SEOUL
WHAT TO DO IN SEOUL?
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A Fun Couple, lived in Seoul for 2 years. We had the chance of being immersed in this amazing culture. Expect K-Pop, K-Drama, delicious food with lots of Kimchi, Palaces, Soju (loads of it) and so much more. It is a fun city to discover, with great and very different neighborhoods.
Here is our take on the 10 best places to visit in Seoul, a dynamic capital, with very good people.
1. Visit some of the main palaces
Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung are 2 of the main and biggest palaces to visit. Both are really beautiful and well preserved. Changdeokgung has a magnificent secret garden to visit with a beautiful park, pavilions and lotus pond. Gyeongbokgung is famous for its pavilion located on an artificial island in the middle of a beautiful lake. Both are worth to visit and can be done in the same day.
Here are some local tips:
- The Palace are sometimes open at night with beautiful lighting and a mystical atmosphere. Highly recommended
- To avoid the entrance fee, rent a Hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) in one the many shops around the palaces. Once you wear these beautiful clothes, head to the palaces and they will let you in for free ! Yay !
You can book your Hanbok here and even have a photographer with you:
2. Head to the Namsan Tower for a beautiful view of the city
Korea does not have many distinctive monuments such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore or the Pisa Tower in Rome. However, standing at 480m above sea level, the Namsan Tower has an observation deck at the very top for a stunning 360 views of the city. This is probably the most recognizable monument in Seoul. You can access the park by a nice a walk through the Namsan Park, or if you don't feel like hiking the summit, take the cable car which makes it a fun experience too.
Here is our local tip:
- Head there just before sunset to catch one of the best sunset lookout in the city ! Truly breathtaking. At night the vista is even more impressive with the millions of lights around the city.
3. Go back in times in Insadong and Ikseon-Dong
Both neighborhoods, located in the historical district of Jongno-Gu, have traditional Hanoks which are the Korean traditional houses. Having a stroll in Insadong and Ikseon-Dong makes a perfect afternoon in Seoul.
Insadong is a great place to have a traditional Korean lunch. Korean food is one of the most delicious cuisine in the world, try some Bibimbap or Korean Seafood Pancakes and you will understand why. Insadong is also a great spot to buy Korean souvenirs. make sure you visit Ssamziegli which hosts over 70 shops, galleries and coffee shops.
From Insadong, head to Ikseon-Dong (10min walk) which is a new up and coming neighborhood and a true hidden gem in the city. This is probably one of your most instagramable moment during your visit to Seoul. Ikseon-dong is becoming a trendy hangout for locals. You will feel back in the 1920s, while walking down the narrow alleys. There the Hanoks have been revamped to become trendy cafes, bars and restaurants. This should be on your to-do list while in Seoul (Trust us, this is our best local tip)
About us
Hey there !
We are Hammer and Guillaume, a fun couple who loves traveling and always being on new adventures !
We would like to share with you some of our top 10 things to do in the places we've visited or lived in for a while.
Like everyone else who is going to new places, we always wonder what are the best things to do. For that purpose, we've compiled a list of 10 best things to do in some of our favorite places on earth.
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4. Party Hard in Itaewon!
It is well known, Koreans like to drink and like to drink a lot ! Korea is the country where people drink the most in Asia. In Seoul and especially Itaewon, you can enjoy the ultimate nightlife experience and dance until sunrise as most bars stay open till late.
So head in Itaweon at night, and go with the flow. You may try the Korean local alcohol; Soju (which tastes a bit like vodka but much lighter). Itaewon is the neighborhood where you will see most foreigners. It is also well known for restaurants from all over the world and shopping.
5. Go Hiking in The Bukhansan National Park
The Bukhansan National Park is located in the Northern part of Seoul. It is a real hiker paradise, with many trails. The changing seasons makes the surrounding nature even more beautiful and constantly changing. Head to the summit for a beautiful panorama of Seoul. If you want to hike near Seoul and reconnect with the nature, go to the Bukhansan National Park, this place is for you.
6. Shop crazy in Myeongdong
The first time we went to Myeongdong, it was at night and we were truly amazed by literally everything: Millions of lights everywhere, loud music, hundreds of shops, tall buildings, great street-food. We were not disappointed with our first experience in Myeongdong. It's a shopping paradise for fashion and beauty, where you will find most of the brands you are looking for.
7. Stroll around Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheong-dong
Bukchon Hanok Village is an ancient village which provides a true cultural experience. This ancient village is home to many Hankok houses with traditional Korean-style architecture. There is also a nice lookout point to the city from the narrow alleys of the village. Down the village head to Samcheong-dong a charming neighborhood, with plenty of unique shops and great restaurants.
8. Stroll Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun square
Cheonggyecheon is long water stream that runs through the city. The stream offers a peaceful oasis in the city. It is nice to walk along the stream during the day or at night. Usually there are many events with light shows and markets during the year. This offer a great and relaxing break from the busy city.
At the end of the stream you can directly walk to Gangwhahmun Square, which is one of the main avenue located at the heart of Seoul. You will two very big statue, 1 of King Sejong, the most respected king of the Joseon Dynasty and inventor of the Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and the 2nd statue is Admiral Yi Sun-shin, a naval commander which won many battles against the Japanese navy during the Japanese war in the 16th century. Both are key figures of the Korean history.
9. Enjoy some Korean street food at Gwangjang Market
The Gwangjan Market is a famous street food market where you can enjoy a lot of tradition food. Don't try to resist, just sit in one of the many little hawkers and pick what you want directly from the stand. This is a unique experience which will immerse you a bit more in this fascinating culture and country.
10. And finally don't miss a window-shopping moment in the luxury Gangnam area
Gangnam is located south of the Han River. Gangnam is considered one of the richest and most hype district of Seoul. There are many things to do in Gangnam but one of the principal activity is to go shopping. If you don't feel like going to a mall, head to Garosu-gil aka the K-Pop Road. Head to Gangnam Station area to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city. Near exit 5 is a tribute to ‘Gangnam Style’ by PSY, the most popular song in the world. Here, tourists and locals can dance the Gangnam style and record themselves A must-see if you are in Gangnam.
Seoul is an exciting city with lots of things to do and see. We recommend to stay at least 3 days to see most of it and to have a glimpse of this fascinating country.
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Where to stay in Seoul ?
Where to sleep in Seoul? This question torments many tourists looking for a comfortable and well-located hotel in the Korean capital. And it is not so easy to answer, because Seoul is so vast that the tastes of visitors are varied. Gangnam is nothing like Bukchon, and the vitality of Myeongdong contrasts with the relative calm of the banks of the Han River...
But no worries, it is extremely easy to find accommodation in Seoul. And the options are numerous and the prices affordable. It is a particularly advantageous destination for travelers on a tight budget who will easily find a guesthouse ready to welcome them. For more tranquility and privacy, you can obviously stay in a airbnb or standard apartment hotel. For an atypical and unique experience, do not hesitate to spend a weekend in a hanok, a traditional Korean house. All these options adapt to all budgets and comfort levels, from the most basic to the most chic.
To make it convenient during your stay in Seoul, we highly recommend that you choose a place in Jongno.
Jongno is the district that represents the historic center of Seoul and the Capital of the Joseon dynasty for more than 600 years, it shelters three of the five royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung) as well as the royal residence Unhyeongung. It's a bit like Seoul’s postcard, where you can admire the imposing statue of Admiral Lee Sun-Shin against the backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace and Mount Bukhansan. A place where political history continues to play out, since it is also here that Cheongwadae was built, the Blue House (today the main residence of Korean President). In Insadong, the main pedestrian street in Jongno, is the ideal place to find local craft shops, antique dealers and even ceramicists. The Ssamzie-gil shopping center, the O’Sulloc tea house as well as the numerous cafes and art galleries give a more contemporary atmosphere to this tourist spot. A little further, the Jogyesa Buddhist temple and the Jongmyo shrine in the east will fulfill your search for spirituality.
1. Sky Guesthouse for a unique experience in a Hanok (Korean traditional wooden house) with a garden. All rooms have heated floor and comes with traditional bedding. You will also have your private bathroom and a breakfast is served daily. It is a beautiful place which we highly recommend for your stay in Seoul. Book here.
2. Four Seasons: if you are not on a budget, then Four Season is a stunning hotel located right at Gwanghwamun Plaza, which makes it a perfect starting point for all your sightseeing. With many different cuisines, sauna, state of the art gym, Four Seasons is a beuatiful place to stay. You can book here.
3. Aloft Seoul Myeongdong: At Aloft Seoul, you will be located at the heart of Seoul in the shopping district of Myeongdong. The hotel is modern, and serves a yummy breakfast. If shopping is your thing, then don't wait any longer, book your stay here.
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Best activites in Seoul
About us
Hey there !
We are Hammer and Guillaume, a fun couple who loves traveling and always being on new adventures !
We would like to share with you some of our top 10 things to do in the places we've visited or lived in for a while.
Like everyone else who is going to new places, we always wonder what are the best things to do. For that purpose, we've compiled a list of 10 best things to do in some of our favorite places on earth.
Related articles
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