What To Do On Your First Trip To Seoul
- Andrew Jung
- Mar 23, 2019
- 7 min read
Ever since K-Pop has broken into the Western Market, South Korea has risen in tourism in a remarkable way.
Whether you're a fan of the culture, a fan of K-Drama, or want to experience the K-Pop lifestyle, South Korea is a country that can cater to anyone.
But, there are a few things that you should do in Seoul on your first trip there! (ten of them to be exact)
*side note* many of these can be done for "free" when purchasing the Discover Seoul Pass (Il'l make a post about the DSP soon!)
1. Palace Visits
Korea is home to many palaces, but the one that stands out (partly because it's the biggest and most central) is Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁).
The palace was the main royal palace in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. Sadly, the palace was destroyed during the Imperial Japan takeover of Korea. But, you can still enjoy the beauty of the palace because it was restored years later.
The palace has an entry fee of 3,000 krw for those above the age of 18 to 64 and 1,500 krw for those 7-18. Entrants under the age of 7 and over the age 64 can be admitted for free!
Furthermore, the entry fee is waived if you are wearing a hanbok (한복), which you can rent at various stores nearby the palace!
Hours of Operation: WED - MON: 9AM - 6PM | CLOSED TUESDAY!
Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: Head directly north of exit #2 at Gwanghwamun Station on the purple line (line number 5) for about 3 minutes and the palace gate is straight ahead!
2. Shopping!
When visiting Seoul, it's important to keep an open mind. But more importantly, you need to keep an open wallet! Hey big spender, get ready to shop 'til you drop.
South Korea is claimed to be the center of the cosmetics industry, and there's sufficient evidence to back up this claim. All over Seoul, you can find cosmetics stores almost anywhere you go. Although cosmetics may not be your thing, you may know someone who would appreciate a thoughtful souvenir that shows them the latest trends in makeup.
One of my favorite places to go shopping in Seoul has to be Myeongdong (명동).
Myeongdong is one of the largest shopping districts here in Seoul. Here you can find luxury brands, cosmetics, casual clothes and pretty much everything you can think of.
Hours of Operation: 11AM - 10PM *Stores open around noon, and typically close around 10*
Address: Myeongdong Station
Directions: After getting off at Myeongdong station on the light blue line (line number 4), exit out of exit #6 and let the shopping begin
3. Lotte World and Lotte World Tower
Lotte World is the biggest indoor theme park in the world, and is a perfect spot to take your date. The rides are fun and memorable, especially the VR roller coaster. There are indoor and outdoor areas, and you can easily spend the entire day there.
The entry fee for adults is 52,000 krw and 45,000 krw for teens.
Hours of Operation: MON - SAT 9:30AM - 11:00PM
Address: 240 Olympic-ro, Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Directions: Arrive at Jamsil station on the green line (line number 2) and follow the signs to Lotte World. Otherwise, head out of exit 3 to arrive at the outdoor gates
One of the most amazing sites in Seoul has to be Lotte World Tower. From the highest point of the tower, you can see the entirety of Seoul from more than 500 meters up in the air. It is the 5th tallest building in the world, and it's truly a breathtaking experience.
The entry fee for adults is 27,000 krw and 24,000 krw for children.
Hours of Operation: 10:30AM - 10PM
Address: Seoul, Songpa-gu, Jamsil 6(yuk)-dong, Olympic-ro, 300 롯데월드몰
Directions: Arrive at Jamsil station on the green line (line number 2) and exit out of exit #1
4. Korean 24-Hour Spas
One of the quintessential experiences in Korea is to visit a spa (찜질방). These spas are scattered all over Seoul, but my favorite one has to be the Dragon Hill Spa.
The Dragon Hill Spa has a multitude of treatments, baths, and activities that make the experience almost feel like you're at a theme park.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Address: 40-712 Hangangno 3(sam)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Directions: Leave from exit #1 from yongsan station on the dark blue line (line number 1) The spa is right outside the exit
5. Night Life
If New York is the city that never sleeps, Seoul is the city that has never slept. Every night, wherever you go in Seoul you'll find plenty of bars, restaurants and activities to make sure your party never stops.
But, the best place to have the "night of your life" has to be Gangnam (강남). Much like the hit song "Gangnam Style" suggests, Gangnam is a place full of clubs, bars, and good times.
It isn't a "true Korean experience", until you've left to party at sundown and came home at sunrise.
One of the best places to have a good time in Gangnam is Club Octagon. It has earned the number 7 spot of the top 100 clubs by DJ Mag, and has previously been in the top 5.
Hours of Operation: THU - SAT 10PM - 7AM
Address: 645 Nonhyeon-ro, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Directions: Arrive at Hak-dong station and take exit number 4. Continue straight, and the club will be on your right
6. Street Food
If the party scene isn't for you, there's another night life option available to you.
FOOD.
Sure, you can get street food at most hours of the day. But, it's not a true street food experience until the sun goes down, people are roaming the streets from shop to shop, and you're captivated by the different aromas as you go stall to stall.
One of the best places to get a great street food experience is in Myeongdong. Shop 'til you drop AND eat 'til you pop!
There are a number of great street foods, but the ones you must try are tteokbokki (떡볶이), egg buns (계란빵), gim-mari (김마리), and hotteok (호떡)! At least, these are my favorites. Yum yum!
Another great place to get quality street food is right outside Noryangjin Station. On the main road, there's a long strip of vendors selling various kinds of delicious treet food like this!
Have your taste buds sent on a magical journey!
7. KBBQ
Arguably one of the most notable pieces of Korean cuisine in America, it's Korean BBQ. Galbi (갈비), Samgyupsal (삼겹살), chadolbaegi (차돌바기), these meats are staples of Korean BBQ. But, what is different about KBBQ in Korea is not the meat itself, but rather the marinades.
It may come as a surprise, but meat quality here in Korea isn't really great. Most of the beef is imported from Australia and the United States, because there aren't many beef farmers here.
That being said, when you do find a restaurant that serves real Korean beef, you're in for a treat. And what better place to get your first KBBQ experience at my favorite restaurant Wangbijib (왕비집).
Hours of Operation: 11:30AM - 10PM
Address: 26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Directions: Exit myeongdong station from exit #8 head straight until you reach the Shinhan bank and make a right, the restaurant will be on your right
8. Cafe Culture
Korea definitely has a cafe culture, and by that I mean that there are cafes EVERYWHERE. There are quite a few different bakery/cafe chains throughout Seoul like Tous les Jour, Paris Baguette, A Twosome Place, really the list goes on and on.
But one thing that is very special about cafe culture in Korea, is animal cafes.
You've probably seen on the internet that there are cat cafes and dog cafes, and in Seoul there are plenty of each. There are even exotic animal cafes that have raccoons!
But, I'm a dog lover, so the place that I recommend is Bau House!
Bau House has dogs of all sizes and breeds that you can admire and play with. You can even feed some of them treats, but be prepared to be ambushed by a platoon of dogs if you bust any out. (You can only feed them treats that you buy from their shop)
Unfortunately, the laws changed in Seoul recently changed so you have to pay an entry fee to get in. But, the entry fee will get you a free drink (even beer!).
Hours of Operation: Weekdays 1:30PM - 10:30PM Weekends 12:30PM - 11:00PM
Address: 64 Yanghwa-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Directions: Arrive at hapjeong station on the green line (line number 2) and exit from exit #3 make a left at the chicken restaurant and bau house is on the right (by the gym)
9. The DMZ
The DMZ or the demilitarized zone in Korea is where you can get a look at the border separating North and South Korea. Although this isn't in Seoul, it isn't too far away. What other chance will you get to get a glimpse, although faint, of North Korea?
The DMZ also has a number of museums and "attractions". You can actually go inside some of the tunnels that were found.
There's a number of different tour companies you can go through. If you decide to go, I recommend you go with viator. They have a number of different tour options, and are relatively inexpensive!
10. Museums
WHEW. Number 10.
There are a number of great museums in Seoul, but the one that stands out to me is the Trick Eye Museum.
The museum is an interactive museum that uses your smart phone as an AR device. You can take tons of great photos like this one
Hours of Operation: 9AM - 9PM
Address: Seoul, Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong, 홍익로 3길 20
Directions: Arrive at hongik station on the green line (line number 2) and exit from exit #9 walk down until you reach the McDonalds and make a left continue straight until you see the New Balance store and make a right, the museum will be on your right
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Thanks for reading,
Andrew
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