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5 interesting things you have to do in and around Seoul

By Ian Goodwillie

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 31: A woman prays at the Chogey temple during the New Year Eve on December 31, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. Seoul's city government has cancelled its annual New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony in the Jongno neighborhood for the first time since 1953. Normally an estimated 100,000 people would attend the ceremony, in which citizens ring a large bell in a traditional pavilion when the clock strikes midnight. Eeastern coastal areas have closed beaches and other spots where people typically gather on New Year's Day to watch the sunrise. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - DECEMBER 31: A woman prays at the Chogey temple during the New Year Eve on December 31, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. Seoul's city government has cancelled its annual New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony in the Jongno neighborhood for the first time since 1953. Normally an estimated 100,000 people would attend the ceremony, in which citizens ring a large bell in a traditional pavilion when the clock strikes midnight. Eeastern coastal areas have closed beaches and other spots where people typically gather on New Year's Day to watch the sunrise. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /
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For anyone planning a trip to South Korea, it becomes apparent quite quickly how difficult narrowing down the scope of that trip will be. There is so much to do across the country, let alone just focusing on the incredible city of Seoul.

There is never a shortage of ways to spend a week or two in Seoul, no matter where your interests lie. This is truly one of the greatest cities in the world, and one that everyone should visit at least once in their lives.

Hit up the Seoul Museum of History

Seoul, South Korea
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – AUGUST 07: People take pictures as they stay overnight at rooftop of the Lotte World Tower as a way to safely social distance while camping in an urban setting amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on August 07, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. Lotte World Tower is a 555m-high skyscraper with 123 floors located in Seoul. The Lotte World Tower created an event entitled ‘Summerest 2020’ in which people can camp on the rooftop. Tower’s roof zone has a temperature difference of more than five degrees on average compared to the ground, providing a break from the summer heat plus views of the Seoul skyline. The country added a further 20 Covid-19 cases today, raising the total caseload to 14,519 according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /

Seoul has more than 2000 years of culture and history to explore, and the Seoul Museum of History is a great place to start that journey. It is made up of a main building plus several annexes that include different buildings and locations around the city.

In addition to a variety of special exhibitions, the museum’s permanent exhibitions highlight some of the key neighborhoods and areas in Seoul. This museum puts the experience of traveling to this city into a relatable historical context that some visitors miss.

Lose a day in the Insadong district

A bustling district in Seoul, Insadong is a marvelous place to spend time. It has a healthy mix of historic temples among a variety of impressive modern buildings. But sightseeing isn’t the only thing to do in Insadong by far.

This is the place to find some of the best street food in town. Not that there aren’t some great sit down restaurants, too, but the street food is an absolute highlight. Sure, there are great museums, galleries and shopping, but you have to eat when you’re in this area.

Take a ghost walking tour

Seoul is a city brimming with history and culture. And a place like that anywhere in the world can have some darker, more questionable moments. Some travelers love to look deeper into that side of a city which is where ghost walking tours come in.

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While this isn’t for everyone, taking ghost walking tour of Seoul can introduce visitors to a different side of the city. There are several options to choose from, so you can choose a tour that has a route and a focus that works for you.

Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul, South Korea
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – DECEMBER 12: A street vendor wears a mask to prevent the coronavirus at a traditional market on December 12, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. The daily number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea crossed the 950-mark on Saturday, reaching a record high nearly 11 months after the country reported its first virus case. The country added 950 more COVID-19 cases, including 928 local infections, raising the total caseload to 41,736, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /

When traveling to Seoul. Bukchon Hanok Village is a pilgrimage more than worth making every time you’re in the city. It is a traditional Korean village set perfectly between iconic locations like the Jongmyo Royal Shrine, Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace.

Exploring the narrow streets of this historic district is a magical way to spend time. Many of the hanoks (traditional houses) in Bukchon serve as restaurants, shops and tea houses. But keep in mind that many people still live there, so be respectful of their lives and homes.

Eat, eat, eat and…oh, yeah, eat

The thing about going to Seoul is that there are many options for things to do. This booming metropolis has activities and amenities to suit anyone’s dispositions and travel goals. But the main reason to go to Seoul is to eat.

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From the street food to fine dining restaurants and everything in between, Seoul is one of the most impressive foodie towns in the world. If the only reason you go to Seoul is to eat, then you have still experienced a key element of what makes this city great.

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