Ancient palaces, K-pop, and the world's best fried chicken

Seoul

South KoreaFrom $620Best time: October

About Seoul

Seoul is the city that demolished and rebuilt itself with astonishing speed, transforming from a war-devastated city in the 1950s into one of the world's most technologically advanced, culturally influential, and culinarily rich capitals in less than 70 years. The Han River divides it into the historic north — where the five grand Joseon-era palaces sit — and the modern south, where Gangnam's glass towers and Apgujeong's plastic surgery clinics define the Korean dream.

Korean culture is experiencing global dominance on a scale not seen since Japanese soft power in the 1980s. BTS, Blackpink, Parasite, Squid Game, and the wave of Korean skincare, food, and beauty trends have created a generation of visitors who arrive with specific cultural destinations in mind. HYBE (the BTS company) has a museum; the Parasite filming locations are on every map; every neighbourhood has a K-drama backdrop to photograph. The cultural moment is real, and Seoul is the epicentre.

But the city rewards visitors who look beyond the K-wave. The Bukchon Hanok Village preserves 600-year-old traditional architecture. The DMZ tour to the North Korean border is one of the most surreal and sobering experiences in Asia. The han river parks fill with families on weekends cycling and eating delivery food. The drinking culture — from soju pojangmacha street tents to craft beer Itaewon bars — is its own chapter.

Top Highlights

Gyeongbokgung Palace

N Seoul Tower

Bukchon Hanok Village

Myeongdong

When to Visit Seoul

Peak Season

Spring (March–May) & Autumn (September–November): Cherry blossoms in April and autumn foliage in October are Seoul at its most beautiful.

Shoulder Season

June & early September: Warm and manageable before the summer humid heat kicks in.

Low Season

December – February: Brutally cold (often -10 °C) but clear skies, Christmas lights in Myeongdong, and ski resort day trips to Pyeongchang.

Cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) at Yeouido Park and along Namsan is extraordinarily beautiful — and extraordinarily crowded. Go early morning.

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Flights from $620 · Best time: October

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Top Neighbourhoods

Insadong & Bukchon

Traditional teahouses, galleries, craft shops, and the preserved hanok (traditional house) village of Bukchon. Seoul's cultural heritage neighbourhood.

Hongdae

University district turned entertainment hub: live music clubs, K-indie culture, street performance, the best vintage shopping in Korea, and clubs that open at 2am.

Gangnam & Apgujeong

The wealthy south bank district that spawned the song. Coex Mall underground city, luxury boutiques, K-beauty clinics, and the HYBE museum for K-pop fans.

Food & Drink

Korean BBQ (KBBQ)

Grill your own pork belly (samgyeopsal) or beef (galbi) at a table grill, wrap in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang paste. One of the world's great eating experiences.

Bibimbap

Mixed rice bowl with vegetables, egg, gochujang paste, and choice of meat. The Jeonju-style version from restaurants specialising in the Jeonju region is the finest.

Tteokbokki

Spicy rice cakes in gochujang sauce, eaten from street stalls outside every high school in Korea. Addictive, cheap, and intensely red.

Korean Fried Chicken

Double-fried for maximum crunch, glazed in sweet soy, garlic, or yangnyeom sauce. Delivered in 30 minutes to any address in Seoul. Pairs with beer (chimaek).

Samgyetang

Whole small chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, and dates, slow-simmered in a clear, deeply nourishing broth. The traditional hangover and summer heat remedy.

Getting Around

Seoul's subway is one of the world's finest — 23 lines, comprehensive coverage, English signage, and T-money cards that also work on buses. The KTX bullet train reaches Busan in 2h20 from Seoul Station. Taxis are metered and cheap by Western standards; KakaoTaxi (Uber equivalent) requires a Korean number but is reliable. Walking is excellent in hanok neighbourhoods and along Cheonggyecheon Stream. The Seoul City Tour Bus does a reasonable tourist loop.

Practical Tips

Koreans give and receive items with two hands, or with the right hand supported at the elbow — a small gesture that is deeply appreciated.

T-money cards can be bought and topped up at any convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven).

The KORAIL discount for foreign tourists (Korea Rail Pass) is excellent value for trips to Busan, Gyeongju, or Jeju.

Many restaurants have a water dispenser and condiments on the table for self-service — this is normal, not a gap in service.

Frequently Asked Questions

March to May for cherry blossom season and September to November for autumn foliage are Seoul's most beautiful periods. Both are very popular — book accommodation 2–3 months ahead. Winter (December–February) is brutally cold but ski resorts are excellent.

Average round-trips to Seoul (ICN) run around $620. Korean Air, Asiana, and many international carriers connect Seoul's Incheon airport to major global hubs. Budget carriers (Jin Air, Air Busan) serve the secondary Gimpo airport from Asian cities.

Citizens of approximately 102 countries (including US, UK, EU, and Australia) can visit South Korea visa-free for 90 days. From 2024, all visa-exempt visitors must register with the Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) before departure.

Four to five days covers Seoul's highlights. One to two weeks opens up bullet train trips to Busan (2.5 hours by KTX), the ancient capital Gyeongju, Jeju Island (1-hour flight), and a DMZ border tour — one of the most surreal experiences in Asia.

Seoul is extraordinary for food — Korean BBQ, bibimbap, tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken, and the world's best instant ramen culture all find their home here. Michelin-starred restaurants sit alongside $3 street stalls, and both are excellent.

Seoul is famous for K-pop and K-drama culture (BTS, Blackpink, Squid Game), Joseon-era palaces, Korean skincare and beauty (K-beauty), exceptional food, the Han River parks, and the KTX bullet train connecting the whole country in hours.