Top Things To Do In Seoul

Tailoring each tour to your wishes by locals who love their city

Trendy locals walking along a busy street in Seoul

Top things to do in Seoul

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

See all

When in Osaka
make sure to try
“kushikatsu”!

See the city like
you would with a friend who lives there

Wondering what to do in Seoul?

With contemporary and traditional roots visibly intertwined, Seoul is a city that unites the past and present like few places on earth, offering countless things to do. Twenty-four hours a day, the city is a place of nonstop entertainment that reflects not only Korean history and culture but all the attractions of an ultra-modern metropolis. Ancient temples, shrines, and traditional gardens give a glimpse into Seoul’s storied past and peaceful legacy, while inner-city alleyways flanked by neon-lit skyscrapers, tech start-ups, and fashion-forward boutiques paint the picture of a city with one foot firmly in the future. The best things to do in Seoul span centuries.

Meet some of our Seoul local hosts

Like the people who travel with us, they have different backgrounds and interests – but they’re all so passionate about the place they call home, they choose to spend their free time sharing it with the like-minded travelers matched to them.

We’ve handpicked them and we’ll match you to your perfect one!

Past meets present

In Seoul, the relationship between old and new South Korea is starkly evident wherever you look. Old-school street markets are flanked by brightly-lit beauty stores, humble restaurants serving spicy Korean soul food hold their own alongside chic international eateries, and Joseon Dynasty-era hanok houses exist in the shadow of skyscrapers. The things to do in Seoul celebrate both these sides of the city’s cultural coin. Whether you stroll through ancient temples in a traditional hanbok dress or shop for K-beauty products in a store blasting K-Pop, you’ll find the spirit of Seoul.

A typical food stall in Seoul serving locals traditional food

Fantastic food

Delicious Korean cuisine has rapidly gained popularity, and there’s nowhere in the world that does it better than Seoul. Between the city’s convenience stores, retro markets, mom-and-pop restaurants, street food stalls, and sophisticated eateries, it’s impossible to run out of things to do in Seoul. You’ll find local delicacies, from kimchi soup to tteokbokki (sticky rice cakes coated in a spicy sauce), at the oldest market in Korea, and entire streets dedicated to a single dish. Don’t be surprised if the foodie things to do in Seoul are the things that have you planning your second trip.

Seoul after sunset

When night falls, there’s no lack of things to do in Seoul. The city is brimming with upmarket cocktail lounges, gritty dive bars, live jazz clubs, and coffee shops staying open ‘til late. If you’re into the clubbing scene, you won’t be disappointed, but there are plenty of low-key ways to spend your time. Fuel up with bar snacks and a few shots of soju before belting out tunes at a self-service karaoke noraebang, hanging out at the Han river, or shopping for trendy clothes at a late-night boutique in glitzy Gangnam. The things to do in Seoul at night are as diverse as they are thrilling.

Seoul travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Seoul and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Great way for someone new to seoul and the Korean language (such as myself) to see some of the city, thank you!

April 2024

Joel L
We had a great tour with Arnaud! He met us at our hotel and helped us get an understanding of the metro so that we could use it on our own afterward. First we took the rail to Gyeongbokgung palace and had a nice walk around with information and took photos. Then he showed us several other highlights and areas we were interested in, and the specific kinds of shops we were looking for. Arnaud gave us a lot of useful and interesting information and recommendations for the rest of our trip and was really friendly and helpful! He also took some great photos for us which is nice to get photos together that aren't selfies.

April 2024

Stefanie M
Sangwhan Kim is an excellent tour guide. He has lived in Seoul for many years. We went on a personalized tour of Seoul and he showed an impressive knowledge of Korean history and how current landmarks of developed over the years. We visited historic and modern sights including Bukchon Hanok Village, the Blue House Park and Gyeongbokgung Palace. We also visited a modern tea house and an underground museum. Kim has a lot of energy and he is an enthusiastic tour guide.

April 2024

DAVID K
Jaeha Lee is the one you should ask for. Knowledgable, friendly, and attentive. Knows inside out about the city of seoul. Spend his lifetime in Seoul. Those who love walking and learning about the soul of Seoul should take this private custom Seoul Your Way. We had a fantastic time.

April 2024

Mohammad S