9 Ways to Save Money in Seoul

Seoul Forest is decorated in various themes, offering you and your loved ones a chance for a pleasant nature getaway in the middle of the city. You can either come prepared with a picnic basket and blanket or order food to be delivered to your spot.

The Butterfly Gardens and Botanical Garden are free to the public, and they’re excellent spots if you’re travelling with children. It's also a convenient destination for tourists, thanks its proximity to Seoul Forest Station. Because it’s in the middle of Seoul, there are plenty of well-known restaurants and cafés nearby for you to visit.

The Olympic Park and Stadium is a recreational centre for exercise-minded visitors in Seoul. It was built to host Seoul’s Olympics games in 1988. Athletic competitions, concerts and large-scale events take place at the stadium year-round. There’s also an Olympic Museum, Mongchon Fortress and the World Peace Gate.

The Olympic Park has paved pathways that lead to a sculpture park, where you can see around 200 art installations. The stadium’s tennis courts, gymnasium, fencing court and indoor Olympic pool are all open to the public. 

Changgyeonggung Palace, once served as a palace for queens, is known for its simple and colorful charm. If you want to imagine what the palace and its surroundings looked like in the Joseon era, book a night tour. These popular tours take you through the palace grounds that have been decorated with the traditional Korean cheongsa-chorong lanterns. 

Visit the onsite Grand Greenhouse to admire the exotic flora and take in the tropical atmosphere. There’s an admission fee to enter the palace, but daily free tours are available. Be sure to check the details online.

Seonyu Park, located on an island on the Han River, was the site of a water purification plant until 2000. This former plant was repurposed into Seonyudo Park and is now a place where you can enjoy the unique ambience of the contrast between industry and nature.

The park is especially charming in the evening when you can enjoy a night-time view of the Han River, making it a popular destination for people looking to capture a striking photo. You cannot ride bicycles here, so wear comfortable shoes and get ready for a walk.

Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul is one of South Korea's most noteworthy cathedrals. The Gothic Revival church dates back to 1898. It has been designated as Korea’s Historic Site No. 258. In this charming church, you’ll find excellent brochures presenting its highlights and notable features in a visitor- and budget-friendly way.

As it is a place of worship, the cathedral is quiet and not at all crowded. Be sure to visit if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet in Myeongdong.

The Cheonggye Stream starts at Cheonggye Square near Gwanghwa Gate and flows to Wangsimni. The water is notably clean because it’s purified water sourced from the Han River and nearby groundwater. The ecosystems around the stream have been restored over a 10-year period. In fact, you just might forget that you’re in the middle of a busy city unless you look up.

As the stream passes through the middle of the city centre, there are lots of convenient facilities nearby at your disposal. If you’re lucky, you might be surprised by a night market that opens from time to time.

Seokchon Lake Park in Jamsil is well known as a place of respite for locals, but it’s also famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. Thanks to the surrounding skyscrapers and a nearby amusement park, you can be assured that you’ll catch some wonderful night-time views of the scenery. Unique artworks are sometimes installed on the lake for added viewing pleasure. The lakeside trails are well laid out, so there’s no worry of getting lost. There is a car park, but public transport is recommended because it can get a bit crowded.

Bongeun Temple was built during the Silla era and has seen more than its fair share of destruction and restoration through various wars. Because it lies in a forest of tall buildings and not deep in the mountains, it’s rather convenient to visit compared to other temples.

The sanctums, sculptures, a large stone statue of Buddha and the surrounding landscape are in full harmony, and each season brings a new look to the temple grounds. Try to time your visit with Buddha’s birthday when colourful lanterns are illuminated for the occasion.