서울
At no time has South Korea been more in vogue than at the moment. And thanks to its pop culture influence, it's only set to grow. Whether it's K-pop bands like BTS, movies and series like Parasite and Squid Game or simply the delicious Korean food. The popularity is growing and growing.
Seoul is one of the largest capitals in the world, a pulsating metropolis of superlatives.
Temples and skyscrapers stand side by side here in harmony. Modern progress and tradition are honored here in a very special way. A city full of creativity, whether it is fashion, art or architecture, Seoul is a breathtaking metropolis!
How to get there
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is located in the north of South Korea, around 60 km from the capital Seoul. The Korean airlines Korean Air and Asiana as well as many other airlines land here in South Korea, which has become an important international hub for Asia.
The public transport network here is very well developed, so it is no problem at all to get to the city center of the 50 million metropolis.
AREX Express and All-Stop Train
The AREX Express is definitely the fastest train connection. It only takes around 45 minutes. You need an extra ticket for this train, which you can buy either at the counter at the airport, online or from a ticket machine.
An alternative is the AREX all-stop train, which stops at several important stations and takes around 60-90 minutes. A T-Money Card is sufficient to pay for the ticket.
Airport buses and limousine buses
Airport buses are another alternative for getting to the metropolis. The bus stops are marked with blue signs on the first level outside the arrivals hall.
Limousine buses are probably the most comfortable way to travel to Seoul after arrival. Tickets can also be purchased at the counter.
Cab
Of course you can also simply take a cab after the long journey. An International Taxi, which is marked with a sign on the car, has the advantage that the driver speaks English. Cabs are probably the most expensive way to travel.
Highlights in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung
It is the first and also the largest of five palaces. The name means the “Palace of Radiant Bliss”. It was built by King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The size is simply incredible, the palace is around 400,000 m² in size with inner and outer areas. We didn't see everything, but we definitely wanted to see the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, the Gyeonghoeru banquet hall and the Hyangwonjeong pavilion in the middle of a lotus pond. It was simply fascinating. The decorations on the roofs, the underfloor heating, which was clever even back then, and the sheer size of the entire palace complex is breathtaking.
N Seoul Tower
is often called Namsan Tower by Koreans because it stands on Mount Namsan. The “Namsan Cable Car N Seoul Tower Station” can also be easily reached by public transport and the journey to the top only takes a few minutes. The tower itself is 236 meters high. It is definitely worth going to the top! There is a viewing platform and also a restaurant that rotates. On the way to the elevator, you also pass through a room where there is a great show. And even the wait in front of the elevator is very entertaining thanks to the show. The elevator ride to the top is also an absolute experience! The Koreans know how to ride an elevator!
It is a residential area in the Jongno district of Seoul. There are many restored traditional Korean houses here, called Hanok. Despite the rapid development of Seoul, every effort has been made to preserve the area. This village was simply built around, so that it lies idyllically between skyscrapers.
This district has grown in popularity in recent years. You walk through small, winding alleyways. You will find a number of restaurants, small stores, teahouses, guesthouses and cultural centers. You will also find a large number of hanbok rentals here. As a result, many domestic and foreign tourists can be seen here in traditional costume.
Lotte World Tower
is a tower with a height of 555 meters, making it the tallest tower in South Korea. Apartments, hotel rooms and offices are spread across its 123 floors. On the top six floors there is a viewing platform with a glass floor, the highest indoor glass platform in the world. There is also an outdoor platform with incredible views, a café and restaurant and, of course, shows and an elevator that puts on a breathtaking show.
There is also a “sky bridge”, the Sky Bridge, which is accessible under great safety measures. This Sky Bridge tour is not to be missed.
Bongeunsa Tempel und Coex Mall in Gangnam
Mitten in Seoul ein Tempel?
Ja, hier kann man es ganz deutlich sehen, wie sich in Südkorea Moderne und Tradition vereint.
Man geht durch hektische Straßen, umgeben von riesigen Wolkenkratzern und neben einer riesigen Mall, taucht ein buddhistischer Tempel auf.
Hier kann man es ganz deutlich sehen, wie sich in Südkorea Moderne und Tradition vereint. Man geht durch hektische Straßen, umgeben von riesigen Wolkenkratzern und neben einer riesigen Mall, taucht ein buddhistischer Tempel auf. Direkt nebenan die Coex-Mall, das größte unterirdische Einkaufszentrum weltweit. Davor findet man das wohl bekannteste Zeichen für Gangnam, die Statue of Gangnam-Style. Kpop-Fans werden hier fündig, Handabdrücke und auch ein Museum
Another tipp - Tour to DMZ
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is the demilitarized zone on the Korean peninsula that separates North Korea from South Korea. Korea is still at war, there is only a ceasefire. This border is correspondingly sensitive. This border is very reminiscent of our German history of the division between West and East Germany. I can absolutely recommend a trip here! It is incredibly exciting and interesting.
... und noch mehr Tipps was man in Seoul nicht verpassen sollte
Karaoke-Bar ist ein abolutes Muss! Außerdem sehr sehenswert sind das Kimchi-Museum, Freizeitparks wie Everland und Lotte World, die Coex Mall mit Starfield Library und Aquarium, eine Rundfahrt mit dem Seoul City Tour Bus, der Fischmarkt Noryangjin, Regenbogenfontäne an der Brücke Banpodaegyo, ein Saunabesuch, ein Spaziergang am Cheonggyecheon, ein Besuch im Nationalmuseum, den Sonnenuntergang im Starbucks auf dem Han-River, der Dongaemun Markt, weitere 4 Paläste nach dem Gyeongbokgung, verschiedene Stadtviertel wie Itaewon, das Ssamzigil in Insa-dongn, und einen Besuch in einer Karaoke Bar und "Spielhölle" in Hongdae, an der historischen Mauer entlanglaufen, eine Han-River Flussfahrt, DGG, Kochshow, Fotos in einer Fotobox machen und vieles vieles mehr
als K-Pop Fan
ein K-Pop Konzert, die Wandbemalung von RM in Ilsan, Tagesausflug zur Bushaltestelle BTS in Jumunjin, Live-Fernsehaufzeichnung von SBS MTV Show und vieles mehr
für K-Drama lovers
ein Saunabesuch wie man es aus den K-Dramen kennt, ein romantischer Spaziergang an der historische Stadtmauer, Stadtviertel wie Itaewon und der Drehort der Serie Goblin in Ganwon-do (lässt sich super mit der BTS Bushaltestelle in Jumunjin verbinden!) und natürlich vieles mehr
Transportation
Nothing is as easy in South Korea as using public transportation! The T-Money Card will be with you all the time in South Korea, it's THE card for traveling on public transport throughout the country! You can also buy and top up your card at vending machines in the airport, subway stations and convenience stores. It is very easy to use. You simply hold the card or chip at the turnstile in the subway station on the way to your subway line and on arrival you also hold it at the turnstile to check out. Bus travel works the same way. You always get on at the front of the bus, hold your card to the device next to the driver and always get off at the back and hold the card to the device there too. The fare is calculated automatically, so you don't have to worry about anything else. The display on the device also tells you exactly how much credit is left on your card and how much the journey will cost. There are now also really cute trailers that have a Chipa with a T-Money Card function. It is also possible to buy a Sim card with a T-Money Card. However, it is important to know that you usually need cash to top up the card.
You will need apps such as Naver Map, Kakao Map and Google Maps to navigate through the metropolis. They all work very well and not only help you find the right route on foot, but also when taking the subway or bus. They also help you to take the right exit at the subway station or tell you the number of bus stops so you don't miss your exit.
Safety
Seoul is one of the safest cities in the world. In the safety index or woman traveling alone, Seoul ranked 5th in the world.
The crime rate here is very low and the police presence is very high. You can leave your laptop and cell phone unattended in the café. You can even leave your luggage outside the café. How often have we had the problem of wanting to take our luggage to a restaurant and eat something after checking out of the hotel or even before checking in? This is very uncomplicated in South Korea. Even walking alone on the streets at night is relatively unproblematic. Nevertheless, caution is of course advised. Dark, secluded alleyways and openly offered drinks should still be avoided.
Public transport and cabs are always available and reliable. They are all equipped with surveillance cameras.
As a woman traveling alone, it is no problem at all to be out and about here.
Koreans are very reserved, but really very friendly and helpful.
Restaurants
Korean food has also become a trend in our country. Whether it's kimchi, Korean barbeque, bibimbap, tteokbokki or gimbap, it's all familiar to us. There are an incredible number of restaurants and cafés in this city. You can even eat ramen or other ready meals at the convenience store. A microwave, boiling water and seating make this possible. You should definitely give it a try!
Street food stalls and night markets also invite you to sample Korean delicacies. These markets wind their way through long, narrow alleys surrounded by skyscrapers. You can find these stalls with different delicacies everywhere and the whole market smells of delicious food.
I particularly like the cafés in South Korea, especially the themed cafés. Cat café, dog café, meerkat café or simply a 2D café that transports you to a cartoon movie? It's hard to beat the creativity and possibilities here.
Shopping and K-Beauty
Seoul's shopping streets are an absolute highlight. Dedicated shopping districts, huge malls and the many markets invite you to go shopping. It is of course a paradise for K-Beauty fans. Quite a few arrive with almost empty suitcases and leave with excess baggage! What's more, you can store here around the clock - closing time is a foreign concept. Underground malls in Seoul's subway stations are an insider tip. You can find cheap clothes here and everything is well air-conditioned. If you love K-pop, you will find countless stores filled from top to bottom with merchandise. Cell phone covers, colorful charging cables, stationery items, timers and calendars, laptop bags and, above all, socks in all varieties and cute designs make many a heart beat faster.
Accommodation
Hotels and Airbnbs are very easy to book via the well-known platforms. Of course, prices vary greatly depending on the location and facilities. Hotels, especially the cheaper ones, do not necessarily have a smoking ban in the rooms. You should be aware of this and clarify it in advance. Otherwise, I stayed in various Airbnbs, all of which were equipped with a kitchen and washing machine.
Accommodation in a central location is definitely worth the money. Seoul is really huge, even in the center you have to travel a long way by subway and bus.
Good to know
Travel time
The best time to travel to South Korea is in spring and fall. The weather has the most pleasant temperatures during these seasons. Like Germany, South Korea has four seasons. In spring, the flowers are in full bloom, especially the cherry blossom is a popular time to visit. In autumn, the leaves shine in bright colors. The monsoon season begins in July and August. It is very hot and humid during this time. Winters can get very cold there.
Sim-Card and
Wifi
I have never seen a better expansion of wifi and internet speed than in South Korea. Public wifi is available in many places. Almost all restaurants and cafés offer free wifi. Even in public transportation, bus stops and subway stations. But I'm not talking about the kind of wifi we are used to here in Germany. Watching series, playing online games or simply googling are absolute high-speed here, even in the subway and elevators! Despite everything, we got ourselves a SIM card to be felxible.
Important information
Smoking and drinking alcohol in public is punishable by a fine. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas.
Seoul is one of the cleanest cities I have ever seen. Even the subway stations and public toilets are so incredibly clean. Nevertheless, garbage cans are a rarity
Currency and
credit card
The Korean currency is the won (KRW). One euro is equivalent to approximately 1500 won. You can pay for almost everything by credit card here. Even the smallest amounts in the smallest stores. You really don't need much cash. It is highly recommended to get a free travel credit card. I can personally recommend the Barcleys credit card. It really worked everywhere. Cash withdrawals are possible at international ATMs (Global ATM), but fees apply. Other ATMs only work with a Korean card.
Language and writing
Korean is spoken, of course. Not everyone speaks English, but it is no problem at all to communicate in English at all the important sights. Subway stations and buses are also marked in English, as is the announcement of the next stop. Many restaurants have an English menu or are illustrated. In addition, many restaurants have an ordering machine at the entrance that can be switched to English. And just in case, there are always translator apps