As one of the most vibrant, lively, and energizing cities I’ve visited, Seoul, South Korea is an exciting destination that offers so much to do. From historical palaces to nature infused throughout the city, to an internationally acclaimed nightlife, Seoul has it all. Check out these 10 Best activities to do while in Seoul for first time visitors, returning guests, and solo female travelers.

1. Free Walking Tours

Seoul is a large city made up of different neighborhoods and centers. Each neighborhood is unique and offers something different. For example, Myeondong is known for shopping and its amazing street food, while Itaewon is known for its international scene and nightlife.

A great way to immerse yourself and learn about the city and it’s unique neighborhoods is through taking a free walking tour in Seoul. These tours provide the opportunity to interact with locals, learn about the city from a locals perspective, and to get insight into different neighborhoods. It’s also a great budget friendly and free activity to do in Seoul.

I took a couple of free walking tours during my visit and absolutely loved them. There are a variety of groups offering them, therefore I recommend that you identify the neighborhoods or topics you’re interested in learning about and research groups providing tours for them. Make sure to research and review the most recent local covid guidelines before embarking on a tour.

Below are the groups I’ve used for walking tours:

The city of Seoul provides a free guided walking tour program for tourists who want to see the city’s top attractions by foot. These tours are led by trained professionals and are multilingual. They offer a variety of tours. You can find more information on that here.
Another group offering free walking tours is Seoul Free Walking Tours. These tours are led by volunteers, mostly college students who want to use this as an opportunity to practice their english and share their knowledge. I enjoy these tours led by students because they bring a different perspective and I enjoy chatting with the students about life, local culture, etc. One caveat is that the tours are primarily in English, so if you’re looking for other languages, I suggest trying alternative groups. Due to covid they’ve paused all tours, but you can still find more information through their website.

2. Visit Seoul’s Palaces

South Korea has an extensive history, which includes dynasties. Seoul is home to 5 grand palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeongung, and Gyeonghuigung.

As a top attraction, a visit to Seoul wouldn’t be complete without visiting its beautiful and historic palaces. If you’re in Seoul for an extended time and are a castle and palace enthusiast (like me) feel free to visit them all. Otherwise, if you have a limited amount of time, I recommend you visit either of the top 2: Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung.

Tips for visiting the Palace:

Research! Check the palace website for operation hours, rules, requirements, and latest Covid updates.
Take advantage of the Free Walking Tours! Some of the palaces provide free walking tours (at set times), which are led by trained professionals and are offered in different languages. I recommend participating in these. They provide a great opportunity to learn about the history of the palace and its monarch. The tour dates and time are also listed on the palace website.
Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly! Despite the time of the year you’re visiting, remember to check out the weather. The palaces are outdoor, therefore you’ll be spending your visit walking outdoors. If it’s cold, dress appropriately and if it’s hotter weather, make sure to hydrate, apply sunscreen, etc.

3. Explore Different Neighborhoods

As I shared earlier, Seoul is home to different neighborhoods, which are all very unique and distinct. For a first time visitor in Seoul or returning guest to Seoul, take time to research the different neighborhoods and then explore the ones that interest you. It’s a great budget friendly and free activity to do in Seoul.

Below are 4 Neighborhoods I enjoyed:

Shop till you drop and try all the street food at Myeongdong:
- Known as one of the primary shopping areas in Seoul, you won’t want to miss out on visiting Myeongdong. It’s home to both Korean and international shops, as well as Korean skin care and beauty focused shops. Even if you’re not interested in shopping, Myeongdong is a great area to walk around and witness life in motion. Not sold on the shopping? Well... Myeongdong is also known for its extensive street food market. Grab a bowl of Tteokbokki, a plate of Goon Mandu, and stroll.
Have a fun night out and meet people from around the world in Itaewon:
- Home to bars, clubs, and restaurants, Itaewon is highly regarded for its nightlife. Stop by Itaewon for a fun time and to dance the night away. Apart from its nightlife, Itaewon is also home to an international community, therefore you’ll also meet people from around the world and have access to international foods.

Take in the Youthful energy and witness dance competitions in Hongdae:
- Located in close proximity to 4 universities, Hongdae is home to a youthful population, cafe’s, restaurants, bars, clubs, and a lot of shops. Hongdae is a great area to relax in a cafe, shop, and explore the area by foot. Grab a treat and stroll the streets! While walking you’ll often see live performances and dance competitions.

Take a blast to the past at Bukchon Hanok Village in Samcheong-dong:
- Home to traditional Korean houses known as Hanok, Bukchon Hanok Village is a great neighborhood to visit these houses and learn about Korean history and culture. The greater neighborhood of Samcheong-dong is also home to art galleries, cafes, and shops.

4. Bike the Han River

The Han River is a major river in South Korea, which runs through Seoul. It’s well known and is home to many activities. From water activities, biking, camping, and river cruises, to picnicking, there’s something for everyone!

My favorite activity to do by the water was biking. As you ride, you feel the breeze on your face, take in the beautiful views in front of you, and be the present and enjoy the moment. It’s a great solo or group activity; just an overall fun way to spend the day.

How do you plan? and Where do you get bikes?

Identify where you’re staying in Seoul, what area of the river you would like to visit, and then plan out the best route to get there. This will influence where and how you can rent bikes. Below are some general options for bicycle rentals.

Bike Rental Options:

Seoul Bikes: This is a public bike sharing service launched by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, with many rental locations across the city. Check out this guide on how to rent a bike using this service.
Bicycle Stands along the Han River: There are various stations and parks along the river, where you’ll find bicycle rental stands. These also provide a convenient grab and go option. A popular location is Yeouido subway station, however check out the image above for other locations.

5. Go on a Hike

Seoul is home to various hiking trails for beginner to experienced hikers. To get breathtaking views, explore different areas, and for a free budget friendly activity in Seoul, consider going on a hike. Depending on the neighborhood you’re staying in and your experience level, research the hike that works best for you. In my experience, I hiked Bukhansan (it’s very tough and I would only recommend it if you’re experienced or know what you’re getting yourself into) and you can read more about that below.

Bukhansan

Located in northern Seoul, Bukhansan mountain (it’s also a national park) is home to Baegundae, the highest peak in Seoul. As you can imagine, the views from Baegundae are spectacular and breathtaking, making it a favorite hike amongst locals and visitors. It’s a great unique and free activity to do in Seoul.

They’re different trails to take to get to the top of Baegundae, with options for an easier, more intense, and expert trail. I took the “easier” and more popular trail, called the Bukhansanseong Course. Getting to the top using this route is a beautiful but enduring and challenging climb, so don’t underestimate it.

It starts off calm and manageable, but as you elevate the hike becomes steep and requires you to climb rocky forest terrain. This is just the beginning though. Be aware that the last part of the hike right before reaching the peak is very steep (yes even more steep than earlier on in the hike), has stairs, and is rocky terrain (straight up rock, so wear shoes that have grip) that requires climbing support from steel cables.

Backstory:

Hiking Bukhansan might not have been something I would have done if I had really really known what it entailed prior to the hike. I thought I was going for an urban hike. Imagine.. I showed up in leggings, a t-shirt and sweater, a leather backpack with water and maybe a snack, and wore sneakers that had no grip. I was the most unprepared human being, which is not me normally.

I learned about Bukhansan from my Korean Airbnb host. She was amazing and provided the best tips and insights on things to do etc. She recommended I hike Bukhansan and described it as an easy and leisurely hike. Looking back, this made sense since hiking is a popular hobby amongst Koreans, which they take seriously, come prepared for, and are accustomed to (she did the hike almost once a week).

For individuals who do not hike often, be warned that it is not in fact “easy” but an intense, steep, and tasking hike (my body and particularly my legs were sore for a week after, not kidding). Do not be me! Before you decide to hike Bukhansan, do your research, plan ahead, and go prepared.

Tips for hiking Bukhansan:

Time to visit: Hiking is a very popular activity in Seoul, therefore keep in mind that the weekends at Bukhansan are very crowded. If you can, go during the week and start early in the morning.
Seasons to visit: Spring and Autumn are recommended since the weather is more optimal; it’s not too hot like in the summer time or cold as it would be in winter. Another advantage is that the crowds are less than during the summer time rush. Alternatively if you choose to visit during summer keep in mind that the weather gets very hot and that the trails become crowded. If you visit during winter keep in mind that the temperature can be freezing and that they’re less people.
What’s needed: Hiking Bukhansan is not a leisure or casual urban hike. Bukhansan is a national park, which can be covered in greenery, has steep and rocky terrain, and stairs. Taking into account the time frame of the year you’re going, dress prepared for the weather and wear comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes.
What to bring with you: Don’t forget to pack water and snacks. Once again, depending on the time of the year you’re visiting, remember to pack other vital items such as hand and feet warmers if you’re visiting in the winter time or bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat if you’re visiting during a warmer time period.

6. Enjoy Local Foods

Seoul is home to a variety of restaurants, cafes, and street food markets! Don’t be afraid to try new foods, seek recommendations from locals, or try places you come across randomly.

For my fellow vegetarians, Korean food can be vegetarian friendly as it incorporates a lot of vegetables and accompanying dishes such as rice and noodles. As you visit, keep in mind that Korean is the local language, most food menus are in Korean, and some/few people speak English. This can be challenging if you don’t speak Korean and are trying to find vegetarian food options.

As a result leverage a translation app to communicate with the restaurant, letting them know you’re in search of vegetarian options and learn the specific words for vegetarian, chicken, meat, pork, fish, seafood, etc. This way you can be aware of them when reading a menu or in a discussion.

My favorite vegetarian dishes were:

Bibimbap (Mixed Rice)
Tteokbokki (Red rice cakes)
Kimchi (Fermented vegetables)
Japchae (Stir fried glass noodles)
Goon-Mandu (Pan Fried/cooked dumplings)

7. Enjoy the Night Life

Seoul is home to an exciting night life and well renowned spots! From bars and clubs to karaoke and night markets, to lookout cafes and theatre shows, Seoul’s nightlife offers a variety of things to do. Identify the activities you’re interested in, do research, and go explore! Personally, I enjoyed visiting the night markets, going on evening walking tours, where you see the city light up, and dancing the night away. Happy enjoyment!

8. Seoul Tower

Located on top of Mount Namsan and offering panoramic views of the city, is an iconic landmark in Seoul, the Namsan Seoul Tower. Completed in 1971, the Seoul tower serves as a communication and observation tower. You’re probably familiar with similar towers across the world, such as the Tokyo Skytree or Berlin Fernsehturm. If you’re interested in seeing some amazing views of Seoul, head over to Namsan Seoul Tower.

Tips for visiting the Seoul Tower:

Check out the Seoul tower website for the most up to date information on hours of operation, entrance fee, options on how to get there, and FAQs.
Day vs night? This is person dependent. Both the views during the day and night are spectacular. The advantage of visiting in the night is that you see the city lit up, whereas a visit in the day allows you to see more sites around Namsan tower park.
What else is there to do in the area? Explore one of the walking trails in Namsan park or visit traditional Korean houses at Namsangol Hanok Village. Check out how I walked from Namsangol Hanok Village to the tower.

9. Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Image Source: Korea Tourism Organization

Hard to miss, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a futuristic and engaging landmark in Seoul. The structure was designed by the late Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-born British world-renowned architect. The DDP contains five halls: an Art Hall, a Museum, a Design Lab, a Design Market, and the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

While there take your time and see some art, stroll around, enjoy the park, and take in this monumental design. If you’d like to see the building transform, go right before the sunsets to see this attraction in the daylight and watch how it transforms and lights up in the night time (it’s beautiful!). Visiting DDP is another budget friendly and free activity to do in Seoul. Keep in mind that admission is, however specific exhibits could have an entrance fee.

10. Visit the Museums

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Image Source: Namgoong Sun, Arch Daily

Seoul is home to a variety of museums, ranging from history and culture to art and technology, and much more. If you’re interested in learning about Korean history and culture, in seeing some art, or maybe the latest innovations or trickery? Stop by one of the many museums below and check out the others in the area!

Seoul Museums by focus:

History and Culture:
- National Museum of Korea
- The War Memorial of Korea
- National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
- Seoul Museum of History
- Seodaemun Prison History Museum
- National Folk Museum of Korea
Art:
- Leeum Samsung Museum of Art
- The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Other:
- Trick Eye Museum

Enjoy!

Exciting, vibrant, and full of life, Seoul offers so much to do. While there enjoy the different neighborhoods, food options, palaces and events, nightlife, and absorb all the raw energy the city has to offer!