which falls between mid March and mid April, transforms the city streets. Meanwhile, the colorful fall foliage in Seoul is so famous that many people deliberately pick this time to travel. Summers are hot and often sunny, but can bring heavy rains. Visit in winter and there’s a good chance of seeing the city blanketed in snow.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Seoul

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1371
" "5 - Excellent 62.631338510735496%
4 - Good
678
" "4 - Good 30.973047053449065%
3 - Okay
125
" "3 - Okay 5.710370031978072%
2 - Disappointing
12
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5481955230698949%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.13704888076747374%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 8, 2020

I live in Seoul but sometimes it's nice to get away a bit so my stay in the hotel was great.

5/5 - Excellent

NICHOLAS
Jun 7, 2020

FULL OF GOOD PLACES TO EAT. LOTS OF ENTERTAINMENT. VERY SAFE CITY TO BE IN.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 16, 2020

Safe and Clean city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 12, 2020

One of the most underrated large cities in the world!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 1, 2020

Very safe from the current Corona pandemic.

5/5 - Excellent

Mitch
Apr 27, 2020

Great city. Clean!

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