Seoul Travel Guide 2025

Why Visit Seoul

Seoul is a city where a 600-year-old Joseon dynasty palace sits next to a futuristic skyscraper, where Buddhist temples share streets with neon-lit K-pop billboards, and where a €3 bowl of kimchi jjigae can be the best meal you've ever had. South Korea's capital is one of Asia's most dynamic and fascinating cities, and it's finally getting the international recognition it deserves.

The Korean Wave (Hallyu) — K-pop, K-dramas, Korean cinema and Korean beauty — has made Seoul a cultural powerhouse. But beyond the BTS and Squid Game tourism, Seoul offers extraordinary depth: five grand palaces, a traditional village preserved in the heart of the city (Bukchon Hanok Village), some of the best street food markets in Asia, cutting-edge design districts and a nightlife scene that goes until dawn.

Seoul is also surprisingly affordable for a major world capital. Public transport is cheap and immaculate, street food fills you up for €3–5, and even mid-range Korean BBQ restaurants won't break the bank. The city is incredibly safe, remarkably clean and connected by one of the world's best metro systems.

Top Neighbourhoods

Jongno-gu — The Historic Centre

Home to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong (traditional arts street) and Gwanghwamun Square. The cultural and historical heart of Seoul. Excellent for first-time visitors.

• Daily budget: €50–100

Myeongdong — Shopping and Street Food

Seoul's premier shopping district. Packed with Korean beauty shops (Innisfree, Etude House, Olive Young), department stores (Lotte, Shinsegae) and one of the best street food scenes in the city. Prices are tourist-oriented but the energy is infectious.

• Daily budget: €60–120

Hongdae — Youth Culture and Nightlife

The area around Hongik University is Seoul's creative hub. Live music venues, independent boutiques, street performers, clubs and bars that go until sunrise. K-indie music scene thrives here. The busking zone near the main gate is legendary on weekends.

• Daily budget: €40–80

Itaewon — International and LGBTQ-Friendly

Seoul's most diverse neighbourhood. International restaurants, cocktail bars, Yongsan Crafts Beer District and Haebangchon (HBC), a hilltop area with quirky cafés and sunset views. Antique Alley is worth exploring.

• Daily budget: €50–100

Gangnam — The Modern South

Yes, like the song. South of the river, Gangnam is Seoul's sleek business and entertainment district. COEX Mall (with the stunning Starfield Library), Bongeunsa Temple, upscale restaurants and the Apgujeong Rodeo shopping street. The K-star Road has bear statues dedicated to K-pop groups.

• Daily budget: €70–140

Local Cuisine

Korean food is one of the world's great cuisines. Every meal comes with banchan — free side dishes (kimchi, pickled radish, bean sprouts, etc.) that are refilled at no extra charge.

• Korean BBQ: Grill marinated beef (bulgogi), pork belly (samgyeopsal) or premium beef short ribs (galbi) at your table. Wrap in lettuce with ssamjang paste, garlic and kimchi. Samgyeopsal sets start at ₩12,000–15,000 (€8–10) per person. Maple Tree House in Itaewon is famous for premium galbi (₩35,000 / €23). Palsaik Samgyeopsal in Sinsa offers 8 flavours of pork belly.

• Kimchi Jjigae: A bubbling hot stew of fermented kimchi, pork, tofu and chilli. Served with rice. Comfort food perfection. ₩7,000–9,000 (€4.50–6) everywhere. Literally every Korean neighbourhood restaurant serves this.

• Bibimbap: Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, chilli paste (gochujang), sesame oil and a fried or raw egg. Mix it all together. ₩8,000–12,000 (€5–8). Gogung in Myeongdong does an excellent Jeonju-style version (₩13,000 / €8.50).

• Tteokbokki: Chewy rice cakes in a sweet-spicy red chilli sauce. The ultimate Korean street food. ₩3,000–5,000 (€2–3.50) at street stalls. Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (a whole alley dedicated to the dish) is the pilgrimage spot.

• Jjajangmyeon: Korean-Chinese black bean noodles. Thick wheat noodles in a savoury-sweet black bean sauce with pork and vegetables. ₩6,000–8,000 (€4–5.50). A beloved delivery food and comfort staple.

• Chimaek: Korean fried chicken + beer (maekju). Chicken is double-fried for extra crunch, then coated in soy-garlic or yangnyeom (sweet-spicy) sauce. A whole chicken costs ₩18,000–22,000 (€12–15). BHC, Kyochon and BBQ Chicken are the big chains. Locals pair it with Cass or Hite beer.

• Hotteok: Sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped peanuts. A winter street food staple. ₩1,500–2,000 (€1–1.30). Issac Toast is another must-try Korean street breakfast (egg, ham and cheese toasted sandwich, ₩3,000 / €2).

• Naengmyeon: Ice-cold buckwheat noodles in a chilled beef broth (mul-naengmyeon) or spicy sauce (bibim-naengmyeon). The perfect summer dish. ₩10,000–13,000 (€6.50–8.50). Woo Lae Oak in Jung-gu has served it since 1946.

Budget Breakdown

Getting Around

Seoul Metro

One of the world's best metro systems — 23 lines, 700+ stations, spotlessly clean, Wi-Fi on trains, and signage in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese. Runs from approximately 5:30 AM to midnight.

• Single ride (within 10km): ₩1,400 (€0.90) with T-money, ₩1,500 (€1) with disposable ticket
• Additional per 5km: ₩100 (€0.07)
• Transfers to bus: Free within 30 minutes

From Incheon International Airport (ICN)

• AREX Express Train: ₩9,500 (€6.20), 43 minutes non-stop to Seoul Station. The all-stop train is ₩4,850 (€3.15) and takes 58 minutes.
• Airport Limousine Bus: ₩16,000–17,000 (€10.50–11), 60–90 minutes depending on traffic and destination
• Taxi: ₩65,000–80,000 (€42–52) to central Seoul, about 60–90 minutes
• KTX (high-speed rail): Available from Terminal 2, useful if heading south

Taxis

Very affordable. Base fare ₩4,800 (€3.10), most rides within central Seoul cost ₩7,000–15,000 (€4.50–10). Between midnight and 4 AM, a 20–40% surcharge applies. Kakao Taxi is the go-to app (works like Uber). International taxis (orange) have English-speaking drivers.

Practical Tips

1. Wi-Fi is everywhere. South Korea has the fastest internet in the world. Free Wi-Fi is available on all metro trains, in stations, at cafés, convenience stores and most public spaces. You can also rent a pocket Wi-Fi at the airport from ₩3,000/day (€2).

2. Convenience stores are essential. GS25, CU and 7-Eleven are on every corner and stock surprisingly good food: triangle kimbap (₩1,200 / €0.80), instant ramyeon stations (buy a cup noodle and use the hot water machine), fried chicken and sandwiches. They also sell soju and beer.

3. Palace tip. Wear a hanbok (traditional Korean dress) and get free entry to all five grand palaces. Hanbok rental shops near Gyeongbokgung charge ₩15,000–25,000 (€10–16) for 4 hours. It's great for photos and completely free palace admission (normally ₩3,000 / €2 each).

4. Soju etiquette. When someone senior pours you a drink, hold your glass with both hands. Don't pour your own drink — pour for others and they'll pour for you. Turn away from elders when drinking. A bottle of soju costs ₩5,000–6,000 (€3.30–4) at restaurants, ₩1,800 (€1.20) at convenience stores.

5. Jjimjilbang are a must. Korean bathhouses/saunas are a cultural experience and a budget traveller's secret weapon. Entry is ₩12,000–15,000 (€8–10) for 12 hours — including saunas, sleeping area, TV rooms and snack bar. Dragon Hill Spa in Yongsan and Siloam Sauna near Seoul Station are the most famous.

6. Tipping is not expected and can even cause confusion. Service charges are included. This applies to restaurants, taxis, hotels — everywhere.

7. The DMZ requires a tour. You cannot visit the Demilitarized Zone independently. Book through the USO (United Service Organizations) or a reputable tour operator. Half-day tours cost ₩50,000–80,000 (€33–52) including transport from Seoul. Bring your passport.

Frequently Asked Questions