The Best Seoul Parks and Green Spaces to Visit

Seoul is a bustling metropolis where ancient and modern, nature and technology peacefully coexist. Filled with modern high-rise buildings, this dense urban jungle also has many delightful parks, palaces, temples, museums, beaches, and more.

Seoul parks are an especially great way to explore the local beauty in relaxed atmospheres. You can take a day trip to enjoy a quiet and beautiful escape in nature without having to travel long distances.

Though you can always charter a private vehicle, these sprawling and charming green spaces are easily accessible by public transport, so you can visit them whenever you want. 

Here are the five best Seoul parks that are a must-visit when you’re in the city. I also highlight what makes the city’s parks so popular and considerations to keep in mind when visiting these natural areas.

Why Do Seoul Parks Stand Out Worldwide?

Seoul’s parks combine natural beauty with different things to see and do, including spectacular city and river views, picnic spots, sports facilities, and water sports. So, visitors can not only enjoy the beauty of blooming gardens but also entertain themselves with various outdoor recreational activities.

All these make the city’s parks stand out globally, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors.

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5 Must-visit Seoul Parks and Green Spaces 

Here are Seoul’s five best parks to add to your bucket list:

1. Yeouido Hangang Park

Yeouido Hangang Park is one of Seoul’s most popular parks. It’s located along the Hangang or Han River in Yeouido, a hub for politics, media, and finance.  

This expansive riverside park has several attractions that draw in visitors throughout the year. It features well-maintained pedestrian and bike paths and bike rentals, sports facilities, convenience stores as well as ecological learning experiences. The park is an excellent place to unwind for people of all ages.

Visitors can enjoy picnics on mats spread across the grass areas or cement steps and experience the beautiful weather and breathtaking sunsets. They can also participate in a number of water activities that include yachting, cruising, and duck boat riding.

The peak season for Yeouido Hangang Park is during the spring when locals celebrate the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival. The park also hosts the famous Fireworks Festival and weekend cultural performances to entertain visitors.

Hangang Park is easily accessible by subway, bus, and other public transportation. Here, you can find the E-Land Cruise Terminal where you can hop on a ferry and enjoy gorgeous views of the city from the water. If you love the outdoors or are simply longing to recharge in more natural environments, you can’t go wrong with Yeouido Hangang Park.

2. Haneul Park

Haneul Park — also called Sky Park — is famous for being one of the five parks around the World Cup Stadium. Originally known as the Nanjido Waste Landfill, it was converted into a park to commemorate the 2002 World Cup that was hosted by South Korea and Japan.

The park occupies a massive area on a hilltop that is best known for its gorgeous sunsets and evening views. It also has benches along its perimeter where visitors can relax and rest their legs after walking, running, or playing all day. It also features charming man made art structures and five large wind turbines.

The park hosts the Silver Grass Festival in October each year to showcase the lush beauty of the Eulalia or silver grass flowers in full bloom. It also has many perfect photo spots across its silver grass fields which makes it a popular dating site.

3. Ttukseom Hangang Park

One of Seoul’s most beloved parks, the Ttukseom Hangang Park allows visitors to experience a range of sights and activities. This riverside amusement park includes different water sports like water skiing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, power boating, paddle boating, standup paddle boarding (SUP), and more.

It also features many sports facilities such as soccer and cricket fields, basketball courts, badminton courts, tennis courts, and rock climbing walls. It has one of Seoul’s biggest skateparks, so you can see skateboarders showing off their skills.

Leisure seekers also visit the park for the many cultural events and concerts it regularly organizes. Moreover, the musical fountain area hosts colorful fountain shows that move to the beat of various music styles.

In midsummer, you can head to the park during the day and rent a tent to enjoy a fun picnic. You can also take a dip in its huge outdoor swimming pool to cool off. At night, you can have food delivered to the area as a cool wind blows past you.

Winters at the Ttukseom Hangang Park involve sledding on fake snow. Whatever the season, you can easily find something to do in its outdoor areas.

4. Naksan Park

Naksan Park is another well-known park that extends to Daehak-ro Street (a famous arts and culture street) and Heunginjimun or Dongdaemun Gate (a historical city main gate on Seoul’s east). Perched on the side of the Namsan Mountain, its strategic location allows you to immerse yourself in South Korea’s beautiful history and culture.

You can go on a hike starting at the Heunginjimun Gate and walk through a lush forest along Seoul’s fortress walls in the city center. This winding fortress trail is one of the park’s main attractions.

If you head toward Daehak-ro, you will arrive at Ihwa Mural Village which offers excellent photo spots with many pretty murals as your backdrop. In 2006, 68 artists decorated the village with 70 murals as part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s (MCST) efforts to revitalize it. The neighborhood is also dotted with charming cafes where you can stop, relax, and grab a cup of coffee.

The mountaintop also has stunning panoramic vistas of Bukhansan Mountain and downtown Seoul, allowing you to take in their beauty to their fullest. You can also enjoy breathtaking night views of the city from this park.

Naksan Park is especially popular in the spring and summer when its beautiful gardens come alive with blooming flowers.

5. Yongsan Family Park

Yongsan Family Park is a Western-style park with huge playgrounds, lawns, a garden, ponds, fountains, an artificial waterfall, picnic chairs, tables, and exercise equipment. These make it an ideal picnic spot for families with children. People can come here, spread their mats over the ground, relax, and enjoy the fine weather. The park also features many convenience stores where you can buy food and drinks.

The site of this park was originally a Japanese logistical base during the 1592 Imjin War. The Qing troops also occupied it during the 1882 Imo Incident.

The park was also part of a United States military base, Yongsan Garrison, which served as the army’s headquarters in South Korea after the Korean War. In November 1992, the site was converted into a family park.

If you want to dive deeper into South Korea’s history, you can take a trip to the National Museum of Korea nearby which is connected to Yongsan Park. To the right of the museum, you can also see the Bosingak Bell, which is rung during the yearly bell-ringing ceremony to mark the beginning of the new year.

Bonus: Seoul Botanic Park

If you want to get out into the green but the weather isn’t quite right – consider a visit to the Seoul Botanic Park! Located in the heart of Seoul, Seoul Botanic Park is a captivating urban oasis that seamlessly blends nature and modernity.

Spanning over 1,000,000 square meters, the park is a haven for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Its diverse botanical collections showcase an impressive array of plant species from around the world, ranging from delicate orchids to towering palm trees. Visitors can explore the park’s various themed gardens, stroll along scenic walking paths, and admire stunning architectural structures that harmoniously merge with the natural landscape.

The park also hosts educational programs, exhibitions, and events, providing a rich and immersive experience for all visitors. Whether you seek tranquility amidst lush greenery or wish to deepen your understanding of botanical wonders, Seoul Botanic Park offers a captivating escape from the bustling city life.

Iconic Landmarks in Nature: Seoul’s Green Spaces With Historical Significance

Many of Seoul’s parks and green spaces like Haneul Park, Naksan Park, Yongsan Family Park, and others are linked to historical events or have historical significance. Hence, certain South Korean parks are not only important as natural recreational spaces but as locations that offer glimpses into the country’s rich history and culture.

What Should You Consider When Visiting Natural Areas in Seoul?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when visiting natural areas in Seoul:

• Travel to offbeat destinations to contribute to local tourism.
• Read the timings and rules of the spot that you’re visiting in advance.
• Wear comfortable clothing according to the location and weather.
• Walk or use public transportation whenever you can.
• Learn the local etiquette and be respectful toward the local people and places.
• Do not litter when visiting natural areas.
• Support institutions that work to preserve the environment.

These simple tips will help you make the most of your visit to Seoul’s natural areas.

Conclusion

Heading to Seoul’s parks is a fun way to explore the city’s local beauty, culture, and history and enjoy some exciting recreational activities. If you enjoyed reading this guide, learn more about South Korea, including its national parks and hotels. You can also enhance your trip with the best travel apps.

Shop Korea-inspired Home Decor Prints

Explore affordable Asian-inspired art prints in my shop! It all started in 2020 when I moved to a new apartment in Korea. I wanted budget-friendly and personal decorations but couldn’t find what I liked.

So, I got creative and made my own digital prints.

Now, from a simple project at home, I have an online store with simple and stylish pieces to make your space look better. See what suits your space best!

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