20 Free Things To Do In Seoul

🏛️ Museums

Visiting one of Seoul's many museums is a great idea, whether you are traveling solo or with friends/family. And the best part: A lot of museums offer free admission!

National Museum of Korea

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The National Museum of Korea is showcasing over 310,000 artifacts of Korean history and art. It has relocated several times, with its current location in the Yongsan District since 2005. Across three floors you can find galleries dedicated to periods from Paleolithic to Joseon, along with Asian art, calligraphy, and Buddhist sculptures. One of the highlights of the museum is the Oegyujanggak Uigwe, a royal library collection recognized by UNESCO​.

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National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

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Fun interactive exhibition and a must if you want to learn about the more recent history of Korea! The best part: The museum is very conveniently located, right by Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun Square.

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Seoul Museum of Art

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This place is a hotspot for anyone looking to get a taste of the art scene, showcasing a wide array of exhibitions that span from modern Korean art to international masterpieces. The smaller exhibits are all free.

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🍃 Parks

Looking for an urban escape? Seoul’s parks deliver just that – plus enough attractions to fill a whole trip, from museums to zoos and cafes.

Hangang Park

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The Han River, or Hangang, is the river that is flowing through Seoul. It’s the fourth-longest river on the Korean peninsula and has historically been an important route for trade. Now, it has become a scenic spot in Seoul with pedestrian walkways, parks, and restaurants. In the summer locals, especially young couples or friend groups, gather up around the river to hang out, have picnics or drink together.

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Seoul Forest Park

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Seoul Forest is home to over 400,000 trees and 100 different animal species, creating a vibrant ecosystem within the city. Around the park, there are also a lot of cute cafes, shops, and restaurants to discover.

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Olympic Park

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This park is a legacy of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. You can stroll along paths lined with towering trees, including a stunning 2.7km ginkgo tree road that becomes a golden tunnel in autumn. It's a photographer's paradise, with beautiful photo-taking spots scattered around.

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Sky Park

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Getting to Sky Park, or Haneul Park, might give your legs a workout, with options like a 291-step staircase or a hilly walk, but there's also a shuttle for those who prefer a ride. Once you're up there, you'll find it's a photographer's dream spot, with photo zones and lookout points offering panoramic views of the city.

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Naksan Park

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Naksan Park is a hidden gem located right next to Dongdaemun. The park is also a historical site, with a portion of the old Seoul City Wall running through it, which you can follow all the way to Dongdaemun. It's a bit of a hike uphill to get there, but the panoramic views from the top are totally worth it.

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🪷 Temples 

Scattered all across Seoul, you will be able to find traditional Buddhist temples, each offering a unique spiritual experience amidst the city’s hustle. Admission to the temples in Seoul is usually free.

Bongeunsa Temple

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My personal favorite temple in Seoul, Bongeunsa Temple, is located in Gangnam. It is a Buddhist temple that was founded in 794 during the reign of King Wonseong of the Silla Kingdom. One of the temple's most well-known features is the towering statue of Maitreya Buddha, standing 23 meters (approximately 75 feet) tall. This is also a popular photo spot in Seoul that lets you capture the combination of tradition and modernity in the city, with the Gangnam skyscrapers acting as a backdrop to the temple.

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Jogyesa Temple

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Jogyesa stands as the main temple of Korean Buddhism’s Jogye order in downtown Seoul. It’s celebrated for its beautiful architecture, including the Daeungjeon Hall and ancient trees.

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Samgaksan Geumseonsa Temple

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The temple's location offers stunning views of Seoul and provides a peaceful and quiet atmosphere. Also, it's only a few minutes hike from the Eunpyeong Hanok Village!

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🛖 Hanok Villages 

Ever wondered what Seoul looked like a few decades ago? You can get a glimpse of it in the many Hanok Villages of the city. 

Bukchon Hanok Village

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Bukchon Hanok Village is the perfect place to view traditional Korean architecture in the center of Seoul. The village is located in the Jongno district and has lots of cute cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

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Eunpyeong Hanok Village

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This Hanok village might be slightly more “off the beaten path,” but coming here is so worth it! The (relatively) newly built Hanok village is absolutely scenic, with Bukhansan as its backdrop.

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Namsangol Hanok Village

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This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parks in Seoul! You get to see a historic Hanok village, views of Namsan Tower, stunning nature, and this place even has a Hanok cafe!

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⛰️ Hikes

Seoul is surrounded by mountains, so hiking is a big part of the city's culture. The trails in Seoul are well-maintained and accessible, with the city's excellent public transportation system making it easy to reach the starting points.

Bukhansan National Park

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Bukhansan National Park, located in Seoul, is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience South Korea's natural landscape without straying too far from the city. Bukhansan is easily accessible by public transportation – Perfect for a day trip.

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Namsan

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Namsan is a very easy hike and you probably won't even need hiking gear to get to the top. But the views of the city are still absolutely breathtaking.

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⭐ Misc

A few more free things in Seoul that couldn't go unmentioned! 

Cheonggyecheon Stream

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In the hotter months, you will see locals gathered around the stream dipping their feet in the water to cool down from the hot weather. During the winter, Cheonggyecheon Stream is part of the annual Seoul Lantern Festival, where the area is illuminated with colorful lanterns.

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Banpo Bridge

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One of the highlights of Han River at night is Banpo Bridge. The Banpo Bridge crosses the Han River, connecting the Seocho and Yongsan districts. It's famous for its Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, the world's longest bridge fountain. Installed in 2009, it boasts nearly 10,000 LED nozzles running along both sides, extending 1,140m and shooting out 190 tons of water per minute.

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Hongdae Street

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Hongdae is famous for shopping and its nightlife. But there is one more thing that Hongdae is known for: Busking! I remember back in 2018, when I just came to Seoul as an exchange student, one of my favorite free activites was watching busking performances. As I didn’t have the budget to visit actual K-Pop concerts this was my way to at least see some live performances in Korea. While there isn’t an official busking schedule, many performers share updates on social media. Just search the hashtag #버스킹 (Korean for “busking”) on Instagram or TikTok. Sidenote: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory, with performers often providing tipping boxes for audience contributions.

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N Seoul Tower

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N Seoul Tower, or Namsan Tower, is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. While the admission fee to the top of the tower is 21,000 KRW, accessing the area around the tower, which includes several shops and restaurants, is free and offers just as spectacular panoramic views. Additionally, there is a cable car that takes visitors to the top of Namsan Mountain, which starts near Myeondong Station exit 3.

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