About Seoul
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and the largest city in the whole of Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, and London, and hosts more than half of South Korea's population. Although Seoul's population peaked at over 10 million, it has gradually decreased since 2014, standing at about 9.6 million residents as of 2024.
Places to visit in Seoul
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Gyeongbokgung
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe largest of Seoul's royal palaces, with grand gates and halls set against the mountains. Visitors wearing a traditional hanbok get in free, and the changing of the guard takes place at the main gate.
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N Seoul Tower
ViewpointA communications tower on Namsan mountain with an observation deck overlooking the whole city. Take the cable car or walk up the forest trails, and come around sunset for both daytime and night views.
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Bukchon Hanok Village
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreA hillside neighborhood of traditional tiled-roof houses between two palaces. People still live here, so keep your voice down and respect the posted visiting hours and quiet zones.
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Changdeokgung
Historic · 1 mi from centreA royal palace that blends gracefully with its hilly setting, listed as a World Heritage Site. Book the guided tour of its Secret Garden in advance, since entry is limited and slots fill quickly.
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Myeongdong
NeighborhoodThe city's busiest shopping district, packed with cosmetics stores, fashion brands, and evening food stalls. Come after dark to graze on street snacks, and visit the Gothic Myeongdong Cathedral at the top of the hill.
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Gwangjang Market
MarketOne of Seoul's oldest traditional markets, best known for its food alley serving mung bean pancakes, gimbap, and raw beef. Grab a stool at a busy stall and point to what looks good.
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National Museum of Korea
Museum · 3 mi from centreThe country's largest museum, covering Korean history and art from prehistory onward in a huge modern building with gardens. General admission is free, and you will need at least half a day to see the highlights.
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Lotte World Tower
Viewpoint · 7 mi from centreKorea's tallest building, with the Seoul Sky observation decks and a glass floor near the top. Check the weather and visibility before buying tickets, since haze can hide the view.
Top experiences in Seoul
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 35 available.
Drama Tour - Winter Sonata, Nami Island and Petite France
From $144 per adult
Full Day Seoul City Tour
From $135 per adult
Where Modern and Traditional Seoul Meets - Half Day Tour
From $272 per adult
The Soul of Seoul: Hightlights of Korea's Heritage - Full Day Tour
From $331 per adult
Explore the UNESCO Suwon Fortress
From $65 per adult
The Cultural Choice: A Joseon Dynasty Journey to the Yongin Korean Folk Village - Full-Day Tour
From $76 per adult
Seoul Escape: Nami Island Groves, Rail Bike Trails and Hanbok Memories - Full-Day Tour
From $106 per adult
Seoul City - Full-Day Tour
From $74 per adult
Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
From $59 per adult
Lotte World with Transport
From $91 per adult
Suwon Hwaseong Unesco cultural heritage site
From $240 per adult
DMZ - Half-Day Tour
From $54 per adult
Where to stay in Seoul
Popular hotels in Seoul, out of 641 properties you can book.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeong-Dong
From $285 per night
Travelodge Dongdaemun Seoul
From $109 per night
ROYAL HOTEL SEOUL Myeongdong
From $266 per night
The Shilla Seoul
From $437 per night
Skypark Central Myeongdong
From $196 per night
Pacific Hotel Seoul
From $193 per night
ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong
From $155 per night
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
From $235 per night
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong Iii
From $188 per night
Hotel Kukdo
From $166 per night
Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun
From $168 per night
Fraser Place Central Seoul
From $341 per night
Best time to visit Seoul
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Seoul is April to June, when average daytime highs are around 66–83°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Seoul weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 58° 40° 0%
- Thu 12 Nov 60° 44° 0%
- Fri 13 Nov 62° 47° 1%
- Sat 14 Nov 51° 47° 92%
- Sun 15 Nov 61° 41° 27%
- Mon 16 Nov 58° 45° 2%
- Tue 17 Nov 57° 42° 90%
Know before you go
- Currency
- South Korean won (KRW)1 US dollar ≈ ₩1,342
- Language
- Korean
- Calling code
- +82
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/SeoulUTC+9
Upcoming public holidays in South Korea
- Christmas Day크리스마스
- New Year's Day새해
- Lunar New Year설날
- Lunar New Year설날
- Lunar New Year설날
- Independence Movement Day3·1절
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Seoul
These are the airports closest to central Seoul. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SSN Seoul Air Base10 mi (17 km) from the city centre
- GMP Gimpo International Airport11 mi (17 km) from the city centre
- ICN Incheon International Airport31 mi (50 km) from the city centre
Getting around Seoul
Traffic jams are common in Seoul, but buses usually have their own lanes so they don't get stuck in traffic. The subway is a good choice too. Street and subway signage is usually written in English as well as Korean.
By subway
In Seoul, you can visit most places by using the vast subway network. There are nine numbered lines plus a smattering of named suburban lines, all distinguished by different colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean (both hangeul and if applicable, hanja) and English, as well as Japanese and Mandarin in some stations. The signs leading to the platform for a particular direction of travel on a given subway line typically list the names of a number of stations in that direction.
T-money card
If planning on using the Metro extensively or staying for more than a couple of days, you should consider purchasing a T-money stored value contactless smart card. You can buy this card from staffed desks at most subway stations, very few vending machines (cash only), many newspaper kiosks near subway entrances, and convenience stores with the T-money logo.
By bus
Seoul also has an extensive bus network. There are four different kinds of buses: yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow buses have a short circuit usually around tourist areas. Green buses travel around neighborhoods and connect with the subway. Blue buses go across town, while red buses are intercity buses. Buses will only stop at designated bus stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers. Press the red button to tell the driver to stop at the next stop.
Seoul travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Seoul is April to June, when average daytime highs are around 66–83°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Seoul?
August is usually the warmest month in Seoul, with average highs of 88°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 378 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Seoul?
Seoul Air Base (SSN) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (17 km) from the centre of Seoul. Other nearby airports include Gimpo International Airport (GMP, 11 mi) and Incheon International Airport (ICN, 31 mi).
What currency is used in Seoul?
Seoul uses the South Korean won (KRW). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₩1,342.
What time zone is Seoul in?
Seoul uses the Asia/Seoul time zone (currently UTC+9). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Seoul?
Traffic jams are common in Seoul, but buses usually have their own lanes so they don't get stuck in traffic. The subway is a good choice too. Street and subway signage is usually written in English as well as Korean.
What are the best places to visit in Seoul?
Top sights in Seoul include Gyeongbokgung, N Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village and Changdeokgung. The largest of Seoul's royal palaces, with grand gates and halls set against the mountains. Visitors wearing a traditional hanbok get in free, and the changing of the guard takes place at the main gate.
What are the top things to do in Seoul?
Popular experiences you can book in Seoul include Drama Tour - Winter Sonata, Nami Island and Petite France, Full Day Seoul City Tour and Where Modern and Traditional Seoul Meets - Half Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 35 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Seoul?
Popular areas for hotels in Seoul include Seoul City, Gangbuk and Dongdaemungu. Well-reviewed options include Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Seoul Myeong-Dong and Travelodge Dongdaemun Seoul.
How many hotels can I book in Seoul?
Destina Holidays currently lists 641 properties in and around Seoul, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
