Seoul Travel & Vacation Guide

This little gem is situated in the middle of Seoul and is an easy one to overlook. Bongeunsa Temple was founded in 794 during the Shilla King Weongseong’s reign. There is a special 2-hour program designed for visitors, which includes meditation and a tea ceremony. Do not miss the huge Buddha statue in the back.

Escape the bustle of the city and retreat to the tranquillity of the mountains. Bukhansan National Park has several gorges, granite peaks and more than 1,300 species of flora and fauna. There are also many historical and cultural sites including Bukhansanseong Fortress, Buddhist temples and monk’s cells. Bukhansan National Park Office:

Changdeokgung is a grand palace from the last Korean dynasty. This is a great place to learn about Korean history but be sure to have some comfortable shoes on since the place is big. Enjoy the guided tour in English that lasts for one hour and be sure not to miss the guard changing ceremony.

The Cheonggyecheon was originally a creek that flowed through downtown Seoul -- in the wake of rapid post-war economic development, it was buried under concrete to facilitate urban expansion. Today, however, the over 10 km-long creek and its banks have been uncovered and remodelled into an exciting recreational area for locals and tourists, with clean water and natural habitats bordering on residential and office buildings.

Coex Aquarium is a great stop for families with children - the little ones will no doubt enjoy the massive display of live marine creatures from waters in and around Korea and all over the world. The aquarium contains an incredible 40,000 animals altogether.

Set amidst high-rise modern buildings, the Deoksugung Palace is an oasis of traditional Korea in the very heart of Seoul's downtown. Historically, it served for various administrative purposes and was inhabited by Korean royalty. Today, the palace and premises are open to visitors (guided tours available).

One of the newest urban developments in Seoul, the state-of-the-art Dongdaemun Design Plaza contains a Design Museum and Exhibition Hall, shops and markets, as well as several other important sights, such as the Seoul Fortress and the Igansumun Water Gate.

If you only have time for one palace visit make sure this is the one. Also referred to as the "Northern Palace", it was built in 1395 and is a stunning example of traditional Korean palatial architecture. Free guided tours are available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

One of the trendiest clubs of the moment, Cakeshop is where many international DJs and bands play when passing through Seoul. The crowd here is mostly made up of savvy music lovers, those with a penchant for the latest electronic and hip hop releases. The club has an ever-so-slightly grungy feel to it, perfect for a long night of adrenaline fuelled skanking.

Music is taken very seriously at Club Evans, an absolute must visit destination for jazz lovers the world over. Mondays are reserved for spontaneous jam sessions whereas professional jazz bands fill the air with gloriously complex harmonies almost every other night of the week. The venue attracts a mixed crowd of locals and internationals of all age groups.

This indie bar is a favourite underground haunt for alternative music enthusiasts and party people. Club FF offers an all-inclusive bar service at certain hours of the night, which is normally followed by a huge dance party with DJs, dry ice and flashing lights.

One of the most popular clubs in Seoul's stylish Gangnam district and a nightlife venue renowned worldwide, Octagon is where the party doesn't stop until the early morning. With DJs playing house and electro all night long, all in a trendy interior featuring an indoor pool, it is very easy to lose track of time here.

Fit for an evening drink any night of the week, Glam Lounge is a sleek, stylish bar in Itaewon, the kind this particular neighbourhood isn't exactly known for. The interior was crafted to emulate old European designs, with well-dressed business minded professionals frequenting its glamorous halls.

Located within the Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel, J.J. Mahoney's is an establishment that has something for everyone. Live music is played here frequently and the high-quality sound system makes for great dancing conditions. There is also a billiards and darts room for those who are up for a bit of friendly competition.

Cool, chilled and crazy are three ways one could describe Living Room. This bar serves drinks and cocktails until late and frequently hosts DJs. Colourful artwork covers the walls (sometimes there are even temporary exhibitions) creating a very pleasant, almost bohemian atmosphere.

Enjoy a quiet drink at the Lobby Lounge Bar on the 41st floor of the Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel. The staff serve a good variety of mouth-watering food, drinks, and delightful desserts. Live entertainment is often on display and the sweeping views of Seoul add to the ambiance.

This megastore chain really is a shoppers' paradise. With multiple floors each based on a different theme (street wear, feminine attire, etc.), Åland is definitely one of the essential go-to places for the hottest Korean fashion. Items that have spent a long time on the shelf can be found heavily discounted at the Noon Square outlet after hours.

For more of an upmarket shopping experience, try the Apgujeong district where the city's wealthiest habitants come to stock up on the latest and greatest items of fashion. Apgujeong is home to local and internationally known brand-name stores. Be sure to bring enough cash as prices can get a bit steep here.

The Incredibly large COEX Mall is a one-stop shop spot where high-end international brands are represented alongside mid-range and more affordable Korean stores. The mall's shopping, entertainment (there is an actual aquarium on-site), and dining options are endless. There will certainly be something there to suit every taste.

Not far from Namdaemun lies Dongdaemun, another bustling market area where once again just about anything can be found. Dongdaemun is made up of traditional market stalls, wholesale outlets and various shopping centres selling mainly Korean and international fashion.

The area around Ewha Women’s University is teeming with stores geared towards female shoppers. Shops here are known to be generally quite affordable, albeit rather limited in variety. The area is also the place to find some of the city's coolest cafés as well as some cheap and cheerful hair salons.

Beneath the Express Bus Terminal Station lies Gotomall, one of the cheapest spots in Seoul to shop for the latest Korean fashion pieces. Prices start at as low as a few dollars and discounts can be snapped up all over the place. Affordable clothing and accessories fill the underground shopping mall which is teeming with shoppers all hungry for a bargain.

Gwangjang is a prime destination for those looking to experience the sensation that is Korean street food. Although it is known primarily as a clothing market, it certainly has no shortage of mouthwatering choices. Constantly teeming with visitors, the market is a great place to savour some classic specialties such as bibimbap and maybe even try something very much out of the box like the dreaded live octopus.

Held just once a week on Saturdays, Hongdae Free Market reflects the youthful and artsy spirit of the neighbourhood. Local artists and craftsmen gather here to showcase and sell their work, which is mostly unique, one-off items produced by the young designers themselves. Some street food stalls that line the street are also in operation throughout the week.

The best time to visit Seoul is typically between April and June, whilst spring is in full swing and the cherry blossoms are raining down in the parks. This is also a good time of year to go and experience the many festivals that take place there every year. September to November is another promising time to visit the city as the climate is pleasant and mild, unlike the weather in the preceding Summer months which are hot and wet. Winters are cold but may appeal to some winter sports fans as there is more often than not a flurry of snow towards the end of the year and into the next.

Citizens of many countries including the US, UK and Canada can travel to South Korea for tourism purposes visa-free, for stays from 30 up to 180 days. Citizens of most countries in Africa and Asia however will need to apply for a visa in advance. Passports will need to be valid for at least six months starting from the planned date of arrival.

Incheon International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world is approximately a one hour drive from downtown Seoul by bus or taxi. Airport buses normally stop directly outside the airport building. Limousine buses run not only to Seoul, but also connect the airport to other provincial cities. The Limousine bus runs to and from the airport every 10-15 minutes and stops at most of the major hotels. You can buy a bus ticket from ticket booths next to the bus stops outside on the pavement. Taxis are available from stands no.16-21 on the arrivals floor. For a more economic alternative, private cars can be hired through the Grab app after registering for an account. The other airport in Seoul, Gimpo International Airport is much smaller but closer to the centre of town. It acts as Seoul's secondary airport.

The Underground is clean, efficient and operates from approximately 5.30am to midnight non-stop every day. All stations display signs in both Korean and English. You can buy your ticket at the ticket vending machine. Check the website for details (www.seoulmetro.co.kr). Seoul Bus Station is a central hub for transportation. Standard buses are frequent and inexpensive. You can pay your fare either by scanning your T-money card or paying in cash when entering the bus. Make sure to have change since you cannot pay with bigger bills. There are several city buses operating in Seoul. The 'Blue Bus' for example, which connects inner Seoul with the outer suburban areas and 'The Yellow Bus' (Circular Line) which goes in a circular pattern around the very central part of Seoul. There is also the Red Bus (Wide Area Line), Maeul Bus (Local Bus) and the Green Bus (Branch Line).

Travelling by taxi in Korea is generally an affordable means of transportation. Taxis come in two varieties, regular and deluxe. It is easy to distinguish between the two as the latter, the more expensive of the two is black with a golden stripe colour scheme. There is also the International taxi service which was created especially for foreign tourists in Seoul who cannot speak Korean. They are orange with a 'Haechi' (the Seoul mascot) painted on the side of it. There is also a water taxi service for river crossings. There are a total of 17 water taxi stations located along the Hangang River.

Round two-pin type C plugs. 220V and 60Hz

Seoul is home to some of the best medical facilities and professionals in the world. The city boasts one of the highest cancer survival rates and access rates recognised by the OECD. The universal healthcare system in South Korea is particularly good and the Medical Referral Service (MRS) for foreigners is helpful at putting visitors in contact with the correct, English speaking staff. Seoul National University Hospital is one of the best for internationals. There are many different pharmacies in Seoul and you can find one on nearly every major street or road. They are marked with a sign that reads “약” or “yak” which means “medicine”. Most pharmacies are closed on Sundays but many located in large shopping malls, subway stations and bus terminals remain open all week. A 24-hour information service is available by dialling 120 or 1339.

The port of Incheon is the leading base station for exchange in the Yellow Sea region. Although it is not as large as the port of Busan (South Korea's main port) it has been growing in significance since its relatively recent conception in 2005. The New Incheon International Ferry terminal is currently being expanded, paving the way for more tourism and better connectivity.