City guide · South Korea
Seoul is South Korea's capital, spread across both banks of the Han River. The historic palace city lies north of the river around Jongno, Gwanghwamun and Namsa...
Photograph · USAGI_POST · CC0
Set your days, your pace and the hours you actually want to be out. The planner works around closing days and travel time, and leaves room to eat.
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Seoul is South Korea's capital, spread across both banks of the Han River. The historic palace city lies north of the river around Jongno, Gwanghwamun and Namsan, while later commercial and residential centres extend south into Gangnam and east and west along the metropolitan rail corridors. The city is best approached as linked districts rather than one continuous centre: royal palaces and traditional neighbourhoods, central markets and museums, riverside areas, university quarters, and the newer southern business districts each form practical sightseeing clusters.
Checked 2026-08-26
September · September cools Seoul to a 26.2°C mean high, while rainfall falls to 141.5 mm over 9.1 days.
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4 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
남산
Namsan is a wooded mountain in central Seoul and one of the city’s most recognizable natural landmarks. Its slopes rise amid the capital’s dense neighborhoods, giving visitors a chance to combine urban sightseeing with a substantial outdoor walk.
북악산
Bugaksan is a mountain in Seoul, South Korea, known locally as 북악산. It forms part of the city's northern boundary and is one of the mountains surrounding the historic center.
아차산
Achasan is a mountain in eastern Seoul and one of the city’s accessible natural landscapes.
관악산
Gwanaksan is a mountain in southern Seoul, South Korea, known locally as 관악산. It rises within the capital and forms part of the green landscape visible across the city.
The Han River is the clearest dividing line. North of it, the palace-and-Namsan core includes Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Bukchon, Insadong, Dongdaemun and Myeongdong. Westward, Hongdae and the university districts form another cluster; Yeouido occupies an island in the river. South of the Han, Gangnam, Apgujeong and Samseong are modern commercial areas with their own attractions. Seoul's official visitor maps divide suggested routes into the downtown palace and Namsan area, Apgujeong, Gangnam and Samseong, which is a useful way to avoid repeated cross-city travel.
Checked 2026-08-26
Use the subway as the default between districts and walk within each cluster. Stations and lines are colour-coded, exits are numbered, and major information appears in Korean and English. A Tmoney transport card can be used across the network; single-journey passes are also available from station machines. Buses reach areas beyond convenient rail stops, but the official visitor guide notes that they can be harder for first-time visitors despite colour-coded route types. Check the official transport page for current operating information before travel.
Checked 2026-08-26
A fixed stay length is not recorded. Allocate time by district: the palace core, central markets and museums, a western neighbourhood such as Hongdae, and the southern districts if they match your interests.
The Han River. The older palace city and Namsan are north of it, while Gangnam, Apgujeong and Samseong form major visitor clusters on the south side.
Yes. Lines are colour-coded, station exits are numbered, and major signs use Korean and English. The official tourism guide recommends the subway as one of the most efficient ways to cross the city.
Use the subway for most cross-city journeys. Buses are useful for areas between stations, but route information can be less intuitive for a first visit even though services are colour-coded.
No. They sit in different city clusters on opposite sides of the Han River. Use the subway between them and reserve walking for the sights within each district.
