Seoul — A 600-Year Capital Meets a Modern Megacity
From the capital of Joseon to a megacity of ten million, Seoul blends 600-year-old palaces and hanok villages with skyscrapers and K-pop on the same street. Nearly every Korea itinerary begins in Seoul.
Why this region
Wear hanbok at Gyeongbokgung, walk the alleys of Bukchon, spend the night in Hongdae, ride a bike along the Han River — tradition and modernity, nature and city, all within one place. A dense subway makes getting around easy.
Highlights
- Gyeongbokgung & Bukchon — a Joseon palace and a hanok village.
- Myeongdong & Namsan — shopping and the N Seoul Tower view.
- Hongdae & Seongsu — streets of cafes, fashion, and performance.
- Han River Parks — riverside retreats crossing the city.
Season by season
- 🌸 Spring — palace plum blossoms, cherry blossoms at Yeouido and Seokchon Lake
- ☀️ Summer — Han River night views and water play, indoor attractions
- 🍁 Autumn — palace foliage, the most pleasant weather
- ❄️ Winter — snow-covered palaces, light festivals and indoor fun
Getting there
About 1 hour from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station on the Airport Railroad. The subway connects almost every attraction in the city.