Top Things To Do In Seoul

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Trendy locals walking along a busy street in Seoul

Top things to do in Seoul

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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Wondering what to do in Seoul?

With contemporary and traditional roots visibly intertwined, Seoul is a city that unites the past and present like few places on earth, offering countless things to do. Twenty-four hours a day, the city is a place of nonstop entertainment that reflects not only Korean history and culture but all the attractions of an ultra-modern metropolis. Ancient temples, shrines, and traditional gardens give a glimpse into Seoul’s storied past and peaceful legacy, while inner-city alleyways flanked by neon-lit skyscrapers, tech start-ups, and fashion-forward boutiques paint the picture of a city with one foot firmly in the future. The best things to do in Seoul span centuries.

Meet some of our Seoul local hosts

Thomas

Seoul

Andrew

Seoul

Enthusiastic Seoul host with a passion for local cuisine, history, and insider tips to explore the city's vibrant neighborhoods.

GJ

Seoul

K-culture, K-pop History that continues with the present

Paul

Seoul

Passionate Seoul host, and cultural enthusiast with deep insights into Seoul's traditions, history, and hidden gems.

Jeeseon

Seoul

Passionate Seoul host, and history buff with a passion for uncovering Seoul’s royal palaces, vibrant markets, and hidden cultural gems.

Hans

Seoul

Passionate Seoul host, unlocking the secrets of history and hidden gems on captivating tours.

Bergen

Seoul

Passionate Seoul host and explorer, unveiling the city's culinary treasures, natural wonders, and cultural gems, one adventure at a time.

Kevin

Seoul

Passionate Seoul host, with a passion for cultural diversity, Korean street food, history, markets, and cutting-edge technology, making every exploration an unforgettable adventure

Don

Seoul

Seoul's seasoned maestro, blending 40 years of city living with a knack for hidden gems, your go-to guide for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Korea's dynamic capital.

Jay

Seoul

History enthusiast and cultural expert with deep insights into Seoul’s vibrant society, rich traditions, and modern corporate life.

Past meets present

In Seoul, the relationship between old and new South Korea is starkly evident wherever you look. Old-school street markets are flanked by brightly-lit beauty stores, humble restaurants serving spicy Korean soul food hold their own alongside chic international eateries, and Joseon Dynasty-era hanok houses exist in the shadow of skyscrapers. The things to do in Seoul celebrate both these sides of the city’s cultural coin. Whether you stroll through ancient temples in a traditional hanbok dress or shop for K-beauty products in a store blasting K-Pop, you’ll find the spirit of Seoul.

A typical food stall in Seoul serving locals traditional food

Fantastic food

Delicious Korean cuisine has rapidly gained popularity, and there’s nowhere in the world that does it better than Seoul. Between the city’s convenience stores, retro markets, mom-and-pop restaurants, street food stalls, and sophisticated eateries, it’s impossible to run out of things to do in Seoul. You’ll find local delicacies, from kimchi soup to tteokbokki (sticky rice cakes coated in a spicy sauce), at the oldest market in Korea, and entire streets dedicated to a single dish. Don’t be surprised if the foodie things to do in Seoul are the things that have you planning your second trip.

Seoul after sunset

When night falls, there’s no lack of things to do in Seoul. The city is brimming with upmarket cocktail lounges, gritty dive bars, live jazz clubs, and coffee shops staying open ‘til late. If you’re into the clubbing scene, you won’t be disappointed, but there are plenty of low-key ways to spend your time. Fuel up with bar snacks and a few shots of soju before belting out tunes at a self-service karaoke noraebang, hanging out at the Han river, or shopping for trendy clothes at a late-night boutique in glitzy Gangnam. The things to do in Seoul at night are as diverse as they are thrilling.

Seoul travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Seoul and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Our tour person, Andrew is the best we have had so far after 5 different cities. He’s professional, knowledgeable and very nice to our children. Strongly recommend him.

June 2024

Duyen N
This was a fantastic tour! Our tour guide Paul got in touch a few days prior to the tour to confirm where and when to meet and to ensure that we were prepared for the chilly weather. We had no expectations of the day - so asked that he advise us of what we should see. He was fabulous - discussed the history and culture of Korea - and was open to all of our questions (history, culture, politics, religion, day to day life). We saw some amazing sights - and fabulous views. We learnt how to use the local subway (very efficient!). Paul suggested lunch in a local market - with some delicious food. In terms of practicalities - he had good suggestions of clean and comfortable ladies toilets to use during the day (much appreciated). Overall - a fantastic day with a great guide!

January 2024

Carolyn L
Andrew was a great guide. He provided lots of color and knowledge that added a lot of depth to the tour. He also did a great job of maximizing the time we had for our tour.

December 2023

Andy H
Very insightful tour. Felt in great hands with a local guide and she provided awesome recommendations.

October 2023

Pablo V