Seoul is a city that never fails to fascinate anyone planning a trip to South Korea. Its mix of ancient palaces and modern buildings, traditional markets and chic shopping malls, and lively alleyways that bustle day and night is unique among cities around the world. So, where should a first-time visitor to Seoul start and how should they get around? In this article, we’ve put together five easy-to-follow Seoul city tour recommendations that cover some of the most popular neighbourhoods, such as Myeongdong, Itaewon, and Hongdae, as well as iconic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Namsan Tower. We’ve also included transport options and tips, so if you’re planning a trip to Seoul, this is the guide for you.
1) Gyeongbokgung Palace-Bukchon Hanok Village Course: Tradition and History
The beauty of traditional palaces and hanoks
If you want to start your Seoul City Tour with traditional culture, we recommend the Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village tour. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the flagship palace of the Joseon Dynasty and stands imposingly in front of Gwanghwamun Gate. Once inside, the palace is lined with stunningly named halls such as Geunjeongjeon, Sagjeongjeon, and Gyeonghoeru, and the tranquil scenery makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Joseon Dynasty.
After exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, head outside the palace to Bukchon Hanok Village. The rows of hanok roofs in the alleyways are beautiful, and many foreigners use it as a photo spot for its traditional feel. Some of the hanoks are open for cultural activities, such as trying on hanbok or drinking tea. For first-time travellers, a half-day tour from Gyeongbokgung Palace to the National Folk Museum to Bukchon Hanok Village is an easy and rewarding route.
Transport and tipping
Take Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3) and you’ll see Gwanghwamun right away. The entrance fee is 3,000 won for adults, but if you wear a hanbok, you can enter for free. If you sign up for the Gyeonghoeru Special Viewing Programme (held seasonally) in the morning, you can see the inside of Gyeonghoeru, which is normally off-limits. Bukchon Hanok Village is close to Anguk Station (Line 3) Exit 1, so after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can walk along the nearby road towards Anguk Station.
2) Myeongdong-Namsan Tower Course: The epitome of shopping and city views
Myeongdong Street, a shopping mecca
The second recommended course on our Seoul city tour is Myeongdong, Korea’s most famous shopping and gourmet street. It is lined with cosmetics road shops, fashion brand stores, and street food stalls, and is bustling with activity every day. Foreign tourists can browse Korean cosmetics and K-beauty brands to their heart’s content here, and many stores offer translation assistance. You can also find a variety of street food such as tteokbokki, sundae, and hotteok along the way, so you can quickly get a taste of Korea.
It’s also worth visiting Myeongdong Cathedral. This Gothic-style building gives Seoul a European feel, and is an iconic centre of Korean Catholicism. The interior is quaint and the surrounding area is a great place to sit and relax.
Nighttime trip to Namsan Tower (Seoul Tower)
Once you’ve done some shopping in Myeongdong, take a 10-15 minute walk to the cable car boarding point and head up to Namsan Tower. It’s a unique experience to take a cable car up the mountain and admire the city skyline, and when you reach the top, the Seoul Tower observation deck awaits. If you go up in the evening, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular night view of Seoul. Couples can also visit the ‘Lock of Love’ section.
Transport and tipping
The centre of Myeongdong shopping is near Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station (Subway Line 4). You can walk to the Namsan Cable Car boarding point from here, but it can be a steep climb. For convenience, you can also head towards Exit 3 of Myeongdong Station and take a circular bus (02, 05, etc.) or taxi to the cable car. Admission to the Namsan Tower Observatory costs around 10,000 won (for adults), and the cable car round-trip is similarly priced, so keep this in mind when planning your budget.
3) Itaewon-Hangang Park Course: A blend of global culture and relaxation
Itaewon, multinational food and culture
The third recommended course on our Seoul city tour is Itaewon, the most cosmopolitan neighbourhood in Seoul. Itaewon is home to many international restaurants, cafes, and bars, and the large number of foreign residents gives the neighbourhood a very exotic atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to find bars hosting live music or DJ parties on weekend evenings, and during the day you’ll find European-style cafes and exotic fashion shops in every alleyway. Even if you’re a novice traveller, you’ll feel relatively comfortable getting around thanks to the many English-language signs.
If you head towards Itaewon Gyeongridan-gil, you’ll find cute shops on the hill, and if you head up to Hwanghae Village, you’ll find cafes with great views. The area is quite hilly, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Relaxing at Han River Park
After your Itaewon tour, head to one of the nearby Han River parks. For example, from Itaewon Station, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to the banks of the Han River, and you can choose from Yeouido, Banpo, and Jamwon districts. I recommend Banpo Hangang Park for first-time travellers. You can see the famous Banpo Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (fountain show), grab a bite to eat at a convenience store or food truck, and sit by the river and enjoy the panoramic view of Seoul.
Transport and tipping
Itaewon Station (Subway Line 6) Exit 1 is near the centre of the shopping district. After eating here, it’s easy to get to Hangang Park by taxi or bus. Banpo Hangang Park is a 10-minute walk from Express Terminal Station (lines 3-7-9), or a 15-minute taxi ride from Itaewon. It’s relatively safe as it gets busy late at night, but make sure to check when public transport stops.
4) Hongdae-Hapjeong Course: A street full of youth and art
The free-spirited atmosphere of the streets in front of Hongdae
When it comes to Seoul city tour recommendations for younger travellers, Hongdae is the place to be. The area around Hongik University is always full of energy, with indie music and street performers, unique fashion shops, and quirky cafes. Busking and dance performances are often held on the streets, making for a lively nightlife experience.
Hongdae is also a great place to browse artistic knick-knack shops, second-hand bookshops and independent bookstores. You can spend your days strolling through the cute themed cafés and tree-lined streets, and your evenings at live clubs and parties. The large foreign population means that many places have English menus, and if you get lost, young people will be happy to show you the way.
Sums – exploration leading to constants
A short walk from Hongdae will take you to Hapjeong and the Sangsu Station area. This area is relatively quiet and has many restaurants and cafes with a sophisticated atmosphere, giving it a different flavour from the bustling centre of Hongdae. The area around Mapo Gyeongui Seon Forest Road Park is a popular date spot for young people, as it’s easy to walk and makes for great photos. Instead of shopping malls, it is recommended to visit small designer shops and workshops to find unique souvenirs.
Transport and tipping
Hongdae Entrance Area (Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Airport Railway) Exit 9 is the easiest way to get to Hongdae Main Street. Visit during the day when it’s not crowded and take your time to explore, and in the evening, the street performances and nightlife become more active. You can also walk to Hapjeong Station (Line 2-6) or Sangsu Station (Line 6) and explore the alleyways to discover unexpected art spaces. Comfortable shoes and public transport are recommended.
5) Jongno-Changdeokgung-Iksun-dong Course: An alley where old meets new
Changdeokgung Palace and Biwon, a historical walk
Finally, if Gyeongbokgung Palace is too popular for you, try Changdeokgung Palace, another royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Changdeokgung is the best-preserved of the Joseon palaces and is renowned for the beauty of its pavilions. You can pre-book a tour of the backyard and walk through the secretive space, which is a combination of extensive forests, ponds, and pavilions.
After your tour of Changdeokgung Palace, take a stroll through Jongno neighbourhood to discover old bookstores, stationery shops, and traditional teahouses. Near Jongno 3-ga is Iksun-dong Hanok Street, which has become a hotspot in recent years for renovated hanok cafes, restaurants, and small shops. If you take a quiet stroll through the alleyways, you’ll find a mix of old hanok charm and modern design.
Iksun-dong Atmosphere
Iksun-dong is not a large neighbourhood, but it embodies the ‘hanok + retro sensibility’ with unique shops in every alley. There are fusion restaurants, traditional dessert cafes, and quirky general stores all housed in renovated hanoks. We recommend eating at Iksun-dong for lunch or dinner, and tasting makgeolli or traditional liquor. The atmosphere is tranquil and photogenic, so it’s perfect for travellers who love social media.
Transport and tips
There is no Changdeokgung Station, but the entrance to Changdeokgung Palace is a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Ankguk Station (Line 3). Admission is 3,000 won for adults (extra charge for patrons), and it’s best to book online. After seeing Changdeokgung Palace, walk towards Anguk Station or down Jongno 3-ga Station to Iksun-dong Street. Iksun-dong is a narrow alley with many buildings, and it gets crowded with visitors on weekends. There can be long queues at restaurants and cafes, so it’s best to plan your visit with plenty of time to spare.
Conclusion: Seoul city tour recommendations for first-time travellers
So, there you have it, our top 5 recommendations for the most basic and satisfying Seoul city tours. Each route – Gyeongbokgung Palace to Bukchon, Myeongdong to Namsan Tower, Itaewon to Hangang Park, Hongdae to Hapjeong, Jongno to Changdeokgung Palace, and Iksun-dong – has its own charms, and while it may be difficult to see them all in a single day, you can spread them out over two or three days to get the most out of your trip. For transport, we recommend using a mixture of subway and buses, and a good mix of taxis to avoid leg fatigue.
First-time travellers may be concerned about language and navigating, but Seoul is relatively well signposted in English and has plenty of tourist information centres. You can pick up a free brochure with a map at the tourist information centre near each course, and if you get stuck, you can ask a police officer or local citizen for help. You don’t need to be fluent in Korean to communicate, so don’t be afraid to explore.
Lastly, be sure to check the official website or social media for the latest information on each tourist attraction, as opening hours and closures may have changed since the pandemic. There’s so much more to see and do in Seoul, but these five courses are a great place to start and soak up the city’s atmosphere. The city’s combination of vitality, tradition, and modernity will make your visit more than just a sightseeing trip, but an unforgettable one.
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