Seoul is the heart of South Korea where all sorts of interesting things from cultural to modern art, to food or beauty products - just name it and you'll get to see them all in this city. You'll never ran out of things to do in Seoul. Since this city is really huge, here are places that you shouldn't miss when in Seoul especially when you are pressed with time. These suggestions are mostly accessible to train stations and wouldn't really require you to get a paid tour service. Do-it-yourself!
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
📍 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 3 (Orange) Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5
₩ 3,000 *free entrance when you wear the traditional Korean attire/Hanbok
***Closed on Tuesdays
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| the perfect spot for the Hanbok moment |
Despite the modernization of the city, there are still shrines and palaces that have been carefully preserved so the younger generations could have a glimpse of the rich history of Korea. It is the most accessible among other palaces because it has its own train station. Upon reaching the exit point, you would see the National Folk Museum and just across the exit stands the enormous Gyeongbokgung Palace.
2. Deoksugung Palace
📍 99 Sejong-daero, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 1 or 2 (Dark Blue or Green) City Hall Station, Exit 2 or 12
₩ 1,000
***Closed on Mondays
Another spot which is very accessible is the
Deoksugung Palace that lies across the City Hall Station. No hiking required!
Seeing these heritage sites would just be an itty-bitty of the whole experience in these royal palaces. To get the ultimate Korean culture feels, you should try wearing the
Hanbok. It's available for rent especially near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Other palaces may not be that accessible compared to the other two, but it is absolutely a walking distance from the subway stations.
Changgyeonggung Palace
📍 Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 4 (Sky Blue) Hyehwa Station, Exit 3 or 4
₩ 1,000
Changdeokgung Palace
📍 99 Yulgok-ro, Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 3 (Orange) Anguk Station, Exit 3
₩ 3,000
***Closed on Mondays
3. I.SEOUL.U Sign
📍 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
🚇 Subway Line 1 or 2 (Dark Blue or Green) City Hall Station, Exit 4 or 5
₩ Free!
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| trying to get the entire view, OMG! it was challenging! |
This is one trademark of Seoul that you shouldn't miss. It was once situated in Hanggang Park (Yeouinaru Station Exit) but as of this writing it's already in the City Hall area just across the Deoksugung Palace. You should expect a wide angle shot here for a picture perfect memoir!
4. Hangang Park
📍 330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
🚇 Subway Line 5 (Purple) Yeouinaru Station, Exit 2 or 3
₩ Free!
Relax and take a walk in this spacious park alongside Hangang River. If you're looking for some quiet, me-time or just a lazy walk with a combo of nature and city view, Hangang Park is perfect for you. Like any other tourist spots mentioned above, it also has its own station so once you step out of Yeouinaru Station, it would be right in front of you. A long walk is required to explore the entire park.
5. Dongdaemun Design Plaza
📍 281 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 7(chil)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 1 or 4 (Sky blue or dark blue) Dongdaemun Station, Exit 1
₩ Free!
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| Hi Maria! |
It's right outside Dongdaemun Station Exit 1. Just cross the pedestrian lane and be amazed with cutting-edge architecture.
6. Myeong-dong Shopping Streets
📍 Myeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 4 (Sky blue) Myeongdong Station, Exit 6
₩ Free! *unless you buy something LOL!
You haven't really gone to Seoul if you haven't been to Myeongdong. It is the hub of Korean street food and authentic beauty products. The whole district is quite huge so you may start your walkabout from Myeongdong Station Exit 6. Get ready to be stuffed and drool over the beauty products for both men and women.
Although Myeong-dong is not the only market for cheap but really good stuff, it's one of the most accessible among others. If you're a bit familiar of Seoul whereabouts, you should also visit Hongdae and Mangwon Market. Mangwon also has great finds cheaper than the ones in Myeongdong.
7. Ewha Womans University
📍 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 2 (Green) Ewha Womans University Station, Exit 2
₩ Free!
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| this is just the walkway! |
Most of the universities in Seoul are built with overwhelming architecture and
Ewha Womans University became a tourist fave because of its uniquely structured facade. The picturesque view of the walkway and the stairs deserve all the love on Instagram!
8. K-Drama Sites
The K-drama fan would never want to miss this part of the itinerary. Most K-drama sites are not really familiar among locals (not sure why) but a little google search won't hurt. One of the most accessible and most prominent site that has been featured in the popular K-drama, Goblin, is the pedestrian bridge where Grim Repear (Lee Dong-wok) and Sunny (Yoo In-na) met and somewhat became a rendezvous of these star-crossed lovers. This is found right outside Yongdap Station, Exit 2.
Pedestrian Bridge at Yongdap Station
📍 159, Salgoji-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🚇 Subway Line 2 (Green) Yongdap Station, Exit 2
₩ Free!
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| perhaps Grim Reaper's footsteps are still here LOL |
There are a lot of other K-drama Sites around Seoul but not all of these are accessible to the subway stations. You have to ask locals for directions. Unfortunately, some of them do not know where these sites are but most of them are willing to help and they would normally check their phone apps to help you. Some of them are really kind that they will make sure you are heading to the right direction so they walk with you. Their kindness is overwhelming!
Some sites you might consider visiting:
- Dal.komm Coffee
- BBQ Olive Chicken Cafe
- Subway Salads and Sandwiches
- Sinchon Graffitti Tunnel
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| one of the filming locations of Goblin; may not be that prominent in the show but this was it! Please believe me. LOL |
👉 The places enumerated here are nearest to subway stations which are quite ideal if you are on a DIY trip on a limited time. Getting lost and asking for directions would absolutely slash off the time you have so why not maximize your schedule and get to these hassle-free itinerary. The Seoul Subway is pretty tough for a first-timer but it would be easy if you start understanding the line numbers with its corresponding colors and don't forget to look up for the signage especially when transferring from one line to another. A Seoul Subway app on your phone would save you a lot of time, too!
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| Thanks Maria for the awesome candid shot. :P |
Till our next laag!
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