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TripGoGo
Your Gateway to Authentic Korean Adventures
Top 5 Must-Visit Places in Seoul 🏯✨
Your Ultimate Guide to Korea's Capital
Hey there, TripGoGo family! 👋
As someone who's been living in Korea for 7 years and has shown countless international friends around Seoul, I get asked this question ALL the time: "Where should I go in Seoul?" Well, today I'm sharing my top 5 must-visit places in Seoul - not just the touristy spots everyone talks about, but places that genuinely made my foreign friends go "WOW!"
This isn't just another generic list. These are the spots that have been tested and approved by travelers from over 20 countries. I'm giving you the real deal with insider tips, hidden gems, and practical info you won't find anywhere else! 📖
Table of Contents
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace 🏰
Meet the Grandeur of Joseon Dynasty
Why You NEED to Visit This Place
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the heart of Korea's 600-year Joseon Dynasty. This isn't just any old building - it's the largest and most magnificent palace in Seoul, showcasing the absolute pinnacle of traditional Korean architecture.
TripGoGo Insider Tips
- Hanbok Rental Hack: Rent a hanbok nearby and get FREE palace admission! (Rental cost: $11-19/day)
- Changing of the Guard: Don't miss this spectacular ceremony at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 3:30 PM (except Mondays)
- Free English Tours: Available daily at 11 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM
Essential Info
- Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (varies by season)
- Admission: Adults $2.30, Youth $1.15
- Getting There: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5 - 3 min walk
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Don't Miss These Spots
- Geunjeongjeon Hall: The grand throne hall where kings were crowned
- National Palace Museum: Free museum inside the palace grounds
- Hyangwonjeong Pavilion: Instagram-worthy pavilion over a lotus pond
💰 Where to Stay: Traditional hanok guesthouses nearby ($30-60/night)-Click to view
Hanok24 Guesthouse - Authentic hanok experience
2. N Seoul Tower 🗼
Seoul's Iconic Landmark
Why This Should Be on Your Seoul Bucket List
Standing 236 meters tall on Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower is Seoul's most recognizable symbol. But it's not just about the tower - it's about that jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the entire city that'll leave you speechless!
TripGoGo Insider Tips
- Golden Hour Magic: Visit between 5-7 PM for the most spectacular sunset views
- Love Lock Terrace: The ultimate romantic spot for couples
- Money-Saving Tip: Book online for up to 30% off admission
Essential Info
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Open year-round)
- Observatory Fee: Adults $16, Youth $12
- Cable Car: Round trip $8.50 (or hike up for free!)
- Getting There: Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 3 → Namsan Cable Car
Best Photo Spots
- Observatory Deck: The ultimate Seoul skyline view
- Love Lock Terrace: Romantic couple shots
- Tower Heart: LED heart lighting (evenings only)
💰 Where to Stay: Hotels with tower views- Click to view
The Royal Hotel Seoul - N Seoul Tower views ($90-150/night)
3. Myeongdong 🛍️
Shopping and Food Paradise
Why Every Visitor Falls in Love with Myeongdong
Myeongdong is THE destination for K-beauty and Korean cosmetics! This bustling shopping district attracts millions of international visitors annually - and once you're here, you'll understand why it's impossible to leave empty-handed.
TripGoGo Insider Tips
- Tax-Free Shopping: Purchases over $23 qualify for tax refunds
- Free Samples Galore: Most cosmetic stores offer generous free samples
- Language: Staff speak English, Chinese, and Japanese at most stores
Must-Try Street Food
- Hotteok ($2.30): Sweet Korean pancakes with brown sugar filling
- Chicken Skewers ($3.80): Spicy-sweet grilled chicken on a stick
- Bungeoppang ($1.50): Fish-shaped pastries with red bean or cream filling
- Tteokbokki ($3): Korea's famous spicy rice cakes
Shopping Guide
- Innisfree: Natural skincare paradise
- Etude House: Cute packaging and trendy makeup
- Olive Young: Korea's largest cosmetics chain
- Lotte Department Store: Luxury shopping with duty-free on 10th floor
💰 Where to Stay: Heart of Myeongdong hotels-Click to view
The Royal Hotel Seoul - Perfect shopping access ($75-135/night)
4. Bukchon Hanok Village 🏘️
Step into Traditional Korea
Why This Place is Pure Magic
Imagine walking through a 600-year-old neighborhood where traditional Korean houses (hanoks) have been perfectly preserved. Bukchon isn't a museum - it's a living, breathing community where you can experience authentic Korean culture.
TripGoGo Insider Tips
- Respect the Residents: Keep noise down - people actually live here!
- Best Photo Spots: Bukchon 8-Scenic Views #2 and #3 are Instagram gold
- Cultural Experiences: Try hanji (Korean paper) making or traditional tea ceremonies
Bukchon's 8 Scenic Views Highlights
- View #2: Panoramic hanok rooftop views from Gahoe-ro
- View #3: Densely packed hanoks on Gahoe-ro 31-gil
- View #5: Downhill hanok street views from Bukchon-ro 5-gil
Nearby Attractions
- Insadong: Traditional tea houses and galleries (10 min walk)
- Samcheong-dong: Trendy cafes and boutiques (5 min walk)
- Changdeokgung Palace: UNESCO World Heritage site (15 min walk)
💰 Where to Stay: Hanok guesthouse experience- click to view
Bukchon Village Guesthouse - Sleep in a traditional hanok ($45-90/night)
5. Hongdae 🎉
The Vibrant Youth District
Why Hongdae is Seoul's Coolest Neighborhood
Surrounding Hongik University, Hongdae is Seoul's epicenter of youth culture, K-pop, and nightlife. If you want to experience the Korea that young locals actually live in - not just the tourist version - this is your spot!
TripGoGo Insider Tips
- Street Performances: Catch amazing busking shows every Saturday afternoon at Hongdae Playground
- Club Scene: Peak hours are 2-4 AM (seriously!)
- Chimaek Culture: Try Korea's legendary chicken-and-beer combo
Must-Do Experiences
- Noraebang (Karaoke): Essential Korean culture experience ($15/hour)
- Club Hopping: Try Made, Evans, or Cakao clubs
- Unique Cafes: Cat cafes, manga cafes, VR cafes - you name it!
- Indie Shopping: Vintage shops and independent Korean brands
Hongdae Food Guide
- Kyochon Chicken: Korea's original fried chicken chain ($15/serving)
- Yang Galbi: Chinese-Korean lamb skewers ($11/person)
- Jokbal: Traditional Korean pork trotters ($27/dish)
💰 Where to Stay: Stylish Hongdae boutique hotels- Click to view
L7 Hongdae - Modern and trendy ($90-135/night)
FAQ - Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: How many days do I need to visit all 5 places?
A: 2-3 days is perfect! Day 1: Gyeongbokgung + Bukchon, Day 2: Myeongdong + N Seoul Tower, Day 3: Hongdae for the full experience.
Q: What's the daily budget I should expect?
A: Plan for about $50/day including meals ($23), transportation ($7.50), and admission fees ($19).
Q: I'm worried about the language barrier.
A: Don't stress! Tourist areas have English-speaking staff, plus Google Translate and Papago apps work amazingly well.
Q: When's the best time to visit?
A: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-November) are absolutely perfect - great weather and stunning photos!
Make Your Seoul Adventure Unforgettable!
Trust me, these 5 spots will give you the perfect introduction to Seoul's incredible diversity - from ancient palaces to cutting-edge youth culture. Don't rush through them; take your time and soak in each unique vibe.
Coming Up Next: I'm preparing "Seoul's Hidden Foodie Gems - 10 Places Only Locals Know About!" Get ready for some serious food adventures!
If this guide helped you out, smash that like button and share it with your travel squad! Here's to making your Seoul trip absolutely epic! 🇰🇷✈️
Quick Budget Breakdown
Daily Meals
$23
Street food + restaurant
Transportation
$7.50
Subway + bus passes
Admission Fees
$19
Palace + tower entries
Total Daily Budget: $50
This blog is part of our affiliate marketing program, which includes affiliate links for certain content, which provide you with a certain fee for purchasing goods or services, without incurring any additional costs to visitors and is part of our revenue structure to keep the blog running.
