Flights from Phuket (HKT) to Seoul (ICN)

About Seoul

Discover Seoul

Why visit Seoul?
Seoul is a dynamic city where sleek towers and neon streets sit beside historic palaces and tranquil gardens. You will find a fast-paced, creative atmosphere, with design, beauty, and pop culture shaping everything from its shopping streets to its nightlife.

What to expect
The city stretches along the Han River, anchored by districts such as Myeong-dong, Gangnam, Hongdae, and Insadong, each with a distinct character. Expect efficient transport, late-night opening hours, and a strong café culture, along with countless spots for viewing the skyline from hills and riverside parks.

Plan your trip
Seoul works well for both short city breaks and longer journeys that combine other parts of South Korea. It is also a convenient gateway to destinations such as Busan, Jeju, and the country’s mountain regions, with high-speed trains and domestic flights making onward travel straightforward.

Top sights in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Explore one of Seoul’s grand historic palaces, known for its sweeping courtyards, traditional architecture, and photogenic mountain backdrop.

Namsan Seoul Tower

Ride or walk up Namsan for panoramic city views from the tower and surrounding trails, especially striking in the evening.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Stroll through narrow lanes lined with traditional wooden houses, offering a glimpse of old Seoul framed by a modern skyline.

Myeong-dong

Browse one of Seoul’s busiest shopping districts, filled with beauty stores, fashion boutiques, and lively street stalls.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Visit this futuristic cultural complex for design exhibitions, public art, and a night-time cityscape of illuminated buildings and markets.

Hongdae

Experience youthful energy in Hongdae, with street performances, independent shops, and cafés clustered around the university area.

Hangang River Parks

Relax along the Han River at landscaped parks where you can cycle, picnic, or simply watch the skyline change at sunset.

Insadong

Wander through Insadong’s main street and side alleys, known for galleries, teahouses, and shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.

Experience Seoul’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Seoul’s extensive metro system is the most efficient way to cross the city, linking major districts and attractions with clear signage. Buses fill in the gaps and can be useful for riverside or hillside routes, while short taxi rides help with late-night or last-mile journeys from stations.

Local life & culture
Daily life in Seoul moves quickly, with residents balancing work, study, and a strong café and nightlife culture. Neighbourhoods such as Gangnam, Hongdae, and Seongsu showcase trends in design, fashion, and music, while areas around the palaces and Bukchon highlight a quieter, historic side to the city.

Where to unwind
You can slow down in Seoul’s many parks and green spaces, from the Han River embankments to smaller neighbourhood parks and leafy university campuses. Morning walks are calm and cool, while evenings are ideal for riverside picnics, leisurely strolls, and city-light views from hillside lookouts.

A taste of Seoul

Street food & local specialties
Seoul’s street food scene is vibrant, with stalls in areas like Myeong-dong and Namdaemun offering savoury bites and sweet treats. You will also find local eateries across the city serving comforting stews, barbecued meats, and warming rice dishes, especially inviting in the cooler months.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping districts and lifestyle complexes around Gangnam, Jamsil, and Yeouido offer many casual restaurants, food courts, and cafés in one place. Menus blend local and international flavours, with portions that make it easy to share and sample several dishes with your travel companions.

Signature & scenic dining
For special occasions, look for restaurants overlooking the Han River, rooftop venues in districts such as Itaewon, or fine-dining spaces in luxury hotels. Elevated views of the skyline, bridges, and surrounding hills add a memorable backdrop to carefully prepared menus and thoughtful service.

Retail therapy in Seoul

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Seoul offers many large shopping complexes where you can find international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining in one place. Areas such as Jamsil, Gangnam, and Yeongdeungpo feature malls that double as lifestyle hubs, ideal for spending a relaxed afternoon indoors.

Markets & local crafts
For smaller boutiques and crafts, explore Insadong, Ikseon-dong, and parts of Hongdae, where narrow streets are lined with independent shops and studios. Traditional markets like Namdaemun and Gwangjang showcase textiles, homeware, and everyday items with a distinctive local character.

Evening retail scene
Many of Seoul’s shopping districts stay lively well into the evening, with illuminated signs, street performances, and late-opening stores. Night markets and busy streets are easy to reach by metro or bus, allowing you to enjoy browsing and people-watching after dark before returning comfortably to your hotel.

Best time to visit Seoul

Spring (bom)
From March to May, Seoul enjoys mild weather with average temperatures around 10–20°C (50–68°F). Blossoming trees and clearer skies make this a pleasant shoulder season for walking between sights and enjoying parks in the city.

Summer (yeoreum)
June to August is warm and humid, with typical temperatures of 22–30°C (72–86°F). This peak season is lively, with long daylight hours, riverside activities along the Han, and plenty of indoor attractions to escape the heat when needed.

Autumn and winter (gaeul and gyeoul)
September to November brings crisp, dry days of about 10–22°C (50–72°F), with colourful foliage, followed by December to February winter temperatures often between -2–8°C (28–46°F). This low season feels calm and atmospheric, with clear views and a cosy feel in cafés and indoor attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions