tripidle
Asia · South Korea

Seoul

K-pop, palaces, skincare, and late-night BBQ: the world's coolest city

Best time
March to May, September to November
Language
Korean (English in tourist areas)
Currency
KRW (Korean Won)
Timezone
UTC+9
Experiences
32+ available
About Seoul

Seoul moves faster than almost any city on Earth, yet still finds time to do things beautifully. The royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty coexist with the neon intensity of Gangnam and the indie coffee culture of Hongdae. Korean barbecue is a social ritual, not just a meal. The Han River flows through it all, and on weekends half the city comes out to cycle its banks.

Top attractions
Gyeongbokgung PalaceBukchon Hanok VillageDongdaemun Design PlazaMyeongdongHan River ParksDMZ tour
Must-try food & drink
  • 01Korean BBQ at Maple Tree House in Itaewon
  • 02Bibimbap at Gogung in Insadong
  • 03Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) from street stalls
  • 04Chimaek (chicken + beer) at any hof in Hongdae
Getting around
Metro is one of the world's best, a T-money card is essential. Buses for less central areas.
Local tips from travellers

T-money card works on all transit including buses and taxis

Gyeongbokgung: wear traditional hanbok dress to enter the main gate free

Myeongdong is the best district for skincare shopping and street food simultaneously

Book DMZ tours well in advance, they often sell out

AI-powered

Plan your Seoul trip

Get a personalised day-by-day itinerary built around your interests, dates and budget, in under a minute.

Health

The most effective jet lag recovery approach, based on chronobiology

Light exposure, not melatonin, is the most powerful tool for resetting your circadian clock.

Safety

Most travellers are underinsured - here's the minimum you actually need

A single medical evacuation can cost $50,000-$200,000. Standard travel insurance often doesn't cover it.

Editor's choice

our top pick in Seoul

Experiences

things to do in Seoul

Hand-picked tours, activities and tickets, vetted by travellers

See all 5
AI-powered planning

planning Seoul?
let AI do the heavy lifting.

Tell us how many days, who you’re traveling with, and what you care about. Get a complete day-by-day itinerary built from our curated experiences.