Check the spelling, or browse the hierarchy from the country page.
City guide · South Korea
Seoul
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...
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.
Namsan Seoul Tower is a working broadcast mast with an observation deck bolted onto it, standing on the summit of Namsan, the wooded hill that sits in the middle of central Seoul.
The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in Seoul. Established as a central institution for preserving and exhibiting Korea's cultural heritage, it stands as one of the largest museums in Asia.
Gwangjang Market fills a block of Jongno-gu at 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, on the ground between Jongno 4-ga and Yeji-dong, and its merchants describe it as the first permanent market in Korea.
Cheonggyecheon is an 11-kilometre stream running through the middle of Seoul, sunk a storey below street level between Cheonggye Plaza and the Hangang River.
The War Memorial of Korea, known locally as 전쟁기념관, is a military museum and memorial in Seoul. It stands as a significant institution commemorating Korean military history and honoring those who served in conflicts.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a major independently entered design, exhibition and public-space complex with active programming. The local name is 동대문디자인플라자. It occupies a prominent position in Seoul's Dongdaemun district, an area historically associated with commerce and fashion.
Lotte World is a major recreation complex in Seoul, South Korea. The local name is 롯데월드. It comprises both indoor and outdoor facilities, with the indoor portion known as Lotte World Adventure and the outdoor portion called Magic Island.
Namdaemun Market, known locally as 남대문시장, is a traditional market in Seoul, South Korea. It stands as one of the oldest and largest retail markets in the country, with a history stretching back centuries.
Lotte World Tower is a supertall skyscraper in Seoul, South Korea, bearing the local name 롯데월드타워. It stands as a landmark in the Songpa District and serves multiple functions including commercial, retail, and observation purposes.
Gwanghwamun Plaza is a major public open space in central Seoul, South Korea. The plaza sits in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty.
Changgyeonggung is a Joseon dynasty palace located in Seoul, South Korea. Its local name is 창경궁. The palace was originally built in the 15th century and served as a royal residence.
Seoul Forest is a major urban park located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The local name is 서울숲. It was developed on former landfill and industrial sites, transforming degraded land into substantial green space.
Olympic Park is a major public park in Seoul, South Korea, established for the 1988 Summer Olympics. The local name is 올림픽공원. It occupies a large site in the Songpa-gu district and serves as a legacy venue from the Games.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall is a former colonial-era penitentiary turned museum in Seoul, South Korea. The site was constructed during Japanese rule and later used by subsequent governments.
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art is a private art museum in Seoul, South Korea. Established by the Samsung Foundation of Culture, it houses collections of traditional Korean art and contemporary international works.
Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple located in Seoul, South Korea. Its local name is 봉은사. The temple stands as a significant religious and cultural site within the modern urban environment of the Gangnam district.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
국립현대미술관 서울관
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) is a branch of South Korea's national museum system dedicated to contemporary art. Located in the Samcheong-dong area near Gyeongbokgung Palace, it occupies a renovated military compound.
Jogyesa is a major Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea, serving as the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It stands in the Jongno district near Insadong.
Namdaemun, officially named Sungnyemun, is a historic gate located in Seoul, South Korea. Its local name is 숭례문. The structure is designated as National Treasure No.
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.
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.
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.
What divides northern and southern Seoul?
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.
Is Seoul's subway suitable for first-time visitors?
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.
Should I use buses or the subway?
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.
Can I cover the palaces and Gangnam in one walking route?
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.
Cookie choices
Advertising is currently off. Where consent is required, optional cookies wait for your choice. Declining switches analytics off.
02 3 hours
03 1 hr 30 min
04 1 hr 30 min
05 1 hr 30 min
06 1 hr 30 min
07 1 hr 30 min
08 1 hr 30 min
09 1 hr 30 min
10 2 hours
11 2 hours
12 1 hr 30 min
13 45 min
14 45 min
15 45 min
16 45 min
17 45 min
18 1 hour
19 1 hour
20 1 hr 30 min
21 1 hr 30 min
22 30 min
23 1 hour
24 30 min
25 45 min
