🏛️ Culture in Seoul

A hillside neighbourhood of preserved hanok homes between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, with sloping lanes and rooftop views over old Seoul. People still live here: since March 2025 tourists may only enter the core 'Red Zone' around Bukchon-ro 11-gil between 10am and 5pm, with fines outside those hours. Go in the morning, keep your voice down, and enjoy a lovely solo wander.

📍37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and often called the loveliest of Seoul's Joseon palaces, laid out to follow the hills rather than a strict grid. Its rear Secret Garden (Huwon), with pavilions and ponds, can only be seen on timed guided tours — some in English — and online tickets open six days ahead and sell out, so book early. The palace is closed on Mondays.

📍99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

A compact palace opposite Seoul Plaza that mixes traditional wooden halls with Western-style stone buildings — it was the main palace of the Korean Empire (1897–1910). Seokjojeon, the neoclassical hall, now houses the Daehan Empire History Museum. Afterwards, walk the tree-lined Deoksugung stone-wall road, one of Seoul's prettiest streets, especially in autumn.

📍99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Zaha Hadid's curving landmark, opened in 2014 and clad in about 45,000 aluminium panels, housing exhibition halls, a design museum and shops. It sits in the Dongdaemun fashion district, whose wholesale malls trade late into the night, so it makes a good evening stop — the plaza is lit up after dark and it's easy and comfortable to wander around alone.

📍281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Seoul's grandest palace, built in 1395 by King Taejo, founder of the Joseon dynasty, beneath Bugaksan mountain. Don't miss Gyeonghoeru, the two-storey banquet pavilion floating on a lotus pond, or the royal guard changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate at 10am and 2pm. Entry is free if you're wearing hanbok, and the palace is closed on Tuesdays.

📍161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

The chief temple and headquarters of the Jogye Order, Korea's largest Buddhist order, right in downtown Seoul next to Insadong. It's free to enter, and around Buddha's Birthday the courtyard is canopied with thousands of lanterns. Jogyesa also runs short Templestay programmes aimed at foreign visitors that don't require an overnight stay — a calm counterpoint to a busy day.

📍55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Korea's national museum, a vast building in Yongsan facing the Han River with Namsan behind it. The permanent galleries are free and run from prehistoric tools and Silla gold crowns to Buddhist sculpture. The showstopper is the Gyeongcheonsa ten-storey marble pagoda, displayed indoors since 2005. An underground walkway links the museum to Ichon Station.

📍137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

The broadcast tower on top of Namsan, with observation decks close to 480m above sea level for 360-degree views over the city. Reach it on foot through Namsan Park or by the Namsan cable car, then find the love-lock terraces at the base. It's most rewarding at dusk, when you can watch the whole city switch on its lights below you.

📍105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opened in 1994 on the former army headquarters site, this large museum tells Korea's military history with a focus on the Korean War. The permanent exhibitions are free, and the outdoor grounds hold tanks, artillery, aircraft and a ship you can board. Allow two to three hours. It's closed on Mondays and a short walk from Samgakji Station.

📍29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea