Home to an astonishing half of South Korea’s population, the glittering metropolis that is Seoul is set to dazzle. Enormously popular with visitors from across Asia and further afield, this lively, late-night city brims with marvellous museums, heritage attractions, fabulous bars, restaurants and shopping opportunities. Accommodation options are wide-ranging in South Korea’s cool capital, with something to suit all manner of tastes and budgets. Our Gurus’ list of the best places to stay in Seoul, with its towering high-rises and beautiful boutique boltholes, is the perfect starting point for your next adventure.
Some of our Seoul collections:
South Korea is a country rich in history, and Seoul fuses the traditional elegance of sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village with a lively, 21st-century buzz. Navigate the countless boutiques of the Insadong shopping district, tour markets bursting with fresh produce and handicrafts, or delve into world-class museums including the National Palace Museum, the MMCA, the National Folk Museum and more. Art aficionados can expect to discover fantastic exhibitions at the Seoul Museum of Art, the Leeum Museum of Art and a plethora of smaller galleries.
Seoul’s foodie scene, too, is sensational. Savour delectable Korean cuisine at hole-in-the-wall eateries, glamorous restaurants and the dining spaces of some of the best places to stay in Seoul. For nightlife, look to the exclusive clubs of upmarket Gangnam, buzzy Itaewon or more laid-back Hongdae. This is a city that never sleeps — and one where there’s always time for another round of karaoke.