Places to Visit in Korea

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Namsan Park (Seoul)

Address: 231 Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namsan Park is a natural oasis in the heart of Seoul, providing citizens with fresh air and a perfect escape from the urban bustle. It's a leisure destination featuring the iconic N Seoul Tower and Namsan Cable Car, along with hiking trails, exercise areas, and peaceful spots for relaxation. Officially known as Namsan Urban Nature Park, Namsan is a symbol of Seoul located in the city center. Originally called Ingyeong Mountain, it was renamed 'Namsan' (meaning 'South Mountain') after King Taejo of Joseon moved the capital from Gaeseong to Seoul, as the mountain lies to the south. From a feng shui perspective, it's also an important 'ansang' (protective mountain). Between 1991 and 1999, the 'Restoring Namsan's True Face' project transformed the area by relocating 89 facilities and creating an outdoor botanical garden, extensively restoring and revitalizing neighborhoods in Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu. Today, the park offers citizens relaxation and fresh air while serving as a hub for leisure activities. Along the path to N Seoul Tower's observation deck stands the park's iconic 'Locks of Love,' where countless couples have hung padlocks symbolizing their eternal love. Reading the messages inscribed on these locks adds a touching charm to the climb. Since May 1, 2005, private vehicles and taxis have been restricted from entering Namsan Park. Visitors can reach N Seoul Tower from Myeongdong, Chungmuro, or Dongdaemun Station via shuttle buses or the Namsan Cable Car, or simply hike up on foot.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Myeongdong Street

Address: Myeongdong-gil area, Jung-gu, Seoul

The epicenter of K-beauty and fashion shopping. Home to a dense concentration of brand stores featured in idol styling.

Namsan Seoul Tower

Address: 105 Namsan Park-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Namsan Seoul Tower is Korea's first comprehensive broadcast tower, built to serve both efficient broadcasting transmission and reception while showcasing Korean traditional aesthetics as a tourism observation facility. Like world-famous towers that have become iconic symbols of their nations or cities, Namsan Seoul Tower has served as South Korea's representative tourist destination and symbol of Seoul for over 40 years. The tower's height visible from all areas of Seoul, along with its unique structure and distinctive form, has captured the hearts and interest of citizens. It stands firmly as the premier tourist attraction beloved by both domestic and international visitors. In recent years, it has gained fame as a filming location for various entertainment shows and dramas that launched the Korean Wave, making it an ever-popular destination for tourists from around the world.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, walkable end to end around Geunjeongjeon hall and the Gyeonghoeru pavilion. Entry is free if you arrive in hanbok, and the changing of the guard runs twice a day except Tuesdays, when the palace is closed.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Address: 320-2 Yeonghwa-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

A 5.7km fortress wall built by King Jeongjo, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Walk the ramparts from Janganmun to Paldalmun, passing gate towers and command posts along the way.

Photo: Google

SM Town COEX Atrium

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

A multipurpose cultural complex featuring a merchandise shop, café, and exhibition space dedicated to artists under SM Entertainment.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Wolmido

Address: 36 Wolmi Cultural Road, Jemulpo-gu, Incheon (Buseong-dong 1-ga)

Since the Cultural Street was established in July 1989, Wolmido has become one of Incheon's most iconic destinations, known as a hub for culture and the arts, a gathering and exchange space, and a vibrant performance venue. The area features a harmonious blend of cafes and raw fish restaurants, making it the perfect spot to enjoy fresh seafood and local cuisine while taking in views of the sparkling sea. On weekends, the area draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and serves as a cherished recreational space for Incheon residents and visitors from surrounding areas. The Wolmido Cultural Street offers distinctive themed zones designed for tourists, including spaces for cultural exchange, artistic performances, and various events, enhancing visitor convenience while promoting civic cultural awareness and the development of local arts and culture.

Daelim Warehouse

Address: 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

A converted rice-mill warehouse turned into Seongsu-dong's landmark café and gallery, known for its exposed concrete and soaring ceilings. It regularly hosts exhibitions and brand pop-ups, so there's always something new to see, and it's just a 4-minute walk from Seongsu Station.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Osan Drama Set

Address: 42 Bukssammi-ro, Osan-si, Gyeonggi-do

In a drama set located in Nae-sam-mi-dong, Osan-si, Gyeonggi-do, there is an elegant set where <더 킹 : 영원의 군주> was filmed, modeled after the imperial garden of the Korean Empire, with an impressive yellow ginkgo tree. The drama <더 킹 : 영원의 군주> depicts a fantasy romance across dimensions, drawn through the collaboration of Yi Gon, the science-type Korean emperor (played by Lee Min-ho) who tries to close the dimensional gate (門), and Jeong Tae-eul, the humanities-type Korean detective (played by Kim Go-eun) who tries to protect someone's life, people, and love, as the two worlds overlap. The drama set is equipped with three photo zones, a gallery containing scenes from the drama filming, and rest areas.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky

Address: 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Seoul Sky, the observation deck at the highest point of Lotte World Tower, is the tallest observation deck in Korea. It's a must-see Seoul landmark where you can take in the entire city — a blend of Korea's glorious history and vibrant modern culture — in a 360-degree panoramic view. At 500 meters above ground, thrilling interactive experiences, diverse exhibitions celebrating Korean pride, the luxury of sipping coffee above the clouds, and an array of tower-themed souvenirs make every moment at the observation deck unforgettable. The Sky Shuttle whisks you from B1 to the 118th floor in just one minute, featuring the world's first triple-wall elevator with monitor screens on the ceiling and three walls for an immersive experience. The Media Table offers digital content showcasing both Seoul's present-day landscape and a 3D recreation of the city during the Joseon Dynasty.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Itaewon

Address: Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The most international district in Seoul, dense with restaurants and bars where English is spoken and where you can find cuisines that are hard to track down elsewhere in Korea. The streets are steep — wear shoes you can walk hills in.

Photo: Google

K Star Road

Address: Dosan-daero, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

A street lined with bear sculptures shaped after K-pop artists. It's a popular photo spot for fans, stretching from Apgujeong Rodeo Station to Sinsa Station.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Dongdaemun Late-Night Wholesale Shopping (Doota Mall area)

Address: 275 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun is Seoul's 'market that never sleeps' — the real shopping hours run from 11pm until dawn. Fashion complexes like Doota Mall, APM, and Hyundai City Outlet stay lit well past midnight, giving visitors a front-row seat to retailers from across the country buying stock overnight in the actual wholesale trade. Grabbing late-night street food from a pojangmacha (tent bar) after a shopping run is the classic Dongdaemun finish, making this the most vivid way to experience Korea's uniquely condensed all-night shopping culture.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

An iconic architectural landmark that frequently hosts K-pop-related pop-up stores and exhibitions. We recommend checking the schedule of ongoing pop-ups before your visit.

COEX K-POP Square

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

A large LED display wrapping around the exterior of the COEX building. The screen bends along the edges, creating a striking 3D visual effect. K-pop music videos and teasers play throughout the day. You can reach it on foot from Samseong Station or Bongeunsa Station, and view the display from the plaza below.

Siloam Sauna

Address: 49 Jungnim-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

A 24-hour jjimjilbang within walking distance of Seoul Station. Its bathing pools are filled with germanium mineral water drawn from 300m underground, and the kiln sauna and traditional steam rooms are a genuine dive into Korea's unique communal-bathhouse culture — with a food court, sleeping room, and even a PC bang on site, you can easily spend half a day here for very little money. It also doubles as a cheap overnight option for late arrivals or early departures.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Incheon Chinatown

Address: 51 Chinatown-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon

Korea's only official Chinatown, shaped by the Chinese community that settled here after the port opened. See the Three Kingdoms mural street and the paifang gates, and try the neighborhood's signature jajangmyeon.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

[K-Drama Filming Location] Gong Keun-hye Gallery

Address: 38 Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

In <재벌집 막내아들>, the gallery operated by Mo Hyeon-min has a real-world counterpart: 'Gong Keun-hye Gallery,' a gallery that hosts various exhibitions from domestic young artists to famous overseas artists. Following K-DRAMA and K-POP, K-ART has now become the center of the Korean Wave. Why not visit an exhibition that can only be seen in Seoul's galleries?

Garosu-gil

Address: Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

A ginkgo-lined boulevard running from Sinsa Station toward Dosan-daero, packed with flagship stores from Korean and international designers and boutique concept shops. The real finds are often one block off the main street in the narrower side alleys nicknamed 'Serosu-gil,' so it pays to duck into the side streets rather than just walk the main road.

Soha Salt Pond

Address: 21-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tucked into an Ikseon-dong hanok alley, this salt-bread café is designed around a salt-farm theme, with photo spots that look like mounds of salt scattered through the traditional courtyard. Lines for freshly baked salt bread start forming right at opening time.

Photo: Google

HYBE Insight

Address: HYBE Building, Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

An official exhibition space inside the HYBE headquarters offering fans an immersive experience of the company's artists' history and content.

Photo: Google

Hongdae Walking Street

Address: Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hongdae's signature street known for its vibrant busking and street performances. You can enjoy diverse acts ranging from indie musicians to cover dance teams.

Photo: Google

Yeonnam Central Park

Address: Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

A charming promenade along a former railway line transformed into a park, lined with exotic cafés and restaurants. Affectionately known as 'Yeonnam Central Park', it connects on foot to Hongdae, making it easy to explore both areas together.

The Hyundai Seoul

Address: 108 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Opened in Yeouido in 2021, this futuristic Hyundai Department Store made headlines for giving nearly half its floor space to open atriums with an indoor waterfall and an artificial garden. It feels less like a department store and more like an experiential indoor park, which is why it constantly rotates in K-pop collaboration pop-ups and up-and-coming designer brands, giving every visit something new. So many people stop by purely to take photos that it's become a landmark of Seoul's current trends in its own right.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리-정규진

Ikseon-dong Hanok Street

Address: Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

A charming dating destination lined with sensibility cafes and retro bars along narrow alleyways dotted with small traditional hanok houses. The fun of discovering hidden hanok cafes tucked between cobblestone paths makes it perfect for strolling with a loved one or friends.

Photo: Google

Euljiro Hipjiro

Address: Euljiro area, Jung-gu, Seoul

A trendy district that emerged as young, hip bars and cafes nestled into traditional print shops and hardware store alleyways. The striking contrast between faded vintage signage and refined interiors creates an irresistible retro charm, making it a popular destination for nostalgic dates.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Bukchon Hanok Village

Address: 37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

A hillside neighbourhood of traditional hanok houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung — and people still live in them. The lanes turn up constantly in dramas and music videos, but visiting hours are 10am to 5pm and quiet is asked of you.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Yeouido Hangang Park

Address: 330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

The most open stretch of the Han River park, and the easiest place to join what Seoul actually does on a summer night: a mat on the grass and instant ramyeon cooked at the convenience store. It's the main site of the Seoul fireworks festival in October, when the lawn fills by early afternoon.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Naksan Park

Address: 41 Naksan-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Naksan Park, accessible from Daehak-ro and Dongdaemun, is a park where visitors can experience both history and culture. The mountain earned its name from its camel-backed shape (Nakta-san, or 'Camel Mountain'), and was also called Tarak-san due to the royal livestock ranch that once supplied milk to the palace. After the 1960s, the area's original character faded with the construction of apartment complexes and dense housing. Seoul City developed a restoration plan, and the park opened in July 2002 as part of this initiative. The central plaza features the Naksan Exhibition Hall, a central stage, and a convenience store, offering a pleasant rest area. Convenient parking is located directly below the plaza. The Naksan Exhibition Hall displays the mountain's origins, historical figures, photographs, and scale models of the Hanyang Fortress Wall, providing visitors with diverse information. Weekend programs about Naksan and Seoul's Hanyang Fortress Wall are offered free to all. On one side of the plaza stands Naksan Pavilion, an elegant structure built during the restoration offering panoramic views of Seoul. It has become a cherished civic rest space where the Hanyang Fortress Wall and lush greenery create a beautiful atmosphere, and is celebrated as one of the best spots in Seoul for night views. From the hilltop, you can reach the Ihwa-dong Mural Village with its houses and murals, the Dongdaemun course toward Heunginjimun Gate and the Hanyang Fortress Wall path, and walk along the entire outer fortress wall.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Namdaemun Market

Address: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Korea's largest general marketplace, trading in front of Namdaemun Gate for over 600 years, where clothing, accessories, kitchenware, and imported goods all change hands at wholesale prices. Its food alleys — like the braised hairtail and whole chicken stew rows — are just as famous, letting shoppers eat like a local while they browse.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리-서문교

Seoul Forest

Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Seoul's premier urban park divided into themed zones including an ecological forest, cultural arts park, and wetland nature center. With interactive experiences like a deer enclosure and butterfly garden, it draws visitors year-round and pairs perfectly with a stroll through nearby Seongsu-dong's café district—a particularly popular date spot.

Photo: Google

Seongsu-dong Café Street

Address: Seongsu-iro area, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

A trendy street lined with stylish cafés and boutique shops housed in converted factories and warehouses, often called 'Seoul's second Gyeongri-dan-gil.' It features everything from large-scale cultural complexes like Daelim Warehouse to cozy salt bread cafés, making it one of Seoul's top urban date spots for Instagram-worthy photos.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Gwangjang Market

Address: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Korea's first permanent market, open since 1905, is a maze of over 5,000 stalls. Its food alley is the main draw — perching on a stool shoulder-to-shoulder with locals to eat bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap ('addictive' mini gimbap), or yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) is a quintessential Seoul experience, and the upper floor is packed with vintage clothing and traditional fabric shops for those who want to shop and eat local in one stop. Some stalls prefer cash, so carrying small bills helps.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Romantic Doctor Kim Sabu Filming Location

Address: 771 Sangjung Lake-ro, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

This is the filming location of the SBS drama that aired from November 2016 to January 2017. Originally the site of a family hotel that closed in 2012, the signboard reading 'Dol Dam Hospital' and the Hippocratic Oath displayed here identify it as a drama filming location. You cannot enter the interior, but photography is allowed from outside. Nearby Sangjung Lake makes this a pleasant stop along the lake's walking trail.

ⓒ한국관광공사 사진갤러리 (공공누리 제1유형)

Island Village Teacher Filming Location

Address: 422-22 Daeiyak-ro, Jayeol-myeon, Ongjin-gun, Incheon

Island Village Teacher Filming Location is a famous filming site in Jayeol-myeon, Ongjin-gun, Incheon, known for being the backdrop of the drama 'Island Village Teacher'. This scenic spot blends beautiful natural landscapes with the quiet charm of a traditional village, offering visitors a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Various locations around the site allow fans to recreate memorable scenes from the drama, making it a special destination for enthusiasts. With the sea and mountains nearby, it's perfect for leisurely walks and enjoying nature. As a place where history and culture thrive, it appeals to both drama fans and nature lovers alike. Here you can relive the emotion of the drama and find healing in the tranquil island village.

Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Starfield Library

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

An open, two-story library at the heart of COEX Mall, famous for its three towering 13-meter bookshelves that form a wall-like backdrop. There's no admission fee or membership required — anyone can sit down to read or take photos, and the space hosts rotating themed exhibitions and book talks throughout the year. With COEX Mall's shopping and the aquarium just steps away, it's one of Seoul's best free indoor spots to spend a full day.