Seoul walking tour & city guide

Royal Seoul

Gyeongbokgung, built in 1395, is the largest of Seoul's five grand palaces. Watch the colorful changing of the guard ceremony at its main gate, and note that visitors wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, enter for free. Nearby, Changdeokgung is famous for its secret garden.

Between the two palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village preserves hundreds of traditional wooden houses on sloping lanes. It is a residential neighborhood with visiting hours, so walk quietly and respect the residents. Insadong, just south, is the place for tea houses, crafts and antiques.

Markets and nightlife

Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest markets in Seoul, is famous for its food alleys where vendors serve bindaetteok mung bean pancakes, mayak gimbap and fresh noodles. Myeongdong is a shopping street that turns into an open-air street food festival every evening.

Hongdae, near Hongik University, is the youthful heart of Seoul's nightlife, with buskers, clubs and indie shops. Itaewon is the most international district, and Gangnam, made world-famous by the song, is the glossy business and shopping area south of the Han River.

Tips for visiting

Seoul's metro is clean, efficient and has signs in English; a T-money card works on all public transport. Cafés are everywhere and open late. The Cheonggyecheon Stream, a restored waterway through downtown, is a wonderful walk day or night.