Attractions
The things worth booking.
The palaces, viewpoints, theme parks and day trips that people build a Korea trip around, starting with Seoul.
For each one we tell you how it is really booked (timed entry, advance only, a tour with a passport check, or just turn up) and give you a booking button wherever we have a partner link; where we do not, the card says how to book it, or that entry is free.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The grandest of Seoul's five palaces: the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, the Gyeonghoeru pavilion on its pond, and the guard changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun gate. Rent a hanbok nearby and entry is free.
How to book: Palace tickets at the gate or online; entry is free in hanbok. Closed Tuesdays. The combined palace pass covers all five palaces and the Jongmyo shrine.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookN Seoul Tower
The tower on Namsan, Seoul's central mountain: the observatory looks over the whole basin, and the cable car up from Myeongdong is half the fun. Go at dusk and watch the city light up.
How to book: Observatory tickets online or at the tower; cable car tickets at the lower station. Evenings and weekends queue.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookLotte World
The Jamsil theme park: a vast indoor Adventure under its glass dome, Magic Island on the lake outside, an aquarium and the folk museum, all on the subway at Jamsil station.
How to book: Day passports online or at the gate; after-4pm tickets are cheaper. The aquarium is ticketed with the park or separately.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookSeoul Sky, Lotte World Tower
The observatory at the top of the Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea: glass floors at 478 metres and the whole of Seoul and the Han River below.
How to book: Timed tickets online or at the tower entrance in the mall. Book ahead on clear weekends.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookEverland
Korea's biggest theme park, an hour south in Yongin: the T Express wooden coaster, the safari world and the panda house, with seasonal parades and gardens.
How to book: Tickets online or at the gate; shuttle buses run from Seoul stations, bookable with the ticket on the platforms.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookThe DMZ Day Tour
The day trip to the border: the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory looking into North Korea, and the station built for a reunified railway. Passports are checked and the military sets the rules on the day.
How to book: Tours only: book a guided tour on the platforms at least a day ahead, and carry your passport. There is no independent entry.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookCOEX Aquarium
The big aquarium inside the COEX mall in Gangnam: themed zones from the Amazon to the penguins, under the same roof as the Starfield Library and the exhibition halls.
How to book: Tickets online or at the door; combined passes with other COEX attractions run in season.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookHangang River Cruises
The river cruises from the Yeouido and Jamsil piers: 40 minutes by day, and the night sailings under the lit bridges and past the Banpo Bridge fountain in season.
How to book: Cruise tickets online or at the pier. Fountain sailings are seasonal and the evening boats fill first.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookNational Museum of Korea
The national collection in Yongsan, free and enormous: celadon, gold crowns, Buddhist sculpture and the pagoda garden outside. The best rainy day in Seoul.
How to book: Entry is free; special exhibitions are ticketed separately. Closed Mondays.
Bukchon Hanok Village
The hanok lanes between the two palaces: signposted viewpoints over tiled roofs, craft workshops and tea houses in lived-in traditional houses. Go early, and keep voices down: people live here.
How to book: Free to wander; the workshops and museums on the lanes charge their own small fees.
Before you go
A T-money card
The stored value card that runs Korean transport: every subway, bus and taxi in Seoul and most of the country, plus convenience stores. The Climate Card covers unlimited Seoul transport for short stays.
How to book: Buy T-money at any subway station or convenience store and charge it with cash; the Climate Card is sold at stations and the airport.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookAREX airport express tickets
The airport railway from Incheon International to Seoul Station: 43 minutes on the express trains, about an hour all-stop. Express passengers on some airlines can check bags and clear formalities at Seoul Station first.
How to book: Buy at the airport station, in the AREX app, or on the platforms; the QR code or voucher scans at the gate.
Search tickets and toursvia KlookA Korea eSIM
Land connected: a data eSIM bought before you fly keeps maps, translation and the subway apps working from the arrivals hall. Physical tourist SIMs are sold at the airport if your phone needs one.
How to book: Buy the eSIM online before departure, or a tourist SIM at the airport arrivals halls.
Search tickets and toursvia Klook