Seoul

South Korea’s capital city is a living, breathing mashup of history and modernity. Centuries-old courtyards hug the roots of brand-new high-rises, and traditional teashops vie with Starbucks for customers. You’ll find this contrast everywhere: from the glitz and glamour of the Gangnam district (which the world now knows thanks to Korean pop star Psy’s massive hit song “Gangnam Style”) to the grand, tranquil palaces of the Jongno area. The dynamic capital burgeons with inventive restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. Having rebuilt after the Korean War and hosted the world for the 1988 Summer Olympics, Seoul has now emerged as one of eastern Asia’s most vibrant cities.

SEOUL, KOREA - DECEMBER 31, 2016 -    Colorful billboards on the street of Seoul

Photo By DiegoMariottini/Shutterstock

Overview

When’s the best time to go to Seoul?

Seoul’s humid subtropical climate has four distinct seasons, and there is no official off-season. Some say that the city is at its best in the spring when cherry blossoms bloom, while others prefer fall, when leaves turn into a fiery mass of red, gold, and brown. Winters can be brutal, but they lend the capital city a whitewashed beauty. Summer temperatures often rise into the 90s, with rain falling during the late-summer typhoon period. No matter when you visit, however, there’s plenty to do both indoors and out.

How to get around Seoul

Incheon International Airport is located in the city of Incheon, about 50 miles from downtown Seoul. The fastest way to Seoul is via the Airport Railroad Express train: It’s a bargain, at under $10, and you’ll be in the heart of Seoul in precisely 43 minutes. Buses (also $10) and taxis (at least $70) are available as well, if you are prepared to battle Seoul’s legendary traffic.

The Seoul subway is vast, yet easy to navigate. You pay by distance, and most rides cost between $1 and $2. Aboveground buses roll to every corner of the city for prices that range between $.75 and $2, depending on the route. It’s easy to find taxis waiting on every corner.

Tip: When hailing a taxi on the street, it’s more polite to flag it with your hand facing down, not up. Seoul is well connected to the rest of South Korea with excellent transportation options including high-speed trains.

Can’t miss things to do in Seoul

The N Seoul Tower rises from atop Namsan Mountain in the center of the city. Look for it to get your geographical bearings, or better yet, take the cable car to the top to get 360-degree views—on a clear day, you can see all the way to North Korea.

Food and drink to try in Seoul

Until relatively recently, it was unusual to find anything but strictly Korean fare in Seoul. While thousands of authentic Korean restaurants continue to serve up staples such as kimchi, galbi, and bibimbap, it has become easier to find Mexican, Italian, Indian, and Thai options as well. Street food is available on practically every corner, and you can fill your belly with dumplings, rice cakes, or deep-fried veggies for less than $5.

When it comes to drinks, cocktails and wine are growing in popularity but soju (a vodka-like distilled rice liquor) and beer rule. And did we mention that Seoulites love coffee? Every street is now peppered with cafes, from huge chains like Angel-in-Us to small independent shops.

Culture in Seoul

Seoul offers classic beauty in the form of countless palaces, courtyards, and other royal property that has survived the city’s modernization process. The city’s energetic art, fashion, design, and architecture scenes earned it a UNESCO World Design Capital designation in 2010, and you’ll encounter contemporary culture in galleries, boutiques, and public art installations.

Korea is a country that celebrates tradition, and the numerous local festivals are a testament to the people’s immense national pride. The Fireworks Festival lights up the sky over the Han River in October and the Lantern Festival brings a gorgeous glow to the banks of Cheonggyecheon Stream in November, but no matter when you go, your visit will likely coincide with some sort of celebration. In addition to classic and historic culture, Seoul is known for its style, boy bands, and a quickly shifting pop culture. Dip your toe into the scene with a Seoul Night Tour in Hip Hongdae from AFAR’s walking tour partner, Context.

Local travel tips for Seoul

Navigating your way through Korea, with it’s challenging-to-decipher Hangul alphabet, can be daunting. Fortunately, most signs in Seoul are also written in English, and many locals will be eager to help you find your way and practice their English. Visitors, remember this phone number: 1330. It’s the English-speaking tourist help line. The operators will help you with whatever you need, be it train schedules or directions to the nearest movie theater. Don’t hesitate to call day or night, no matter how silly you think your question is. They’ve heard it all.

Guide Editor

Leslie Patrick is a freelance writer who splits her time between South Korea and a nomadic life of slow traveling around the globe. Leslie writes about travel, culture and lifestyle, and her work has been published in Salon, Marie Claire (UK and Australia editions), Islands, Travel + Leisure, Monocle, United Airlines’ Hemispheres Magazine and various English language publications in Korea.

Read Before You Go
After a dinner in the French Quarter, head to Frenchmen Street to take in your choice of local acts. Actually, you don't have to choose&mdash;you can wander from one nightclub to the next, and settle in where you feel most comfortable. Among the best: <a href=https://www.afar.com/travel-guides/south-korea/seoul/Spotted Cat,</a> which is always hopping with local trad jazz and the occasional Cajun band. Finish off your stay with a detour to&nbsp;the <a href=https://www.afar.com/travel-guides/south-korea/seoul/"https://www.afar.com/places/louisiana-music-factory-new-orleans">Louisiana Music Factory</a>, where you can pick up CDs of your favorite discoveries from your rambling through the city's clubs. If you'd rather remain in the&nbsp;French Quarter, an hour or so spent at <a href=https://www.afar.com/travel-guides/south-korea/seoul/"https://www.afar.com/places/preservation-hall-new-orleans">Preservation Hall</a> will give you a glimpse of New Orleans of years past, with extraordinarily talented musicians, many with close with links to the city's storied musical past,&nbsp;" width="527" height="278" data-srcset="https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/94ce6b4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2268x1196+0+221/resize/527x278!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc6%2F72%2Fd06b444e3ee6477d0eae38415bbe%2Foriginal-preservationhall-ibr-1162131-jim-west-agefotostock.jpg 1x,https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/903785e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2268x1196+0+221/resize/1054x556!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc6%2F72%2Fd06b444e3ee6477d0eae38415bbe%2Foriginal-preservationhall-ibr-1162131-jim-west-agefotostock.jpg 2x" data-src="https://afar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/94ce6b4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2268x1196+0+221/resize/527x278!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk3-prod-afar-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fc6%2F72%2Fd06b444e3ee6477d0eae38415bbe%2Foriginal-preservationhall-ibr-1162131-jim-west-agefotostock.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzhweCIgd2lkdGg9IjUyN3B4Ij48L3N2Zz4=" >
These places are perfect for a postwinter trip.
Resources to help plan your trip
With everything from street food to Michelin-starred cuisine, Seoul boasts an extensive culinary scene. Be sure to sample specialties like bulgogi (barbecued meat), japchae (stir-fried noodles), and comforting soups, all served with kimchi.
Seoul’s concrete towers punctuate the skyline like the rat-a-tat-tat of Morse code. In this uncompromisingly massive megalopolis, at first it can seem impossible to find a moment’s peace. But under the surface of modernity lies a place of healing with wellness traditions that date back a thousand years.
From ancient palaces to the futuristic new city hall, Seoul is a marvel of architecture and design. Evidence of this modern way of thinking is everywhere. Just take a stroll in downtown Seoul to discover it for yourself.
Seoul’s neighborhoods are a hodgepodge of consumer endeavors. Looking for souvenirs? Cultural hotspot Insadong has got you covered. Need a new party dress? Add the fashion district of Myeongdong to your must-go list. Check out our favorite neighborhoods, streets, and shops curated from the depths of Seoul’s labyrinthine nooks and crannies.
Seoul is a vast metropolis with an efficient public transportation system. In addition to major sites like temples, museums, and palaces, the city boasts unexpected gems including nature trails and mazes of alluring backstreets.
The speakeasy tradition is going strong here: dozens of lounges serve sophisticated cocktails in elegant settings, but traditional soju sipping goes on, too. Drinking is taken seriously in Seoul. So choose your poison (and drink responsibly).
There’s a reason that designers, chefs, and travelers love to dive into the boutiques, malls, markets, and designer shops of Seoul and that Gangnum Style was such a sensation back in 2012. It’s no secret: Seoul loves to shop.
Buddhist temples and grand palaces meet neon skylines in Seoul. The city’s hotels are just as varied, ranging from design properties with no-fuss amenities to over-the-top luxury resorts with Michelin-starred cuisine. Here are some of the highlights.
With everything from street food to Michelin-starred cuisine, Seoul boasts an extensive culinary scene. Be sure to sample specialties like bulgogi (barbecued meat), japchae (stir-fried noodles), and comforting soups, all served with kimchi.
Korean Air’s innovative “farm-to-flight” program features food grown on the airline’s very own farm.
A guide to comfort foods from street vendors for cold days exploring Seoul
Why Korean Baseball Fans Are Better Than American Fans
Sign up for our newsletter
Join more than a million of the world’s best travelers. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter.