When to Go
Best Time to Visit
April–June, September–November. Spring cherry blossoms, autumn ginkgo leaves. Winter is cold but dry with clear skies; summer humid.
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$40/day
Mid-range
$100/day
Luxury
$280/day
Street food and convenience-store meals make budget days easy; mid-range gets you into design hotels.
With Kids
Family Travel
Lotte World indoor park, Children’s Grand Park, Hangang River bike rentals. Kid-friendly cafés are everywhere.
Together
Couples Travel
Han River cruise at night, palace ceremonies at sundown, late-night pojangmacha tents.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
Easy and welcoming — Korean café culture supports long solo afternoons; nightlife in Itaewon and Hongdae.
Food
What to Eat
- Bibimbap. Mixed rice bowl, often served in a sizzling stone bowl (dolsot).
- Korean BBQ. Galbi (short rib) and samgyeopsal (pork belly) grilled at your table.
- Kimchi jjigae. Spicy fermented-kimchi stew — comfort food in a bowl.
- Korean fried chicken. Soy-garlic or yangnyeom — pair with cold beer (chimaek).
- Tteokbokki. Spicy rice cakes from street stalls; Sindang-dong is the holy land.
Transportation
Getting Around
Seoul Metro is among the world’s best — fast, signposted in English, clean.
Buy a T-Money card on arrival. Buses are also excellent. Use Kakao T or Uber for taxis.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Hongdae. Youth culture, clubs, indie cafés, university energy.
- Itaewon. International food, vintage shops, evening rooftops.
- Gangnam. Luxury, modern restaurants, K-pop label headquarters.
- Bukchon Hanok Village. Traditional wooden houses, old-Seoul photo strip.
What to Know
Safety
Very safe. Bars stay open late; subway operates until ~midnight.