Seoul

Travel Guide
Seoul featuring modern architecture and a city as well as a small group of people
The South Korean metropolis has some of Asia’s busiest markets and nightlife districts alongside tranquil teahouses and palaces surrounded by gardens.

Seoul is brimming withyouthful vibrancy. Art galleries, cinemas, bars and boutiques are dotted allover the city. Seoulites are also in touch with their past, and you’ll findplenty of instances of traditional Korean culture in palaces and theatres. 

Korea has suffered frommany conflicts, and some of the bruises still show in Seoul. The city’s FiveGrand Palaces are testament to this all of these complexes have been destroyedor badly damaged. Today they have largely been restored to their former glory andhouse national treasures, art and traditional architecture. For particularlyfine examples of these palaces, visit Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugungand Changgyeonggung. 

Locals possess optimismand friendliness in abundance. Younger Seoulites will be eager to use theirlanguage skills to help you out, and older residents, although not asproficient with their English, are still overwhelmingly warm. 

Shopping opportunities inSeoul are boundless. Choose from designer outlets in Myeongdong,traditional craft shops at Insadong and bargain malls at the huge DongdaemunMarket. Wear your new attire while exploring the city’s nightlife. HongdaeYoung Street has an eclectic collection of bars, clubs, live music andindependent cinema. 

Soak up classic Koreanculture at venues like Chongdong Theatre. Here, you can marvel atspectaculars featuring traditional music, dance and costume. Sample localcuisine at well-priced stalls and restaurants that serve Korean classics suchas kalguksu (“knife noodles”) or donkas (deep-fried pork cutlets). Foodies willwant to pay homage to the Korean national dish (kimchi) at the PulmuoneKimchi Museum.  Kimchi is a fermented vegetable (cabbage, radish orcucumber) dish seasoned with spices. Finish your dining experience with a visitto one of Seoul’s excellent teahouses.

When you want some quiettime, escape to one of Seoul’s regenerated areas, such as CheonggyecheonStream. This stretch of water in the city center features greenery,wildlife and local art. It’s a great example of Seoul’s ability to innovate,educate and entertain all at once.

Seoul has hot summers andcold winters. The best time to visit is around March through May (spring), orSeptember through November (fall) . Navigate the city using the well-priced andefficient subway system, considered one of the best in the world.

Where to stay in Seoul

Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo
Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo
3 out of 5
293, Singil-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
The price is CA $77 per night from Jul. 4 to Jul. 5
CA $77
per night
Jul. 4 - Jul. 5
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (479 reviews)
"Check out 10 a.m Check in 4 p.m Very bad."

Reviewed on May 5, 2023

Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is CA $134 per night from Jun. 7 to Jun. 8
CA $134
per night
Jun. 7 - Jun. 8
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,284 reviews)
"Very thoughtful managers."

Reviewed on Jun. 2, 2023

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
3.5 out of 5
27 Myeong-dong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Fully refundable
The price is CA $187 per night from Jul. 5 to Jul. 6
CA $187
per night
Jul. 5 - Jul. 6
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a 24-hour business center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,015 reviews)
"Very nice city hotel"

Reviewed on Jun. 3, 2023

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeongdong
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Uljiro Co-Op Residence
Uljiro Co-Op Residence
3 out of 5
246, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a 24-hour business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,136 reviews)
"Great area for the price! :)"

Reviewed on Apr. 17, 2023

Uljiro Co-Op Residence
Western Coop Residence Dongdaemun
Western Coop Residence Dongdaemun
3 out of 5
228, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,786 reviews)
"It was good for the price you paid."

Reviewed on Apr. 26, 2023

Western Coop Residence Dongdaemun
Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Oakwood Premier Coex Center
5 out of 5
46, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Seoul
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,074 reviews)
"Great find, very clean and wonderful accommodations."

Reviewed on Jun. 3, 2023

Oakwood Premier Coex Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Seoul

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
181
" "5 - Excellent 55.864197530864196%
4 - Good
126
" "4 - Good 38.888888888888886%
3 - Okay
12
" "3 - Okay 3.7037037037037037%
2 - Disappointing
5
" "2 - Disappointing 1.5432098765432098%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Feb. 27, 2020

It was a good experience but hard to rate properly due to it being so quiet because of the coronavirus outbreak. Want to visit again when it's not like that.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Nov. 24, 2019

Seoul is a safe, vibrant city.There are endless restaurants and coffee shops.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Nov. 19, 2019

We love Seoul. The food and shopping are amazing with so many places to go and see. We would definitely come back.

5/5 - Excellent

someone
Nov. 14, 2019

clean city. easy subway all around city. cheap express bus line to all over korea.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Nov. 9, 2019

There are English speaking guides available at the museums whom are volunteers that enhance the experience.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 29, 2019

I loved Seoul

Cities near Seoul