Neon lights, delectable eats, historic sites, renowned skincare, and vibrant nightlife are a few of the many draws of South Korea’s capital, Seoul. The city is home to nearly ten million people and roughly twenty percent of South Korea’s population. As the figures allude, the city is constantly bustling with excitement and hosts much of the country’s rich culture. It’s the perfect destination for any world traveler.
Things to Know When Traveling in Seoul
- Google Maps doesn’t work in South Korea. Although we could access Apple Maps, the information wasn’t always accurate. Kakao and Naver Maps were both recommended as useful navigation apps for Seoul.
- Most hotels, restaurants, bars, and activities accept credit cards. Having some local currency on hand is helpful if you’re planning to visit street markets or vendors.
- Seoul is a very walkable city, we mainly explored on foot. A subway system is also available if you’d prefer to walk less. Subway tickets, or T-Money cards, can be purchased at the airport upon arrival.
- Ubers and taxis are also available in Seoul. To hail taxis, download the Kakao T app.
- Tipping isn’t customary and can even be seen as rude.
- Seoul’s crime rate is low and we felt completely safe there!
Where to Stay
Four Seasons – I’d never stayed at a Four Seasons before Seoul and have to admit the hype is real. I typically prefer smaller, boutique hotels or inns but it was fun to splurge on a five-star experience. The hotel is located in the Jongno-gu district and is a short ten-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung, one of the city’s main attractions. Four Seasons are notoriously expensive, although the price was less outrageous than usual given the strong exchange rate between USD and KRW. If you’re looking for luxurious accommodations, this hotel is for you.
Ryse Hotel – This hotel came highly recommended and is a more cost-effective option. Ryse is located in Hongdae, a vibrant collegiate area with many bars and restaurants.
Things to Do
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace was built in 1405 and is one of Korea’s Joseon dynasty’s most important and well-preserved architectural elements. The sprawling property includes several villas, ponds, and even a ‘secret garden.’ Look for palace guards dressed in vibrant hanbok, traditional Korean clothing.
Explore Seoul’s Cafe Culture
There are thousands of cafes in Seoul. Everywhere you look there’s a cafe, with multiple storefronts on every city block. With so many options making a decision can be daunting, although I’ve compiled a list to narrow down the pool.
Onion Anguk is an extremely popular cafe located in a century-old hanok. It’s recently become ‘Tik-Tok famous,’ so be prepared to wait if visiting during peak hours. Cha Teul is another great option located in an old hanok and is known for its tranquil setting. We stumbled upon Cafe Sangguk while visiting the Changdeokgung Palace and would also recommend it!
Order a Korean-based Cocktail at Bar Cham
Bar Cham came recommended by a co-worker who recently visited Seoul and it’s easy to see why. Cham means “oak” in Korean, which the bar is aptly named given the usage of beautiful old oak beams throughout. Their cocktails focus on native liquors which I didn’t recognize, so I asked the bartender for his recommendation. The drink I ordered (pictured below) was incredible – the best cocktail of our trip (and maybe even the year?)
Gwangjang Market
If you’ve seen “Street Food” on Netflix, Gwangjang Market likely sounds familiar. The market is a major street food destination in Seoul and a great place to experience local cuisine. We stopped at one of the many vendor stands in the middle of the market and asked to try their two most popular dishes. One was a Udon noodle and dumpling soup and the other was a gochujang rice and noodle dish with vegetables. It was the perfect lunch; filling, flavorful, and inexpensive!
Rye’s Ceramics
Rye’s ceramics has gorgeous pieces that make great gifts for friends and family back home. The owner is extremely friendly and helped us select two coffee mugs, which she meticulously gift-wrapped. She even threw in a free ceramic incense holder to thank us for stopping in! The store is conveniently located around the block from the Changdeokgung Palace entrance, so no need to go out of your way to visit.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the oldest palace in Seoul and was constructed in 1395. Similar to Changdeokgung Palace, it housed influential members of the Joseon dynasty. I enjoyed Changdeokgung more, although Gyeongbokgong is worth visiting in the area.
Eat Korean BBQ & Fried Chicken
Not that you need convincing, but Korean BBQ & fried chicken is a must when visiting South Korea (unless of course, you’re a vegetarian). Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul typically specialize in pork or beef, although some spots offer both. Fried chicken is also popular in the country’s capital and is best enjoyed with an ice-cold Cass, a Korean light beer.
Indulge at Charles H
Charles H was voted the best bar in Korea and the prices definitely reflect that level of prestige. A drink here will set you back about 30,000 won depending on your order. All our drinks were excellent though, from an umami old-fashioned to a cherry-infused Manhattan. We also received a complimentary small cocktail when we sat at the bar, so if you factor that into the overall cost it may help to justify the stop in…
Until next time, Seoul…