Seoul

Ancient palaces, neon streets, and world-class cuisine await.

Seoul is a dynamic metropolis of 10 million people where centuries-old palaces stand beside gleaming skyscrapers. The South Korean capital blends Confucian traditions with cutting-edge technology, K-pop culture, and a relentless food scene that ranges from royal court cuisine to street-side tteokbokki.

Neighborhoods each carry a distinct personality: Bukchon preserves hanok tile-roofed villages, Gangnam pulses with luxury boutiques and nightlife, and Insadong draws visitors with antique shops and teahouses. The Han River bisects the city, offering parks and cycling paths that locals treasure on weekends.

Seoul is exceptionally safe, highly walkable in its core districts, and served by one of the world's most efficient public-transit systems, making it approachable for first-time visitors and rewarding for repeat travelers.

• •Gyeongbokgung Palace — the grandest of Joseon-era royal palaces, with hourly guard-changing ceremonies.
• •N Seoul Tower — panoramic city views from Namsan hill, iconic day and night.
• •Bukchon Hanok Village — a living neighborhood of 600-year-old traditional Korean houses.
• •Changdeokgung Secret Garden — UNESCO-listed palace complex with serene forested rear garden.
• •Dongdaemun Design Plaza — futuristic Zaha Hadid landmark housing design markets and exhibitions.
• •Myeongdong — the city's busiest shopping and street-food corridor, vibrant day and night.

Getting around: Seoul's subway network covers nine major lines with English signage throughout, making it the easiest and cheapest way to navigate the city; a rechargeable T-money card works on subways, buses, and even some taxis. City buses fill gaps the subway misses, while taxis are metered, affordable by international standards, and widely available. Kakao T is the dominant rideshare and taxi-hailing app and requires a local or international phone number to register.

Best time: Late spring (April–May) for cherry blossoms and mild weather, or autumn (September–October) for vivid foliage and comfortable temperatures, are the ideal seasons to visit Seoul.

Local food: Do not leave without trying bibimbap, bulgogi, samgyeopsal grilled at the table, spicy sundubu-jjigae tofu stew, and the street snacks of hotteok pancakes and tteokbokki rice cakes.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.