Attraction

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Royal palaceJongno

The first and largest royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, founded in 1395 and home to the throne hall Geunjeongjeon and the Gyeonghoeru banquet pavilion.

View details — Gyeongbokgung Palace

Attraction

2. Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon

Royal palace and garden, UNESCO World Heritage SiteJongno

A UNESCO-listed Joseon palace built in 1405, admired for buildings that follow the hillside and for Huwon, its wooded rear garden of ponds and pavilions.

View details — Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon

Attraction

3. N Seoul Tower

Observation towerNamsan

A 236-metre broadcasting tower on the summit of Namsan, opened to the public in 1980, with observation decks giving 360-degree views over Seoul.

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Attraction

4. National Museum of Korea

National history and art museumYongsan

Korea's national museum in Yongsan, opened in its current building in 2005, with free galleries covering everything from Paleolithic tools to Silla gold and Goryeo celadon.

View details — National Museum of Korea

Attraction

5. Bukchon Hanok Village

Historic hanok neighbourhoodBukchon

A residential neighbourhood of traditional tiled hanok houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, where visitors are asked to explore quietly during set hours.

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Attraction

6. Jongmyo Shrine

Royal ancestral shrine, UNESCO World Heritage SiteJongno

The royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon dynasty, a UNESCO site since 1995, where the spirit tablets of kings and queens are kept in long, austere halls.

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Attraction

7. Deoksugung Palace

Royal palaceJung-gu (City Hall)

A compact palace beside City Hall where traditional halls stand next to Western-style buildings from the Korean Empire era, open into the evening.

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Attraction

8. Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky

Skyscraper and observation deckJamsil

Korea's tallest building, 555 metres and 123 floors, whose Seoul Sky observation deck on floors 117 to 123 includes a glass floor high above Jamsil.

View details — Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky

Attraction

9. Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Design and exhibition centreDongdaemun

Zaha Hadid's curving design and exhibition complex, opened in 2014 on the site of the old Dongdaemun Stadium, with fortress remains and a history park beside it.

View details — Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Attraction

10. Jogyesa Temple

Buddhist templeInsadong

The head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, in the centre of Seoul near Insadong, known for its main hall, old trees and lantern displays.

View details — Jogyesa Temple