Things to Do in Seoul
Discover 21 activities and experiences in Seoul, South Korea — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
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I'Park Mall e-Sports Stadium
For a fascinating look into one of Korea's oddest subcultures, visit the top floor of the I'Park Mall's neighboring Yongsan Electronics Market, where you'll find an '''e-Stadium'''. Here, professional video game players duke it out real-time on a enormous screen. Video games in Korea have been elevated into a sport, and there are professional leagues, mostly devoted to Starcraft, with matches that are, in fact, ''broadcasted on national television''. Top players can earn '''hundreds of thousands of dollars a year''' in tournament winnings and sponsorships. A fascinating glimpse of Korea's new super-wired digital culture, and definitely one of the more interesting experiences to be had in Seoul. Tickets to e-Sports in Seoul can often be purchased on the [http://ticketlink.co.kr/global/en/exhibition/esports TicketLink website's e-Sports section] (in English). Warning: payment must be done using a Windows computer using Internet Explorer and often sell out nearly immediately after going on sale.
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Inwangsan Mountain
This 336 m hill is home not only to the eponymous Inwang Temple (Inwangsa), but also Seoul's most famous shamanist shrine Guksadang (국사당). To get there, take Exit 2 and start climbing uphill following the "Inwang Temple" signs, through the huge construction site and up through the temple gate. You'll see a map board and several paths, take the left staircase upward, past the bronze bell of Bongwonsa and you'll reach Guksadang. Behind it are several creeks with shamanist offerings and the bizarre rock formation known as the Zen Rocks; there are plenty of trails if you want to poke around, and the Seoul fortress wall can be seen running near the top of the hill. Be careful not to photograph or disturb any rituals you see being performed.
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- San 3-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu 종로구 무악동 산 3-1
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World Comic Convention
Twice a month the SETEC convention center hosts Seoul's World Comic con Festival. Admission is 4,000₩ but the inside is rather bland unless you are extremely familiar with Japanese and Korean anime. Your best bet is to go during convention hours and mingle with the crowds of Korean teenagers in elaborate cosplay costumes dressed as their favorite anime characters. Most are excited to see foreigners and very glad to have their pictures taken. As mentioned, this convention only takes place twice a month, so check the website (Korean only) to make sure it will be in session while you are in Seoul.
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Yeouido Park
More than 30,000 visit it on weekdays and over 60,000 on weekends. The size of the park is 230,000 m². This giant concrete field was built for military aviation purposes in emergencies. There is a traditional Korean forest, and in many other places you can enjoy concerts, cycling, or taking walks. Hundreds of trees and flowers offer you shade and an opportunity to relax. It is recommended to visit the three ponds. There are also basketball courts, so feel free to stop by and play. For a nominal fee, one can also rent bicycles or roller blades for use at the park.
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- 120, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu / 영등포구 여의공원로 120 (여의도동)
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Jamsil Sports Complex
This large sports complex was built in 1976 and played host to most of the competitions in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Though its heady Olympic heydays are long past, this sports complex is still very much active and frequently hosts various cultural and sporting events, most frequently concerts and baseball games. Baseball here is very popular. It is, in fact, probably the most popular team sport in the entire country. Booking tickets is tricky for non-Korean speakers. It's probably best to book tickets through an agency or third party instead of directly online.
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Lotte World
This complex has a Lotte Department Store, a theatre which hosts the show '''Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy''', a Lotte luxury hotel, a large indoor ice skating rick, and a traditional Korean folk museum. However, what it is most famous for is one of the world's largest '''indoor theme park'''. Lots of rides, and reopened in the summer of 2007 after a massive reconstruction. Though it may seem attractive on a rainy day, remember that others will have the same idea. Especially on the weekends and on holidays, if it's raining, watch out for mind-numbing lines.
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Korea MTB Adventures
205-402 Samsung Remian Apt, Goyang-si (''line 3 Wondang Stn''). This company rents mountain bikes, offers guiding services, and supplies equipment such as helmets, gloves, hydration packs, shoes and light systems. They offer half day (3–4 hours - ₩100,000 or $90US with bike and gear) and full day (4–6 hours - ₩150,000 or $135US with bike and gear) tours in a few locations in and around Seoul. Options include downhill riding at Namhansanseong, cross country riding near Goyang, and urban riding through downtown Seoul.
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Bukchon Hanok Village
The collective name of the few tiny suburbs ("dong") wedged between Gyeongbuk Palace and the Secret Garden, just north of Insadong and Anguk Station. This area was where relatives of the royal family, high public officials, and other important families lived for over 500 years as they serviced the nearby palaces. Today, some 900 of their traditional Korean "hanok" houses remain, making this area one of Seoul's most picturesque centres for arts, culture, food and fashion.
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- 84-1, Pildong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu
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Hongdae Playground
The area around here in Hongik University is completely packed with shops and restaurants aimed solely at University students. Definitely an interesting way to spend some hours exploring the streets and see how Korean students let their hair down. Dinner can be had in this area at student prices, or avail yourself to one of the many street stalls serving Korean student street food.
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- Seogyodong, Mapo-gu
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Children's Grand Park
Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu. The park was constructed after the decision of the City Planning Facility in 1971 and was opened on May 5, 1973. The park has a zoo, amusement facilities and restaurants. To get there, simply take the subway to Children's Grand Park on line 7. Avoid the weekends as it can get very crowded.,
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- 05:00-22:00
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O'ngo Food Communications
Learn to make authentic Korean dishes in English or Japanese from Korean chefs. O'ngo Food Communications offers classes to make bulgogi and kimchi, Korean barbecue, and Vegan Temple Cuisine. You get a tour of a traditional Korean Market after the classes to see Korean ingredients and people.
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- Jongno-gu Nakwon-dong 55-1 3rd Floor
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- For class times, inquire in advance
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- Lessons cost between ₩65,000-120,000
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Sejong Center for Performing Arts
Oldest and one of the largest multi-purpose theatres in downtown Seoul and home of Seoul Philharmonic. The biggest pipe organ in East Asia is in its Great Auditorium, and several video art pieces from Nam June Paik are in the entrance of the auditorium.
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- 81-3 Sejongno, Jongno-gu
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Seven Luck Casino
The casino is only accessible to foreigners (it is illegal for Korean citizens to gamble), so remember to bring your passport. Various card tables and slots are available to play. There is a bar and cafe that serve food and drinks, although expensive.
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Hike Bukhansan
The highest peak in Seoul, at 836.5m. Close to the summit, standing above Seoul, is one of the starkest nature/urban divides in the world. These hiking trails are the most visited of the world, with friendly local hikers.
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- 2 hours before sunrise to sunset
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Hyehwa
Performing arts center. Many small theaters with live dramatic and comedic performances lining every street. This district is filled with life and street commerce past midnight.
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Trickeye Museum
Trickeye Museum features optical illusion paintings and installations. Divided into six themed galleries, visitors can freely touch, step inside 3D exhibits and take photos.
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- Hongikro 3gil 20
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- Mon-Sun 9AM-9PM (Last admission at 8PM)
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- ₩15,000
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World Gym
The gym is OK, equipment is very 80s but has dumbbells which go up to 50 kg, two smith machines and a couple of benches among other machines.
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- 765-2 Yeosam-Dong, Kangnam-Gu
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The Spa Grand Hyatt Seoul
The spa features a variety of massage treatments including a Korean massage, aromatherapy, and aroma stone treatment.
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- Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel, 747-7 Hannam 2-Dong, Yongsan-Ku
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Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine
As the name implies, you learn how to prepare royal cuisine, as well as rice cakes and hangwa (Korean cookies).
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- 34, Wonseo-dong, Jongno-gu
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- For class times, inquire in advance
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- Lessons cost between ₩50,000 to ₩100,000
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Son's Home
Son's Home specializes in teaching kimchi preparation.
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- 10:30-13:30, 17:00-20:00 (Groups of at least 5 only). Closed W.
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- Lessons are ₩70,000, ₩60,000 children under 15
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Exploring Seoul: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Seoul rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 21 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Seoul and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Seoul's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Seoul has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Seoul, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Seoul's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 21 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Seoul's Activities
Timing matters in Seoul. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Seoul has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Seoul is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Seoul offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Seoul coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Seoul's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Seoul's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 21 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Seoul
One of the best things about traveling to Seoul is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Seoul right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Seoul to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Seoul often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Seoul?
Seoul offers 21+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include I'Park Mall e-Sports Stadium, Inwangsan Mountain, World Comic Convention, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Seoul?
Yes — Seoul has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Seoul?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Seoul. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Seoul use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Seoul?
Seoul has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Seoul with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Seoul right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.
