Things To Do
Seochon Hanok Village
Seochon Village refers to a village sitting to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Old and new shops and hanok buildings (traditional Korean houses) sit together in harmony.
Insadong
Insa-dong is famous for being the cultural and artistic hub of Seoul. It is renowned for its traditional Korean crafts, antiques, and art galleries.
Ikseon-dong
This urban hanok village was created in 1920s and 1930s as a common people residential complex. Unlike the hanok villages of Bukchon or Seochon, the houses here tend to be smaller and humbler. Today’s Ikseon-dong is a quirky collection of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops, mostly with retro aesthetics.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
There are five palaces in Seoul, all royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and symbols of Korea’s culture and history. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the primary palace that was established in 1395. Our favorite is Changdeokgung (99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu) with the secret garden. Please check out the other palaces as well. Deoksugung Palace: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul Changgyeonggung Palace: 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Gyeonghuigung Palace: 45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hongik University (Hongdae) Street
The heart of Seoul’s youth culture is this eclectic collection of cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, art markets, galleries, and shops. Its numerous alleys wind through the area, carrying unique themes like clubbing, art, and murals (Picasso Street). Busking, performances, events, and the powerful energy of youthful freedom draw numerous youths to the area, especially on weekends. Ryse Autograph Collection is located in the center of Hongdae.
Yeouido Hangang Park
One of our favorite date spots is a park on the banks of the Han River. The park provides picnic gear that you can rent, and you can enjoy a variety of street food and even have food delivered. It's a great place to enjoy the river view and the sunset with some beer and music.
Namsan Tower
The Namsan Seoul Tower is an iconic landmark and popular tourist attraction in Korea. From the tower's observatory, you can see the entire city. The Namsan Cable Car is another highlight.
Olive Young
This is a great place to shop for K-beauty products. There are countless stores throughout the country. They also offer global shipping services, so you can continue shopping even from the US. I will share some of my personal favorite items as well.