Seoul is frequently ranked as one of the best cities to visit. New and experienced solo travelers know they should take a solo trip to Seoul.
Noah’s take: I took a solo trip to Seoul while teaching English in Japan, and I only had a short time to visit Seoul. My only regret from that trip was not staying in Seoul longer.
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Seoul is electric. Seoul is always alive. It is perfect for social solo travelers. The sprawling metropolis is nestled near mountains and sits on the bank of the Han River, so even solo travelers who want to enjoy nature should visit this city.
There are plenty of things to do alone in this exciting city, but not everything is enjoyable when you travel alone. Keep reading to see what activities you can do during a solo trip to Seoul!
Is It Safe To Travel to Seoul?
It is very safe to take a solo trip to Seoul. Because of social and cultural standards, South Korea frequently ranks as one of the safest places in the world.
However, you should avoid getting stuck in large crowds, especially after the Seoul Halloween crowd crush. Although this is a rare tragedy and Seoul police have changed many procedures after this terrible event, it is good practice to stay away from large crowds.
Solo travelers can have peace of mind when traveling to Seoul. Crime still exists in the city, but considering the sheer size of Seoul, you would expect more issues than what is present.
Where Should You Stay During Your Seoul Solo Trip?
You will want to find a place to sleep during your solo trip to Seoul. You could easily spend three days or more in this city without getting bored. Some people even stay here for weeks!
Booking.comIf you are traveling solo, you should stay in a hostel! Hostels are fairly cheap in Seoul and typically located in exciting areas of the city. Staying in a hostel during your solo trip to Seoul will help you meet new people.
Not so sure about hostels? Read: Why Should I Stay in a Hostel for My Solo Trip?
If you want a hostel in the city’s most exciting (in my opinion) district, stay at Mamas and Papas Guesthouse and Apartments in Seoul. Its convenient location in the hip Hongdae area makes it the perfect spot to socialize with fellow travelers. So, it makes for an ideal place to stay during a solo trip to Seoul.
1. Hike to N Seoul Tower
The N Seoul Tower is one of the unofficial symbols of the city. The iconic structure sits on top of a mountain in the center of the city.
Although the view from the top of the tower is breathtaking, the hike to the tower is one of the most unforgettable things you can do on a solo trip to Seoul.
There are many ways to hike up to N Seoul, but my favorite way is near the Namsangol Hanok Village. After walking through Namsangol Park, you will cross a busy highway by going across an overpass. Once you cross the overpass, you will reach the beginning of a paved path up to the tower.
It will take about 2 miles to reach the tower. Most tourists who hike to N Seoul take a shorter trail from Baekbeom Park. The trail from Namsangol Park eventually links back to the Baekbeom Park trail towards the end of the climb to the tower.
My favorite part of Namsangol Park Trail is how calming it is. You will walk alongside locals and peer down at sweeping views of Seoul. It is such an amazing way to see the city without any crowds.
2. Experience N Seoul Tower at Night
Once you climb many sets of stairs on the Namsangol Park trail, you will reach N Seoul Tower. This area is full of people and things to do. You can head to a massive row of love locks or walk through the colorful Namsan Octagonal Pavilion.
I would not necessarily recommend heading to the top of the N Seoul Tower for a solo trip to Seoul. The tower observatory deck gets super busy, and you might have to wait hours even to make it up there. You can go up the tower, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy an incredible view without being elbow-to-elbow with other people.
A more enjoyable solo experience is to head to the many restaurants at the bottom of the tower. You will find some of these food vendors even have outdoor seating with incredible views of Seoul!
Also, just a few steps from the tower is the free Namsan Octagonal Park Observatory, where you can get a perfect night shot of Seoul for Instagram.
3. Eat Street Food
One of the best parts about taking a solo trip to Seoul is getting to enjoy its delicious street food! Eating alone on a solo trip can be intimidating, but that is no concern when enjoying Seoul’s street food.
Just point at the food you want, pay in cash, and eat your food while standing. No one will judge you! (Unless you take off without returning your plate back to the vendor).
Some of the most popular street foods are hotteok (a sweet pancake), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and chap chae (glass noodles). You can find these foods in nearly every corner of the city. Hongdae Street and Bukchon Hanok Village are full of street food vendors.
4. Tour the DMZ
The DMZ is a strip of land known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone. This peace line separates North Korea from South Korea and is only 35 miles from Seoul. So, it is one of the most popular things to do during a solo trip to Seoul.
You might be cautious to take a tour near North Korea, but this tour of the DMZ is completely safe. It is also extremely informative and engaging. Just book your tour a few months in advance on Get Your Guide to ensure you have a spot!
On the day of your tour, you will get picked up near your hotel or a major train station in Seoul. You will first stop at Imjingak Park, where you will learn more about the history of Korea and see a bridge that was used to exchange prisoners.
If you get the clear from the government that it is safe to continue, you will reach a tunnel that North Korea built secretly to get to South Korea. You can even go inside this tunnel on foot, but it is a workout!
Perhaps the most exciting part of the tour is the Dora Observatory. If the weather is good, you can clearly see into North Korea. Through a telescope, I saw North Koreans farming and riding on bikes. It was a very surreal experience and one of the highlights of my solo trip to Seoul.
5. Shop in Myeongdong
After touring the DMZ, you can get directly dropped off by the tour company in Myeongdong. Here, you can begin exploring one of Seoul’s most famous tourist areas. Myeongdong is full of shops, from luxury brands to street vendors. There is a little something for every solo traveler here.
This district is also known to be a little more tame than Hongdae. Hit up Myeongdong Walking Street if you are looking for more upscale items. Make your way to Namdaemun Market if you are looking for more bargain items.
6. Relax With Locals at Cheonggyecheon
After shopping, make your way to the Cheonggyecheon Stream. This pristine public plaza is known to be one of the most idyllic corners of Seoul. It is also a great place to recharge.
If you want to see a more authentic side of Seoul during your solo trip to Seoul, then you will want to visit Cheonggyecheon. Although this public space draws tourists who want to recreate iconic K-drama scenes on Cheonggyecheon steps, it is also a gathering spot for locals.
Solo traveling is rewarding when you can sit back and see how other people live their lives. Flashy places are exciting for Instagram, but areas like Cheonggyecheon are more fulfilling to visit.
7. Bike Down Gwanghwamun Square
In central Seoul, you will find a large stretch of open space. This massive public strip of land is known as Gwanghwamun Square. You will immediately be blown away by the many sights surrounding this expansive avenue.
From the statue of King Sejong—the most respected king of the Joseon Dynasty—to views of Mt. Bukhansan’s granite peaks, you will not want to put your camera down if you visit Gwanghwamun Square.
To elevate your experience, see these unforgettable sights on a bike. The streets surrounding the plaza can get crowded, so make sure to bike in designated areas. You can find a cheap bike through Seoul Bike, which has bike stations all across the city.
Admittedly, the Seoul Bike App has some issues and is a little tricky to navigate. However, the feeling of biking through Seoul is exhilarating. Read more about Seoul Bike here.
8. Marvel at Gyeongbokgung Palace
At the end of Gwanghwamun Square is another iconic Seoul landmark—Gyeongbokgung Palace. If you have not seen images of this marvelous structure on TikTok or Instagram, google it. You will instantly see why it is so popular.
Gyeongbokgung Palace may not seem like the best place to visit solo because it is typically always crowded. It is considered the grandest of the 5 original Seoul palaces! However, the crowds just add to the experience.
The palace grounds are vast, so you can usually find some space to snap photos of the color palace alongside tourists wearing bright hanboks.
You can even join a free guided tour! Starting at 11 a.m., head to the Gyeongbokgung Palace Information Center and ask to join a tour. Admission to the palace is 3,000 won, less than $3 U.S. dollars!
9. Visit the Tallest Tower in Korea
During your solo trip to Seoul, take a trip up to the tallest building in South Korea. Located at the top of the Lotte World Tower is the Seoul Sky Observatory. This is the 6th tallest building in the entire world.
Although the Lotte Tower has the world’s fastest elevator and plenty of upscale cafes, the 360 views are the most noteworthy feature.
Try to plan your trip to the tower during sunset so that you can observe Seoul’s transition from night to day. However, sunset is the most popular time to visit the iconic landmark.
Purchase a ticket beforehand on Klook so you don’t have to queue for tickets. You can just walk straight to the elevator! You might want to pop in headphones to have a better solo experience. This is another spot that can get busy.
10. Meet Strangers in Hongdae
I recommend staying in Hongdae during your solo trip to Seoul because it is a great spot to make friends. Hongdae Street is a long stretch of neon bars and flashy photo booths that operate at all hours of the night.
Hongdae’s painted sidewalks are home to fashion stores and arcades, flooding with students from Hongik University. It is the ultimate hang-out spot in Seoul.
Even if you aren’t a very social person (like me), you will be surprised by how many people talk to you in this district. It is really easy to strike up a conversation with strangers here since most people here are college-aged.
There were times during my solo trip to Seoul when I wanted space to think and be alone. However, there were also times when I wanted to meet new people and socialize. Hongdae is the perfect place to feel a sense of community during your solo travels.