Known for its technology, traditional palaces and K-Pop scene, Seoul is the beating heart of Korea. With a population of 9.7 million and twice the population density of New York, Seoul is a modern metropolis with tradition at its core.
Packed with historic restaurants and looming skyscrapers, this is a busy city that likes to stay up late. There are plenty of places to escape the crowds, though, including the city’s own summit and the best viewpoint, Mount Inwang.
The humid subtropical climate means Seoul is a pleasant city in spring, summer and autumn, with temperatures dropping to freezing temperatures in winter.There are also many tree-lined parks to cool off during the warmer months, including Luoshan Park, which is home to The best place to see cherry blossoms in spring.
With so many sights and activities, here’s everything you need to know when planning your trip.
Seoul Travel Rules
Visitors from Europe and the United Kingdom need to apply for a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which allows tourists to travel visa-free. Relatively simple online form that must be completed at least 24 hours before travel. You can find the estimated time of arrival here.
You will be able to see if your country is eligible ETA program is here. Visitors from unauthorized countries may be required to apply for a visa.
What are the travel restrictions in South Korea?
Tourists who have been fully vaccinated can apply for a “quarantine waiver” from the South Korean embassy in their home country, meaning they do not have to undergo quarantine upon arrival in Seoul. Passengers who do not have this requirement or who are not fully vaccinated will be required to quarantine for 14 days in a government-designated facility.
Tourists also need to have a negative PCR test within the past 72 hours to enter Seoul. Passengers will then undergo a temperature check and be asked to undergo another mandatory PCR test upon arrival.
Further PCR tests will be required during your stay and you will be required to monitor your health through a self-diagnostic app.
The official travel guide for South Korea is here.
What are the restrictions in Seoul?
Seoul is currently under level 4 social distancing restrictions, which means masks are mandatory in public places and on public transport. Failure to wear a mask may result in a fine of up to KRW 100,000 (€73).
Under the level 4 restrictions, restaurants can remain open until 10pm, while nightclubs and bars remain closed. Gatherings of up to six people are allowed before 6 p.m. if at least two people are fully vaccinated, and after 6 p.m. at least four of the six must be fully vaccinated.
South Korea hopes to lift restrictions by February 2022.
Food: The beating heart of Korean culture
The best way to learn about any culture is through food, and Seoul is no exception. While the country may be famous for kimchi and bibimbap, there are hundreds of traditional and modern dishes to try.
If you want to eat like a Korean royal, go for it stone fence. Nestled on the tree-lined Buam-dong hills in the north of the city, the restaurant is housed in a traditional Hanok building surrounded by a charming walled garden where weddings are often held. Seokparang’s menu focuses on dishes traditionally cooked for royalty.
In fact, the recipes themselves have been passed down through the city’s palace kitchens and historic noble families. Dishes include eomandu (fish dumplings), songitang (matsutake stew) and jeonyuhwa (seasonal flower pancakes).
If you’re looking for traditional cuisine with a modern twist, Onjium, which opened in 2018, might be the place for you.The restaurant was awarded one Michelin star again in 2019 and 2020, overlooking Jingfu Palace And it’s half restaurant, half research institute.
The academy aims to explore traditional Korean culture, with clothing and housing studios. Each studio studies traditional styles, including hanok architecture and royal cuisine, and extends these traditions using modern ingredients and techniques.
South Korea is also known to have a strong drinking culture, so once restrictions are eased, Seoul has plenty of bars to choose from. In recent years, speakeasies have been all the rage, and Prohibition-style bars are everywhere in America.
One of the best examples is conference hall. The instagrammable entrance sees that visitors must pull the correct book from the shelf to enter. Once inside, there are over 200 whiskies to choose from, as well as traditionally fermented spirits and sophisticated cocktails. But each cocktail costs about $25 (€21), so it might be worth mentioning.
Explore the city along the river
If you want to escape the crowds of Seoul, one of the best options is to take a boat. The city is bisected by the Han River, separating the modern financial center in the south from the more historic north.
Many companies have cruises during the day and night, and Moonlight Cruises is especially popular. If you’re after something more luxurious, Golden Blue Pier Yachts for up to 8 people are chartered and on a 3-hour guided tour, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view with a glass of champagne.
See some of the best buildings in Seoul, including the famous Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, which illuminates the river in spring and summer.
View from Mount Niwang
Another place to escape when the hectic pace of the capital becomes too much is Mount Niwang. Overlooking the sprawling capital below, the verdant mountain stretches 338m into the sky, allowing visitors to stroll along paths through trees and rivers. The summit offers some spectacular views of the city, and the climb doesn’t take long, with the ascent and descent taking just two hours in total.
It may take longer if you want to stay and enjoy these cityscapes.
From the top you will be able to see Gyeongbokgung Palace, Han River and Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea. You can also see some intricate granite rock formations as you hike. Hiking is allowed at night, and the Seoul City Wall Trail is illuminated to guide hikers safely.
What about K-pop?
If you’re a fan of pop music, you’ve probably heard of K-Pop. This music genre has been booming over the past few years and has a growing fan base in Europe, thanks to incredible loyalty and political solidarity (fans).
K-pop fans should go K Star Road Check out the collection of Gangnam dolls, each celebrating a different K-Pop icon from Psy to Girls’ Generation.
Fans of BTS can also visit sites related to the band across the city, from the BigHit Entertainment Building to Hakdong Park, where the band used to hang out before they became famous.
Shopping and Self-Care in Seoul
If relaxation and self-care are more your thing, there are plenty of places to pamper yourself in this city. Inspired by traditional Korean pharmacists, Seoul has a strong reputation for organic skincare.
If you’re looking for some new lotions and potions, be sure to head to Earth Library Near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Using carefully sourced botanicals, the boutique draws on the rich history of Korean medicine dating back to 3,000 BC, combined with the latest in skincare technology.
Choi Kyung-joo, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Sports and Tourism Bureau, said the pandemic has changed the way people think about luxury travel, with more emphasis on privacy, cleanliness and a more personalized experience.
By producing premium content unique to Seoul and emphasizing travelers’ personal health and safety, officials aim to position the South Korean capital as the world’s leading luxury travel destination.
The government’s emphasis on luxury tourism can be seen from the top of South Korea’s tallest skyscraper, Lotte World Tower, the fifth tallest building in the world.
Located on the 118th floor, Seoul Sky is an observatory that gives you 360-degree views of the city below, and has a glass floor for those who don’t mind the height. You can even do it here if yoga is your favorite way to unwind after a hard day of sightseeing.
Those feeling extra intrepid can book tickets to the Sky Bridge and head outside for a walk over the incredible 541-meter-tall city.
