Seoul is the capital city of South Korea, a bustling metropolis where traditional customs meets modern culture and technologies. It has a thriving pop music scene and a nightlife that bursts with entertainment.
All this is balanced with tradition and history, to create a city that has the best of both worlds. Whether you are planning to visit Seoul only or use it as your entry and exit point, we’ve put together a list of fantastic tours to make your trip a memorable one!
All that is left is to pick the tours that suit you best and experience the Seoul that we’ve come to love!
#1 – Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone
- $$$
- 6-9 hours
- Visit the unique Korean Demilitarized Zone
- See into North Korea from the Dora Observatory
Get the chance to learn about the war between North and South Korea with a visit to the extraordinary Korean Demilitarized Zone on the South Korean side. Explore the Third Tunnel, a 5,000 ft tunnel dug by North Korea as part of their plan to invade South Korea!
Catch a rare glimpse of North Korea, including the North Korean propaganda village and as far as the city of Kaesong, from the Dora Observatory.
#2 – Watch a Nanta Show at Myeongdong Theatre
- $$
- 2 hours
- A Korean classic enjoyed by all
- The theatre is comfortable and iconic
Watch South Korea’s longest-running theatrical performance at the Myeongdong Theatre in Seoul! The Nanta show is non-verbal performance of drama and comedy about three charismatic chefs working away furiously to meet an almost impossible deadline.
Everyone is able to enjoy the performance that shows off Korea’s culinary skills and integrates the traditional rhythms of Samulnori with comedy and drama. English, Japanese and Chinese multi-language service is also provided for your convenience!
Heading to Seoul? Save some money with our guide to the coolest hostels in Seoul!
#3 – Take an Open-Top Night Bus Tour
- $$
- 1.5 hours
- Enjoy a nighttime panoramic city tour through Seoul
- See all of the city’s top highlights, including the Namsan Seoul Tower and Dongjak Bridge
See Seoul illuminated at night and experience the best sights of the city on an evening bus tour. Let the driver take you around the city while an audio guide educates you on the history of what is considered by some to be the most dynamic city in East Asia!
Explore this remarkable, modern and vibrant city in a whole new light, starting at Namsan Seoul Tower.
#4 – Catch a Seoul Palace Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus
- $$
- 1 day
- Visit the Korean Royal Palace
- Explore other traditional Korean sites
Get a hop-on-hop-off 1-day city sightseeing pass and explore the Korean Royal Palace, Gyeongbokgung, and more of Seoul’s most historical sites. The downtown palace course in Seoul has 22 stops in total, and audio guides are available in 11 languages.
Busses arrive at designated stops every 25-30 minutes, allowing you to hop-off and explore and explore as long as you wish. The journey gives you access to Korean traditional areas as well as famous shopping sites!
Have some time? Get out of the city with these epic day trips from Seoul!
#5 – Take a Night Cruise with Music & Fireworks on the Han River
- $$
- 40-70 minutes
- Float up the beautiful Han River, in the heart of Seoul
- Enjoy live music and occasionally some fireworks
Take a break from the city rush and a unique cruise on the Han River. Enjoy the tranquility of the water accompanied by some live music onboard, and explore a completely different side of Seoul!
The night-time cruise allows you to enjoy Seoul’s cityscape lit up with lights, and is a perfect way to cool down on a summer night. The Han River is flanked by a beautiful park that has fantastic nature around it!
Heading to Busan? Save some money with our guide to the coolest hostels in Busan!
#6 – Dress Up in Hanbok, Traditional Korean Attire
- $
- 1.5 – 4 hours
- Try on some traditional Korean outfits
- Have photos taken in a professional studio
Dress yourself up in authentic Hanbok, experience Seoul in traditional Korean attire, and capture the moment on camera! There is an indoor studio decorated like a traditional house, making it the perfect back-drop for some professional photographs.
Otherwise, step outside and explore the palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung in traditional wear. There are premium options with bright colors and modern designs, as well as traditional Hanbok that resemble what people wore during the Choson dynasty.
#7 – Nami Island, Petite France & Optional Rail Bike Tour
- $$$
- 10-12 hours
- Explore the beauty of Nami Island and Petite France
- Take in the views from a Rail Bike
Spend the day outside the city exploring the must-see attractions of Nami Island and Petite France with the option of hiring a Rail Bike.
Nami Island is a popular getaway spot famous for its magnificent tree lined roads, just 63 km outside Seoul. Petite France is a small French-style village with vibrant buildings and photogenic streets that have been featured on many TV shows!
#8 – Take a Morning Guided Tour of Seoul
- $$
- 3.5 hours
- Get a guided tour of Seoul’s main historic buildings
- Enjoy a free pick-up service from most hotels
Get a taste of Korean heritage and explore Seoul’s historic buildings on a morning guided tour!
Gaze in wonder at the 500 year-old Daeungjeon and main temple building at Jogyesa. Explore the grandest of all the five main palaces in Seoul, the equally old Gyeongbok Palace.
And lastly, visit Cheongwadae, the presidential house known for its beautiful, blue tiles, where you’ll get to visit the history center of Cheongwadae Sarangchae!
Seoul is Big! Don’t be overwhelmed though, check out our no-stress guide to where to stay in Seoul!
#9 – Visit a UNESCO Site and Traditional Korean Market Places
- $$
- 3.5 hours
- Explore the royal Joseon palace of Changdeok
- Browse the traditional market of Insadong and Namdaemun
Enjoy an afternoon outing that visits three main highlights of Seoul, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with your very own tour guide!
Changdeok was the principal palace for many of the Joseon kings, and is the best preserved among the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. Insadong Arts and Crafts market dates back to the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910), while Namdaemun Traditional Market is the largest traditional market in Korea.
#10 – Take a Private Tour of the DMZ with a North Korean Defector
- $$$
- 7 hours
- Listen to enlightening commentary from a professional guide and a real North Korean defector
- Learn about both South and North Korea’s history
Interact with an actual North Korean defector who will enlighten you about the life and history of North Korea. Get a more realistic and accurate picture of North Korean life from someone who was previously living there and listen to stories of their successful repatriation to South Korea.
On this tour of DMZ you’ll will hear from the North Korean defector and the tour guide about the reality of North Korea and two perspectives on the tragic Korean War.
#11 – Go Explore Seoul Gangnam Style!
- $$
- 6-9 hours
- Experience a great overview of the city’s most dynamic areas
- Relax on the bus or explore by foot
Sit back and relax while the hop-on and hop-off bus lets you explore Gangnam with a one-day city sightseeing bus! Let the audio guide introduce Seoul’s most popular points of interest and shopping venues while you decide which stops to put on your itinerary.
The busses run in loops so you’ll have the chance to hop-on and hop-off as you please, and get the chance to wander around over 20 stops!
#12 – Seoul Pub Crawl & Party: Skip the Line for Bars and Clubs
- $$
- 5 hours
- Visit Seoul’s hottest night spots
- Benefit from loads of freebies
Get social and join a bunch of other travelers and some locals looking for a good night out with a safe and fun pub crawl through Seoul. Get VIP treatment and skip the line while visiting 3 epic nightlife venues and one extra happening location to round off your night!
Spend the night dancing, drinking and socializing in a different location each night of the week all under the trusty eye of your party guide!
#13 – Enter a World of Underwater Wonder at COEX Aquarium
- $$
- 2 hours
- Explore unique marine habitats and sea life!
- Visit the largest aquarium in South Korea
Immerse yourself in the marine environment and discover the mysterious and exotic creatures that call the ocean home at COEX Aquarium, in the heart of Gangnam!
Housing over 40,000 sea creatures from 650 different species in 180 display tanks, the urban aquarium is a fascinating adventure and a great way to educate kids about the living world around them!
Enjoy mermaid performances, live feedings, environmental awareness explanations and many other exciting shows!
Not traveling 4-star? These cheap hostels in Seoul won’t disappoint you!
#14 – Let Your Very Own Korean Buddy Show You Around
- $$-$$$$
- 2-6 hours
- Get insight from a local resident
- Make a connection with the people of Seoul
Be welcomed to Seoul and get the best tips and advice on where to go, how to get there and what to see and do from a local eager to share the best that Seoul has to offer! This is a great way to connect with the people of Seoul and see the city from their perspective.
Here about all the top things to do in Seoul, customize your stay towards your personal interests and walk away more confident navigating the city to get the most out of your stay!
#15 – Hike Mt. Bukhan & Visit a Korean-Style Spa
- $$$
- 7-9 hours
- Breathe in the fresh air while hiking on Seoul’s highest mountain, Mt. Bukhan
- Enjoy a full-body treatment at A Korean-style spa!
Enjoy the outdoors and fresh air at Mt. Bukhan National Park, the highest peak and one of the most beautiful mountains in Seoul! Along the hike to Samo Rock you’ll stop by Seunggasa Temple, and take in the beautiful scenery.
Afterwards, give your weary muscles some relief by choosing an optional full-body spa treatment at an indoor Korean bathhouse! The perfect way to combine fitness and relaxation!
#16 – Take a Tour of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
- $$$
- 4 hours
- Visit the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, the king’s residence in times of war
- Learn about Korean culture and history from your guide
Take in the beauty of unique Korean architecture of the 18th century with a visit to the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, one of Korea’s must-see sites! At this site you’ll get the chance to learn about the scientific, architectural and artistic aspects of Korea at that time.
You’ll also get to explore the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, the former residence of the king during war time!
#17 – Soak Up The Ambience of Seoraksan National Park and Visit Naksansa Temple
- $$$
- 12 hours
- Visit the most popular temple in Korea
- Journey through the Baekdam Valley
Get back to nature in beautiful Seoraksan National Park, visit ancient Buddhist temples and enjoy a day out in the Baekdam Valley! Experience the Buddist culture of the area, and hike up to the peak of Seoraksan Mountain.
A visit to the ancient Naksansa Temple just north of Naksan Beach will take you back to the time of the 30th King of the Silla period (57 BC – 935 AD), an experience that is not to be missed!
#18 – Take a Real K-Pop Dance Class and Star in a Music Video
- $$$
- 2.5 hours
- Learn step-by-step beginner level K-pop moves
- Star in your own music video
Ever dreamt about being a pop-star? K-pop and K-wave lovers, this is your chance to step into the shoes of K-pop icons, learn the basic K-pop dance moves and star in your own music video!
Lose yourself in the music with a visit to a real K-pop dance studio and let your passionate dance coach groom you into a star! The experience includes a fun video shoot that could be your big break to global fame.
#19 – Lotte Tower: The Tallest Building in Korea
- $$$
- 2 hours
- Take the fastest double decker elevator in the world to the top of Lotte World Tower
- Enjoy the panoramic view of Seoul on the Sky Deck, the world’s highest glass-floored observation deck
Test your aptitude for heights with a trip up to the tallest building in Korea, and the 5th tallest building in the world! Not only that but the 123-floor Lotte World Tower boasts the world’s fastest double-decker elevator.
Visit the Sky Deck and get a unique perspective of Seoul with magnificent views, and interesting commentary about modern aspects of the fascinating city below!
#20 – Discover the Dark Side of the City
- $$$
- 1.5-2.5 hours
- Encounter spooky places where people had paranormal experiences
- Listen to dark tales and true crime stories recorded in history
Discover the darker side of Seoul with a walking tour at night. The tour delves into bone-chilling detail of Korea’s 600-year-old capital city with tales of ghosts, massacres and torment!
One of the more spine-tingling things to do in Seoul, this historically accurate yet creepy tour will leave the hairs standing tall on the back of your neck. So ask yourself… are you brave enough?
#21 – Have Dinner with a BeatBoxing and B-Boying Chef
- $$$
- 75 minutes
- Experience live beatboxing and rediscover the arts of b-boying and acrobatics
- Let the chefs entertain you with their skills and wow you with their food
Enjoy a dining experience with a difference, not only do the chefs cook you delicious food, but they also compete in a cook-off while beatboxing and break-dancing! This action-packed and exciting show will keep you fully entertained and well fed at the same time!
Set in a premium, multi-cuisine restaurant, this extraordinary dining experience/show is guaranteed to serve up a treat. Root for your favourite chef and help decide on the winning recipe!
FAQs
We get asked many questions about what it’s like to visit Korea’s capital city and what to expect, so to help you prepare we have compiled a list off frequently asked questions below.
How do I book a Seoul tour?
There are many tour providers offering tickets and tours of Seoul, but our favourite has to be getyourguide.com. They have an extensive list of tours available and make it really easy to book the activities you wish to do.
What should I pack for a tour in Seoul?
We recommend packing comfortable shoes as you could be doing a lot of walking – arguably the best way to explore Seoul once you get your bearings. The city presents many unique scenes and cityscapes that will encourage all levels of photographers to take some snaps, so definitely don’t forget to bring your camera!
How much money do tours in Seoul typically cost?
The cost of tours in Seoul generally depend on the length of the tour and tour inclusions. However, taking our recommendations as a guide, tours cost between $8 – $180 USD with group tours being slightly cheaper and private tours being a little more expensive.
How much time do tours in Seoul last?
Again, the length of tours generally depend on what is included, and where they take you. The shorter tours are usually more localised, taking place at one location in the city, while tours leaving the city for the countryside will take up to a full day.
Conclusion
There you have it folks, the best 21 tours in Seoul! By now you should have a good idea of the tours and activities to add to your Seoul itinerary to make your stay and epic one!
We have covered a range of Seoul tours, like the popular DMZ tours, Nami Island and K-pop tours, added some Seoul musical tours and of course included some good historical tours too!
But don’t just take our word for them, get out there and try some tours for yourself! We are always happy for feedback, so if you have a great experience or discover a new tour then let us know about it!
***Disclaimer*** Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation through the site, One Weird Globe will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep the site going :)
