The vibrant capital of South Korea is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations. From night markets to awe-inspiring temples, it’s a 24-hour city that will intrigue, inspire and capture you.
Here are our top 5 things to do in the bustling metropolis.
1. Visit the Palace
Seoul has six palaces but Gyeongbokgung is the most impressive. Built in 1395, the beautiful building was once home to the Royal Family and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty who ruled a united Korea. Bask in the history and watch the reenactment of the Changing of the Royal Guard, which is performed every day between 10 am and 3pm in front of the Heungnyemun (Gate).
2. Dive into the fish markets
The Noryangjin Fish Market is a must-see. Watch the wholesale auctions which begin at 1am and continue throughout the morning or visit at a more civilised hour to enjoy the raw fish, spicy seafood soups or famous abalone rice porridge (known as jeonbokjuk).
3. Get your Gangnam style on
Make like superstar rapper Psy or your favourite K-Pop star and hit the flashy, fashion-conscious district of Gangnam. Meaning ‘south of the river’, Gangnam refers to the district south of the Han River but is best known as the neighbourhood for upmarket shopping and the go-to destination for the hip, young crowd. Simply swan around the streets or pick up outfits by popular Korean designers at luxury fashion-brand mall Galleria.
4. Chill out
A perfect way to detox from the night before or simply chill out after a day of sightseeing at the popular Jimjilbang, a traditional Korean sauna. Each room at the spa is designed with a particular theme in mind to meet specific needs ranging from varying degrees of heated rooms to salt rooms for an invigorating scrub and a spine-chilling ice room. Operating 24-hours a day the bathhouse is the ideal way to relax.
5. Time for tea
Traditional teahouses provide a tranquil retreat from bustling city life and are a popular pastime with locals. If you want high-end the Park Hyatt does a fancy afternoon tea complete with a decadent mix of cakes and treats but if you want a more authentic Seoul experience sit under the shady fruit trees in the courtyard at Dawon, where the electric crowd sip fruit flavoured teas from morning till night.