Updated October 9, 2024
If you’re looking to avoid tourist traps but still want to experience the best of what Seoul has to offer, check out this list of the 10 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do in Seoul! As a Korean who grew up in Seoul, I’m excited to share a snippet of the best of life in Korea, without the tourist hype!
South Korea has a very distinct culture, from fashion to culinary trends, and we’ll go over the best places and activities where you’ll get to experience the culture firsthand in an authentic way.
For More: Check out the 5 Best Seoul Neighborhoods list with things to do here!
Best Non-Touristy Things To Do in Seoul
1. Check out hip boutiques and restaurants in Hannam
Hannam, especially around Hangangjin, is a low-key, hip neighborhood with a ton of trendy boutique and flagship stores of locally loved Korean and global brands. It’s also home to classy restaurants and unique cafes.
CHECK OUT the 3-story RECTO flagship store in Hannam to get a taste of high-end homegrown Korean fashion.
GETTING THERE Take the subway to Hangangjin Station.
2. Go gallery hopping in Samcheong-dong
Samcheong-dong is known to locals to have some of the best art galleries and museums, in addition to being a hip neighborhood where modern meets Korean traditional hanok houses.
CHECK OUT Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai and the MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art).
GETTING THERE These galleries are accessible from Anguk Station.
3. Explore the Brooklyn of Seoul, Seongsu-dong
Seongsu-dong was historically known for its shoemaking and cobbler businesses, some of which still exist today alongside trendy cafes, galleries and boutiques. Among the many locally popular neighborhoods, Seongsu-dong is still one of the more underrated hip places to hang out.
CHECK OUT Tongue Planet, an eclectic, colorful cafe with a small exhibition at the entrance.
GETTING THERE Take the subway to Seongsu Station.
4. Bike along the Han River and grab instant Korean ramen
The Han River is the main river dividing Seoul into Gangnam (north of the river) and Gangbuk (south of the river) and have excellent, well-kept biking and walking pathways. I fondly look back to biking along the river with my family as a kid on the two-person tandem bikes we rented! After your bike ride, end the day like a local by buying instant Korean ramen (I recommend the classic Shin Ramen) and beer at the convenience store and enjoying your meal by the river. The views are especially lovely in the evenings.
CHECK OUT Go to Ichon Hangang Riverside Park for the bike rentals (이촌한강공원자전거대여소) and the CU convenience store (CU 한강르네상스이촌점).
GETTING THERE The park is a 20 minute walk from Ichon Station.
5. Hike along Bukhansan Dullegil
Bukhansan is the mountain that forms the northern perimeter of Seoul. An alternative to doing the full hike is trekking along sections of the Bukhansan Dullegil (“round trail”), which divides the 71.5 km (44.4 mi) trail into 21 sections.
CHECK OUT For an easy trek, check out Sections 9-11. For medium intensity, check out sections 19-21.
6. Go back in time at Eunpyeong Hanok Village
Section 9 of Bukhansan Dullegil is actually part of Eunpyeong Hanok Village! This hanok village is a beautiful oasis away from the center of the city. The views at this hanok village, among the several in Seoul, are especially beautiful because you have Bukhansan as the panoramic backdrop. While the hanok villages surrounding Gyeongbokgung Palace are visibly enmeshed with the busy modernity of the city, the structures in Eunpyeong are much more homogenously hanok style.
CHECK OUT 1 In 1 Jan (1인1잔) cafe for top-down views onto the hanok village. The wave of hanok roofs are striking!
GETTING THERE Get off at Yeonsinnae Station and take the 7211 or 701 bus to Hanago, Jingwansa, Samcheonsa Entrance. Alternatively, get off at Gupabal Station and take the 7723 bus to the Hanago, Samcheongsa, Jingwansa Temple Entrance.
7. Eat at long-standing Korean restaurants at Yeouido
Yeouido has many long-standing, well-loved Korean restaurants that have been frequented by businesspeople over the years as the neighborhood is Seoul’s finance and investment banking hub. While Yeouido is more frequently known for the brand new department store, The Hyundai Seoul, it is also a neighborhood where you can find amazing local restaurants.
CHECK OUT Head to Yeouido Department Store, an underground food market, and try the delicious soybean noodles at Jinju House!
GETTING THERE Take Line 5 to Yeouido Station and take Exit 5.
8. Sing your heart out at a Noraebang
If you haven’t gotten the hint yet from K-Pop…. You guessed it, Koreans love singing! Like many Koreans, I grew up frequenting Korean noraebangs (karaoke rooms) singing my heart out. Singing is half the fun; order food and drinks in true Korean fashion while you’re at it!
CHECK OUT Su Noraebang Hongdae Main Store (수노래연습장 홍대 본점) is a whole multistory complex of noraebangs. Su is a long-standing noraebang where you can reliably get a pleasant experience in a nice private room all at an affordable price!
GETTING THERE Get off Hongdae Station and take Exit 9.
9. Eat authentic Korean fried chicken with beer
While Korean fried chicken shops are opening up in the US and abroad, it’s not the same as the real fried chicken that have become a staple in Korean households. Koreans love having their chicken with beer, so much so that they’ve coined the term “chimaek” to refer to that combo.
CHECK OUT If you’re looking for a more chill night in, I would recommend buying or ordering fried chicken from your nearest BBQ Chicken (BBQ치킨) franchise location.
10. Shop at the Classy Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam
Korean style has become more known around the globe; in my opinion, Koreans dress pretty well and it’s apparent in the intense shopping culture. Experience the height of Korean consumerism at the classy Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam. Across the different department stores and malls in Seoul, it’s the best one. You’ll find major Korean brands, along with global luxury brands under the same roof.
DON’T MISS Don’t forget, you can ask for tax-free receipts upon purchasing goods, and then claim your refund at the airport!
10 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do in Seoul (Summary)
- Check out hip boutiques and restaurants in Hannam
- Go gallery hopping in Samcheong-dong
- Explore the Brooklyn of Seoul, Seongsu-dong
- Bike along the Han River and grab instant noodles
- Hike along Bukhansan Dullegil
- Go back in time at Eunpyeong Hanok Village
- Eat at long-standing Korean restaurants at Yeouido
- Sing your heart out at a noraebang
- Eat authentic Korean fried chicken with beer
- Shop at the Classy Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam
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