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
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
67 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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02 45 minNamdaemun Market
남대문시장
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.
- Must see
- Market
- Seoul
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03 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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04 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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05 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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06 1 hourSeoul Forest
서울숲
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.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Seoul
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07 1 hourOlympic Park
올림픽공원
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.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Seoul
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08 30 minBongeunsa Temple
봉은사
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.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Seoul
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09 1 hourNational 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.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Seoul
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10 30 minJogyesa Temple
조계사
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.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Seoul
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11 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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12 30 minMyeongdong Cathedral
명동대성당
Myeongdong Cathedral, known locally as 명동대성당, stands as a prominent Catholic cathedral in the Myeongdong district of Seoul, South Korea. The structure represents an important historical and religious landmark within the capital.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Seoul
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13 1 hourSeoul Museum of Art
서울시립미술관
The Seoul Museum of Art, known locally as Seoul City Museum of Art or 서울시립미술관, is a public art museum operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Seoul
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14 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
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15 45 minGyeonghuigung
경희궁
Gyeonghuigung is a former royal palace in central Seoul, known locally as 경희궁. It was one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and served as a secondary royal residence.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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16 45 minHeunginjimun
흥인지문
Heunginjimun, known locally as 흥인지문, is one of the Eight Gates of Seoul in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea. It is commonly referred to as Dongdaemun, meaning Great East Gate.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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17 45 minDongmyo
동묘
Dongmyo, written in Korean as 동묘, is a historic place within Seoul’s older cultural landscape. The site suits travellers who want to encounter heritage as part of the living city rather than only through a large museum or palace complex.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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18 45 minUnhyeongung
운현궁
Unhyeongung is a historic royal residence in Seoul, known locally as 운현궁. It was associated with Heungseon Daewongun, the powerful nineteenth-century regent of the Joseon Dynasty.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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19 45 minIndependence Gate
독립문
Independence Gate, known locally as 독립문, is a historic stone monument in Seoul’s Seodaemun district. Built to commemorate Korea’s aspiration for independence from foreign influence, it stands as a symbol of national sovereignty and modern Korean history.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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20 45 minWorld Peace Gate
올림픽공원 세계평화의문
World Peace Gate is the principal ceremonial gateway to Seoul Olympic Park. Built for the 1988 Summer Olympics, it stands as a monumental symbol of harmony through sport and international cooperation.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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21 30 minSeoul Central Mosque
이슬람교서울중앙성원
Seoul Central Mosque is a working mosque on a hillside in Itaewon, Seoul, with the Korean name 이슬람교서울중앙성원. Its significance is religious and communal: it serves worshippers and forms part of Itaewon’s international Muslim community.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Seoul
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22 30 minYoido Full Gospel Church
여의도순복음교회
Yoido Full Gospel Church, known locally as 여의도순복음교회, is a major Pentecostal church located in Seoul, South Korea. It stands on Yeouido Island, a significant commercial and political district in the capital.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Seoul
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23 1 hourSejong Center
세종문화회관 대극장
Sejong Center is a major performing-arts complex in central Seoul, beside Gwanghwamun Plaza. The name refers to King Sejong, the Joseon monarch associated with the creation of Hangul.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Seoul
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24 1 hourNational Theater of Korea
국립극장
The National Theater of Korea is a major performing-arts institution on the slopes of Namsan in Seoul. It presents Korean theatrical heritage alongside contemporary theatre, music, dance, and large stage productions.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Seoul
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25 1 hourSeoul Botanic Park
서울식물원
Seoul Botanic Park, also called 서울식물원, is a large botanical garden in western Seoul. It gives visitors a plant-focused break from the city's dense streets, combining conservation, education, landscaped gardens, and recreation.
- Must see
- Nature site
- 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.