South Korea’s capital, Seoul, sports a mix of neon-lit streets, centuries-old palaces and scenic walks. While it’s a great destination for a family city break or a romantic couple’s retreat, it’s also surprisingly well-suited to solo adventurers. Its safety, efficiency and community makes it easy to navigate and enjoy when traveling by oneself. Below are some more reasons to choose Seoul as a solo traveler, and a few activities to consider when you take a trip here.
Why Seoul Is A Good Destination For Solo Adventurers
Low crime rate
Seoul boasts one of the lowest crime rates for a major city in the world. This is the result of citywide CCTV, a robust police force and a generally passive culture. Its sense of safety can be a major confidence booster when traveling alone. That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t still keep your wits about you, however it does make activities like grabbing a late night snack or taking the subway after hours a much more comfortable experience.
Efficient public transport
The public transport system in Seoul is clean, efficient and extensive. Using a T-Money or Cashbee card, it’s possible to tap in and out of subway stations and buses across the city. Most neighborhoods you’ll want to visit – Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam and Itaewon – are connected by frequent trains with buses filling the gap. You’ll also find English signage throughout the subway, making it easy to find your way around. Options like luggage storage Seoul also make it possible to drop off your bags and freely explore the city if you arrive early before check-in.
A range of hostels
Hostels are a great accommodation choice for solo travelers because they are cheap and typically a great place to meet other fellow travelers. Seoul has quite a large range of hostels – particularly in areas like Hongdae and Itaewon. Some hostels even host events like bar crawls, food tours or K-pop dance classes. You’ll also find traditional hotels and guesthouses throughout the city if you’re not a fan of hostels.
Good internet connectivity
You’ll find free public 5G internet almost everywhere in Seoul. It’s commonplace in hostels, cafes, libraries, co-working spaces and on public transport. This makes it easy to stay connected on the go – allowing you to easily navigate yourself via GPS, make video calls to loved ones or Google attractions.
Rich digital nomad culture
Looking to work as you travel? Seoul has a rich digital nomad culture. Neighborhoods like Seongsu-dong and Yeonnam-dong are particularly inspiring and have many creative cafes where you’ll find people from around the world working from laptops. There are also hostels in the city catered towards traveling professionals that double-up as co-working spaces.
Great Solo Activities To Do In Seoul
See the historical sights
Seoul’s historical sites are excellent attractions for solo travelers because they’re well-marked and can be enjoyed at one’s own pace. Start by taking in the grandeur of Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the royal guard changing ceremony. Then explore the National Palace Museum next door to learn about the building and its long history. After this stroll over to Bukchon Hanok village – a picturesque residential area full of traditional Korean houses (hanoks) where the ruling class lived during the Joseon Dynasty. Other historic attractions to consider visiting in Seoul include Changdeokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Gate and Jogyesa Temple.
Try out the many themed cafes
Themed cafes are a speciality in Seoul. A few cafes that could be worth checking out on your travels include:
- Cafe Tape: A space-themed cafe in Itaewong-dong with otherworldly visual effects and cosmos-themed cakes.
- Koriko Cafe: A cafe in the Yeonnam area themed around the animated movie Kiki’s Delivery Service where you can buy all kinds of Studio Ghibli merchandise.
- 943 King’s Cross: A Harry-Potter-themed cafe in Hongdae spread out over 7 stories.
- Cafe Yeonnam-dong 223-14: A cafe that will make you feel like you’re in a 2D cartoon inspired by K-drama W – Two Worlds.
- Thanks Nature Cafe: A sheep-themed cafe in Hongdae where you can pet sheep in an outdoor pen.
- Poop Cafe: A strange cafe in Insadong where drinks are served in toilet mugs and desserts are shaped like poop.
Explore fascinating museums
Seoul also has many museums that are friendly to solo visitors – offering audio guides and exhibits with English translations. A few museums that could be worth trying include:
- The National Museum of Korea: A large museum in Yongsan District that offers a comprehensive history of the Korean peninsula from Ancient times to the 20th Century.
- The War Memorial of Korea: Dedicated to Korea’s military history with the focus on the 1950s Korean War, this free museum offers various military exhibits and emotional presentations.
- Leeum Samsung Museum of Art: A world-class art gallery featuring old and modern works from Korean and international artists.
- Korean National Maritime Museum: A museum dedicated to Korea’s nautical past with relics, artefacts and interactive exhibits.
- K-Pop Museum: A museum in Gyeongju dedicated to the rise of K-pop.
Enjoy scenic walks and hikes
There are many scenic places in Seoul for taking a stroll. You can walk from Namsan to Seoul Tower and take in the urban sights along the way. Alternatively, you can get out of the city and hike through Bukhansan National Park where you’ll find mountain paths offering stunning views of the city skyline. It’s also worth considering the Seoul City Wall Trail, which takes you across the historic wall, providing breathtaking vistas and informational plaques for learning about the wall itself.
Taste the street food
A trip to Seoul cannot be fully enjoyed without trying some authentic South Korean food. While there are many great restaurants to try, Seoul’s street food scene is a much more budget-friendly option that is typically better suited to many solo travelers. Gwangjan Market and Mangwon Market are two great locations where you can tuck into local foods like pancakes, noodles and gimbap. However, you’re likely to find stalls throughout the city – go to Myeongdong and there are many vendors selling snacks like tteokbokki, tornado potatoes and skewers.
