Scenic Spots in Seoul | Top 10

(Ctreatrip.com) Forget about the noisy touristy spots! Our list of places with great views locals like to visit.

Seoul offers so many things to do, visiting once or twice for a couple of days doesn’t do it justice.

If this isn’t your first time travelling in Seoul and you’ve already hit the popular touristy spots, these places with breathtaking views are worth putting on your travel-Seoul-like-a-local itinerary! ?

1. Seongsudong (성수동)

• Address: 서울 성동구 성수동1가
• Public Transportation: Seongsu Station (성수역) Subway Line 2

Located close to Konkuk University, Seongsudong is a small up-and-coming area. The area features cafes with each of its own character along with Seoul’s classic vibes. Onion’s flagship location, a super popular cafe that many of you probably already know about, is also located here.

2. musinsa terrace (무신사테라스)

• Address: 서울 마포구 양화로 188 17F 
• Public Transportation: Hongik University Station (line 2) exit 4, exit 7

It’s hard to imagine finding scenic areas in busy and bustling Hongdae. The most view we can think of getting out of the area is probably a view of a large crowd. Luckily, musinsa terrace offers more than that. Located on the 17th floor of AK&Mall, the place features a terrace with an open view. On a clear day, you can see all the way to N Seoul Tower and Lotte Tower.

3. Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

• Address: 서울 종로구 청계천로 159
• Public Transportation: Jongno 3-ga Station exit 12 (종로3가역)

Sewoon Plaza, standing near Jongmyo and famous Gwangjang Market, is still a hidden spot even to local Koreans. The plaza was originally home to electronics vendors, but after renovating, it’s filled up with great vibes with a large rooftop. The rooftop is often referred to as ‘Seoul Roof,’ featuring a 360 view of the city.

4. Hyehwa Daehakno (혜화 대학로)

• Public Transportation: Hyehwa Station exit 4 (혜화역)

Just like Hongdae and Sinchon, Hyehwa is a huge university district featuring restaurants, cafes and shops. Lots of college students and young professionals love to meet up here.

5. Seoul National Cemetery (국립 서울 현충원)

• Address: 서울 동작구 동작동 271-18
• Public Transportation: Dongjak Station line 4, line 9 (동작역)

I wouldn’t recommend Seoul National Cemetery to everyone visiting Seoul, but it’s worth a visit to those who are looking to escape the crowded scene and to look at beautiful cherry blossoms. It’s especially stunning when you visit during the period when cherry blossoms fall.

6. Independence Gate (독립문)

• Address: 서울 서대문구 현저동 941
• Public Transportation: Dongnimmun Station line 3 (독립문역)

If you’re a history fan, but don’t feel like going to places filled with tourists such as Gyeongbokgung and the museums again, Independence Gate is a great option. It features lots of educational information on the development of Korea since the war and colonization, making it a well-frequented spot amongst middle and high school students.

7. Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

• Address: 서울 중구 덕수궁길 15
• Public Transportation: City Hall Station line 1, line 2 (시청역)
• Hours:  09:00-21:00

The palace is close to Jeongdong Observatory which features magnificent views of Deoksu Palace and the City Hall. The area has a classic old-meets-new vibes, it’s guaranteed to leave an impression. It’s convenient to get to by public transportation too.

8. Nodeulseom (노들섬)

• Address: 서울 용산구 양녕로 445
• Public Transportation: Nodeul Station line 9 (노들역)

Shut down for 50 years and opened just recently, Nodeulseom has to be the newest Hangang park. Neighbouring Noryangjin and Hangang Bridge, this park boasting a prime location was the big project next to Seoullo 7017. It’s not too crowded, allowing room and tranquillity for you to take in Hangang.

9. Hip-Jiro (힙지로)

• Public Transportation: Euljiro 3-ga Station line 2, line 3 (을지로3가역)

Eating at a pojang-macha (food vendors on the street) is also a great way to experience the local scene. Recently gaining popularity amongst young Koreans, Euljiro is now often referred to as hip-jiro. Grab a table and fill it up with food and drinks all over, experience hip-jiro. ?

10. Jamsil Songlidan-gil (잠실 송리단길)

• Public Transportation: Songpa-Naru Station line 9 (송파나루역)

Jamsil is filled with office buildings and professionals busily going about their day, but there’s a small alley-like street called Songlidan-gil hidden in the area. The street is filled with restaurants and cafes with retro-meets-modern vibes. If you need a break after a day at Lotte World or Lotte Tower, come around here to take a nice break.