Seoul has A LOT of amazing sights and attractions to offer, that’s for sure. So we actually had a really hard time narrowing it down to just 15! Don’t worry, it’s not all about shopping! And if you ask us, we would totally have halal Korean food in all guides about Korea :P) So arm yourself with our guide and get ready to plan for your trip to Seoul, because you can be sure that we’ve picked the best out of the best!
P.S. Don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner app, available on Google Play for Android and iTunes Store for iOS, to make your trip to Seoul a fuss-free one! You can find attractions as well as halal food and prayer spaces near these attractions, so no worries on not being able to find halal food anymore!
1. Bukchon Hanok Village
If you’ve been reading our articles for some time now, you would probably already know that Bukchon Hanok Village is one of our favourite spots in Seoul. You can literally take a walk down ancient Seoul and marvel at the traditional Korean houses that date all the way back to the Joseon Dynasty!
#HHWT Tip: The village is an actual residential area in current times, so do lower your volume when visiting!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all year round
Address: 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.
2. Insadong
Located just next to Bukchon Hanok Village is the traditional area of Seoul, Insadong! Home to lots of small shops selling traditional artsy trinkets and Korean teahouses, Insadong is the perfect place to spend a day strolling and getting lost in the many alleyways!
#HHWT Tip: Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space!
Want to find out more on what you can do in Insadong? Check out our Muslim-friendly area guide!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Street opens all year round, time varies depending on shops
Address: 62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Anguk Station (Line 3) Exit 6. Go 100m straight, then turn left.
3. Gyeongbukgung
South Korea has a rich history and where else to learn about this than at the royal palaces? Walk the path of the royals and learn about the fascinating history of South Korea. Trust us, it’s definitely worth a visit. Especially when you can also sign up for a free tour in English!
Palace looking gorgeous in spring!
And if you’re only planning on visiting one palace, then you should definitely head to Gyeongbukgung as it’s the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty!
Price: Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won, Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won
Opening Hours: November-February 09:00-17:00
March-May 09:00-18:00
June-August 09:00-18:30
September-October 09:00-18:00
Address: 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Line 3), Exit 5
OR Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 2
4. Changdeokgung Palace
Credit: rj koehler
While Gyeongbukgung is the most majestic palace, Changdeokgung holds its own charm with its simple and unimposing style. It also has an actual secret garden, which is being kept as natural as possible and holds 26,000 trees! (Yep, you saw that right.) Be sure to visit if you’re heading to Seoul in Autumn, for an amazingly breathtaking view.
Credit: Changdeokgung
#HHWT Tip: If you’re planning on visiting at least two palaces, be sure to purchase the integrated admission which gives you access to all four palaces, including the secret garden and Jongmyo shrine.
Price: Adults (ages 19-64): Regular 3,000 won / Secret Garden – 5,000 won
Children and Teenagers (ages 18 and under): Regular 1,500 won / Secret Garden – 2,500 won
Opening Hours: Feb-May, Sep-Oct 09:00-18:00
Jun-Aug 09:00-18:30
Nov-Jan 09:00-17:30
Closed on Mondays.
Address: 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1, 3 or 5), Exit 6. Walk for about 10-min to arrive at the palace entrance.
Or
Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3. Walk straight from the exit (towards east) for about 5-min to arrive at the palace entrance.
Download the HHWT Travel Planner app to find our guide to the top attractions and add these attractions to your itinerary for Seoul!
5. Garosugil
Credit: @fromtherightbank
Nicknamed the Little Europe of Seoul, Garosugil was once an up and coming area where hipsters flock to. But it has now evolved to being one of the must-visit spots in Seoul! This tree-lined street has a number of international chains such as H&M, Forever21, etc, but we say skip the chains and look out for indie local designers and gorgeous cafes to grab your cuppa!
Price: Free (probably lots of window-shopping)
Opening Hours: Time varies depending on shops
Address: How to go: Sinsa Station (Line 3), around a 15 minute walk from Exit #8
6. Ewha Women’s University Fashion Street
Located near the gorgeous campus of Ewha Women’s University, the fashion street is every girl’s idea of a shopping paradise. Prices tend to be pretty affordable too, as it’s catered for the students studying in this university area.
Price: The question is, how much are you willing to spend on shopping? 
Opening Hours: Time varies according to shops
Address: 10, Ewhayeodae 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
How to go: Ewha Women’s University Station (Line 2), take Exit 2
7. Myeongdong Shopping Street
Credit: korea.net
Regardless of whether you’re a shopaholic or not, your trip to Seoul will never be complete without visiting Myeongdong! Girls, rejoice. You can find pretty much all the Korean skincare brands in Myeongdong, and sometimes even multiple branches of the same store! Guys, don’t fret. There are also a number apparel and footwear stores for you! And if all else fails, you can always take in the sights of the bustling shopping street and kill some time at a cat café 
Price: It really depends on your shopping budget
Opening Hours: Time varies according to shops
Address: Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to go: Myeondong Station (Line 4), Exit 6 to get to the heart of the shopping district
8. Hongik University Street (Hongdae)
Credit: socoolkorea
Like the Ewha Fashion Street, Hongik University Street (or Hongdae) is also always bustling with students and tourists! As Hongdae is an arts university, the artsy vibe can definitely be seen through the streets, be it through street art and fashion or talented musicians performing live at night. Hongdae is definitely an area you have to visit to soak in the arts and experience the Korean nightlife!
#HHWT Tip: There are a number of interesting cafes around Hongdae too, including the famous sheep cafe And don’t forget to visit on Saturdays, where the Hongdae Free Market (located at the playground) is filled with artists selling their crafts! It’s open from 1pm to 6pm.
Price: Again, it depends on your shopping and café-hopping budget
Opening Hours: Time varies according to shops, but nightlife is huge in Hongdae
Address: Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
How to go: Hongdae Station (Line 2) , Exit 9 to get to the main area
9. Lotte World
Credit: tincowashere
One of the most popular theme parks in Korea, Lotte World is well-loved by both locals and tourists, as evident in all the Korean dramas There are a number of different rides in this theme park, ranging from kid-friendly rides to more thrilling ones like a free-fall drop ride, Gyro Drop!
#HHWT Tip: There’s a new prayer room facility on the third floor of Lotte World!
Price: Day-Pass – Adults 48,000 won, Teens 42,000 won, Children 38,000 won, Infants 12,000 won
Day-Pass (after 16:00) – Adults 38,000 won, Teenagers 33,000 won, Children 29,000 won, Infants 12,000 won
Opening Hours: 09:30-22:00 (Nighttime admission: 16:00~)
Closing time may vary each day. Do check their official site for details. http://global.lotteworld.com/main.asp
Address: 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
How to go: Jamsil Station (Line 2, 8),Exit 4. The theme park is directly connected to the station.
10. Noryangjin Fish Market
Credit: Jake Ejercito
If you love your seafood, Noryangjin Fish Market is definitely worth a visit. And even if you’re not looking to have a meal there, trust us, it’s an experience you won’t forget From the different (and we really do mean different) types of seafood displayed at the stalls to the friendly but scary at times Korean ahjummas, the market is always busy. Be sure to wear proper shoes or even boots if you don’t want to get your feet wet!
Price: A meal at Noryangjin will set you back around 50,000 to 70,000 depending on your order. This is estimated for a meal for 3-4pax.
Opening Hours: General Fish Market – 1.30am to 10pm
Address: 674, Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
How to go: Noryangjin Station (Line 1), Exit 1.Walk about 100m over the bridge before arriving at destination.
11. Seoul Central Mosque
It’s always fascinating to experience and understand the Muslim culture in a foreign country, so head to the Seoul Central Masjid and meet the local Korean Muslim community in Seoul. Plus it’s located in Itaewon where pretty much most of the halal Korean food in Seoul is at
Address: 732-21 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
How to go: Itaewon Station, Exit 3. Check out our area guide to Itaewon for detailed directions!
12. Inwangsan Mountain
Credit: travelcaffeine
Experience Korea in a different way and visit Inwangsan, located right in the heart of Seoul! Time to lace on your walking shoes for a bit of a hike Along the way, you can get a glimpse of the Seoul Fortress Wall which surrounds the mountain and an amazing view of the city!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays.
Address: San 3-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
How to go: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3. Go straight 90m to the Gyeongbokgung Station bus stop. Take Jongno Bus 09 and get off at Ogin APT. Walk approx. 660m to Inwangsan Mountain.
13. Seoul Forest
Credit: dadaturtle
Escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Seoul and head for some peace and quiet in Seoul Forest. If you’re lucky, you may even meet some deer in the park!
#HHWT Tip: Bike rentals are also available (6,000won for adults, 3,000won for children) and we definitely recommend cycling around to see more of the park!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all year round
Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
How to go: Seoul Forest Station. 5 min. walk from Exit 3, 4
14. N Seoul Tower
One of the most iconic landmarks in Seoul, the N Seoul Tower is the perfect place if you want to get a bird’s eye view of Seoul! And of course, while you’re there, don’t forget to snap a shot of the thousands of love locks below the tower. Perhaps even leave your mark there?
Price: Observatory – Adults 10,000 won, Children & Seniors 8,000 won
Opening Hours: [Sunday-Friday] Observatory: 10:00-23:00
[Saturday] Observatory: 10:00-24:00
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
How to go: You can head to N Seoul Tower via cable car (fares apply) or by bus. Check out their official website for detailed directions!
15. National Museum of Korea
Credit: ferretingoutthefun
If history is your thing, then you’ll definitely want to head over to the National Museum of Korea to get a deeper insight on Korean history, culture and its traditions! There are a whole lot of things to see at the museum, so it may get a teeny bit overwhelming.
Price: Free, with the exception of special exhibitions.
Opening Hours: Tue, Thu, Fri: 9:00 – 18:00
Wed, Sat: 9:00-21:00
Sun, Holidays: 9:00 – 19:00
Closed on New Year’s Day and every Monday.
Address: 137, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
How to go:
So there you have it! If you want to experience Seoul and understand its culture to the fullest, these attractions absolutely have to be on your list. Let us know if you have a favourite attraction that’s not on our list and if you’re planning your trip, don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner available on both Google Play for Android and the iTunes Store for iOS. Our guide is also available on the app so you can easily access it and add these attractions to your itinerary