Palaces & hanok
3 km · half day · Historic quarter · 6 stops
- Gyeongbokgung
- Cheongwadae (Blue House)
- Bukchon Hanok
- Changdeokgung
- Ikseon-dong
- Insadong-gil
82 places · Michelin 2025, hanok, Gwangjang and Seongsu's viral cafés · 5 routes · metro included
Tap a route and it gets drawn on the map, stop by stop.
Tap a pin to see photos, rating and how to get there by metro. Turn on a route to follow the numbered path.
This interactive map of Seoul (South Korea) brings together 82 hand-picked places: 28 attractions, 25 restaurants, 14 cafés and 15 shops. It also includes 5 walking routes with their stops in order. For every place you get what it is, a practical tip and how to get there by public transport. It is free, works on your phone and needs no sign-up.
· Curated by the HOLASIM team · How we make the maps
Tap a route to see it drawn on the map, stop by stop.
3 km · half day · Historic quarter · 6 stops
2.5 km · afternoon–evening · Eat as you walk · 6 stops
2.5 km · afternoon · Trendy district · 6 stops
3 km · full day · Skyscrapers & luxury · 6 stops
4 km · golden hour · 5 stops
경복궁 · Jongno
The grand royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, with the changing of the guard and Mt. Bugak behind.
Tip: Rent a hanbok near the gate: palaces are free to enter. Guard change at 10:00 and 14:00.
🚇 Gyeongbokgung — L3
Featured in: Google Top Corea
Show on map북촌한옥마을
Alleys of traditional hanok houses between two palaces, with postcard views of Seoul.
Tip: It's a lived-in neighborhood: keep your voice down and mind the signs. Best light early morning.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map창덕궁 · Jardín Secreto
UNESCO World Heritage palace with the Huwon, Korea's most beautiful secret garden.
Tip: The Secret Garden is tour-only with limited slots: book online, especially in autumn.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: UNESCO
Show on map남산서울타워 · Namsan
Namsan's tower with a 360° observatory, love locks and the city's best sunset.
Tip: Ride the Namsan cable car up at sunset; walk back down through the lit-up forest.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4 + cable car
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map청계천
A restored stream running through downtown: a water-level pedestrian walk, perfect at night.
🚇 Jonggak — L1
Show on map광화문광장
Seoul's civic square with the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
🚇 Gwanghwamun — L5
Show on map덕수궁
A palace mixing Korean pavilions and Western-style buildings, with its own guard change.
Tip: The stone-wall path (Deoksugung-gil) is the classic romantic stroll in autumn.
🚇 City Hall — L1/L2
Show on map조계사 · budismo Seon
Seoul's central Buddhist temple, with lotus lanterns bursting with color in spring.
🚇 Jonggak — L1
Show on map인사동
The street of galleries, hanji paper, tea and handmade souvenirs of old Seoul.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Show on map익선동
Hanok alleys reborn as design cafés and bars: Seoul's most Instagrammed neighborhood.
🚇 Jongno 3-ga — L1/L3/L5
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map롯데월드타워 · Jamsil
The world's 5th tallest building (555 m) with a glass-floor observatory on floor 118.
🚇 Jamsil — L2/L8
Show on map스타필드 별마당도서관
The atrium library with 13 m bookshelves inside COEX mall: Gangnam's go-to photo spot.
🚇 Samseong — L2
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map봉은사 · Gangnam
A 1,200-year-old temple surrounded by skyscrapers, with a giant Buddha and templestay program.
🚇 Bongeunsa — L9
Show on mapDDP · Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid's spaceship: aluminum curves, design exhibitions and the sea of LED roses.
🚇 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park — L2/L4/L5
Show on map북한산국립공원
The granite mountain crowning Seoul: trails with views over the entire skyline.
Tip: Baegundae is the star summit (~4 h round trip). Bring water and grippy shoes.
🚇 Gupabal — L3 + bus
Show on map낙산공원 · muralla
A stretch of Seoul's old city wall with the best night view of downtown, for free.
🚇 Hyehwa — L4
Show on map이화벽화마을
A hillside neighborhood full of murals and painted staircases, with hidden viewpoints.
🚇 Hyehwa — L4
Show on map서울숲 · Seongsu
Seoul's "Central Park": deer, golden ginkgos and the gateway to Seongsu.
🚇 Seoul Forest — Bundang
Show on map여의도한강공원
The classic riverside for picnics, bikes and fried chicken with beer by the water.
Tip: Order fried chicken by app right to the riverbank (chicken + maekju): the local sunset ritual.
🚇 Yeouinaru — L5
Show on map반포대교 무지개분수
The bridge that fires a rainbow-lit curtain of water in time with the music.
Tip: Night shows run in season (April–October): check the schedule before you go.
🚇 Express Bus Terminal — L3/L7/L9
Show on map국립중앙박물관
The country's great museum: 5,000 years of Korean history, free entry.
🚇 Ichon — L4/Jungang
Show on map리움미술관 · Hannam
Samsung's art collection: traditional + contemporary in buildings by Koolhaas and Nouvel.
🚇 Hangangjin — L6
Featured in: Trending arte
Show on map전쟁기념관 · Yongsan
A huge, free museum on Korean military history, with planes and tanks outside.
🚇 Samgakji — L4/L6
Show on map서울로7017 · skygarden
An overpass turned elevated park with 24,000 plants above Seoul Station.
🚇 Seoul Station — L1/L4
Show on map남산골한옥마을
Five traditional noble houses relocated to the foot of Namsan, with garden and tea.
🚇 Chungmuro — L3/L4
Show on map명동성당
The neo-Gothic brick cathedral, symbol of Korean Catholicism and a pocket of calm.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Show on map숭례문
The great south gate of the old city wall, Korea's National Treasure No. 1.
🚇 Seoul Station — L1/L4
Show on map청와대
The former presidential residence, open to the public since 2022: gardens and blue roofs.
Tip: Entry is free, but it's worth booking a slot online in high season.
🚇 Gyeongbokgung — L3
Show on map밍글스 · Cheongdam
Chef Kang Min-koo's contemporary Korean cuisine, the first 3-star in years.
Tip: Book online weeks ahead. Order the jang pairing (fermented pastes).
🚇 Cheongdam — L7
Featured in: Michelin 3★ 2025
Show on map모수 · Hannam
Chef Sung Anh's tasting menu: flawless technique with a Korean soul.
🚇 Hangangjin — L6
Featured in: Michelin 3★ 2025
Show on map라연 · Shilla Hotel
Royal Korean haute cuisine at the Shilla hotel, with views and textbook hansik.
🚇 Dongguk Univ. — L3
Featured in: Michelin ★★
Show on map정식 · Gangnam
The "new Korean" that put Seoul on the fine-dining map, with a New York outpost too.
🚇 Apgujeong — L3
Featured in: Michelin ★★
Show on map에빗 · Cheongdam
Korean produce pushed to the limit by chef Joseph Lidgerwood: ferments and fire.
🚇 Cheongdam — L7
Featured in: Michelin ★★
Show on map온지음 · Hyoja-dong
An institute reconstructing historic Korean royal cuisine, with a Michelin star.
🚇 Gyeongbokgung — L3
Featured in: Michelin ★
Show on map발우공양 · comida de templo
Buddhist vegetarian temple cuisine (sachal eumsik) facing Jogyesa, Michelin-starred.
🚇 Jonggak — L1
Featured in: Michelin ★
Show on map토속촌삼계탕
Seoul's most famous samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), in an old hanok.
Tip: The lunch line is real; arrive before 11:30 or after 14:00.
🚇 Gyeongbokgung — L3
Featured in: Bib Gourmand
Show on map명동교자 · kalguksu
One perfect dish: milky-broth kalguksu with mandu and unlimited spicy kimchi.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Featured in: Bib Gourmand
Show on map광장시장
The traditional market: mung-bean pancakes, mayak gimbap and tteokbokki made live.
Tip: Grab a stool at the bindaetteok lady's counter and order cold soju. Bring cash.
🚇 Jongno 5-ga — L1
Featured in: Michelin street food
Show on map진옥화할매닭한마리
Dakhanmari: a whole chicken bubbling in a pot with noodles and dipping sauce, near Dongdaemun.
🚇 Dongdaemun — L1/L4
Featured in: Bib Gourmand
Show on map왕비집 · BBQ Myeongdong
Korean barbecue at tourist-friendly level: marbled hanwoo and generous banchan.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Featured in: K-BBQ
Show on map마포진짜원조최대포
Charcoal-grilled pork belly in Mapo's barbecue district, smoke included.
🚇 Gongdeok — L5/L6
Featured in: Parrilla local
Show on map우래옥 · naengmyeon
Pyongyang naengmyeon since 1946: cold noodles in icy broth, an absolute classic.
🚇 Euljiro 4-ga — L2/L5
Featured in: Histórico 1946
Show on map하동관 · gomtang
Gomtang (beef broth) since 1939, served only until it runs out: pure, clean flavor.
🚇 Euljiro 1-ga — L2
Featured in: Histórico 1939
Show on map게방식당 · ganjang gejang
Raw crab marinated in soy sauce (ganjang gejang): the textbook "rice thief".
🚇 Nambu Terminal — L3
Featured in: Bib Gourmand
Show on map고궁 · bibimbap Jeonju
Jeonju bibimbap in a piping-hot dolsot, with banchan to spare.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Featured in: Clásico
Show on map삼원가든 · galbi
Galbi (marinated ribs) in a traditional Apgujeong garden since 1976.
🚇 Apgujeong — L3
Featured in: Histórico 1976
Show on map을지로 노가리골목
The alley of sidewalk tables: nogari (dried fish) and cheap draft beer.
🚇 Euljiro 3-ga — L2/L3
Featured in: Viral local
Show on map치르치르 · fried chicken
Crispy Korean fried chicken with beer (chimaek), the national weakness.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Featured in: Chimaek
Show on map노량진수산시장
Seafood on the spot: pick it downstairs and they cook it upstairs. Sannakji for the brave.
🚇 Noryangjin — L1/L9
Featured in: Mercado local
Show on map제로컴플렉스 · Yeoksam
Chef Lee Chung-hoo's fine vegetable cooking, Michelin-starred and produce-driven.
🚇 Yeoksam — L2
Featured in: Michelin ★
Show on map프로간장게장 · Sinsa
Another marinated-crab mecca, near Garosu-gil: endless rice guaranteed.
🚇 Sinsa — L3
Featured in: Clásico
Show on map이삭토스트 · desayuno
The sweet-savory grilled toast half of Korea has for breakfast, fast and cheap.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Featured in: Cadena local
Show on map광장시장 육회골목
The yukhoe alley (Korean beef tartare) inside Gwangjang: raw, sweet and silky.
🚇 Jongno 5-ga — L1
Featured in: Mercado local
Show on map어니언 · hanok café
Bakery-café inside a century-old hanok: the snow-dusted pandoro and a stone courtyard.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map어니언 성수
The original Onion, in an old Seongsu factory: raw concrete and artisan bread.
🚇 Seongsu — L2
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map프릳츠 · el sello de la foca
Seoul's most beloved roastery: specialty coffee and pastries in a hanok.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: Pionero specialty
Show on map앤트러사이트
Cult roastery in a former shoe factory: serious pour-overs and brutalist aesthetics.
🚇 Hapjeong — L2/L6
Featured in: Pionero specialty
Show on map누데이크 · Gentle Monster
Gentle Monster's café-gallery: sculptural desserts that look like contemporary art.
🚇 Apgujeong Rodeo — Bundang
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map블루보틀 성수
Korea's first Blue Bottle: Japanese minimalism and a flawless latte in Seongsu.
🚇 Seongsu — L2
Featured in: Specialty
Show on map차마시는뜰 · casa de té
Traditional tea house in Bukchon with views over hanok rooftops and jujube tea.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: Tradicional
Show on map커피한약방 · Euljiro
A secret café down an Euljiro alley, styled like an old herbal apothecary.
🚇 Euljiro 3-ga — L2/L3
Featured in: Viral local
Show on map런던베이글뮤지엄 · Anguk
The bagels people queue an hour for: cream cheese in every flavor and London vibes.
Tip: The line is real: join the app waitlist the moment you arrive.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: Viral TikTok
Show on map센터커피 · 서울숲
A light-filled roastery next to Seoul Forest, with in-house roasting and delicate filter brews.
🚇 Seoul Forest — Bundang
Featured in: Specialty
Show on map메쉬커피 · Hannam
Small, serious specialty coffee in Hannam, a favorite of local baristas.
🚇 Hangangjin — L6
Featured in: Specialty
Show on map노티드 · donas
Seoul's most pop glazed doughnuts, with the Sugar Bear mascot and weekend lines.
🚇 Apgujeong Rodeo — Bundang
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map대림창고 · Seongsu
Seongsu's pioneering brick warehouse: a huge café-gallery that kicked off the neighborhood's scene.
🚇 Seongsu — L2
Featured in: Pionero Seongsu
Show on map레이어드 연남
An English cottage-style scone café, super photogenic, in youthful Yeonnam.
🚇 Hongik Univ. — L2
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map명동거리
The mecca of K-beauty and fast fashion: cosmetics, socks and street food side by side.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Show on map올리브영 명동
The ultimate Korean drugstore: try and buy all of K-beauty on a single floor.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Featured in: Imperdible
Show on map가로수길 · Sinsa
The ginkgo-lined avenue of design flagships, fashion and Gangnam cafés.
🚇 Sinsa — L3
Show on map압구정로데오
The luxury district of Korean designer boutiques, with café-galleries all around.
🚇 Apgujeong Rodeo — Bundang
Show on map스타필드 코엑스몰
Seoul's biggest underground mall: the Starfield Library, aquarium, cinema and shops.
🚇 Samseong — L2
Show on map커먼그라운드 · Konkuk
The blue shipping-container mall: indie Korean fashion, food trucks and Instagram aesthetics.
🚇 Konkuk Univ. — L2/L7
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map쌈지길 · Insadong
A spiral complex of little art shops, Korean souvenirs and playful desserts.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Show on map남대문시장
Korea's biggest and oldest market: from tableware to ginseng, haggling included.
🚇 Hoehyeon — L4
Show on map두타몰 · Dongdaemun
Dongdaemun's fashion tower open until the small hours: young Korean designers.
🚇 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park — L2/L4/L5
Show on map젠틀몬스터 · flagship
The Korean eyewear brand's flagship-installation: every floor is a work of art.
🚇 Anguk — L3
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map엘씨디씨 · Seongsu
A complex of concept stores and Korean design brands in Seongsu, rooftop included.
🚇 Seongsu — L2
Featured in: Trending
Show on map더현대 서울 · Yeouido
The newest, brightest department store, with a 12 m indoor garden and constant pop-ups.
🚇 Yeouido — L5/L9
Featured in: Nuevo imperdible
Show on map신세계백화점 본점
The historic luxury department store, famous for its illuminated Christmas façade.
🚇 Hoehyeon — L4
Show on map에이랜드 · select shop
The quintessential Korean select shop: indie fashion and accessory brands across several floors.
🚇 Myeong-dong — L4
Show on map탐버린즈 · flagship
The flagship-temple of the perfume and cosmetics brand, Gentle Monster's sister.
🚇 Seongsu — L2
Featured in: Viral IG/TikTok
Show on map