Seoul is huge, and on a first trip it's easy to drown in "must see" lists. These come from my list of saved places: a palace and two big free museums, a mosque above Itaewon, walks with views, markets and shops. A second palace, Changdeokgung, and the Bukchon hanok quarter are added on the advice of travel guides. The descriptions are compiled from Google Maps reviews for now, and I'll add my own notes as I visit.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 1 October 2026. Rate: 1,000 ₩ ≈ $0.74.
In short
- Start with history: Gyeongbokgung Palace, then the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History across the road, with a view of the palace from its top floor. Wear a hanbok and the palace is free; it's closed on Tuesdays.
- A second palace and hanok lanes: Changdeokgung and its Huwon garden (guided tour only, closed Mondays), and Bukchon Hanok Village next door, open to visitors 10:00–17:00.
- Free, and worth a whole day: the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, open until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- A view without the crowds: Haneul Park in Mapo and its silver grass, best in autumn; Ihwa-dong Mural Village on the slopes of Naksan.
- Markets: Namdaemun for street food and souvenirs (closed Sundays), Dongmyo for vintage and junk; get there before 18:00.
- Shopping: Myeongdong for cosmetics by day and a night market in the evening, and ADER ERROR in Seongsu-dong, a shop that feels like a museum.
Palace and museums
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Jongno · royal palace · Wed–Mon 9:00–18:00, closed Tuesday
Google Maps · website · 161 Sajik-ro
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 46,000+): a large 14th-century royal palace, much bigger than many expect, with halls, courtyards, gardens and mountains behind it. The changing of the royal guard takes place at 10:00 and again in the afternoon; check the schedule before you go. Rent a hanbok at one of the shops nearby and you get in free, which is what half the visitors do. Free guided tours are available. Some who have seen the Chinese palaces find it smaller in scale.
Changdeokgung
Jongno, Waryong-dong · palace & Huwon garden · Tue–Sun 9:00–18:30, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · 99 Yulgok-ro
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 13,900+): one of Seoul's five grand palaces and a UNESCO site, and many visitors like it more than Gyeongbokgung: it's calmer and less crowded, with buildings set into hills and trees. The highlight is the Secret Garden (Huwon) and its pond, open only on timed guided tours; one couple paid 16,000 ₩ (≈$12) for both of them, garden included. It gets busy when Gyeongbokgung is closed, which is Tuesdays. You can see N Seoul Tower from the grounds.
National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
Gwanghwamun · history museum · daily 10:00–18:00, Wed and Sat until 21:00
Google Maps · website · 198 Sejong-daero
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 3,900+): a museum of Korea's last 150 years: wars, occupation, dictatorship and the road to democracy, all the way to the technology of the 1980s. Five floors, detailed and clearly laid out, with a multilingual audio guide; entry is free and the metro is next door. Reviewers' tip: go up to the top floor, where the rest area has a great view of the palace, especially at sunset. Some texts are in Korean only, but the main exhibits have English.
National Museum of Korea
Yongsan · the national museum · daily 9:30–17:30, Wed and Sat until 21:00
Google Maps · website · 137 Seobinggo-ro
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 29,000+): a huge museum in an imposing building opened in 2005, from prehistoric finds to the art of the royal dynasties; it easily fills a day. Both the permanent collection and even the special exhibitions are free, and there are lockers, a café and a guide to the top treasures. One visitor who has seen a lot of museums found the displays fairly average, but most people love it.
Seoul Central Mosque
Itaewon · mosque · daily 6:00–21:00
Google Maps · website · 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 4,800+): a 1976 mosque in the traditional style on a hill above Itaewon, with a fine view of the city. Inside it's quiet and cool even in the summer heat; there are separate prayer halls for men and women, and the ablution area is in a separate building. Visitors mention a friendly community, and during Ramadan people from many countries gather here for iftar.
Walks and views
Ihwa-dong Mural Village
Ihwa-dong · neighbourhood with murals · open 24 hours
Google Maps · 49 Naksan 4-gil
According to Google Maps reviews (4.1 from 4,800+): a residential neighbourhood on the slope of Naksan with murals, mosaic staircases and sculptures, small shops and cafés with city views. A nice way in is on foot along the city wall trail from Dongdaemun, via Naksanjeong pavilion. The catch: many murals have faded or disappeared, so come for the walk and the cafés rather than the street art. People live here, so keep the noise down.
Haneul Park
Sangam-dong · hilltop park · hours not listed on Google
Google Maps · 95 Haneulgongwon-ro
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 8,300+): a park on top of a hill in Mapo where there's nothing but sky, wind and tall silver grass, as if you'd left Seoul. Lots of photo spots and easy paths; you walk or take the shuttle up, and by bike the climb is very steep. Best in autumn when the grass is out; in winter, reviewers say, it's much less impressive.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon · hanok quarter · free · open to visitors daily 10:00–17:00
Google Maps · website · Gyedong-gil
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 24,600+): narrow lanes of restored traditional hanok houses on a hill between the palaces, with high-rises in the background. Most of the houses are lived in, so visitors are only let in from 10:00 to 17:00 and asked to keep quiet in the no-noise zones. It's free and takes under an hour; it's especially photogenic if you're wearing a hanbok. Around it are pricey souvenir shops, cafés and craft workshops, such as an hour of ceramic painting. In summer it's hot with little shade, so bring a hat.
Markets and shops
Namdaemun Market
Jung-gu · traditional market · Mon–Sat 9:00–17:00, closed Sunday
Google Maps · website · 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 28,000+): Korea's biggest and oldest traditional market, open since 1964, with around 10,000 stalls of clothes, textiles, household goods and souvenirs. Plenty of street food: pancakes, raw octopus, beef tartare and pastries. A surprise from the reviews: rare whisky in the shops on the lower ground floor. Many sections are wholesale and confusing, it gets stuffy, and most stalls close towards evening, so come during the day.
Dongmyo Flea Market
Sungin-dong · flea market · daily 9:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · 102-8 Sungin-dong
According to Google Maps reviews (4.0 from 5,200+): a chaotic market that feels like stepping back in time: piles of vintage clothes, old electronics, antiques and random treasures. You can see it all in about an hour, and there are places for a quick bite. Prices are usually low, although vintage jackets can be pricey. The main warning: Google says it's open until 20:00, but most sellers pack up by 18:00. It can be very crowded.
Myeongdong Shopping Street
Myeong-dong · shopping street and night market · street food in the evening
Google Maps · website · Myeong-dong 2-ga
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 26,000+): by day, Korean skincare, fashion and street performers; in the evening the street turns into a night market with tteokbokki, hotteok and grilled skewers. Plenty of reviewers admit it's touristy and enjoy the atmosphere anyway. Not much choice for vegetarians, and weekends are packed. Bring cash, since some stalls take nothing else.
ADER ERROR SEONGSU
Seongsu-dong · fashion concept store · daily 11:00–21:00
Google Maps · website · 82 Seongsui-ro
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 480+): the brand's store in Seongsu-dong starts like a museum, with installations and sensory rooms, and ends with the new collection and the classics: oversized, structural pieces. Many call it one of the best concept stores in the area and praise the staff. There is, however, a complaint about a rude welcome at the door.
One last thing
Many places in Seoul have a closing day, and it isn't always Sunday: Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung on Mondays, Namdaemun on Sundays, and the markets wind down earlier than Google says. The museums, on the other hand, stay open until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which makes for an easy evening in the galleries when you'd rather spend the day at a market or in a park.
More on Seoul: where to eat, bars and coffee.