I love visiting Seoul, South Korea- and have been over 10x. However, if you are only there for a short trip- be it 3 days in Seoul or 7 days- then you need to prioritise what things to do and see in Seoul. Here's my list of the most overrated things to do in Seoul I do not recommend!
If you're looking for the best FREE things to do in Seoul, click here!
Myeongdong Shopping Street
Once iconic, it's now Tourist Central 101 (Think Times Square in 101, with substandard Korean street food.)
Don't get me wrong, I still like to stay near Myeongdong because it's such a convenient base to travel to many attractions- my favorite hotel is Lotte Hotel (click through for my full review. Moreover, it has some good restaurants such as Myeongdong Kyoja. However, it's definitely not as fun to hang out as it used to be back in 2010!
Basically, this is a controversial pick- some people will love Myeongdong, and others will hate it!
✅ Alternative:
Instead, visit:
- Hongdae if you love music
- Seoul Forest for cute shops next to lush surroundings
- Seongsu-dong for hipster vibes
- Bukchon-dong for unique cafes in traditional Korean houses (hanok)
Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower)
Location: Namsan Park
One of the real-life Seoul locations that inspired K Pop Demon Hunters, Namsan Tower is 1 of Seoul's most famous attractions but... personally, I could take it or leave it myself.
Long lines, crowded elevators, and an expensive ticket for a view you can get elsewhere for free. The “love locks” area is also not that unique- you have a similar thing in many other places, such as by the River Seine in Paris.
Alternative:
✅ Eungbongsan Mountain (응봉산) for serene city views — no ticket required, fewer people, and a much more local feel. (It's a bit out of the typical tourist path though.)
Address: 서울 성동구 응봉동 271번지 | 271, Eungbong-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Gangnam Style Statue & COEX (스타필드 코엑스몰)
I'd heard so much about Starfield COEX mall that I decided to stay next to it at the Intercontinental COEX. The largest underground shopping mall in Asia? How cool is that!
Unfortunately, it was far from cool- there's no real vibe, and the shops feel awkwardly chosen and spread far apart. Probably the best thing about COEX is the Instagrammable Starfield Library.
As for the Gangnam Style statue: Unless you're a die-hard Psy fan, all you can do is take a photo or video with the statue which is located next to COEX- not much of an experience to speak of!
Alternative:
✅ Instead of the Gangnam style statue, check out Starfield Library inside COEX Mall or the nearby Bongeunsa Temple for some culture. Or skip COEX entirely and go to Seoul Forest instead. (You can see I'm a huge Seoul Forest fan.)
Dongdaemun
I had heard so much about Korean fashion, Dongdaemun and its 25+ malls, that I was really looking forward to it... but I was disappointed.
Prices weren't cheap and the styles were nothing amazing. Having said that, it could be because I'm larger than the average Korean so couldn't find more things to fit me.
Note: if you plan to shop, here's a FREE Dongdaemun voucher from Klook! (It's a Super Pass that gets you exclusive discounts and sometimes free gifts)
Alternative:
✅ I'm a big fan of Samcheong-dong and its independent stores and cafes. (Another Korean friend brought me there and I picked up some cute stuff.)
Han River Picnic (Yeouido Hangang Park on Weekends)
📍 Location: Yeouido
Picnicking by the Han River sounds dreamy- especially if you're a K drama lover- but on weekends or during cherry blossom season, it’s incredibly crowded, noisy, and hard to find space. One Google reviewer even said it was so crowded, it took her 20 minutes just to cross the street to the park!
And no wonder- it's one of the easiest Han River Parks to get to thanks to the close-by subway station.
In fact, my Korean friend told me that Koreans flock to the river in the summer because many buildings limit the use of air-conditioning (!!!!) so they go there in search of some breeze.
Note: the "I Seoul You" statue is not there anymore!
Instead of fighting the crowds, why not watch them in comfort from aboard a Han River cruise?
Alternative:
✅ Try Ttukseom Hangang Park or Banpo Hangang Park during weekdays for a calmer riverside vibe.
Any questions about the best and worst things to do in Seoul? Let me know in the comments!
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