Top attractions

Ranked must-sees by city — admission, free events, and time needed.

Royal palaces, neon nightlife, and street food in Korea’s capital.

Joseon dynasty’s grandest royal palace and the city’s top icon.

📍 Sejongno, Jongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn (Line 3) Exit 5

₩3,000🕑 09:00–18:00, closed Tue⏱ 2h

🎁 Free entry in hanbok (Korean traditional dress)

🎉 Royal guard-changing ceremony 10:00 & 14:00 (closed Tue)

Hillside maze of restored hanok houses between two palaces.

📍 Gye-dong, Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn (Line 3) Exit 2

Free🕑 Open access (quiet hours 17:00–10:00 requested)⏱ 1h

🎉 Open-air alleys with city views, best for photos

UNESCO palace with a famed Secret Garden (Huwon).

📍 Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn (Line 3) Exit 3

₩3,000–8,000🕑 09:00–18:00, closed Mon⏱ 2h

🎁 Free palace entry in hanbok; Huwon needs separate timed ticket

Cosmetics, fashion, and night street-food central.

📍 Myeongdong, Jung-gu · Myeongdong Stn (Line 4) Exit 6

Free🕑 Shops ~10:00–22:00; food carts evening⏱ 1.5h

🎉 Evening street-food carts and busking

Mountaintop tower with 360° city views and love locks.

📍 Namsan, Yongsan-gu · Myeongdong Stn (Line 4) Exit 3, then cable car

₩16,000–21,000🕑 10:00–23:00 (observatory)⏱ 1.5h

🎉 Namsan Park trails and base plaza are free

Korea’s largest museum; sweeping history collection.

📍 Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu · Ichon Stn (Line 4 / Gyeongui–Jungang) Exit 2

Free🕑 10:00–18:00 (Wed/Sat to 21:00), closed New Year & Lunar/Chuseok days⏱ 2.5h

🎁 Permanent exhibitions free for all

Historic food market famous for bindaetteok and mayak gimbap.

📍 Jongno 4-ga, Jongno-gu · Jongno 5-ga Stn (Line 1) Exit 8

Free🕑 Food stalls ~09:00–23:00 (varies)⏱ 1h

🎉 Live cooking stalls and tasting culture

Youthful arts district with busking, clubs, and indie shops.

📍 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu · Hongik Univ. Stn (Line 2 / AREX) Exit 9

Free🕑 Open access; liveliest at night⏱ 1.5h

🎉 Street busking performances on weekend evenings