07
1 hr 30 min
Jongmyo Shrine
종묘
Jongmyo is the Confucian royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon dynasty, and it is a working ritual precinct rather than a temple or a palace.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
Country guide
Places to visit in South Korea — page 2
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
101 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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08 1 hr 30 minCheonggyecheon
청계천공원
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.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Seoul
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09 1 hr 30 minWar Memorial of Korea
전쟁기념관
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.
- Must see
- Museum
- Seoul
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10 2 hoursDongdaemun Design Plaza
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.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Seoul
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11 2 hoursLotte World
롯데월드
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.
- Must see
- Entertainment venue
- Seoul
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12 1 hr 30 minDeoksugung Palace
덕수궁
Deoksugung is the palace of the Korean Empire, and the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center's own history of it is unusually blunt about how it became one.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Seoul
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13 45 minSeoul 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
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14 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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15 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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16 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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17 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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18 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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19 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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20 1 hr 30 minSeodaemun Prison History Hall
서대문형무소역사관
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.
- Must see
- Museum
- Seoul
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21 1 hr 30 minLeeum Museum of Art
Leeum
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.
- Must see
- Museum
- Seoul
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22 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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23 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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24 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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25 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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26 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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27 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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28 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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29 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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30 1 hr 30 minNational Folk Museum of Korea
국립민속박물관
The National Folk Museum of Korea is a national museum located in Seoul, South Korea. It is situated within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the major royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty.
- Must see
- Museum
- Seoul
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31 1 hr 30 minNational Palace Museum of Korea
국립고궁박물관
The National Palace Museum of Korea is a Seoul museum devoted to the Joseon Dynasty and Korean imperial court. Near Gyeongbokgung Palace, it brings together objects connected with royal ceremonies, court life, administration, art, and palace culture.
- Must see
- Museum
- 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.