01
45 min
Seoul City Wall
서울한양도성
The Seoul City Wall, known locally as 서울한양도성, is a historic fortification that originally enclosed the capital of the Joseon dynasty.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
Country guide
Historic monuments, Up to 1 hour in South Korea
Half of South Korea's 51 million people live in a single metropolitan area, and that shapes a visit more than the country's 100,472 square kilometres do. Seoul...
Photograph · Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0
10,016
Places
1Cities
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Half of South Korea's 51 million people live in a single metropolitan area, and that shapes a visit more than the country's 100,472 square kilometres do. Seoul and the region around it hold the palaces, the museums and most of the reasons to come, and everywhere else is measured as a train ride out from it. Busan, at the far southeastern corner, is the coastal counterweight of beaches, a fish market and hills of stacked houses, while Gyeongju in between is the old Silla capital and is largely tombs and temples. The northern border is closed, so every route out of Seoul runs south.
Checked 2026-08-25
Cities
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
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Seoul
Photograph · USAGI_POST · CC0
Seoul 10,016 places
Practical information
- Language spoken
- Korean
- National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
- Dialling code
- +82
- International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
- Currency
- South Korean won (KRW)
- Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
- Emergency number
- 112 police · 119 fire and ambulance
- Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
- Plug type
- Type C and F · 220 V
- Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
- Tap water
- Not recorded
- No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded
Planning a visit
Seasonal closures come from recorded opening hours.
- January: seasonal closure recorded
- February: seasonal closure recorded
- March: seasonal closure recorded
- April: seasonal closure recorded
- May: seasonal closure recorded
- June: seasonal closure recorded
- July: seasonal closure recorded
- August: seasonal closure recorded
- September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
- October: seasonal closure recorded
- November: seasonal closure recorded
- December: seasonal closure recorded
- Seasonal closure recorded
- No data recorded for this month
- The current month
Top things to see
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
Filter the list
22 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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02 45 minLotte World Tower
롯데월드타워
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.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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03 45 minGwanghwamun Square
광화문광장
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.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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04 45 minChanggyeonggung Palace
창경궁
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.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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05 45 minSungnyemun Gate
숭례문
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.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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06 45 minNamsangol Hanok Village
남산골한옥마을
Namsangol Hanok Village is a cultural heritage site in Seoul preserving traditional Korean hanok houses. Located at the northern base of Namsan Mountain, the village was established to showcase restored Joseon-period residences relocated from various parts of the city.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
Common questions
How long should a first trip to South Korea be?
Seven to ten days gives Seoul several district-based days and leaves room for Busan or Gyeongju. Jeju requires a separate flight or ferry plan, and Gyeongju works better with an overnight than as a rushed return from Seoul.
What entry documents are needed for South Korea?
South Korea's visa-free eligibility and K-ETA rules depend on nationality and can change. Check the official immigration and K-ETA services for the travel date rather than relying on an exemption announced for an earlier year.
What is the best way to travel around South Korea?
Incheon connects to Seoul by airport rail and buses; KTX trains and intercity buses handle longer mainland journeys. Rechargeable transport cards are useful across city systems, while Jeju and some regional areas need separate road planning.
When is a practical time to visit South Korea?
April to May and October to November are broad windows for this Seoul-led route. Blossom timing, autumn colour, summer rain, and Jeju conditions vary, so confirm the dates for the intended region.
What money and payment basics apply in South Korea?
South Korea uses the won (KRW). Cards are widely used, but retain some won for traditional markets, small operators, or transport contingencies and verify the KRW total before payment.
What practical safety details should I save for South Korea?
Call 112 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance in South Korea. Type C and F sockets supply 220 V; tap-water guidance is not recorded here.