1. The Night Life
People who call NYC the city that never sleeps have never been to Seoul. At any time on any night of the week the streets of districts like Hongdae are packed with people who plan to party till morning in one of the hundreds of clubs and bars. The best part? There are no open container laws in Seoul, so drinking on the street is totally allowed! You can buy a bottle of soju (rice liquor) from the nearest convenience store and join the giant party going on around you. Another bonus: a ton of food places are open 24 hours so no matter what time your exhausted body needs food, there’s always some available!
2. The Shopping
If you’re a shopaholic like me then this city of endless shopping options is made just for you. Whether you’re looking for high-end or budget friendly stores, there are multiple shopping havens catering to whatever you’re looking for. Koreans love shopping so much that even the Seoul subway stations double as shopping plazas. One of the best shopping neighborhoods is Myeong-dong, with its huge variety of multi-level shops, bright neon lights, and billions of Korean products. Myeong-dong is also known for its array of affordable, delicious street food for you to munch on as you wander through whatever stores catch your eye. South Korea is also the skincare capital of the world, so make sure to stop in a Nature Republic, Innisfree, Skinfood, etc. to sample all their products. Your skin will thank you!
3. The Entertainment
Everywhere you look in Seoul there is an experience you don’t want to miss. There are street performers everywhere doing fascinating and fun acts, K-pop artists putting on huge, elaborate concerts, and even an amusement park right in the city called Lotte World. Go with a group of friends to one of the many karaoke bars (noraebangs) in the city, where you can rent a private room by the hour and sing as loudly and terribly as you want. For those who prefer to be entertained in a more relaxing setting, there are a number of theaters where you can see live music and plays, and even spas where you can hang out the whole day being pampered to your heart’s content.
4. The History
Even if you know absolutely nothing about South Korean history, there are still a ton of fun and interesting ways to explore it right in Seoul. One of my favorite places was Insadong, which is known as the historical district of Seoul. Insadong caters to people who want to immerse themselves in the past, with traditional buildings, food, and even clothing you can rent and walk around in. There are also a number of palaces and temples you can tour right in the city that are rich with history, and conveniently right next door is a Starbucks so you can grab your favorite drink to take along with you.
5. The Cleanliness
While Seoul’s population and size rivals cities like NYC and Washington D.C., the residents are dedicated to keeping the city clean. Despite the lack of trash cans (which I still don’t understand), the streets of Seoul have virtually no litter or debris. The subway station and cars are impeccable and comfortable, making public transportation an actually enjoyable experience.
6. The Affordability
One of the biggest draws to Seoul is the city’s incredible affordability. No matter what you’re in the mood to eat, from street food to traditional meals the average price runs you only a couple of dollars. Inexpensive but pleasant accommodations are available all throughout the city, and you can find cheap but decent quality clothes in tons of little boutiques. No matter your budget you can have a luxurious experience for low-cost in Seoul.
7. The Food
Last, but certainly not least, Korean food is something you do not want to miss out on. Korean food has a lot of unique flavors and spices that you won’t find anywhere else. Traditional Korean food is also incredibly good for you, so you can eat as much of it as you want without having to feel super guilty. Too busy to have a sit-down meal? Grab some delicious street food from one of the vendors that are at nearly every corner or pop into a convenience store for actually good and portable food.