Seoul

The Gyeongbokgung (경복궁, "Palace of Shining Happiness") is the most magnificent and largest of the five Joseon palaces in Seoul — built in 1395 as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea for over 500 years. With its 330 buildings, vast courtyards, and the spectacular contrast between traditional palace architecture and the modern skyscrapers behind it, it is Seoul's absolute must-see.

The highlight is the changing of the guard (Sumunjang) at the main gate Gwanghwamun — a colorful ceremony in historical costumes that takes place daily at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM (except Tuesdays). The guards in their colorful robes and traditional weapons look like they stepped out of a historical film.

Behind the main gate opens a sequence of courtyards and halls: the Geunjeongjeon (throne hall) with its double roof and carved stone base is the ceremonial center. The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion on an artificial lotus pond is one of the most beautiful motifs in all of Korea — especially at sunset, when the building is reflected in the water.

The palace grounds also house the National Folk Museum of Korea (free!) with an excellent exhibition on Korean daily life from the Joseon era to today. Plan at least 2–3 hours for the entire palace complex.

Hanbok Tip: Those who come in traditional Hanbok (rental costume, from ₩15,000/10 € for 2 hours in the shops around the palace) have free admission — and the photos in historical costume against the palace backdrop are absolutely magical. Dozens of rental shops line the street to the palace.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) is a living museum — a district with over 900 traditional Hanok houses from the Joseon era, nestled between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. While Seoul soared around the district, the curved tiled roofs, wooden beams, and narrow alleys remained intact.

The eight “Scenic Spots” (marked with signs 1–8) guide you through the most beautiful corners of the district. Spot No. 6 (Bukchon 6-gil) is the most famous: a steeply sloping alley with Hanok roofs in the foreground and Seoul's skyscrapers in the background — the image that defines Seoul better than any other.

Some Hanok houses are now galleries, tea houses, boutiques, and guesthouses. Be sure to spend at least one night in a Hanok guesthouse: futon on Ondol floor heating, sliding doors made of Hanji paper, minimalist design — Korea as it was 600 years ago (from ₩60,000/42 € per night).

From Bukchon, it is only a few minutes' walk to the Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO World Heritage) with its enchanting Secret Garden (Huwon) — a 300-year-old landscape garden accessible only by guided tour. The tour through the garden with its pavilions, ponds, and ancient trees is one of the most impressive experiences in Seoul.

Myeongdong (명동) is Seoul's bustling shopping heart — a maze of streets and alleys, crammed with K-Beauty shops (Innisfree, Etude House, Olive Young, Tony Moly), international brands, and one of the city's best street food offerings.

In the evening, Myeongdong transforms into an open-air food festival: dozens of stalls offer Egg Bread (Gyeran-ppang, ₩2,000), Hotteok (sweet pancakes with nut-sugar filling, ₩1,500), Tornado Potato on skewers, Tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken, and more. The prices are touristy, but the selection is unbeatable.

For K-Beauty fans, Myeongdong is paradise: Here you'll find more cosmetic stores per square meter than anywhere else in the world. Sheet masks from ₩1,000 (0.70 €), serums, sunscreen — Korean skincare is world-famous, and here you buy directly at the source. Olive Young is the best all-round store for international K-Beauty.

Nearby: The Myeongdong Cathedral (1898) is Korea's oldest Catholic cathedral and historically significant as a refuge during the democracy movement of the 1980s. And the Namdaemun Market (Seoul's largest traditional market) is just a block away.

Hongdae (홍대) is Seoul's youngest, most creative, and most energetic district — named after the nearby Hongik University (Korea's leading art college). The indie music scene thrives here, street artists showcase their talents, and Seoul parties here until the early hours.

The Hongdae Free Market (Saturdays) is an artist market with handmade jewelry, illustrations, and unique pieces. The Hongdae Busking Zone (Fridays and Saturdays from 6 PM) in front of Playground Park is legendary: talented street musicians, dancers, and K-Pop cover groups attract hundreds of spectators.

Hongdae is also Seoul's café capital: Here you'll find cat cafes, raccoon cafes, VR cafes, retro arcades (arcade cafes), themed dessert cafes, and minimalist third-wave coffee bars. The district has more creative café concepts per square meter than anywhere else on earth.

At night, Hongdae becomes the number one party district: live music clubs (Korea's indie rock scene started here), K-Pop dance clubs, craft beer bars, and the famous Noraebang (karaoke rooms, from ₩15,000/h for a room). The fun goes on until 6 AM — perfect for transitioning to early ramen.

Gangnam (강남) — yes, the district from PSY's global hit (2012). Located south of the Han River, Gangnam is Seoul's wealthiest and most modern district: designer boutiques, Michelin restaurants, beauty clinics, and the headquarters of Samsung, Hyundai, and major K-Pop labels.

For K-Pop fans, the K-Star Road in Apgujeong is a must — a street with bear sculptures, each representing a K-Pop group (BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, etc.). Nearby is HYBE Insight, the interactive museum of the label behind BTS — with original studio equipment, choreography workshops, and immersive installations (tickets from ₩22,000, often sold out weeks in advance).

The Garosugil (Ginkgo Avenue) in Sinsa-dong is Seoul's most elegant promenade: a tree-lined street with designer stores, concept shops, upscale restaurants, and Instagram-worthy cafes. In autumn, when the ginkgo trees glow golden yellow, the street is especially beautiful.

The Starfield COEX Mall houses the famous Starfield Library — a photogenic, open library with 13-meter-high bookshelves in the middle of a shopping center. Next to it: the COEX Aquarium and the Bongeunsa Temple, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple that stands surreal among the skyscrapers.

The N Seoul Tower (남산타워) on Namsan Mountain is Seoul's iconic landmark — a 236-meter-high tower on a 243-meter-high mountain, offering a 360° panoramic view over the entire mega-metropolis. In clear weather, the view extends to the mountains at the North Korean border.

The ascent to the tower is part of the experience: You can take the Namsan Cable Car (₩11,000 round trip) or walk the stairs and paths through the wooded Namsan Park (30–40 minutes, a delightful walk especially in autumn with foliage colors).

On the observation deck: The 360° view over Seoul is breathtaking — especially at sunset, when the city transforms from golden to neon. The Love Locks Terrace is Seoul's most romantic spot: Thousands of colorful locks, attached by couples from all over the world, cover the railings. Locks are available for purchase in the shops above (₩5,000–15,000).

At the foot of the mountain stretches Namsan Park — one of Seoul's most beautiful parks with old city walls, hiking trails, and cherry blossoms in spring. The route from Myeongdong Station up the stairs to the summit is a popular evening walk for locals.

The Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is Korea's oldest permanent market (founded in 1905) and the ultimate street food experience in Seoul — made famous by the Netflix series "Street Food" and celebrated by foodies worldwide as one of the best food markets in Asia.

The central food hall is a covered alley full of stalls where market women (Ajumma) have been cooking the same dishes for decades. You sit on a plastic stool at the counter and point to what you want:

• Bindaetteok (녹두전) — Hearty mung bean pancakes, crispy fried, Gwangjang signature dish. ₩4,000–5,000.
• Mayak Gimbap (마약김밥) — Tiny rice rolls with sesame and mustard-soy dip. "Mayak" means "drug" because they are so addictive. ₩3,000.
• Yukhoe (육회) — Raw beef with raw egg yolk, sesame, and pear. Korea's beef tartare, fresh and delicious. ₩10,000–15,000.
• Kalguksu (칼국수) — Hand-cut noodles in hot broth. Pure comfort food. ₩6,000.
• Tteokbokki (떡볶이) — Rice cakes in spicy Gochujang sauce. Korea's most popular snack. ₩4,000.

Upstairs you will find vintage clothing and fabrics — Gwangjang was originally a textile market and is still the best place in Seoul for Hanbok fabrics and bespoke tailoring.

Itaewon (이태원) is Seoul's most multicultural and cosmopolitan district — historically shaped by the nearby US military base Yongsan, today a melting pot of international cuisine, craft beer bars, design shops, and Korea's LGBTQ+ scene.

For travelers, Itaewon is primarily a culinary paradise beyond Korean BBQ: Mexican, Turkish, Indian, Halal, Ethiopian — cuisines from around the world in authentic quality. The Gyeongnidan-gil (a side street) has developed into Seoul's trendiest restaurant mile: craft coffee bars, natural wine shops, designer boutiques.

The Antique Furniture Street is a hidden gem: dozens of shops with Korean and Asian antiques, vintage furniture, and curiosities. Perfect for browsing, even without the intention to buy.

Above Itaewon towers the Seoul Central Mosque — Korea's oldest and largest mosque (1976), around which a small Muslim quarter with halal restaurants and Arabic grocery stores has formed.

Nearby: The brand-new National Museum of Korea in the Yongsan district — one of the largest museums in Asia with over 300,000 exhibits, from prehistoric finds to Joseon royal ceramics. Free admission!

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is 50 km north of Seoul and one of the most surreal experiences on this earth — the border between South and North Korea, which has divided the Korean Peninsula since the armistice of 1953 (technically still at war). A 250 km long, 4 km wide zone full of minefields, barbed wire, and tension — and at the same time an unintended nature paradise, as no human has entered the area for 70 years.

The Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom is the highlight: Here, North and South Korean soldiers stand face to face. In the blue UN negotiation barracks, you can literally step over to North Korea — technically one of the few legal ways to set foot on North Korean soil. The atmosphere is electrifying and oppressive at the same time.

Other highlights of the DMZ tour:

• Dora Observatory: Viewing platform with binoculars through which you can see North Korean villages and the propaganda city Kijŏng-dong.
• 3rd Infiltration Tunnel: A tunnel dug by North Korea, discovered in 1978 — 73 meters underground, wide enough for 30,000 soldiers per hour. You can walk 265 meters inside.
• Dorasan Station: The northernmost train station in South Korea — built for the day of reunification, with tracks leading to Pyongyang, but no train has run on them for decades.
• Imjingak Park: Freely accessible (without a tour), with the "Bridge of Freedom" and moving monuments for the divided families.

Seoul is one of the most exciting food cities in the world — with 35 Michelin-starred restaurants, but also street stalls where a feast awaits for ₩3,000 (2 €). Korean food is complex, spicy, fermented, and always communal.

Korean BBQ (고기구이)

The ultimate experience: Grill Samgyeopsal (pork belly), Galbi (marinated ribs), or Hanwoo (premium beef, Korea's Wagyu) at the table. Accompanied by dozens of Banchan (side dishes): Kimchi, radish, bean sprouts, soybean paste — all refillable for free. Wrap the meat in sesame leaves with garlic and Ssamjang paste. Minimum order: 2 portions.

• Samgyeopsal (pork belly): ₩12,000–15,000/person
• Galbi (ribs): ₩18,000–25,000/person
• Hanwoo (premium beef): ₩30,000–60,000/person

Chimaek (치맥) — Fried Chicken & Beer

Korea's greatest culinary invention: crispy Korean Fried Chicken (double-fried!) with Maekju (beer). Varieties: Classic, Soy Garlic (Gangjung), Spicy (Yangnyeom). Order a portion (₩18,000–22,000) and a few beers. Best at: BBQ Chicken, Kyochon, or the small Chimaek shops in the district.

Pojangmacha (포장마차) — Street Stalls

Orange plastic tents on the roadside that open in the evening and serve Tteokbokki, Odeng (fish cake soup), Gimbap, and Soju. The most authentic street food experience in Seoul — sit inside, order a few dishes and Soju, and you're in the middle of Korean everyday life.

Other Must-Eats

• Jjajangmyeon — Black bean noodles (Korean-Chinese comfort food). ₩6,000–8,000.
• Naengmyeon — Ice-cold buckwheat noodles, perfect in summer. ₩9,000–12,000.
• Dakgalbi — Spicy chicken with vegetables and rice cakes, grilled at the table. ₩12,000.
• Sundubu-jjigae — Spicy silken tofu stew with egg. ₩8,000–10,000.
• Bingsu — Korean shaved ice dessert with toppings (ice cream, fruits, mochi). ₩8,000–15,000.