Gyeongbokgung (경복궁): visiting the best palace in South Korea

When talking about South Korea, one of the first things to keep in mind is definitely its history rich in culture and art.
In this article I will tell you about a very important place to visit during your trip to Korea.
If you want to know more about this incredible place, keep reading this article to find out more about Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁), how it was born, how it is composed and how to get there.

History

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) is located in the center of Seoul which is also called the most historical part of the city. Gyeongbokgung was the largest palace of the 5 built in the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was built in 1394, it also symbolizes the Korean royal family and covers an area of 410,000 square meters, with a complex of 330 buildings and 5,792 rooms.

Map of Gyeongbokgung Author: Seoul Tourism Organization (https://english.visitseoul.net/walking-tour/GyeongbokgungPalace/ENN000608)

However, in 1911 the Japanese occupation destroyed all the buildings, sparing only 10 of them, with the result that historians had difficulty understanding how it was in his original state due to the lack of photographs.

Two of the most important buildings are the Imperial Throne Hall and the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (경회루), which is located in the center of an artificial lake of lotus flowers.

You will notice that the pavilion is featured on the 10,000 won bills
Since 1990, restoration work has begun on the palace to restore it to its original state.

But let’s take a look at some of the most important buildings:

Geunjeongjeon (근정전): It is the main hall of the palace, where the King performed his duties and welcomed foreign embassies. In this hall, 7 kings were also crowned (1395-1546)

This room is on a single floor and has a very high and important ceiling, like the authority of the King.
In the center of the back is located the throne and in the center of the ceiling you can see clouds with 2 dragons that symbolize the King.

Gyeonghoeru (경회루): Gyeonghoeru, also called the Pavilion of Joyful Encounter, is the largest elevated pavilion in the country. In 1592 the Japanese occupation burned the pavilion and only the stone pillars remained but it was rebuilt under the reign of Gojong.

Gyeonghoeru (경회루) Photo by eimoberg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eimoberg/298496073/)

During the Joseon period, the pavilion was used for banquets, and today it is used for special occasions.

Final conclusions

So what can we learn from this? Gyeongbokgung is an important pillar of Korean history and culture, despite the turbulent history behind this incredible palace, there has always been a way to rebuild and preserve it over time so that we have the chance to see its beauty to this day.

Where the palace is located and how to get there

Gyeongbokgung is located at the end of the great road of Sejong-dero, which is the heart of Seoul.
Moreover, since there is a subway station, it is also quite easy to get there.
How? Just take subway line 3 and get off at Gyeongbokgung station (경복궁역) Exit 5, or if you want to take a walk first, you can take subway line 5 and get off at Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역) Exit 2.

Surroundings

Speaking of walking, since you are in the heart of Seoul, you can also visit other wonderful places around the Palace, such as the famous Gwanghwamun (광화문) Square, where they often organize very interesting cultural events, or you can stop by the National museum of Korean contemporary History.
Or why not visit one of the wonderful traditional and non-traditional cafes that are in that area?

Source: Wikipedia

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April 30, 2024April 30, 2024

Between French pastries, great classic books and teddy bears the Teddy Beurre House (테디뵈르하우스) might be for you

During my stay in South Korea I visited a lot of cafés, because as I had already talked about in my past article ”If you like cozy cafés this post is for you”, the coffee culture in Korea is very prominent and therefore there are of all types; but today I will focus on one in particular, namely the Teddy Beurre House (테디뵈르하우스) If you’re curious, keep reading the article

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Teddy Beurre House (테디뵈르하우스)

So, let’s start from the fact that the most popular coffees are the so-called cute and aesthetic ones, so you will find plenty of them, but the Teddy Beurre House in particular is incredibly cute.
In fact, both the interiors and exteriors, as the name suggests, are teddy bear themed.
As soon as you arrive you will be able to see this rustic style building with 2 large teddy bears waiting for you at the entrance. Inside, the ”wooden house in the middle of the woods” theme also extends to the counter, where you can order delicious French pastry products, or in any case inspired by typical French pastries, such as the classic Croissants or the famous Pain au chocolat.

In the middle of the café you will find a staircase decorated with the names of great classic books, such as The Little Prince and Pride and Prejudice, and at the top you will find a small shelf of books on display – I’m not sure if you can touch the books on display, but you can ask at the counter – but in that area you can still take those cute photos you see on Instagram.

I find it to be a cafe worth visiting, especially if you miss European treats or if you just want to try something new. I strongly advise you to book as it is always full, but if you are in the area and still want to pop in, as soon as you arrive you will have to register your number or they will give you a waiting number and you can wait until they call you when there is a vacancy table. (wait about 20-30 minutes).

*The prices of drinks vary from 4,000-5,000 won, while for pastries, they vary from 5,000-9,000 won. It’s a little more expensive than other cafes but it’s worth it.

Where it is located and how to get there

The Teddy Beurre House is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, near the Han River.
To get there, take subway line 4 and get off at ”Samgakji” (삼각지역), exit at exit 3 and then walk for about 4 minutes. Or take line 6 and get off at the same stop. (walking time is the same)

Instagram: Teddy Beurre House

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024

Visit this big museum in Seoul: the National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

One thing I like to do is recommend museums when visiting a country, it is always nice to discover the art and history of the place that is giving us hospitality, so in this article I will tell you about the National Museum of Korea, a MUST visit during your stay in the country.

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National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

This museum located in Yongsan Park in Seoul is the sixth largest museum in the world. Inside there are 220,000 artefacts on display, including 13,000 displayed in permanent exhibitions. Furthermore, it is South Korea’s main art and history museum.

The first museum was founded in 1908 by Emperor Sunjong (last Emperor of Korea) This museum was moved several times over the years, and only found a permanent home in 2005.

The collections

This museum is made up of 3 floors:

1°floor: On the first floor we have the archaeological gallery which goes from the Paleolithic to the Silla unification period
2°floor: On the second floor we can find an exhibition on Korean religious and traditional art and also a collection of 800 artifacts from other cultures.
3°floor: Last, on the third floor there is a gallery that displays Korean artisan objects and Buddhist sculptures, plus you can find many Asian art objects

The really interesting thing is that the museum also continues outside, in fact you can find an exhibition of pagodas, stupas, steles and a garden with local plants.

Stupa and Stone Coffin for Master Jingong, 869-940

Stone Lantern from Hyeonhwasa Temple, 1009-1031

How to get

To get to the museum, take subway line 4 or the Gyeongui-Joungang line (경의중앙) and get off at Ichon Station (이촌역), exit at Exit 2 and walk for about 150m (5 minutes on foot)

Personal thoughts

I find that this museum is too important not to be visited, as it contains a lot of Korean history and art, you can have a more open and specific vision of how this country was born, and in my opinion it is right to visit it at least once. Even the little ones will be able to have fun and learn many things.

Once the internal visit is finished, you will have an entire park to visit, where you can take a nice walk among nature, and at the same time read some more information on the various finds scattered around the museum.

Museum entry: free

Museum website: National Museum of Korea

*All photos were taken by me

*Source: Wikipedia

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March 27, 2024April 8, 2024

Reasons why you MUST visit the Starfield Coex Mall

Today I want to recommend a super interesting place to visit during your trip to South Korea. I’m sure that during rainy days or when it’s very hot/cold you don’t really want to be outside, that’s why I wanto to give you another option, so in this article we’ll talk about… shopping mall! to be precise, one in particular: The Starfield Coex Mall.
If you are curious to find out more, continue reading the article…

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Starfield COEX Mall

But let’s immediately see what this immense shopping center located in the Samseong-dong (삼성동) district in Seoul – between Jamsil 잠실 and Gangnam 강남 – has to offer.
The Starfield Coex Mall is the largest underground shopping center in all of Korea, in fact inside there is: a large aquarium, a big cinema, luxury hotels, lots of shops, 2 refreshment areas and most importantly… a library!

Yes, you understood exactly right, a huge library called Sarfield Library, made available to all those who want to stop for a moment from the frenzy and sit down to read a good book, a magazine or a comic. Well yes, you can borrow one of the books made available by the Starfield Library.
This library offers 50,000 titles, so it can be said that there is something for everyone. Furthermore you can partecipate at different events like presentations of new books or small plays that could interest even the little ones.

Christmas decorations at the Starfield Library

Some pictures of outside the mall

One of the entrance of the shopping mall

Some stores outside the Starfield Coex Mall

What else to do?

But that’s not all, in addition to the library, you can dedicate yourself to unbridled shopping, you will have the opportunity to visit many shops of international brands such as H&M, Zara, Vans, Nike, Swatch etc… or the more local ones such as Daiso, Aland, Kakao Friends, SPAO etc… in short, whatever you are looking for, be it clothes, shoes, make up, household products, you will find everything conveniently in the same place.

Inside the shopping center you will also find many restaurants of all types, from typical Korean ones to those from other countries, to satisfy everyone’s tastes.
The Coex Mall also has a large aquarium where you can spend a nice day in the company of little fish, penguins, turtles and much more. But if you are not a fan of the sea life you can always go check the cinema, as this shopping center hosts the MEGA BOX.
You will also find many coffee brands, the most famous ones in Korea, such as Hollys and Coffee Bean.

Starfield Aquarium

So what are you waiting for? pop in and enjoy all the things this incredible shopping center has to offer

You can look at the floor map here: F LOOR INFO

How to get there

To get to the Coex Mall, take line 2 and get off at Samseong Station (삼성역) or take line 9 and get off at Bongeunsa Station (봉은사역).
You won’t have any difficulty finding the shopping centre, as both subway stops are located exactly under the Coex Mall, so all you have to do is follow the signs and you will come out directly at one of the entrances.

*all photos and videos were taken by me

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March 2, 2024April 8, 2024

This little treasure near the Namsan tower (남산타워) will make your jaw drop

Today I want to tell you about one of my absolute favorite places in Seoul.
I discovered this place completely by chance when I was returning home with the bus during one of my first days in Korea, and without exaggeration, I fell in love with it.

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But where is it?

This incredible place is located just below the Namsan Tower (남산타워) and is a street that runs alongside Huam-dong (후암동) in the Yongsan District (용산구).

You can go there only by car, bus or on foot, as there is no subway line.

namsantower, little trasure — Namsan Tower

What to do?

First of all you can take a nice and relaxing walk, with breathtaking views over the whole city, furthermore this area offers a huge variety of cafes, bars and restaurants with rooftops available which is always very popular in big cities. And it is understandable, given that even in this case you can enjoy your drink, coffee while watching the sunset or simply enjoy the view. -you can also take super Instagrammable photos, as they say nowadays-

But what I appreciate most about this place is the gorgeous terrace made available by one of the cafes below, where you can sit and watch the view and chat with your friends – I also highly recommend this place as a first date-
This place in general is very quiet, as it is not very touristy you will have the opportunity to enjoy everything that surrounds you to the fullest.

little treasure namsan — Sunset on the city

Along the way you will also find small streets that lead to the town, where you will also find a large number of unique cafés.

One of the streets that lead to the town

How to get there?

My advice is to take the subway to City Hall (line 1 or line 2) and then from there take bus number 402 and get off at the stop called ”Huam Mineral Water Station (후암약수터)”
Or if you come from Gangnam (강남) take bus 402 directly and get off at the same stop mentioned above.

So what are you waiting for? now that the good weather is approaching it’s the perfect time to go and check it out!

*all photos were taken by me

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February 18, 2024April 8, 2024

Insadong (인사동): The heart of Korean tradition

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We all know that when visiting a country, one of the most important things is to get to know and immerse yourself in the culture of the place, which is why today I will tell you about one of the most traditional neighborhoods in Seoul: Insadong!

But where is Insadong located, and how was this neighborhood born?

Insadong (인사동) is located in the Jongno district – we have already encountered this district in previous articles –

Anyway: Insadong is made up of many small streets that brings you to different areas of the city, plus, this beautiful neighborhood is home to a vast number of art galleries and tea houses, and is also known in history as the largest antique and art market in Korea.

Insadong began 500 years ago as a residence area for officials, and after the end of the Korean War, this area became the center of cafés and artistic culture.
Furthermore, this area became very popular among foreigners during the Seoul Olympics in 1988. Continuing to attract tourists from all over the world, this neighborhood offers traditional-style accommodation, cafés and restaurants.

Insadong the heart of korean tradition — **Insadong (인사동) street**

So what to do in Insadong?

Well first of all it is an excellent place to fully experience Korean tradition, visit the artisan shops that sell traditional products such as ceramic objects, tea and traditional Hanji paper (한지) and its calligraphy brushes. -I highly recommend this area to buy souvenirs as you have the possibility to find cheap or slightly more expensive items depending on your budget-
You can also take long walks through the streets of the neighborhood and find your own suitable place to eat something or drink a traditional coffee or tea.

Ssamziegil (쌈지길)

Ssamziegil (쌈지길) is a shopping center located in the heart of Insadong and is the center of many small artisan shops, cafes and art galleries. The interesting thing about this place is that in addition to being outdoors you have the possibility of going up a spiral encountering a vast amount of tradition, including food and handmade objects. At the top of the shopping center you can also have a nice view of the neighborhood and its surroundings.

**View from the rooftop of** **Ssamziegil (쌈지길)**

Address: 44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Annyeong Insadong (안녕인사동)

About 1 minute walking from Ssamziegil (쌈지길), there is another shopping mall, called Annyeong Insadong (안녕인사동), this place also offers many activities to do and cafes to visit. I would really like to recommend you to stop by Seollaeneun Majung (설레는마중) café, this place offers delicious traditional Korean desserts, such as Hangeul Bread (한글빵) -the red bean ones are amazing, I recommend you try them-

And if you are a fan of Line characters, you can find their ”Line Friends” store as well.

Annyeong Insadong the korean tradition — **Annyeong Insadong (안녕인사동) entrance**

Address: 49 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

What to see nearby?

Since we are in the center of Seoul, there are a thousand other activities you can do but I personally feel like recommending two places in particular: first of all I find it necessary to check out the Jogyesa temple (조계사), which is the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. (4 minutes walk from the two shopping centers)

Address: 55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Insadong temple, korean tradition — **Jogyesa temple**

The second place I would like to recommend is the ”Seoul museum of craft art” (서울공예박물관) which exhibits a series of traditional and modern Korean crafts. (also 4 minutes walk by the main street of Insadong)

Address: 4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

How to get there

The direct subway lines to get to Insadong are: Line 1 (the blue one) with stop at Jonggak Station (종각역), or you can also get off at Jongno 3ga (종로3가역)
You can also take subway line 3 (the orange one), and get off at Anguk Station (안국역) -exit 6-

*all photos were taken by me

*Sources for the historical part: Wikipedia

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February 4, 2024April 8, 2024

I bet this place in Seoul will make you feel at home

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Are you traveling to Seoul and want to visit the city center but aren’t sure where to start? well, then you are in the right place, because today I will tell you about one of the most interesting places in the city center, where you can walk among the nature and enjoy the view.

Cheonggyecheon (청계천)

The Cheonggyecheon (청계천) is located in the center of Seoul, to be precise in the Jongno-gu (종로) district and is 10.9km long. This area officially opened in 2005.

Cheonggyecheon was initially called Gaecheon (개천) during the Joseon (조선) period. After the Korean War, there was a strong migration to Seoul and people began to live on the river side, but unfortunately the living conditions were not the best, so they decided to build a highway which however was immediately torn down to give the river a second chance.

How to get there?

Easy, just take the subway line 1 (the blue one) and get off at City Hall Station (시청역) or Jonggak Station (종각역) or Jongno 3ga (종로3가역) and then from there you can walk to the river.

Why go there?

Well first of all it’s a one of a kind place, the wonderful thing is that you can walk along the river from City Hall to Dongdaemun (about 45 minutes walk) so you can enjoy the view. Also, along the river you can find a large amount of cafes and restaurants of all kinds. A simple place but that offers a lot.
The best thing is that, whatever the season, there will always be something to do or see: events of all kinds, Christmas decorations, markets, etc…

I recommend stopping there in the evening too, as you can see the beautiful lights under the bridge (in the City Hall area). This place is for everyone, you can go with your family, with friends, with your other half and why not… even alone?

*Christmas decorations in Cheonggyecheon (City Hall area)*

Address: Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

*all the photos displayed were taken by me

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January 24, 2024April 8, 2024

Wanna go shopping in Seoul?

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I am sure that one of the things we like most is shopping and immersing ourselves in the social life of the country we are visiting, which is why I will draw up a small list of the most famous and popular shopping streets in Seoul, where you can spend your days between make up and clothes shops.

HONGDAE (홍대)

If you are a lover of South Korea you will surely have heard of the famous Hongdae in Seoul. Hongdae is a very popular area because of the nightlife, in fact it is populated by clubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. But not only this, Hongdae is famous for its street fashion, in fact you can find the most fashionable shops in the area. This area offers different activities, both during the day and in the evening. It is also possible to stop for a moment and enjoy some good live music, from emerging singers to groups that do Kpop covers (also called busking). In Hongdae you will be able to find international shops such as H&M, Nike, Adidas etc…as well as more ”local” shops where you can buy clothes that are trendy at the moment in Korea.

*View of Hongdae area from the Musinsa Terrace*

Since Hongdae is located in a central location, it is very easy to get there, just take subway line 2 (the green one) and get off at ”Hongdae Station” (홍대입구역)

Gangnam (강남)

Gangnam is another very popular and popular area of Seoul, famous for shopping, expensive apartments and luxury nightclubs. I also find that the vibe is different, I think it is a place that everyone defines as more ”sophisticated” perhaps because it is also the area where celebrities live and there are many kpop companies and entertainment. Rather it is a very interesting area to visit, because you will be able to do some more expensive shopping, as you can also find many luxury brands. On the streets you will see many expensive cars and many people dressed in designer clothes, ready to go to the most exclusive club in the area. In any case, if you look around carefully, you will always find something to do (if you like reading, drop by the Kyobo bookshop). So don’t be intimidated by all that luxury and have fun, maybe if you’re lucky you’ll be able to spot some celebrities!

*To get to Gangnam take line 2 (green line) and get off at ”Gangnam Station”

Myeong-dong (명동)

Let’s now move on to another area loved by tourists: Myeong-dong. This area is very interesting as it is equipped with many international shops, you will also find a wide choice of cosmetics shops, where you can spend the day shopping for lipsticks, face masks and eye palettes. Myeong-dong also offers a vast choice of street food, in fact while you are shopping you can enjoy the typical Korean dishes or other countries street food. You will find in the stalls right in front of the shops. But if you want to eat in comfort, don’t worry, because this area offers many restaurants, from typical Korean restaurants to multi-ethnic cuisine, and then why not go and pop into a cute coffee shop nearby? In short, here you will find everything you need!

However, I would like to give you some advice, since I lived there for a while; Being a very touristy area, obviously there are always a lot of people, but I would like to advise you to visit Myeong-dong during the week because it could be really difficult for you to move freely through the streets, furthermore I would also like to remind you that very often, if not almost every Saturday, many demonstrations/protests take place in the Myeong-dong – City Hall area (check on the internet if there will be any demonstation before going).

*Myeong-dong street and Shinsegae mall view*

*Christmas decorations in Myeong-dong street and Lotte department store*

*To get to Myeong-dong you can take the bus but I recommend the subway line 4 (light blue line) and get off at ”Myeong-dong Station”

Sinchon (신촌)

Sinchon is very very close to Hongdae and is also a very popular shopping area. In this zone you will have the opportunity, as in other areas, to dedicate yourself to shopping for cosmetics and clothes, you will also be able to find a great variety of particular and unique coffee shops and also many typical Korean restaurants. I recommend this area because often, like in Hongdae, you can watch Busking, in fact many groups that do Kpop covers perform there. This is another area that is very popular among young people and is considered a little more ”local” and less touristy.

*Sinchon is on the same line as Hongdae (line 2, the green one) and just one stop away from each other, but if you are already there you can also go by walk, it takes around 20/30 minutes

*all the photos displayed were taken by me

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January 23, 2024April 8, 2024

Visiting the best museums in South Korea

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When visiting a new country, one of the best things to do in my opinion is to go and check out art and history museums, that’s why in this post I’ll show you some of my favorite museums I visited in Seoul and Busan, where you can learn a little bit of Korea’s history and immerse yourself in the beautiful art this country has to offer.

1. War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

Let’s start from the most famous museum and in my opinion also the most important one, the War Memorial of Korea. This museum is about the history of the wars in which Korea and South Korea took part. Located in Itaewon, Yongsan-Gu District, the war memorial museum opened its doors in 1994. The museum has 6 floors of internal exhibitions and an external exhibition showcasing military equipment from China, South Korea and the United States. (to find out more you can visit their website)

I highly recommend visiting this museum because in addition to being very interesting I find it also educational to better understand the military history of South Korea, as it is a very important part of the country. Entry is free

*The tower represents a bronze sword and the tree of life. Next to it, the group statues are called ‘‘Defense of the Fatherland” and represent soldiers and refugees*

Address: 29 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

2. Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

The Seoul Museum of History is a museum located in the Jongno district (central location) Opened in December 1993. This museum show the evolution of Seoul, from prehistoric times to the present days. It also often host special exhibitions. Entry is free. I recommend a visit to this museum, as it is not very large you can visit everything in an hour and a half or even less, depending on your interests. It also offers a very interesting miniature of the city of Seoul.

Address: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03177, South Korea

3. Seoul National University Museum of Arts (서울대학교미술관)

This museum, being part of my old university, I couldn’t help but recommend it to you (I’m not biased, I swear!) However: the Seoul National University Museum of Art is located on the campus of the Seoul National University, and as the name already says, it exhibits artwork. There is no fixed exhibition, there are different artists regularly, including university students, international and Korean artists. Also in this case entry is free.

Honestly, I want to recommend this museum not only because it has a special place in my heart, but being passionate about art, I believe that anyone who is passionate about art like me could find new art and artists to broaden their cultural background. So if you have some time, why not drop by?

*March 2023 exhibition (portrait photos)*

*Inside the museum (view from the top floor)*

Address: 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea

4. Busan Museum (부산광역시립박물관)

This time we fly to Busan, the most famous seaside city in the country. I think that the Busan Museum is the best place to learn a little about the history of the city, opened in 1978, it is in fact the place that preserves a collection of relicts and historical pieces of art, so from here you can start and reconstruct the history of the city from early times up to the present day. A must for anyone who is passionate about history. Entrance to the museum is free.

Address: 948-1 Daeyeon-4dong Nam-gu, Busan 48529 South Korea

5. Korea National Maritime Museum MMK (국립해양박물관)

A museum that you absolutely must not miss is the Korea National Maritime Museum in Busan, this museum face directly the sea, offering an amazing view. It is made up of 4 floors: the first floor host the maritime library and the auditorium, while on the second floor we have the children’s museum, where themed shows are organized for the little ones. On the third floor there are maritime relicts and artefacts. On the top floor there is the Marine Science Hall and a 4D theatre. I recommend this museum because it fully embraces what the city of Busan is. The entrance of the main exhibition is free but the visit to the 4D theater and it costs 5,000won

Address: 45 Haeyang-ro 301beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, South Korea

6. Goeun Museum of Photography (고은사진미술관)

The Goeun Photography Museum is located in Haeundae, Busan and is the first photography museum established outside the capital Seoul. This museum aims to offer more cultural opportunities to visitors to see collections representing both Korean and international artists. The Goeun museum also offers support to new and emerging artists. The Goeun Photography Museum has an exhibition hall on the 2nd floor, as well as a photography library on the 1st floor. I recommend this museum to all photography enthusiasts, so you can discover new emerging artists. Entry is free.

*Ulrich Wüst’s exhibition ”Wandering About History”, August 2023*

*Small installation overlooking the stairs*

Address: 16 Haeun-daero 452beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, South Korea

*all the photos displayed were taken by me

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January 20, 2024April 8, 2024

When the weather is in your favor

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Are you in Seoul and it’s a beautiful day but you’re not sure what to do?

Then be ready because I will show you some of the most beautiful parks where you can take a walk, enjoy the view and why not, have a picnic with your friends and listen to some live music.

1) Yeouido Park (여의도 공원)

Yeouido Park is one of the most famous in Seoul, this incredible place runs along the Han River (한강), and is perfect for a walk during good weather days, especially in autumn and spring, where the colors of the trees give a more magical mood in the park. In addition to being very close to the subway, in the main square there are many stalls where you can taste Korean street food and, since it is very popular in Korea to have a picnic you can also rent blankets to put on the lawn. Furthermore, you can sit and listen to street artists, especially on weekends. To top it off, Yeouido park offers a gorgeous view and sunset, which I highly recommend seeing at least once.

*Main square, where you can rent the blankets and taste the street food*

Address: 330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

2) Songpa Naru Park-Seokchon Lake (송파 나루 공원)

Songpa park is located in the Songpa district and runs along Seokchon lake and the magical island of Lotte World (which for those who don’t know is the largest amusement park in the country). It is also in the same area as the famous Lotte World Tower and the Lotte World mall, where you can go on a shopping spree or you can go to the top of the Lotte Tower and enjoy the beautiful view of Seoul. This area is honestly huge, so be prepared to walk a lot! Luckily the subway stop (Jamsil Station) is also the entrance to the shopping mall. So, go back to the park: you can walk along it all, or stop for a coffee in the various coffee shops nearby and enjoy the view. The super cute thing is that you will be able to spot the geese on the shore of the lake and that you will be able to photograph them (please remember to not get close or feed them).

– I recommend visiting the park all year round (during the Christmas season you will have the opportunity to see the Christmas decorations, which in my opinion are amazing)

*View of the Seokchon lake during autumn season*

*The bridge that connects the magical island of Lotte World*

Address: Seoul, Songpa-gu, 송파나루길 206, South Korea

3) N odeul Island (노들 섬)

Nodeul Island is a park/island, located right in the center of the Han River under the bridge that leads to Yongsan station. This island hosts a beautiful park with a view right on the river. It is also equipped with restaurants and coffee shops. Nodeul Island, in addition to being surrounded by nature, is often used for events, such as concerts or competitions. A quiet place to spend a beautiful summer or spring day with friends or your significant other. To get there, just take the bus or you can easily get to both ends of the bridge by foot (both above and below the bridge). I recommend taking a walk there even during the evening, as the view of the city is even more incredible!

Address: 445, Yangnyeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

*all the photos displayed were taken by me

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History

But let’s take a look at some of the most important buildings:

Final conclusions

Where the palace is located and how to get there

Surroundings

Teddy Beurre House (테디뵈르하우스)

Where it is located and how to get there

National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

The collections

How to get

Personal thoughts

Starfield COEX Mall

Some pictures of outside the mall

What else to do?

How to get there

But where is it?

What to do?

How to get there?

But where is Insadong located, and how was this neighborhood born?

So what to do in Insadong?

Ssamziegil (쌈지길)

What to see nearby?

How to get there

HONGDAE (홍대)

Gangnam (강남)

Myeong-dong (명동)

Sinchon (신촌)

1. War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

2. Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

3. Seoul National University Museum of Arts (서울대학교미술관)

4. Busan Museum (부산광역시립박물관)

5. Korea National Maritime Museum MMK (국립해양박물관)

6. Goeun Museum of Photography (고은사진미술관)

1) Yeouido Park (여의도 공원)

2) Songpa Naru Park-Seokchon Lake (송파 나루 공원)

3) Nodeul Island (노들 섬)

3) N odeul Island (노들 섬)