Top 5 Places for People from the Provinces to Visit in Seoul - Only the Truly Fun Spots!

Hello! Here are 5 truly hot spots recommended by a Seoul native

Every time friends from the provinces say they’re coming to visit Seoul, I always worry about where to take them. Tourist spots are too boring, and overly niche places are hard to access. So, I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 places that my friends from the provinces and I visited together and found truly satisfying!

🎉 1st Place. Hongdae - The Sanctuary of Youth, 24 Hours Aren't Enough

The place my friends from the provinces loved the most was Hongdae! It has an energy that you just can’t feel in the provinces. It’s nice during the day, but you have to go at night to truly feel the charm of Hongdae.

Must-do activities in Hongdae:

• Watch busking on Walking Street - It’s amazing if you go on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights! Buskers from all over the country perform.
• Take photos at Hongdae Playground - Full of photo zones for capturing life shots
• Party at a club - If you’re in your 20s, you should experience it at least once
• Eat ramen for a late-night snack - The taste of ramen after partying is just...

In Hongdae, there’s never a dull moment, even if you spend the whole day there. There are tons of cafes, and it’s fun to browse various boutique shops and accessory stores. Especially, Gyeongui Line Book Street is a hidden gem that not many people know about, perfect for a quiet date!

💡 Hongdae Tip: If you go on a weekday evening, it’s less crowded than on weekends, so you can enjoy it more leisurely. Exit 9 of Hongik University Station connects directly to the main street!

🌃 2nd Place. Hangang Park - Seoul’s Dream, Enjoy Chimaek Here!

A place where you can experience the Han River you’ve seen in dramas! My friends from the provinces were so touched, saying, 'Oh, this is the famous Han River.' Especially at night, the night view is truly fantastic.

Recommended Hangang Parks:

• Banpo Hangang Park - The Rainbow Fountain Show is a must-see! It’s available every evening from April to October.
• Yeouido Hangang Park - The best place to order chicken. You can have it delivered to the park via delivery apps.
• Ttukseom Hangang Park - Great for riding duck boats and convenient for renting bicycles.

Chicken and beer by the Han River is truly the dream of living in Seoul! The taste of chicken while feeling the river breeze is exquisite. These days, there are many food stalls, so you can easily buy instant ramen, tteokbokki, and more.

💡 Hangang Tip: Be sure to bring a mat! You can also buy one at convenience stores. And it’s important to check the locations of restrooms in advance.

🛍️ 3rd Place. Myeongdong - The Paradise of Shopping and Food

You might think Myeongdong feels too much like a tourist spot, but there are many truly hot places that have opened recently! After COVID-19, a lot of new cafes and restaurants have opened.

Must-visit places in Myeongdong:

• Myeongdong Cathedral - The Gothic-style building is truly beautiful. You can visit even if you’re not a believer!
• Myeongdong Shopping Street - There’s nothing you can’t find, from cosmetics to clothes.
• SBA Seoul Animation Center - Access 30,000 webtoons and comics for free! It’s a hidden gem.
• N Seoul Tower - Take the cable car from Myeongdong for the ultimate Seoul night view.

Myeongdong Kyoja dumplings are really famous! And Eulji Myeonok’s cold noodles are truly delicious. Recently, many unique cafes have opened, making it great for a cafe tour.

💎 4th Place. Gangnam - The Sanctuary of K-pop, the Sophisticated Side of Seoul

Gangnam might have an expensive image, but there are more affordable places than you’d think! Especially if you’re a K-pop fan, it’s a must-visit.

Essential Gangnam Courses:

• Gangnam Station Underground Shopping Center - Great for shopping and there’s a lot to see.
• K-STAR ROAD - A street with handprints of Hallyu stars.
• COEX Mall - The Starfield Library is truly a life-shot spot!
• Apgujeong Rodeo Street - Luxury shopping and trendy cafes.

The Starfield Library at COEX is the best photo zone! The sight of books stacked up to the ceiling is truly spectacular. And Gangnam is best experienced at night to feel its true charm.

🏮 5th Place. Bukchon Hanok Village + Insadong - The Beauty of Tradition

The only place in Seoul where you can experience traditional Korean culture! It’s great for showing off to foreign friends and perfect for taking photos.

Bukchon + Insadong Course:

• Bukchon 8 Views Tour - The beautiful alleyways of the Hanok Village.
• Bukchon Observatory - A viewpoint where you can see the Hanok Village at a glance.
• Samcheong-dong Cafe Street - There are many atmospheric cafes.
• Insadong Traditional Tea House - Enjoy a healing time with traditional tea.

I also recommend renting a hanbok and touring the Hanok Village! There are many hanbok rental shops these days, so it’s perfect for taking life shots in beautiful hanbok. And shopping for traditional crafts in Insadong is also quite fun.

💡 Bukchon Tip: Since actual residents live there, don’t be too noisy! And there are many uphill paths, so wear comfortable shoes.

🎯 Seoul Travel Tips for People from the Provinces

Transportation Tips:

• Recommend buying a 1-day unlimited subway pass (8,000 won)
• The KakaoMap app is essential! It makes finding subway routes super easy.
• The subway is more convenient than buses for first-time visitors.

Accommodation Tips:

• Guesthouses in Hongdae and Gangnam offer good value for money.
• Myeongdong has a great location but accommodation is expensive.
• Booking in advance is always cheaper!

Budget Guide (per day):

• Transportation: 10,000 won
• Food: 50,000 won
• Shopping/Entertainment: 50,000 won
• Total Estimated Cost: About 110,000 won

Precautions:

• Everywhere is crowded on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (especially in the evening).
• Beware of price gouging in Myeongdong and Gangnam.
• Always check the last subway times! (Usually midnight to 1 AM)

In Conclusion

Seoul is a city with so many sights and activities that 24 hours aren’t enough. You’ll be able to enjoy a special energy and diversity that’s hard to experience in the provinces! I’m confident that just visiting these 5 places will make you fall in love with Seoul’s charm.

If you need more detailed recommendations tailored to specific tastes or age groups, feel free to ask in the comments! These were the truly hot spots sincerely recommended by a Seoul native 😊