City Guide | Your Guide to Seoul, South Korea

Last updated on 12 November 2021

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This guest post about Seoul South Korea was written by Alex, a remote content creator, social media manager, and lover of travel.

The home of kimchi and K-pop

Moving to Korea

In 2015, I graduated from University and found myself on a plane travelling to this foreign-to-me place called Seoul, South Korea. As a solo female traveller, you might think that’s a crazy decision to make considering it was my first trip abroad. But to be honest, I wasn’t really thinking about it at all. I just knew I wanted to travel outside of America and try life on my own terms.

I spent a little over a year living in this small, but extremely beautiful country. I worked and lived in Seoul, so I got to see the city through the eyes of a tourist and a local.

Now here I am, writing about the best places to visit, the food to try, and the things to do in Seoul, South Korea.

The Must Visit Places in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The Gyeongbokgun Palace, below, was the royal residence of the rulers in the Joseon dynasty. It’s a massive palace in the heart of Seoul. Thousands of tourists visit it every single year. It’s no surprise it’s one of the most popular attractions in Seoul. You can spend an entire day walking through the buildings, relaxing in the gardens, and even gazing up at Seoul’s incredible architectural sights. If you time it right, you can even see the changing of the guard.

North Seoul Tower

Paris has the Eiffel Tower and Seoul has the North Tower. Koreans have a fascination with the Parisian architecture, fashion, and romantic culture. So, it was no surprise that the North Tower exudes the Parisian ambience with love locks and romantic views. The tower is an observation and communication building because it’s at the geographical centre of the city. But most Koreans and tourists visit the site for the 360 views of Seoul. They also go to buy the famous love locks you see in every Parisian movie. The North Tower is a must if you visit Seoul. The nature and panoramic views will leave you speechless.

Bukchon Hanok Village

The beautiful village tucked away in the north part of Seoul is a perfect destination for those looking to see the traditional architecture of Korea. I think it’s one of Korea’s best-kept secrets. It’s full of traditional Korean houses, museums, restaurants, and teahouses. The most incredible element is that you can stay in the village and see the new architecture of Seoul in the distance. It’s where the old meets the new.

Myeong-dong

If you are not a big history buff but love to go in the busy shopping districts full of trendy shops, then Myeong-dong is the destination for you. The neighbourhood is full of young Koreans trying out the newest beauty products, electronics, and fashion trends. It’s impossible to feel bored when you are surrounded by the energy of Myong-dong. And the best part is the street food which lines every road! You can find anything from squid on a stick to fish cakes. But don’t worry, if you don’t like exotic food, you can also find more western options.

Myeong-dong

Hongdae

If your younger spirit is knocking, Hongdae will claim your heart! Hongdae is the hip, student-centred neighbourhood of Seoul where you can find restaurants, bars, clubs and anything in between, open every hour of the day and night. It’s not for the quiet types. That’s just a friendly warning. If you love art, a lot of energy, and K-POP, this is your place. Hongdae is injected with a creative vibe. You can find themed cafes, karaoke rooms, and street performers on every corner.

Cheonggyecheon

Cheonggyecheon is an 11 km long stream that runs through the centre of Seoul. The urban project brought nature back into the city. Today, residents and tourists visit the location for nighttime walks, modern city views, and a relaxing atmosphere. It was one of my favourite places to visit in Seoul when I needed to think or just take a quiet walk. The locals praise the Cheonggyecheon stream project for reducing car traffic, increasing real estate value, and even cooling down the city during the summer heatwaves.

Food in Seoul to try

If it’s your first time visiting Seoul, you are in for a treat! You will find garlic, chilli, and ginger as the basis of much of the Korean food. But don’t worry, there is a vast variety depending on which part of the city you visit. And let’s not forget about the street food that’s sure to make your taste buds asking for more.

Kimbap

Japan is known for its sushi, but Korea is the go-to place for kimbap. The shape of both sushi and kimbap are identical, but the ingredients differ. Cooked rice, fish cakes, and other vegetables are tightly wrapped in seaweed and cut into small pieces for the perfect on-the-go snack. It’s also quite popular among hikers because it’s a compact meal and stores easily.

Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a dish of white rice, mixed vegetables and meat served in a bowl. It’s usually topped with a fried egg and chilli paste. Bibimbap is savoury, filling, and extremely delicious. It’s not surprising that it’s one of the most popular Korean dishes to date.

Kimchi

Sure, this is not an entire meal per se, but it’s a staple at every Korean dinner. Kimchi is fermented cabbage seasoned with chilli, ginger and garlic. The spice level varies, so be careful when trying it at different restaurants.

Bulgogi, or Korean BBQ

You cannot leave Korea without the traditional Korean BBQ outing. It’s one of the most popular dinner choices for Korean families. Korean BBQ is quite special because it’s a do-it-yourself type of meal. You cook the thin slices of marinated meat right at the table. The typical way to enjoy the Korean BBQ is with vegetables and an assortment of side dishes. And of course, you can’t forget about Soju, the local’s choice for an alcoholic beverage.

Jeon

Jeon is a favourite among the late-night partiers who need something heavy after a night of drinking. The chefs load the savory pancake with meat and vegetables. Then they add egg batter and fry it. It’s crispy, delicious, and very satisfying. It’s usually accompanied with a glass of local rice wine, or Makgeolli.

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The Must-Dos of Seoul

Seoul is a busy city full of interesting activities. I dare say it’s even impossible to be bored. You can shop, hike, sightsee, and eat until your heart’s content. If you are not sure where to start, I’ve listed some activities below to guide you.

Visit a themed cafe

The coffee culture in Korea is incredible. You can find anything from popular chain cafes to super cozy themed cafes. Each one has its own personality and ambience. Also, it doesn’t hurt that they are extremely Instagrammable.

Some of my favorites are:

• Ddo-Ong Cafe | Insadong
• Fritz Coffee Company | Mapo-gu
• Banana Tree Cafe | Itaewon
• Dreamy Camera Cafe | Yangpyeong

Explore Seoul on Foot

Seoul has some of the best public transportation I have ever seen. The subway can reach any part of the city, so most Koreans do not own cars. Seoul is the perfect place for those who love walking and sightseeing. Every neighbourhood in Seoul is pedestrian-friendly and easy to navigate.

The must-visit neighbourhoods on foot are:

• Gangnam
• Itaewon
• Hongdae
• Insadong
• Apgujeong

Spend Some Money

Koreans love to shop and it’s no surprise given the number of stores you can find in Seoul. From beauty products and fashion to quirky toys and souvenirs, you can find just about anything.

Some of the best shopping neighborhoods are:

• Meyong-dong
• Hongdae
• Insadong

Go Traditional

Seoul is known as the most modern city in Korea, but don’t let that stop you from seeing the traditional architecture, history and culture of the beautiful country. The traditional neighborhoods are filled with teahouses, restaurants, and shopping for those who prefer to spend their money on souvenirs and crafts.

The best historic neighbourhoods to visit are:

• Samcheong-dong
• Insadong
• Namdaemun

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Final Note on Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a bustling city full of life, nature, and architecture. It’s a city that you cannot afford to miss. It’s the place where I caught the travel bug permanently. It let me see, feel, and experience a culture that I wasn’t very familiar with and for that, I will forever be thankful.

Alex – Remotely Alex Alex is a social media manager and content writer who is a full-time digital nomad. When she is not attending to clients, you can find her strolling the streets of Lisbon, drinking coffee in Vietnam, or just lounging on the beach in Thailand. Instagram