Seoul’s sights are spread across seven areas. Each block below lists the neighborhoods in that area with the station to use, and links to the area page, which groups the guides by neighborhood with where to eat, one-day routes and hotels.
Jongno & Gwanghwamun
Palaces, Bukchon's hanok alleys and the tea houses of Insadong
- Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon & Seochon · Gyeongbokgung, Anguk (Line 3): the main palace and the hanok hill behind it
- Insadong & Ikseon-dong · Anguk (Line 3), Jongno 3-ga: galleries, tea houses and narrow hanok lanes
- Gwanghwamun & Cheonggyecheon · Gwanghwamun (Line 5): the square and the start of the stream walk
- Daehangno & Naksan · Hyehwa (Line 4): small theaters and the old city wall
- Seodaemun & Dongnimmun · Dongnimmun, Exits 4 and 5: Seodaemun Prison History Hall and Independence Gate
Myeongdong & Downtown
Shopping streets, Namsan, markets and the night malls
- Myeongdong · Myeongdong (Line 4): K-beauty shops and evening street food
- Namsan & Namsangol · Myeongdong (Line 4), Chungmuro (Lines 3, 4): the cable car, N Seoul Tower and a free hanok village
- Namdaemun Market · Hoehyeon (Line 4), Exit 5: the kalguksu and galchi jorim food alleys
- City Hall, Deoksugung & Seoul Station · City Hall (Lines 1, 2): the palace guard ceremony and Culture Station Seoul 284
- Euljiro & Chungmuro · Euljiro 3-ga (Lines 2, 3): printing alleys by day, Nogari Alley at night
- Dongdaemun & DDP · Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Lines 2, 4, 5): DDP, the night malls and Gwangjang Market
Yongsan & Itaewon
National museums, Itaewon and Haebangchon
- Yongsan: Ichon, Samgakji & Yongridan-gil · Ichon (Line 4), Samgakji (Lines 4, 6): the National Museum of Korea and the War Memorial, both free
- Itaewon & Hannam-dong · Itaewon, Hangangjin (Line 6): international restaurants, Leeum Museum and bars
- Haebangchon & Gyeongnidan-gil · Noksapyeong (Line 6), Exit 2: hillside rooftop cafes with Namsan views
Hongdae & Mapo
Street performances, cafes, university districts and the river
- Hongdae · Hongik University (Line 2, AREX): street performances and late nights
- Yeonnam-dong · Hongik University, Exit 3: Gyeongui Line Forest Park and the alleys off it
- Sinchon & Ewha · Sinchon, Ewha Womans University (Line 2): two university districts five minutes apart
- Mangwon & Sangam · Mangwon (Line 6), Exit 2: Mangwon Market and Haneul Park
- Yeouido & the Han River · Yeouido (Lines 5, 9): The Hyundai Seoul, the river park and 63 Square
Seongsu & East
Converted-factory cafes and Seoul Forest
- Seongsu-dong & Seoul Forest · Seongsu, Ttukseom (Line 2): cafes, galleries and shoe shops next to the park
Seongsu-dong, a former industrial area on Line 2, is now known for cafes and galleries in converted factories, independent boutiques and the handmade shoe street. Seoul Forest, next to it, is free and its main park is open 24 hours, though some gardens inside keep their own hours and close on Mondays.
Seoul Forest, the cafe street and Ttukseom Hangang Park make a one-day loop on foot or with a short subway hop. On weekends the park and the cafe street are most crowded from 1 to 4 PM, and many cafes open at 10:30–11 AM.
Discover Unmissable Seongsu-dong Attractions: Your First-Timer’s Guide
Converted-factory cafes, galleries, shoe shops and Seoul Forest for first-timers.
One Day in Seongsu-dong: Seoul Forest, Cafes & Ttukseom
Seoul Forest, the cafe street and Ttukseom Hangang Park, with timing and crowd tips.
Where to Stay in Seongsu-dong: Hotels Near Seoul Forest
Seongsu-dong hotels near Seoul Forest by budget, style and location.
Gangnam
Gangnam Station, Garosu-gil boutiques and the Banpo riverside
- Gangnam Station · Gangnam (Line 2, Sinbundang): hotels, nightlife and Kukkiwon
- Garosu-gil & Apgujeong · Sinsa (Line 3), Apgujeong Rodeo: boutiques, cafes and flagship stores
- Banpo & Express Bus Terminal · Express Bus Terminal (Lines 3, 7, 9): the Banpo Rainbow Fountain, mid-March to October
COEX & Jamsil
Starfield Library, Lotte World Tower and Olympic Park
- COEX & Samseong · Samseong (Line 2), Bongeunsa (Line 9): Starfield Library and Bongeunsa Temple, both free
- Jamsil & Lotte World · Jamsil (Lines 2, 8): Lotte World Tower, Lotte World and Seokchon Lake
- Songridan-gil & Olympic Park · Jamsil; Mongchontoseong (Line 8): a dining strip by the lake and a free park with a fortress trail
COEX at Samseong and Jamsil are both on Line 2, east of Gangnam Station. COEX Mall connects underground to Samseong and Bongeunsa stations, and Starfield Library and Bongeunsa Temple are free to enter.
At Jamsil, Lotte World Tower, Lotte World, Seokchon Lake and the Songridan-gil dining strip are within a 5–10 minute walk of the station. Olympic Park is a separate stop on Line 8.
More of Seoul
Seoul by theme: night views, hanbok, craft workshops, bathhouses and shopping across the city.
Leaving Seoul? Itineraries & Day Trips covers day trips by subway, train and bus, plus Busan, Jeju and other places beyond Seoul.
Photos on this page: Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr), Korea Open Government License Type 1.