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| Seoul during cherry blossoms |
Seoul is the capital of South Korea with the population of 9,7 million. It is located in the northern part of South Korea and the nearest international airport is Incheon airport 인천국제공항 . This city is a large city full of life and action which will never stop even during the night. You can find hundreds of different restaurants, cafes, bars, fashion stores, game halls, karaoke rooms, temples and anything you can imagine. Only the sky is the limit for this city! If you want to get a feeling of Asian New York, Seoul is the place!
How to get to Seoul city center from airport?
From Incheon airport it is easy either to take Airport Railroad Express (9500krw express/all stops 4500krw), Seoul Metropolitan subway (4250krw) or Airport bus (9000krw) to the city.
Where to visit in Seoul?
1. Gangnam-gu: Gangnam, Sinsa, Apgujeon Rodeo, Cheonnam 강남구
Gangnam-gu is a business area with more pricey stores and restaurants, trendy cafes and offices. Here you can also find the famous Gangnam statue, Ceox shopping mall and a city temple Bongeunsa at Samseong-dong, K-star road from Apgujeong Rodeo station and the famous shopping street Garosu-gil or "Green street" at Sinsa-dong. Why not to also pay a visit to the Han river park and have a lovely picnic with your family or friends watching the sunset?
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| A picture from Gangnam |
2. Yeonnam-dong: Hongdae/Hongkik university 홍대
A youth area with local fashion stores, more affordable local restaurants, many bars, clubs and pubs around. Many young Korean artists gather here to perform their dance or music performances. You can go to game hall, have some Korean barbecue, spend a few hours in Karaoke or just walk on the streets of Hongdae in the evening. There is also a famous Thursday Party pub, where many foreign people gather to meet new people. If you go out from exit 3 of Hongdae station you will find a park to chill and many great cafes surrounding the walkway.
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| Hongdae |
3. Yongsan-gu: Itaewon 이태원
Itaewon is known to be the area where most foreigners reside. Here you can find a lot of foreigners spending their weekend at the rooftop bars and restaurants. There are foreign marts for imported products, Turkish, American, Italian Japanese and Mexican restaurants and so on. You can also bargain a cheap luggage or go to the small famous bar street called Haebangcheon 해방촌 to watch sports match, have a fancy glass of wine or have one of the best pizzas in town at Bonny's Pizza Pub. If you want to see the city view, hike up to Namsan mountain to the famous N Seoul Tower/Namsan tower! 서울타워
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| N Seoul Tower Itaewon |
4. Myeong-dong 명동
Myeong-dong is a heaven for skincare lovers. Here you find all the Korean cosmetic stores lined up next to each other. At the times the workers lure you in the store and give you free sheet masks or cosmetic samples while visiting the stores — sometimes you don't even have to buy the products to get those free sheet masks! There are also great Korean restaurants, a movie theater and walking towards north you end up to the stream called Cheonggyecheon 청계천. It's a popular spot to get some new Instagram material by the water! If you are interested in animals they also have a Meerkat cafe in Myeong-dong where you can meet the real meerkats and other animals like wallabies!
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| Meerkat cafe, Myeong-dong |
5. Insa-dong 인사동
Insa-dong is a popular area for traditional Korean art, handcrafts, clothes and tea houses. You will find the stores names only written in Korean letters here. You can try one of the best green teas here in Osulloc tea store or buy some beautiful Korean traditional accessories as a souvenir!
6. Bukchon Hanok Village 북촌한옥마을
Bukchon Hanook Village is a must to visit when you are in Seoul. It is a neighborhood with traditional Korean houses, a beautiful view facing the mountains and some cafes. One of the best cafes in this area is called Onion Cafe and many times you have to line up to get in. They offer amazing pastries and you can sit down traditional way on the floor while sipping your afternoon coffee.
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| Bukchon Hanok Village |
7. Gyeongbukgung palace 경복궁
Near Bukchon Hanok village is Gyeongbukgung palace, which is a royal palace from the era of Joseon Dynasty. It is built in 1395 and it has a significant meaning in Korea's history. It is known as the largest palace in Seoul and the National Palace Museum is within the complex. The entrance fee for adults is only 3000krw to visit this beautiful historical attraction. You can also spend some time at the garden or rent a Hanbok — the traditional Korean outfit — to visit the palace with the touch of history on you.
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| Gyeongbukgung palace |
The address of the palace: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
8. Seoul Forest 서울숲
Do you prefer a peaceful day in a park? Then Seoul Forest is the place for you. This park is one of the biggest city parks in Seoul. Nearby the park there are streets where you can find bakeries to buy some picnic snacks as well as some great restaurant! There is an amazing burger restaurant called Bas Burger quite near from the subway station. Their fries and chips are so crispy that it is hard to resist them!
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| Bas Burger, Seoul Forest |
9. Bukhansan mountain 북한산
Are you more of an active person and you want some challenge in your holidays? Prepare your backpack, a couple of bottles of water, some snacks and head towards Bukhansan mountain in the morning. It is the highest mountain in Seoul with the height of 836 meters. The peak Baegundae can be reached in three to four hours depending on your physical condition. The view is spectacular and I recommend to go there when there is less pollution in the air to get the best sight. It is a popular hiking attraction and you will see a lot of Korean ahjummas and ahjussis (older Korean aunts and uncles) hiking with their professional hiking equipment. Don't worry, you will do as well as them with just normal sports wear! Just avoid going to the mountain in the evening or rainy days because it can be dangerous and slippery that time.
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| A view from Bukhansan mountain. |
10. Everland 에버랜드
This theme park is definitely a must if you go to Korea! Everland is not located exactly in Seoul but it is just one hour by bus from there. You will find speedy rollercoasters, Ferris wheel, water slide, a zoo, French garden, game halls and many other interesting things in this amusement park. If you are not afraid of heights or speed, you must try the craziest ride at the rollercoaster T Express!
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| Everland with the T-Express rollercoaster behind. |
The address: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Yongin-si, Cheoin-gu, Pogog-eup, Everland-ro, 199
Do you need some more tips about visiting Seoul, Korea? Check out our new post "Tips for visiting Seoul, South Korea!"
