Things to Do in Seoul: Palaces, Neighborhoods and Practical Tips

Seoul rewards a plan. The five Joseon-era palaces, the hanok lanes of Bukchon, the markets and the Han River parks can fill four or five days without repeating yourself, and the subway reaches almost all of it. The catch: palaces close on different weekdays, and a few big sights have timed entry. This guide covers the best things to do in Seoul with the closing days and fees we confirmed in October 2026, plus where to stay and how to get in from Incheon.

If Seoul is one stop on a longer trip, start with our South Korea itinerary to see how many days to give it, and the South Korea map to see where it sits relative to Busan and Jeju.

Top places to visit in Seoul, South Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The biggest of the palaces and the one to do first. It's closed Tuesdays. Hours run 9:00 to 18:00 in September and October, 9:00 to 17:00 from November through February, and 9:00 to 18:30 in summer, with last entry an hour before closing, according to the Gyeongbokgung Palace visitor page. Adults 19 to 64 pay ₩3,000 (about $2.25 at October 2026 rates), and anyone in a full hanbok gets in free. The royal palaces office lists the guard-changing ceremony at 10:00 and 14:00, about 20 minutes each. Take Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5, or Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 2.

Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden

Changdeokgung is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, per the Korea Tourism Organization, the best preserved of the royal palaces. It's closed Mondays, and entry is ₩3,000 for foreign adults 19 to 64. The rear garden, Huwon, is guided only: ₩5,000 (about $3.75) on top of the palace ticket, with English tours at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 and 15:30 from March to November. Each tour takes 100 people, half booked online and half sold on site, so book ahead in spring and fall. Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 3.

Deoksugung

The easy evening palace. Deoksugung stays open 9:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:00), is closed Mondays, and costs ₩1,000 (about $0.75). It's next to City Hall Station, Exit 1 (Lines 1 and 2).

Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong

Bukchon's alleys of tile-roofed houses sit between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. People live here, and since November 2024 the core area has been a special management zone: visiting is limited to 10:00 to 17:00, and visitors may not enter restricted areas from 17:00 to 10:00, per the Visit Seoul Bukchon page. Keep voices down. Insadong, a short walk south, is the place for tea houses, paper goods and galleries.

N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower

For the classic view, N Seoul Tower's observatory opens 10:00 to 22:30 on weekdays and to 23:00 on weekends, and adult tickets are ₩29,000 (about $22), per Visit Seoul as of 2026. The Namsan cable car is ₩15,000 round trip (about $11.30), or ride Bus 01 from Chungmuro Station, Exit 2. Lotte World Tower in Jamsil is the taller option at 555 meters (1,821 feet), with the Seoul Sky deck at 500 meters (1,640 feet).

Fun things to do in Seoul, South Korea, beyond the palaces

• Gwangjang Market: the food alley runs 9:00 to 23:00 daily, including Sundays, when the rest of the market is closed. Go for bindae-tteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap. Line 1, Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 8. More on what to order in our Korean food guide.
• Cheonggyecheon Stream: an 11 km (6.8 mile) restored stream that starts at Cheonggye Plaza and passes under 22 bridges. A free evening walk.
• Han River parks: Yeouido Park is the easiest to reach (Line 5, Yeouinaru Station, Exit 1). Rent a bike, picnic, or join locals for fried chicken and beer by the water.
• Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain: April to October, with 20-minute shows at 12:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30 and 21:00 (plus 21:30 in July and August).
• Myeongdong: street food and Korean cosmetics shops around Line 4, Myeongdong Station, Exits 5 to 10.

Seoul palaces at a glance: hours, closing days and fees

Notice the pattern: Gyeongbokgung shuts on Tuesday, the others on Monday. Put Gyeongbokgung on a Monday and Changdeokgung on a Tuesday and you never lose a day. If a public holiday lands on a closing day, the palace opens and closes the next weekday instead.

Where to stay in Seoul by neighborhood

Pick your base by what you'll do most. Seoul is big, and a good location saves an hour a day on the subway. Our where to stay in South Korea guide covers hotel types and prices in more detail.

• Jongno and Insadong: walking distance to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Bukchon. Best for a first trip focused on history.
• Myeongdong and the Seoul Station area: central, full of hotels, and handy for the airport train and KTX departures.
• Hongdae: younger and livelier,, with late bars, live music and street performers. Good if nightlife matters more than palaces.
• Gangnam and Jamsil: newer towers, shopping, and Lotte World Tower. Farther from the palaces.

How to get to Seoul from Incheon Airport

Most US flights land at Incheon, about 60 km (37 miles) from central Seoul. The AREX airport railroad is the simplest ride: the nonstop Express Train takes about 43 minutes from Terminal 1 to Seoul Station and about 51 minutes from Terminal 2, while the All-Stop Train takes about 59 and 66 minutes, per the Korea Tourism Organization airport guide. The All-Stop train takes a transit card. Airport limousine buses need a ticket bought in advance, and most public transport into the city stops around 23:30, after which night buses marked "N" take over.

Once you're in, buy a T-money card at any convenience store for subway and bus fares. Our getting around South Korea guide explains cards, apps and taxis, and the flights to South Korea guide covers nonstop routes from the US.

Day trips and planning your Seoul days

Three full days covers the palaces, Bukchon, a market, a tower view and an evening by the river. Add a fourth for Gangnam, a museum, or a day trip. Seoul is also the base for DMZ tours run from Paju; tour availability changes, so check the operator and the Korea Tourism Organization before booking. For costs across the whole trip, see our South Korea trip cost breakdown.