Nearly everyone we know is obsessed with Seoul and South Korea. Some people are obsessed with cosmetics. Many people are addicted to music and TV dramas. We are all in love with food.
In recent years, South Korean pop culture and technology have become mainstream. Seoul has become one of Asia’s most popular destinations, with over 17.5 million international tourists visiting it in 2019. This tourism boom has been halted by the slowdown in travel, but it is expected to rebound when new borders are opened. You can still plan your next trip by using the Seoul travel guide.
To get even more excited about your trip to Korea, read about the top things to do, the coolest places to visit, and the tastiest foods to eat.
SEOUL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
In light of the current world situation, Seoul’s travel regulations appear to be changing every day. Our colleagues at namastekorea.com and air heart developed websites that provide specific information about travel restrictions throughout the world.
When planning your trip to Seoul Make sure you go to namastekorea. If you choose to travel to Seoul it is possible that you think about purchasing insurance for your trip that includes COVID coverage.
SOUTH KOREA VISA
There is a possibility that you require an entry visa or other travel documents in order to visit South Korea depending on your passport.
SEOUL AT A GLANCE
Seoul is considered to be the capital city of South Korea (Republic of Korea) and the largest city in the country. The population estimate within the city boundaries is 10.29 million people. However, taking into account the surrounding areas, the total increases to 25.6 million and makes Seoul the second biggest metropolitan area in the world.
With a population that big that is driving the economy and generating a huge amount of income, it’s not surprising that Seoul is currently the fourth most powerful economic city just behind Tokyo, New York City along with Los Angeles (as measured by GDP).
South Korea has been making headlines lately in the automotive, technology, and entertainment sectors. Korean brands such as Samsung as well as Hyundai are internationally recognized brands.
Many people around the world watch K-dramas or hear K-pop. Myeongdong is now a craze for cosmetics, and almost everyone I know is fond of Korean food! Naturally, South Korea is booming, and at the forefront of all the excitement is Seoul.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SEOUL
As with Japan, South Korea has four distinct seasons – Autumn, Spring, and Winter. The most frequent time to visit Seoul is in the spring (March-May) season of spring (March-May) along with the autumn (Mid-September to early November) months, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is the most stunning.
March-May: Spring is one of the most ideal times to travel to Seoul. The weather is perfect and the city explodes with blooms. If you’re looking to see the cherry blossoms, you should be in Seoul during mid-April, which is the 2nd week (around between April 9 and April 10). This will give you the greatest chance to view the cherry blooms. However, bear on your toes that blooms depend on the weather conditions, so there’s not a guarantee that they’ll bloom by then this is the reason I believe it’s a great option to travel in the spring or even earlier.
If they’re not blooming yet in Seoul and you’re in Seoul, then you be able to make an excursion to Jinhae the home of Korea’s largest cherry bloom festival. Make sure to bookmark the site Korea website for news regarding the event.
Jun-Aug: Summer isn’t an optimal time to travel to Seoul. It’s hot and humid and it’s often rainy and prices are high as summer is the peak of tourism in the country. Do not travel during these months if are able to.
Sep-Nov: Unless you’re chasing after the cherry blossoms then autumn is the ideal time to travel to Seoul. Similar to spring it is a perfect time to enjoy the weather and the leaves are at their most stunning. Try to plan for late October or early November if are able.
Dec-Feb: If you want to snowboard, ski or simply experience the snow the winter months are the right time to go. But winter in Korea is frigid. We visited in the early part of November and were awed by how cold it was. If you are able to stand the cold, there are many ski resorts to visit from Seoul.
Climate: Annual Monthly Weather in Seoul
Check out weather-and-climate.com for more on the weather in Seoul. To make it easier for you I’ve also put together the average temperatures and annual rainfall graphs below. The suggested dates to travel during the year are marked in orange.
PLACES TO VISIT IN SEOUL
1. The Five Grand Palaces
There are five Joseon Royal Palaces in Seoul – Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung, and Deoksugung. We only visited the two first, but it is possible to go to all five if you like.
Gyeongbokgung as well as Changdeokgung are the largest and possibly the most beautiful among the five. Gyeongbokgung was the palace that was the principal and was one of only two (the other one being Deoksugung) where you could observe changes in the Royal Guard. It is equally amazing is Changdeokgung which is a UNESCO Heritage Site and home to the Huwon or “Secret Garden”.
Check out my article on Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung palaces for more pictures and information. It is possible to visit on your own or for an organized tour ( Klook | Get Your Guide). Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgungare among the most well-known spots to visit in Seoul to hire a Hanbok.
If you intend to visit many palaces by yourself, you might want to invest in an integrated Palace ticket.
The suggested length of visit: 1-3 hrs per palace
Admission: KRW 1,000-3,000 per palace
2. Bukchon Hanok Village
As modern a city like Seoul can be, it’s great to have a spot like this within the heart of Seoul. Bukchon Hanok Village is an intriguing labyrinth of narrow alleyways as well as traditional Korean houses, known as”hanoks.
The streets will transport you back to the past and provide you with an insight into the way Seoul was like ago. Similar to the palaces of the royals and the royal palaces, it’s among the most popular locations to go in Seoul to hire the inn and to improve the level of your Instagram game.
Read my article about Bukchon Hanok Village for more photos and details. If you’d like to know more details concerning Bukchon Hanok Village you might be interested in participating in on this no-cost walking trip or having the help of a guide.
Suggested Length of Visit: 1-2 hrs
Admission: FREE
3. N Seoul Tower
If you’re looking for great views, this spot is above the rest. At 480m (1,575 feet) over sea level, N Seoul Tower’s observation deck is the most ideal place to enjoy bird’s-eye views of Seoul.
N Seoul Tower is located on Mt. Namsan and is accessible by cable car or road although most visitors will choose the latter. Tickets for the observatory at the gate.
Suggested Length of Visit: 1-2 hrs
Admission: KRW 16,000
4. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
This is a stunning place. If you are a fan of design, or any type or style, you have to add Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) to your list of places to visit. It’s a museum, design store and spaceship all combined into one.
DDP was created by the deceased Zaha Hadid. He was the well-known architect who designed the 2012 Olympic Aquatic Centre in London as well as the Guangzhou Opera House in China.
I recommend dedicating several hours to this building If you are able. Make sure you return in the evening as the place really is alive. Visit my article about Dongdaemun Design Plaza for more photos and details.
Suggested Length of Visit: 2-3 hrs
Entry: Free, however, some exhibitions could charge admission
5. Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple is one of the most revered Buddhist Temples of Korea. It’s the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and serves as the principal location for a variety of Buddhist ceremonies, events speeches, lectures, and other ceremonies.
Photo by various images through Shutterstock
Suggested Time of visit: 30-minutes to 1 hour
Admission: FREE
6. COEX Mall Library
COEX Mall in the Gangnam district has been gaining fame on Instagram in recent times, all because of the beautiful library that is located right in the middle.
Starfield Library is an open-air public library with thousands of magazines and books. Its impressive architectural shelves of books have turned it into one of the most sought-after photo-taking spots in Seoul.
Suggested Length of Visit: 2-3 hrs
Admission: FREE
Enhance your travel insights by delving into more travel blogs specifically about South Korea
Experience the Beauty of South Korea: A Guide to Traveling from India to Seoul
Seoul, South Korea: A Global City Steeped in Culture and Innovation
