What to do in Seoul

Activities, attractions and tours

Seoul showing modern architecture and a city as well as a small group of people
Seoul showing modern architecture and a city as well as a small group of people
Myeongdong featuring shopping as well as a small group of people
Seocho-gu which includes a river or creek, a city and night scenes
Lotte World Tower showing a bay or harbour, a high-rise building and a city

Places to Visit in Seoul

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Seoul, South Korea while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Seoul attractions from NZ$4, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Seoul tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 533 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Seoul. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Namdaemun Market

The enormous Namdaemun Market is the place to go for everything from clothes, stationery and toys to delicious Korean street food. As the city’s oldest market, it’s worth paying a visit to Namdaemun even if you’re not interested in shopping – the vibrant atmosphere and authentic local flavour make a great day out and offer some fantastic photo opportunities.
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Namdaemun Market featuring signage, cbd and a city

2. Dongdaemun History and Culture Park

A shopaholic’s dream, Dongdaemun Market is the largest commercial district in Seoul. Consisting of a staggering 30,000 shops, 50,000 manufacturers and 26 shopping centres, it is spread over an area that covers 10 blocks. You could spend weeks in Dongdaemun Market and not see everything it has to offer! You can pick up virtually anything at the market, including clothes, jewellery, electronics and toys, often at bargain prices.
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Dongdaemun Market featuring night scenes, street scenes and a city

3. Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower is a contemporary entertainment, retail and residential skyscraper. Discover floor upon floor of brand-name and luxury fashion outlets. Get close to exotic marine life, browse displays of artwork and attend classical music concerts. Lotte World Tower also offers some of the best views of Seoul from its observation deck.
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Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom.

4. COEX Convention and Exhibition Center

On any given day, the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center on the World Trade Center Site Seoul may be hosting a conference about new technologies, a trade fair, an exhibition, a political summit, a theater show, or a lavish wedding or cultural festival. This events space also excels in business tourism and hosts a range of attractions and easy links to public transportation.
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COEX Convention and Exhibition Center featuring signage

5. N Seoul Tower

Standing an impressive 237 metres tall, the iconic N Seoul Tower offers panoramic views of the city and beyond from its popular observation deck. Situated at the top of Namsan Mountain and first used as a broadcast tower, the tower is home to cinemas, restaurants and performance spaces. The Seoul Tower has been operating as a tourist attraction since 1980, and in 2005, it added its now famous light displays and the “N” to its name.
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N Seoul Tower featuring skyline, night scenes and a city

6. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Dating back to 1395, Gyeongbok Palace is one of Seoul’s oldest and most important buildings. As the home of the Joseon Dynasty, it was considered to be one of the finest examples of Korean architecture and culture. Damaged considerably over the centuries, today nearly half of the palace complex has been painstakingly restored.
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Gyeongbok Palace which includes a square or plaza and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Recommended things to do in Seoul

Number of things to do
533
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Seoul: South Korea Roaming Internet with eSIM Mobile Data Plan: NZ$4
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Seoul

Discover the most popular places to visit in Seoul

Myeongdong shopping street at night in Seoul. Seoul, South Korea, 2015.

Myeongdong Street

4.5/5(22 reviews)

When you visit Myeongdong Street, a popular shopping spot in Seoul, you can search for that perfect souvenir. Visit the shops and charming cafes in this culturally rich area.

Myeongdong Street
Scenic park at downtown of Seoul, South Korea

Lotte World

4/5(31 reviews)

Have a fun-filled day at Lotte World and see why people love this theme park in Seoul. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this culturally rich area.

Lotte World
Namdaemun Market featuring a city, street scenes and markets

Namdaemun Market

4.5/5(59 reviews)

For all kinds of clothing and food at bargain prices, a trip to Seoul's oldest and largest traditional market is a must-visit.

Namdaemun Market
Dongdaemun Market featuring night scenes, street scenes and a city

Dongdaemun History and Culture Park

4.5/5(72 reviews)

This vast commercial district is a shopper's paradise with its many malls, boutiques and specialist shops sitting happily alongside traditional Korean market places.

Dongdaemun History and Culture Park
Lotte World Tower which includes a high-rise building

Lotte World Tower

4.5/5(21 reviews)

Stunning city views, an aquarium, shops and restaurants are part of this futuristic tower that looms over the southern banks of the Han River.

Lotte World Tower
COEX Convention and Exhibition Center featuring signage

COEX Convention and Exhibition Center

4.5/5(27 reviews)

You don’t have to be in Seoul for a conference or fair to appreciate the facilities of COEX, South Korea’s outstanding events center and mall in Gangnam.

COEX Convention and Exhibition Center
N Seoul Tower featuring skyline, night scenes and a city

N Seoul Tower

4.5/5(54 reviews)

Wherever you are in Seoul, you'll usually be able to spot this landmark that offers superb views over the city.

N Seoul Tower
Gyeongbok Palace which includes a square or plaza and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Gyeongbokgung Palace

4.5/5(75 reviews)

This royal palace has risen up from the ashes more than once and today, it's one of Seoul's finest examples of traditional Korean architecture.

Gyeongbokgung Palace
Traditional Korean style architecture at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, South Korea.

Bukchon Hanok Village

4.5/5(12 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Seoul with a visit to Bukchon Hanok Village. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Explore areas of Seoul

Myeongdong featuring shopping, night scenes and street scenes

Myeong-dong

This luxury shopping district at the heart of central Seoul is the place to come for quality brand products and simply great food.

Myeong-dong
Gangnam featuring outdoor art

Gangnam-gu

4.5/5(53 area reviews)

Made world-famous by a catchy 2012 K-pop song with quirky dance moves, this is still Seoul’s most talked about neighborhood today.

Gangnam-gu
Hongdae featuring street scenes, a city and signage

Hongdae

Seoul's lively and youthful heart and soul. Hang out for a while in the many cafés, bars and clubs and cinemas.

Hongdae
F1HJ6B The Dongdaemun history and culture park in the east part of Seoul, South Korea

Dongdaemun-gu

4/5(3 area reviews)

You might enjoy the shopping while in Dongdaemun-gu. Gyeongdong Market is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Yongdu Station or Jegi-dong Station to see more of the city.

Dongdaemun-gu
Gwangjang Traditional Market which includes signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(45 area reviews)

Jongno-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Sejong Cultural Center and National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Gwanghwamun Station or Jonggak Station.

Jongno-gu
Insadong which includes shopping as well as a small group of people

Insa-dong

Right at the centre of Seoul, this district is a mix of culture and shopping complemented by traditional Korean art, crafts and antiques.

Insa-dong

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Seoul

Incheon showing a park, a high-rise building and a sunset

Incheon

This media shows the cultural heritage monument in South Korea with the number:
Photo by Amondee (page does not exist) (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)

Bucheon

Cityscape of Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea

Seongnam

잠실철교

Guri

Learning about Korean history and culture at the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Uijeongbu

Street view of Soha-dong, Gwangmyeong, which is the neighboring city of Seoul.

Gwangmyeong

autumn at hosu park goyang city south korea, Shutterstock ID 1196388550, SF SSA Case with Manager Approval: Case 07151371, Job: Prepay credit, Client/Licensee: , Other:

Goyang

MoonSoo Mt.
Photo by kykoh (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0)

Gimpo

Frequently asked questions

Is Seoul worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Seoul is explore Myeongdong Street. Check this major sight off your list, then experience more of the area's culture and history.
How do I spend a day in Seoul?
After you've checked off key attractions like Myeongdong Street and Lotte World Tower, spend the rest of your day discovering Seoul's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Seoul?
You can't leave without exploring Myeongdong Street, rated the top tourist attraction in Seoul.
Is three days enough to stay in Seoul?
Three days in Seoul is enough to enjoy the city's main highlights. Many guests spend three days on average. Myeongdong Street, Namsan Cable Car and Seoul National University Hospital are highly rated sights. Like to see more? Stick around a little longer to explore nearby hotspots like Incheon.
Is Seoul a walkable city?
Some leading attractions in Seoul, such as Myeongdong Street and Namsan Cable Car, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from the city centre of Seoul is Jung-gu and Myeong-dong is 0.64 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Seoul with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, a fun-filled itinerary sets the tone for a great escape. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Seoul with kids.

What to do in Seoul for adults?
Garosu-gil and Itawon Street are just a couple of the things to do in Seoul. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Seoul?
One of the easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Seoul is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can enjoy without taking your wallet out. Myeongdong Street is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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