Discover 18 of Seoul’s Top Must-See Attractions (Don’t Leave Without Heading to #11)

Within two decades, South Korea transformed itself from a developing country to a first world country. Today, millions of visitors head to Korea to experience the Korean culture that has been propagated so much through their local TV shows and movies.

Seoul’s metropolitan area is home to more than 25 million people and there’s always something happening at any given time of day. Contrary to perception, there is so much more to Seoul than just Korean drama filming spots, cafes and shopping centers filled with cosmetics shops and clothing stores. With how Seoul is often portrayed in the media, its rich heritage and natural landscape can easily be overshadowed. Set between mountains and a river, the capital of South Korea provides a wonderful experience for every traveler.

Seoul is the country’s window to its past, present, and future. From monuments, ancient palaces, temples, culinary delights to outdoor recreation, Seoul has it all.

If you intend to visit Seoul in the coming weeks, check out the following travel deals for Citi Cardmembers:

• S$10 off on Klook with minimum spend of S$60 until 30^th June 2023.
• Up to S$100 off on Traveloka with code: CITIXPLORE until 30^th June 2023. Valid for flight, hotel and travel experiences.
• Up to S$100 off on Trip.com until 30^th June 2023. Valid for hotels and flights.
• Receive an American Tourister Flashflux Spinner 68cm/25” Exp Luggage upon charging a minimum qualifying spend of S$2,000 on Singaporeair.com or the Singapore Airlines mobile app. Valid until 30^th June 2023.
• Up to 10% off Asiana Airlines airfares with additional baggage allowance of up to 23kg (worth USD$110).

Here’s a list of the most interesting places to visit and things to do when you are in Seoul, South Korea:

Changdeokgung Palace

There were “Five Grand Palaces” built by the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul, South Korea. Among them is Changdeokgung Palace which means “Prospering Virtue Palace.” In modern times, this palace is now considered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Making the list in 1997, the palace is said to be an “outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design”.

Opening hours: Daily except Monday, 9AM to to 5PM (opening hours may vary depending on the season)

Nearest Station:
Anguk Station from Subway Line 3 Exit 3 is roughly 5 minutes away on foot. You may also take Jongno 3- ga Station, Subway Line 1, 3, 5 and Exit 6 is roughly 10 minutes away on foot.

Tip: If you are wearing the traditional Korean attire, the “hanbok” – you can get free admission to the palace. Alternatively, visit on the last Wednesday of the month for free admission. Enjoy discounted rentals for hanbok on Klook here, plus get an additional S$10 off with min. S$60 spend.

Lotte World

This sprawling complex can be thought of as an all-in-one entertainment center with an amusement park, museum, shopping mall, ice skating rink and even cinema. The amusement park consists of an indoor and outdoor section. The outdoor section is called Magic Island and presents a Disney-esque vibe, complete with a castle at the entrance, roller coasters, underground fantasy trains and more. The indoor section is called Adventure and hosts attractions such as a carousel, a boat ride down a Jurassic environment, 3D theater, bumper cars and more. You can purchase discounted tickets here. Do note that prices go for roughly 20% off if you enter after 4pm. Lotte World also has a hotel within the resort grounds – the Lotte World Hotel. This is a convenient option for families intending to spend a considerable amount of time exploring the resort’s many attractions. Family rooms are available. and get up to S$100 off on Traveloka with a Citi Card.

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:30AM to 10PM (may close at 9PM during weekdays)

Nearest Station:

Jamsil Station – take Exit 4 on Line 2 and Exit 4 on Line 8. Station is directly connected to Lotte World.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Seoul’s principal royal palace has become a main destination for tourists from around the globe. This palace is South Korea’s former seat of power. You can take English tours for an in-depth look at Korean architectural traditions as well as the country’s court customs. Take the time to explore the grounds and absorb the beauty of its pavilions, halls, ornamental gardens, and minor museums after your palace tour. Do note that guided tours are free and are offered in English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia. Check out the full schedule here.

Opening hours:
9AM to 5PM (opening hours may vary depending on the season). Closed on Tuesdays.

Nearest station:
Gyeongbokgung entry is located 22 Sajik-no, Jongno-gu. The nearest subway station is Gyeongbokgung Station, Station #327 on Line 3.

Deoksugung Palace

Witness the very entertaining changing of guards at the Deoksugung Palace’s main gate, which is scheduled daily except Mondays at 11am, 2pm and 3:30pm. One of the “Five Grand Palaces” established during the Joseon Dynasty, this palace was home to Korea’s royal family up until their descent during the Japanese colonial period.

This palace is just one of the many tourist attractions offered in Seoul. One of the best times of the day to visit Deoksugung Palace is during the evening so that you can fully enjoy the beauty of the infrastructure reminiscent of Korean monarchy.

Opening hours:
The palace is open from 9AM to 9PM except on Mondays. The last ticket sales and admission is at 8PM.

Nearest station:
Deoksugung entry is located at 5-1 Geongdong-gil or Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu. The nearest subway station is City Hall Station, Station #132 on Line 1 or Station #201 on Line 2.

Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square I © Republic of Korea , Flickr

Gwanghwamun Square is a public space open for all. It was opened by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as an initiative to promote its plans for environmentally-friendly renovation projects. The square is a stone’s throw away from Gyeongbokgung Palace.

This plaza plays historical importance, as this is where the royal administrative buildings can be found. The area is also referred to as Yukjo-geori or Street of Six Ministries. On another note, the plaza is home to two statues of Korea’s greatest heroes – Admiral Yi Sun-shin and King Sejong the Great

Opening hours: Open all year round.

Nearest station:
Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5, Exit 9 – Haechi Madang. Haechi Madang is an underground walkway connecting the station to the plaza.

Jongmyo Shrine

Jongmyo Shrine I © Republic of Korea, Flickr

This historical shrine was built in 1392. It’s a Confucian shrine designated for South Korea’s deceased kings and queens, particularly during the Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyo Shrine is considered the “oldest royal Confucian shrine” in the world, hence it was awarded a place in the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Every May, you can witness the well-known ceremony of Jongmyo Daeje, a worshipping rite to honor Korea’s past royalty.

Opening hours:
9AM to 6PM (may vary by +/- 30 minutes depending on the season); closed on Tuesdays

Nearest station:
Jongmyo Shrine entry is located 155 Jong-no, Jongno-gu. The nearest subway station is Jongno 3-ga Station. 

Excursion to Nami Island

Nami Island by Gino Mempin

Nami Island is best known for its amazing views.  The area is popular as it’s often used as a setting to shoot Korean dramas such as Winter Sonata. If you are thinking of visiting , allocate a full day for the excursion. You can choose to do it yourself but for convenience, you may want to take a direct bus which can do Nami Island combined with Petite France. They will also handle the day’s itinerary for you. Whichever option you choose, you’ll find that taking a shuttle bus there is indeed a lot easier than the DIY route.

Opening Hours: Daily, 8AM to 9PM

Jogye-sa Temple

Jogye-sa Buddhist Temple by Richard Mortel

As one of the chief temples of Korean Buddhism, the wooden halls of Daeungjeon is considered as the largest worship area for Buddhists in Seoul. Rebuilt in 1938, the building was designed to parallel Joseon Dynasty aesthetics. While the outside part of the temple is adorned with images depicting Buddha’s life, the interior displays three giant Buddhas representing the following: Amitabha Buddha, Historical Buddha, and the Bhaisaiya Buddha.

Opening hours:

Nearest station: Take the subway and get off at Jonggak Station, Subway Line 1 then take Exit 2.

Tip: It is advisable to compare prices between various travel booking sites before booking tickets for tourist attractions. is also running a promotion with Traveloka for up to S$100 off travel experiences, flights and hotels until 30^th June 2023.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Situated between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, the Bukchon Hanok Village is reminiscent of Korea’s traditional villages composed of hanoks or Korean wooden homes. The alleys are adorned with these preserved hanoks, opening a doorway for visitors to experience the urban environment during the Joseon Dynasty. The village is peppered with art galleries, cafes and dine-in restaurants.

Opening Hours: Open all year round. 

Nearest Station:
Take the subway line at Anguk Station, Seoul Subway Line 3, Exit 1 or 2. From the exit go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.

N Seoul Tower & Namsan Park

Seoul Tower and Namsan Park by travel oriented

If you are in search of a more scenic view, head over to Namsan Park by the south of Myeongdong on Mt. Namsan. This area is very popular among local and international tourists for its hiking trails, the N Seoul Tower and a fantastic view of Seoul’s downtown. You can get discounted admission at N Seoul Tower here.

Opening Hours: Open all year round, but take note of the following operating hours for certain sites:

• N Seoul Tower Observatory: Admission hour – 10AM to 11PM
• Namsan Cable Car: Operating hours –  10AM to 11PM

Nearest Station:

• To get to the Namsan Cable Car, take the subway to Myeongdong Station then Exit 3. Walk south to Toegye-ro 18-gil street, then turn left to Toegye-ro 20 gil street where you will find the lower cable car station at the end of the street.
• If you plan to take the yellow bus to get to the peak, you can board one from Chungmuro Station, Line 3 or 4 then Exit 2. You may also stop at the University Station, Line 3 then Exit 6.

Bukhansan National Park

Bukhansan National Park I © bertconcepts, Flickr

In the midst of a bustling metropolis, this park covers about 79.92 km of forested area with temples and granite peaks. It is one of the most popular hiking trails to date since its establishment in 1983. Apart from the 100 historical Buddhist temples found in the park, a  must-visit site is the Bukhansanseong Fortress. Don’t miss this 12.7 km long mountain wall when you decide on a hiking adventure at the Bukhansan National Park. If you are up for a challenge, you can go for a pre-dawn group tour to catch the sunrise at the summit of Bukhansan inclusive of an overnight stay. You can book this tour with Klook, from where you can obtain a S$10 discount with a S$60 minimum spend.

Opening hours: The park is open all year round. For hiking restrictions and other details, click here.

Nearest station: Take the subway and get off at Gupabal Station, Line 3, Exit 1. Take the Bus 704 bound for Bukhansanseong Fortress. Get off at the Bukhansan Mountain entrance bus stop. Walk for 10 minutes to arrive at the Dobong management office of Bukhansan National Park.

National Museum of Korea

National Museum of Korea I © Republic of Korea, Flickr

The museum is the temple of South Korean history and art. The beautiful modernist architecture is home to Korea’s ancient treasures. Established in 1945, the museum continues their dedication in the study and research of history, art, and archeology.

Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10AM to 6PM
Wednesday & Saturday:  10AM to 9PM
Sunday & Public Holidays:  10AM to 7PM

Nearest station:
Take Line 4 or the Jungang Line, Munsan-Yongmun to Ichon Station, Exit 2. Then walk around 150m toward Yongsan Family Park.

Seoul Arts Center

Seoul Arts Center I © Jirka Matousek, Flickr

Located in Seocho-gu district of Seoul, the Seoul Arts Center has five buildings; namely the Opera House, Seoul Calligraphy Museum, the Music Hall, Hangaram Art Museum and Hangaram Design Museum. Immerse yourself in the arts and watch performances from any of the following: Korean National Ballet, Korean National Opera, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Korea National Contemporary Dance Company or National Chorus of Korea. The Seoul Arts Center also has a number of art galleries and design spaces for visitors to check out.

Opening Hours:
11AM to 7PM (may close an hour earlier depending on the season). Closed on Mondays.

Nearby station: From Seoul Subway Line 3, Exit 4-1 or 4-2 then take Bus No. 406, 1500-2, 1553, Seocho11 or Seocho17. Get off  at Seocho-dong Seoul Art Center Bus Stop.

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Seodaemun Prison History Hall I © dom brassey draws comics, Flickr

Today, this prison has been transformed into a museum to honor Koreans who fought against the Japanese Colonial Period. Kim Koo, who was a significant figure in Korean liberation movement, was imprisoned here in 1911. Parts of the prison’s complex were made into historical monuments, while the History Hall has an exhibit detailing the stories of people who were imprisoned in these walls.

Opening hours:
 9:30AM to 6PM (may close an hour earlier depending on the season)

Nearest Station:
Seodaemun Independence Park and Seodaemun Prison are accessible from exits 4 or 5 of the Dongnimmun Station on Seoul Subway Line 3.

Tip: If you foresee yourself visiting a number of Seoul tourist attractions during your trip, you can mix and match your own customized Klook Pass for added savings. You can get yours here. Get S$10 off when you charge a minimum of S$60 on Klook.

Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market I © Graham Hills, Flickr

Dating back to 1414, the Namdaemun Market is the oldest and largest market in Seoul. Immerse yourself in the vastness of stalls offering a variety of goods and commodities. The most famous of which are food stalls offering authentic Korean delicacies from kalguksu noodles, bibimbap and sujebi.

Opening hours: The operating hours vary by shop, however, the market is typically closed on Sundays.

Nearest station:
Take the subway and get off at Hoehyeon Station, Line 4 then Exit 5.

Tip: Looking for a place to stay in Seoul? Save up to S$100 on hotel bookings when you book on Trip.com using Citi Cards.

Insa-dong Maru

 Insadong by sellyourseoul

Insa-dong Maru is fast becoming Seoul’s souvenir haven for all things Korean. This community of shops offers traditional Korean commodities such as pottery, crafts, fans, clothing, earthenware and many more. Don’t miss shopping for souvenirs and knick-knacks in this neighborhood before you head back home.

Opening hours: Open all year round.

Nearest station:
Take the station and wherever you are coming from you can go down at the following stations:

• Jonggak Station, Station #131 on Line 1, Exit 3
• Anguk Station, Station #328 Line 3, Exit 6

Tip: Charge your overseas dining and shopping spends to your Citi PremierMiles Card and earn up to 4 Citi Miles* per S$1 qualifying spend in foreign currency from now until 30^th June 2023.

Suyeon Sanbang Teahouse

Love tea? There’s no way you should pass the opportunity to try out Seoul’s most quaint and charming teahouse. Nestled in a 1930s hanok which was once the home of Lee Tae Jun, a famous Korean novelist, the teahouse is surrounded by a garden and serves a wide array of teas.

Opening hours:
They are open from 11:30AM to 10PM (closed during

Nearest station:
Suyeon Sanbang Teahouse is located at #8, Seongbuk-ro 26-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Take the subway to Hansung Univ. Station, Seoul Subway Line 4, Exit 6. Then take Bus 03, 1111 or 2112. Get off at Dongbang Graduate University. is about 130 meters away from the bus stop.

Balwoo Gongyang

Be sure to book in advance for a a chance to eat at Balwoo Gongyang. They serve temple-style vegetarian cuisine that is rich in flavor, a departure from the aromatics-free staples usually associated with temple cuisine. You haven’t tasted an excellent vegetarian menu until you’ve tried their food! They were also awarded 1 Michelin star when the Michelin Guide published in Seoul for the first time.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:30AM to 3PM and 6PM to

 Nearest station:
The restaurant is located at 5th fl, Templestay Information Center, 56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu. Through the subway, get off at Anguk Station, Seoul Subway Line 3 then Exit 6. You may also get down at Jonggak Station, Seoul Subway Line 1, Exit 3-1. Both require between 200 to 300 meters of walking to get to the location.

Where to Stay in Seoul

Seoul offers a plethora of lodging options, from budget accommodations in hostels to luxury hotels offering majestic views of the city. Make sure to avail of the current Trip.com promotion with for up to S$100 off hotel bookings. Some of my personal recommendations are listed below:

Stanford Hotel Myeongdong

The hotel is located just next to Euljiro-1 station. Rooms are clean and value-for-money and are mostly decked in neutral tones. The property is also relatively new. Some of the rooms come with views of the Namsan Tower. You can check prices here.

Andaz Seoul Gangnam

Located in Seoul’s upscale Gangnam district, Andaz Seoul Gangnam is a stylish choice for accommodations in Seoul. Part of the Hyatt group, the boutique hallmarks of the Andaz brand are evident through the sleek interiors that come with subtle touches of Korean aesthetic. The hotel is located right beside and a few steps from Hyundai Department Store.

How to Get There

Several airlines fly from Singapore to Incheon, which is the main international airport servicing Seoul, including Singapore Airlines and Asiana Airlines.

Book your Singapore Airlines flight tickets with a minimum qualifying spend of S$2,000 on singaporeair.com or the SingaporeAir mobile app with Citi Cards and receive an American Tourister Flashflux Spinner 68cm/25” Exp Luggage. This offer is valid until 30th June 2023. Find out more here. Asiana Airlines also has an ongoing offer. Enjoy up to 10% off airfares with additional baggage allowance of up to 23kg (worth USD$110). A member of Star Alliance, Asiana is a South Korean full-service carrier and passengers can look forward to authentic Korean cuisine onboard.

Accelerate Your Holiday Plans

Earn up to 4 Citi Miles per S$1 qualifying spend in foreign currency from now till 30 June 2023 with Citi PremierMiles Card. Don’t have one yet? Receive up to 30,000 bonus Citi Miles* when you apply for a Citi PremierMiles Card as a new cardmember. The Citi Miles don’t expire, so you can accumulate them for your next adventure.

*T&Cs apply. Welcome miles offer is valid till 30 June 2023. Applicable for new Citi Credit Cardmembers only. Find out more here.

Ensure the security of your credit cards while traveling with these essential tips. Want to indulge in the latest travel experiences and explore the hottest destinations with the best deals and rewards from Citi? Visit Life and Money by Citi for more information.