Attractions · Seoul
Things to do in Seoul.
The capital's bookable highlights: the great palace and the tower views, the two theme parks, the DMZ day trip every visitor asks about, and the river that runs through all of it.
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.
Planning the stay itself: the area guides cover what is on, and the hotels page covers where to sleep near it.