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Top 32 Hidden Attractions & Secret Places to Explore in Seoul
How many times have you returned from your holidays in Seoul only to find out that you have missed a nice cool place close to where you have visited?
Have you been to Seoul a few times and wonder what other unique or hidden places that you can do for that Instagram-perfect shots and be the first to share among your friends?
Which are the popular local places and things to do in Seoul that are not covered on the official tourism websites or guides?
Here are KoreaToDo's TOP Hidden Attractions & Secret Places to Explore in Seoul
(not in any particular order):
Mangwon Market is the new 'darling' of traditional markets in Seoul, an easy 4 mins walk from Mangwon Station (line 6).
The clean and brightly-lit market offers many famous eats. You may need to make multiple trips here to try all the fabulous food, visit its nearby famous bakeries, dessert shops, prop shops and Mangwon Hangang Park.
Mangwon Market
Mangwon Market
Seoul Battleship Park is the first ship-themed park in Seoul. It can be visited as part of the walking course from Mangwon Market. You can tour the interior of the 3 retired battleships (i.e. Frigate Seoul, Patrol Killer Medium and Submarine), left in its original form.
Seoul Battleship Park
Seoul Battleship Park
Located on the floating complex, maPoint, Starbucks Mangwon Hangang Park offers the best cafe view of Han River and Seongsandaegyo Bridge.
You can also enjoy Hangang Ramen and Electric Duck/Car Boat rides at maPoint, Mangwon Hangang Park.
Starbucks Mangwon Hangang Park
Starbucks Mangwon Hangang Park
Starbucks The Bukhansan offers stunning view of Bukhansan Mountain peaks. It is located near the popular Bukhansan National Park in the city center of Seoul.
Opened on 15 February 2023, the store spans across 2 floors with a rooftop terrace at a massive 1,100 sqm and 253 seats.
Starbucks The Bukhansan
Starbucks The Bukhansan
Opened on 16 December 2022 and now a hot spot in Seoul, Starbucks Kyungdong 1960 is remodelled from an abandoned theatre located in the traditional Gyeongdong Market, Dongdaemun-gu.
The coffeehouse spans across 2 floors (3F & 4F) at a massive 805 sqm with 200 seats.
Starbucks Kyungdong 1960
Starbucks Kyungdong 1960
Ikseondong, the oldest hanok village in Seoul was once to be demolished and replaced with a multi-storey residential complex. It survived and in March 2018, it was designated as the last hanok village, Ikseondong Hanok Village in Seoul.
Today, it has successfully transformed into a hot place with great shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Ikseondong Hanok Village
Ikseondong Hanok Village
Bring home your favourite paintings or hunt for your best buy at this largest underground mall with 600 shops in Seoul.
Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Mall
Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Mall
Opened in July 2020.
Walk across the outdoor bridge, 541m above the ground at Korea's tallest building, Lotte World Tower.
Sky Bridge Tour
Sky Bridge Tour
Visit the real-time historical prison located at Seodaemun Independence Park, within 5 mins walk from its nearest subway station.
Besides its large compound and red-brick building structures, Seodaemun Prison History Hall is also a popular filming location for many Korean dramas (e.g. Goblin, Hide and Seek, Doctor John) for scenes when the characters are released from the prison.
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
You might have come across 'Seongsudong Cafe Street' with industrial vibes in Seongdong District. However, just one subway station away from Seongsudong Cafe Street and unknown to many foreign travellers to Seoul is the lovely 'Seoul Forest Cafe Street'.
Pretty chic shops, cafes and restaurants lined on both sides of the cafe street. Queues can be spotted outside popular restaurants too!
Seoul Forest Cafe Street
Seoul Forest Cafe Street
The cultural park was once a hidden petroleum reserve base of 5 oil storage tanks, holding enough oil reserves to power Seoul for 1 month, if needed.
Now, this strictly controlled area for 41 years is open to the public.
Explore the transformed huge oil tanks and cultural spaces at Oil Tank Culture Park, within walking distance to Haneul Park and World Cup Stadium Station.
Oil Tank Culture Park
Oil Tank Culture Park
Dined at the famous Ginseng Chicken Soup Restaurant, Tosokchon Samgyetang?
Packed your lunch box at Tongin Market?
Yes, Seochon (Sejong) Village is in the same area. Besides its many quaint cafes, it is also the birthplace of King Sejong, the creator of Korean alphabets (& the face on the green Korean 10,000 won bank notes). Seoul's oldest bookstore, Dae-o Bookstore is here too!
Seochon (Sejong) Village
Seochon (Sejong) Village
Once the official office and residence for Korean Presidents since 1948.
On 10 May 2022, it was opened to the public for the first time in 74 years, on the day of inauguration of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Visit the Blue House by making an online appointment or on-site application.
Cheong Wa Dae
Ever wonder where the beautiful photos of the autumn tree-tops along Deoksugung Stone-wall Road and Deoksugung Palace are taken?
Have you been looking for a observatory in Seoul that is free or conveniently located with subway access?
Jeongdong Observatory
Jeongdong Observatory
Want to experience traditional Korean village life but Korean Folk Village is far while there is too much walking (esp. uphill) at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul?
Check out the surprisingly pleasant Namsangol Hanok Village so near to Myeongdong Station (1 subway stop / 15 mins walk).
💡From there, you can walk to N Seoul Tower, particularly beautiful in Spring and Autumn.
Namsangol Hanok Village
Namsangol Hanok Village
16. Seoullo 7017
If you are at Seoul Station or shopping at Lotte Mart or Lotte Outlets don't miss out Seoullo7017!
Seoullo 7017 was once 'Seoul Station Overpass', a road for cars. It has since transformed into a beautiful sky garden with different seasonal plants and flowers. One of the sky trails conveniently leads to Namdaemun Market!
Seoullo 7017
Seoullo 7017
Experience the beauty of a Seoul Mountain walking along the 7km elevated wooden deck that encircles the entire Ansan Mountain, passing through forest of sky-tall trees and scenic lookout points in 2.5 hrs or exit halfway to the popular Sinchon Shopping Street.
This barrier free forest trail is accessible from a subway station and is wheelchairs and baby carriages friendly too!
Ansan Jarak-gil Trail
Ansan Jarak-gil Trail
Have you been to most of the well-known shopping places like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Gangnam? You have also been to the popular university shopping districts like Edea, Hongdae and Kondae?
If so, check out Sungshin Women's University Shopping District, only few subway stops away from Dongdaemun and stop by their traditional Donam Jeil Market for the popular local eats.
Sungshin Women's University Shopping District
BBQ on a king-sized pot lit?
The best hidden BBQ restaurant, uniquely in Seoul. Located within 5 mins walk from Sangam DMC (Digital Media City) subway station.
Hansang Gadeuk BBQ
Hansang Gadeuk BBQ
Hansang Gadeuk BBQ
A hilltop park of many surprises!
Golf-cart shuttle service available to take you to the top of the park too!
Haneul Park
Haneul Park
Haneul Park
Wanna ride on duck boats on the beautiful Han River or rent a bicycle?
Check out the 240m long J-Bug cultural complex and paintings on the pillars below the bridge.
Enjoy the Hangang park with direct subway access and full of activities.
Ttukseom Hangang Park
Ttukseom Hangang Park
22. Han River Cruise
Enjoy cruising along Han River with the seagulls!
Surprisingly affordable with many theme cruises (from 40 mins day cruise to 90 mins dinner cruise) for your picking.
Han River Cruise
Han River Cruise
A rustic village located at one of the entrances (/exits) to Inwangsan Mountain hiking trail.
Hongje-dong Gaemi Village is a favourite photography hot spot for murals (artwork on wall) and Korean village scenes by the local photographers and photo enthusiasts.
Hongje-dong Gaemi Village
Hongje-dong Gaemi Village
Wanna do something different in Seoul?
Why not walk across the bridge overlooking the beauty of Han River?
Dongho Bridge Walk
Jamsil Railway Bridge Walk
Jamsil Railway Bridge Walk
Have a sumptuous local meal at the base of a mountain near Gangnam and be impressed.
Cheonggyesan Mountain
Cheonggyesan Mountain
Once, famous for its insta-worthy 'One Tree Hill' at Olympic Park, now the park has more superb photo spots particularly in Spring and Autumn when the seasonal flower fields (e.g. poppies, cosmos, roses, pink muhly grass) are in full bloom.
💡In Autumn, a walk along the 1.4km long Golden Ginkgo Tree Road is a must!
Olympic Park
Olympic Park
Sanmotoonge @ Buamdong
Sanmotoonge @ Buamdong
If there is one photo that always stay on your mind and you wish you can be there, Gwanaksan Mountain would have to be one of them!
The view of a Korean temple on the cliff edge is simply extraordinary.
Over the years, with the stairs built, this mountain is more accessible and you can enjoy the temple's view right from the observatory.
Gwanaksan Mountain
Gwanaksan Mountain
Seoul Grand Park offers many attractions. It can easily be reached on subway line 4 from Seoul Station in about 26 mins.
From its subway station, you can take the sky lift across the beautiful Gwacheon Lake with mountainous view. There are Seoul Zoo, Seoul Land Theme Park, Theme Garden and nature walking trails for you to explore and have fun.
Seoul Grand Park
Seoul Grand Park
Hidden away at the traditional Yeongcheon Market and a short 6 mins walk from Dongnimmun Station (line 3, exit 4) is the famous freshly-made Kkwabaegi (Twisted Korean Doughnuts) and a must-eat in Seoul!
The store is well-loved by the locals and has appeared in many TV shows like SBS and KBS.
Yeongcheon Market
Yeongcheon Market
Outside Seoul (on Seoul Subway):
Yangpyeong:
Dumulmeori / Semiwon Garden / Strawberry Farms / Bukhangang Railroad Bridge
This nature beauty is easily accessible on Seoul subway. Go on a walk or rent a bicycle to explore the area, including strawberry picking (Nov-Jun) at one of the farms around.
Yangpyeong
Yangpyeong
Yangpyeong
The latest most instagrammable library opens in Suwon, following the success of Starfield Library @COEX Mall in Seoul.
Suwon Starfield Library spans 4 floors (4th to 7th floor) with maximum bookshelves height of 22m!
You can visit the library as part of the day trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage) too.
Starfield Library Suwon
Starfield Library Suwon
Outside Seoul (on Seoul Subway):
Incheon: Chinatown, Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village & Wolmido Island
Want the best jajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles) in Korea? Look no further than Incheon Chinatown, the birthplace of jajangmyeon in Korea.
After a hearty Chinese meal, have fun at Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village and Wolmido Island's Wolmi Theme Park.
Incheon Chinatown
Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village
Wolmiido Island
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➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport.
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