I have been studying abroad in Seoul for up to three months. Can’t believe it! I keep thinking of things to do in Seoul that I have to accomplish before my one-month left is up.
From the crazy cafes to quirky districts, I can assure you that you will never get bored in Seoul! I’ve found (with the help of my friends) some of the best things to do in Seoul.
Although many websites outline the best things to do in Seoul, these are my favourites that don’t usually make it to the recommendations.
This blog post goes through some of the best restaurants, bars, and cultural activities to do in Seoul if you have the time to explore it more like a local 😉
Things to do in Seoul: Shopping Edition
The first set of suggestions is for shoppers; the best things to do in Seoul often include shopping areas. You can always find cute cultural streets with plenty to offer!
The areas I love the most and have returned to several times are Insadong Culture Street and Ikseon-Dong Hanok Village. Insadong Culture Street has a bunch of souvenir shops that are more artisan-style (a bit more unique items).
The Ikseon-Dong Hanok village juxtaposes the classic Hanok village architecture with modern-day cafes and shopping boutiques. You can quickly go to both as they’re only a ten-minute walk away from each other!
Next is the Myeongdong shopping district. I love Myeongdong as another place to add to my fun things to do in Seoul list. This is one of the best places to buy discounted Korean skincare, especially if you want to buy in bulk.
Last but not least is Dongmyo Flea Market. I will never get sick of this place! This was included in my previous post. The last time I went, I bought a North Face jacket, two pairs of corduroy pants, and Dickey’s rain jacket for under $50! It’s such a steal.
Things to do in Seoul: Food Edition
I’m a huge foodie, so trust me when I say I have found some of the yummiest places to add to your ‘top things to do in Seoul’ list. From cafes to restaurants, you can find cheap yet satisfying meals.
Cafes + Brunch Spot
The first Cafe I found was through a friend from university who introduced me to it (shout out to Martha!). It is a book cafe in Mapo and has a beautiful view of the Han River.
It’s the Chaeguro Book Cafe, with eight floors. The top one having a reading nook at the very top, and big wooden tables to study at.
If you start craving a more Western style of food, do not worry! There are many things to do in Seoul that will satisfy your craving.
Grain, Seoul is a great place to visit as they have a build-your-own breakfast menu at just 12,000. Add up to four dishes and get the bang for your buck!
Bars
Things to do in Seoul for young adults are not limited to the crazy nightlife. If you are looking for more cosy bars, especially as it gets cold, there are plenty of options!
My favourite area to bar hop is in Euljro, with a specific favourite, a wine bar. This wine bar is so cosy, with lots of candles, wooden interiors, and they even give you markers to customise your wine glass!
Another great bar is the Sunset Cafe. This is a vinyl bar where you can write a suggestion for a song on a piece of paper and the bar will play it for you. They have music videos playing on screens everywhere, and again, loads of candles make it a cosy area.
The last bar that I love, which you should add to your things to do in Seoul list, is Lucky Strike. It’s pretty tiny but very cosy. They play fantastic music and also have music videos projected on the walls.
Restaurants
Of course, I wouldn’t end this section without discussing the gold pot – restaurants! I think one of the best things to do in Seoul is to experience the culture and indulge in the cuisine.
The Gwangjang Market is among the most popular places because of the iconic Netflix lady. You can find hand-pulled noodles, live octopus, japchae (noodles), kimchi pancakes, dumplings, and more for cheap!
I love the market because you can sit at the vendors’ booths and enjoy your food. You don’t need to walk around and eat.
Following Gwangjang market is the Oldies Tacos street vendor. This tiny taco shop became TikTok famous, and now I know why. The chicken and beef tacos remind me of the ones we get in Texas (the Texas ones are still the best, though).
And just for 3 dollars, you can get the tacos on a plate and eat outside! It’s such a cute spot.
The next is one of the places on the Michelin list, but it is affordable. It’s handmade dumplings! This lovely wooden restaurant is in the heart of Euljro, and you get handmade dumplings (including veggie ones) for around 15,000 won! Gaeseong Traditional dumpling house is where you want to be!
Things to do in Seoul: Cultural Activities
When looking at things to do in Seoul, you can be overwhelmed with choices, but some of my favourite spots in Seoul are the museums and palaces.
I’ve gone to the Gyeobokung Palace twice now, and it never fails to stun me. It is massive, and the Hanok village nearby is so attractive. You can buy tickets there are 3,000 won, and you get full access.
I could walk a whole day through the Hanok village, looking at the different shops and cafes. Entering the Hanok village is free, and it is enormous.
Some of my favourite museums in Seoul include the Leeum Museum of Art (a very modern take on art) and the Seoul Contemporary Museum of Art, which is close to the SeMa.
The SEMA is free for students! The Leeum is 12,000 won, but on certain days, it is free.
Things to do in Seoul: Conclusion
As you can tell by now, there are so many things to do in Seoul, and these are some of my favourites from my third month here!
I keep discovering new cafes, restaurants, and cultural sites I love. I’m looking forward to my last month here (so sad!), but I’ll do my best to make the most of it.
Thanks for reading through to the end of this, and if you did, leave a comment below on what you’d like to explore in Seoul!