
25 Free Things To Do In Seoul
Seoul is one of the hottest travel destinations in Asia offering a vibrant mix of old and new. The city has been the capital of Korea during many dynasties and is, therefore, home to various historic attractions. Moreover, the city is constantly changing with new architectural gems popping up year after year, such as Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in South Korea, or the Dongdaemun Design Plaza by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid. The cost of living in
Wander Through Gyeongbokgung Palace
Many say you haven’t really seen

Climb Up Mt. Bukhansan
Literally translating to Noth Korea Mountain, Bukhansan is one of Korea’s 22 national parks located in the north of

Bukhansan near
Roam Around Dongdaemun Design Plaza
One of my favorite free things to do in
Explore The Secret Garden At Changdeokgung Palace
The second palace built in

Stroll Along The Han River
During the early days of
Watch The Sunset At Bukchon Hanok Village
Located in between Gyeongbukgung and Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village is comprised of hundreds of traditional Korean houses, called hanok. Most houses date back to the Joseon Dynasty and today, many of them act as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants, shops, and teahouses. Be sure to climb up to the highest point of the village for a view of the area and the most beautiful sunset. When it comes to free things to do in
Follow The Seoul City Wall
Originally built in 1396, the
Listen to live music in Hongdae
Hongdae describes the area surrounding Hongik University. It’s a vibrant student neighborhood with cheap eats, shopping and lots of entertainment. What’s most interesting to see in Hongdae are the many students performing on the streets. You can watch anything from live music and dance performances to magic and fashion shows.
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Visit Namdaemun Market
With a history of over 600 years, Namdaemun is one of
See the longest bridge fountain in the world
The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain features 380 nozzles spraying water from the river below out into a beautiful show of water, music, and lights. During the day and at night, visitors can watch a variety of different shows with 200 lights illuminating the fountain and sending out rainbow-colors jets with music. You can see this water light show between April and October up to six times a day for 20 minutes.
Visit the National Museum of Korea
With over 15,000 pieces, the National Museum of Korea is the largest museum in the country. The aim of the museum is to tell the story of Korea’s fascinating history through the many precious artifacts housed here. Admission is completely free so be sure to check out this museum to better understand the history and culture of Korea during your travels.
Explore Myeongdong
While it is quite hard to leave Myeongdong without spending any money, you can still have a good time there without spending any. Myeongdong is an exciting and vibrant area filled with locals and visitors who come together for the ultimate “Korea travel experience”. This means you’ll find all the most popular Korean clothing and makeup brands nestled between a collection of restaurants and cafes. On top of that, Myeongdong offers some of the best street food in the city. The area is a street photographer’s paradise because of the many street signs and bright advertisements.
Take selfies at Ihwa Mural Village
A true gem sitting atop Mt Naksan in the north of
Find Out City History At Seoul Museum of History
If you want to learn a little bit more about the city of
Follow Cheonggyecheon Stream
Until 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream was merely a neglected waterway but then things changed. The government decided to transform this area into a green oasis for the citizens of
Dive Into Korean Buddhism at Jogyesa Temple
The main temple of the local Jogye order, Jogyesa is the center of Korean Buddhism and an interesting place to visit as an outsider. The temple was built in the 14th century and hosts various Buddhist events throughout the year. The annual lantern festival for Buddha’s Birthday also takes place at Jogyesa.
Meet King Sejong The Great At Gwanghwamun Square
Located in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square is a beautiful space allowing people to take in the beauty of Korea’s history outdoors. The view of the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace with Bukhansan in the back is absolutely breathtaking. On top of that, you can check out the Statue of King Sejong the Great, along with all his major accomplishments, including Hangeul, the Korean alphabet.
Head up Mt. Namsan
While Namsan is not as high as other mountains in the city, it is one of the most famous as it features
Explore The World Of Korean Seafood at Noryangjin Fish Market
It’s no wonder that seafood is hugely popular in South Korea, a country surrounded by water. Noryangjin Fish Market handles close to 300 tons of marine products every single day and is one of the largest seafood markets in the country. Whether you like seafood or not, a visit to a traditional Korean fish market is very exciting and you can see many creatures you didn’t even know were edible let alone existed in the first place.
Get Spiritual at Bongeunsa Temple
Located next to the COEX Convention Center, Bongeunsa is one of the most famous temples in the city. It was first constructed in 794 and is home to more than 3,000 Buddhist scriptures. On the ninth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, the local monks carry the scriptures through the city and recite important Buddhist rites. You do not need to pay to visit the temple and if you’re lucky, you can even witness monks performing chanting ceremonies.
Explore Korean Culture At The National Folk Museum of Korea
When exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, be sure to end your visit with a trip to the National Folk Museum on the palace grounds. Here, you can explore the most important royal artifacts and also get a glimpse of what daily life was like for Koreans in the past. The National Folk Museum offers the best insight into Korea’s cultural beliefs allowing you to better understand the locals during your stay. There is no admission to enter this beautiful museum, making it one of the best free things to do in
Walk Around Insadong
Located very close to Jogyesa Temple, Insadong is one of the oldest neighborhoods in
Visit the Jeongdong Observatory at Seoul City Hall
This is definitely one of my favorite free things to do in
Pay Tribute At The War Memorial Of Korea
No visit to
Get Physical at Olympic Park
Olympic Park was created for the 1988 Summer Olympics in
Ready To Explore Seoul ?
These 25 free things to do in
Top Travel Experiences in Seoul
- Everland 1 Day Ticket (QR Code Direct Entry)
- N Seoul Tower Ticket Combo
- Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Trip from Seoul
- AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
- Lotte World 1 Day Pass
- Discover Seoul Pass: free access to 35 attractions
- Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4 – 24 Hrs)
Recommended Travel Guides for Korea
If you want to learn more about South Korea and have a handy travel guide in your pocket, check out these three options below:
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Seoul
This Top 10
Lonely Planet Korea
You really can’t go wrong with a lonely planet guide in your hand luggage! I’m a huge fan of Lonely Planet and own this guide myself. What I love is the brand-new pull-out, passport-size ‘Just Landed’ card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel! Buy this book.
South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide
Calling all my solo female travel ladies out there – this guide is amazing! Part of the #1 Travel Guidebook Series for Women (and couples), this take on South Korea will help you avoid the scams, creeps, and tourist traps and skip ahead to the cities and adventures that are worth your time (and money)! Buy this book.
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