Looking for the best things to do in Seoul at night? We got you covered.
Once described as a pearl of a city awash in a sea of mountains, Seoul still is as illustrious as ever. Especially at night!
Many metropolitan areas are called “cities that do not sleep” but surely if there was a city that matched this description it would be Seoul.
From all-night saunas and PC bangs (internet cafés and gaming centers) to other events both mysterious and exotic, Seoul will keep you awake for all the best reasons.
So in this Seoul travel blog post, we share the best things to do at night in Seoul.
Table of Contents
Seoul Travel Essentials
- Don’t lose time upon arrival at the airport and order your Korea travel sim or portable wifi device in advance so that it’s ready and waiting for you at the airport when you arrive.
- Here you will find more info on what to do in Seoul. If you are looking for a complete 2 to 5 Seoul itinerary, click here. Here you will find a 4 day Seoul itinerary. Here you will find the best day and weekend trips from Seoul.
- We prefer to stay in hotels while we are traveling. Here you will find a complete list of the best places to stay in Seoul. If you are looking for a unique hotel in Seoul, click here. However, Seoul has a lot of nice Airbnbs too. If you prefer staying in a hanok in Seoul, click here.
- If you are looking for a Korea itinerary, click here. Here you will find a list of organized Korean tours.
- Most signs and items are in Korean, English, and one or two other languages. But certainly, try to brush up on some Korean! People really appreciate the effort and are accommodating and helpful, always willing to lend a hand to foreign travelers. Many Koreans also speak some English and will do their best to help you, but a little bit of Korean goes a long way!
- Tipping is not part of Korean culture, though some bars may have tip jars. Feel free to leave some change in a tip jar but don’t take extra cash out of your wallet unless somebody stated that it is fine to do so as in all other cases it can be seen as rude.
- Since foreign credit and debit cards don’t always work, we advise you to always carry some spare cash.
- Check out our South Korea travel guide here. Here you can find everything you need to have an unforgettable trip.
- Last but not least, make sure you have travel insurance.
Seoul E-Guide
Looking for a Seoul itinerary? For the price of a single cup of coffee, you can get our Seoul itinerary as a nicely formatted PDF document.
You can print it or store it on your phone so you can access it anytime during your visit to Seoul.
Have a look here for more information and a preview.
What To Do In Seoul At Night
Here we list the best things to do for an unforgettable night in Seoul.
Take A Cruise On The Han River
The Han River is a wide, vast, majestic, and beautiful body of water that runs through the capital.
Cruising the Han river is a great way to discover Seoul in a comfortable way.
Han river cruises provide authentic and delicious Korean food, views of the fabulous skyline, and several of the city’s sights. There are several different themed cruises.
One of the highlights of the evening cruises is also the rainbow fountain of the Banpo bridge.
On Saturdays, there’re additional cruises with live music and fireworks.
Address: Yeouido Dock, 290 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
How to get there
Exiting Seoul Station (Line 5) from exit 3 continue towards Yeouido dock and walk for 10-15 minutes until you see the fabulous E-land Cruise ticket office.
Read reviews and book:
Han River Cruise Tickets
Watch The Sun Go Down At The Bongeunsa Temple
With all of Seoul’s modern and material hustle and bustle, one may be surprised to learn of the many historic and wondrous Buddhist temples Seoul has.
For those seeking a sunset that is a one-of-a-kind experience, check out the Bongeunsa Temple, known for its famous statue of the Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of the future who is yet to arrive. It is one of the things Seoul is famous for.
At night, as the sun drops, the temple’s many lanterns come alight.
During Buddha’s Birthday, the lanterns and lights are even more impressive, featuring characters and images from Korean and Buddhist myths and lore.
The green surroundings of the temple are in sharp contrast with the modern urban high rises of the capital.
Address: 531, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
How to get there
Take Subway Line 9 to Bongeunsa, and take exit 1 where you will find the entrance gate. It is across from COEX in Gangnam!
Enjoy Seoul’s Night Views
From atop North Seoul Tower and Seoul Sky Observatory, you can take in the city and see for yourself, the beauty of this vast city.
N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower is located on Namsan mountain. You can either hike to the top of the mountain or take the cable car. Once there you can ride an elevator to the observation deck at the top of the tower.
Although the views from the N Seoul tower are already worth the hike up during the day, they definitely become spectacular when the sun has set and the city lights are illuminated.
The views from the mountaintop are really good but from the viewing platform of the N Seoul Tower, they’re truly breathtaking.
The observatory is free for those who have advanced restaurant reservations at the N Grill.
Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
How to get there
Car traffic has been restricted to the summit. You can hike, take a shuttle bus or, as we did, take the subway and the cable car to get to the tower.
One can grab the Namsan Sunhwan shuttle bus numbers 02, 03, and 05 from a few different locations depending on where you are. Shuttle bus No. 02 stops at Chungmuro station exit 2 and Dongguk University station exit 6. Bus 03 can be found at Seoul Sation exit 9, Itaewon Station exit 4, and Hangangjin Station exit 2. Finally, bus 05 can be caught at Myeongdong Station exit 3 and Chungmuro Station exit 2 in front of Daehan Cinema.
Nearest subway station: Myeongdong Station, Exit #3. When leaving the station head South.
The Seoul Sky Observatory At Lotte World
The Seoul Sky Observatory is the world’s highest glass-floored observation deck located in the famous Lotte tower. To reach the observation platform you will have to take one of the fastest elevators in the world.
The observation platform has floor-to-ceiling windows all around so you get a breathtaking 360-degree view of Seoul.
The views are impressive during the day and truly spectacular at night.
Read reviews and book:
Seoul Sky Observatory Tickets
Address: Lotte World Tower B1F-B2F, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul.
How to get there
You can take two different metro routes right to the tower to view this magnificent building and the city below.
Take Line 2 and stop at Jamsil Station, leave the station using exit 1 or 2.
Take subway line 8 to Jamsil and leave through exit 10 or 11.
Take A Guided Seoul Night Tour
Seoul, being a city that truly never sleeps, offers a whole host of different guided night-time tours.
Each one is unique and caters to particular interests and tastes.
Let’s take a look at a few fun night tours!
Make A City Night Tour
The City Night Tour is an English-speaking guided tour that takes you to 4 places where Seoul is at its best at night.
You will stop at Namsangol Hanok Village, which showcases traditional Korean culture, the N Seoul Tower, the Seoul Skygarden, and the futuristic building of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
From the N Seoul Tower, you will see, amongst other things, the wonderful skyline. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the last stop of the tour, is a futuristic landmark in the center of the city.
It’s beautifully illuminated at night and guarantees many beautiful photos.
More information and booking:
Seoul city night tour
Take A Seoul Ghost walking Tour
The Seoul Ghost walking Tour is not for the faint of heart!
Korean culture is full of stories of vengeful ghosts and unjust crimes that have gone unpunished. This tour is a collection of the strange, the macabre, and the bizarre!
It takes you along several places where these stories still live.
You come across haunted places and will visit sites of real historical crimes and ghastly locations. Don’t chicken out!
More information and booking:
Seoul Ghost Walking tour
Make A Seoul Pub Crawl Tour
The Seoul Pub Crawl Tour is a bit of a different experience compared to the ghost tour!
This night tour is a fun and vivacious way to explore Korean party and club culture by checking out 3 bars and 1 trendy club right in Hongdae and Itaewon, both big party areas for ex-pats, and students, travelers, and anyone and everyone!
No need to worry about snapping phone pictures either, a professional photographer will be on the scene to snag all the best pictures from the night (that you may not remember!).
More information and booking:
Seoul Pub Crawl Tour
Enjoy A Korean Night Dining Tour
The Korean Night Dining Tour is for night-owls with big appetites! Prepare to eat, drink, and be merry.
Korean culture has many traditions, games, phrases, stories, and etiquette for eating and drinking and a dining tour is the perfect way to experience all of the above. Your experienced guide will take you to several places famous among Korean locals.
During your Korean Night Dining Tour, you will taste a score of different delicious Korean dishes such as Korean barbecue to kimchi-jeon.
There are culinary delights from spicy to sweet to umami, this tour is a real treat for your taste buds.
This tour can either be booked with alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.
More information and booking:
Korean Night Dining Tour
Jump On the Seoul City Night Bus
Riding this double-decker open bus is a great way to see Seoul at night.
You will visit some of the most famous attractions in Seoul such as the Seoul Namsan Tower, the Han River night view, etc. Explanations are given in several languages.
Highly recommended. Good value for money!
Please note that if you are traveling during the colder season we advise you to dress warmly.
Read reviews and book:
Seoul night bus
Go Night Shopping
Seoul is alive day and night so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that shops are open till late.
Here we share the best places to go night shopping in Seoul.
COEX Mall
Do you want to grab some extra souvenirs or luxury goods?
COEX Mall is the largest shopping mall in Asia, and you certainly won’t have a problem being entertained here!
If you’re tired of shopping you can relax in the many restaurants or the spa, spend some time in the library, or visit the COEX Aquarium, one of the largest in South Korea. It houses more than 650 different species.
Address: COEX Mall 06164 513 Yeongdeung-daero, Gangnam-gu.
How to get there
Take Subway Line 2 to Samseong Station and leave via exit 6.
If you’re looking for modern and chic fashion then COEX is your place.
Those who are looking for a more traditional and authentic shopping experience are better to avoid the slick mall and head to one of Seoul’s night markets.
Those markets are heavenly places to hunt for souvenirs and to taste the local street food.
These are a few different night markets for you to peruse! We describe them later in this post.
Go See A Performance
If you are wondering where to go at night in Seoul for a fun night out, take a look at the below-mentioned performances.
All of them are non-verbal, meaning there isn’t much dialogue in the show. That makes them easy to follow even for foreigners who don’t speak Korean.
All the below shows are a lot of fun and are suitable for the whole family.
Watch A Nanta Performance
Nanta is Korea’s longest-running theater show.
The show is a high-energy performance big on personality and huge on laughs.
It’s one of the best Seoul night activities suitable for the whole family.
The performance is based on traditional Korean music, with percussion and other melodies coinciding with a story about chefs that try to prepare a wedding banquet, while continuously being thwarted by the incompetent nephew of their manager.
It also involves acrobatics and martial arts and even at times invites spectators from the audience up on stage. So be prepared to be part of the show!
Nanta is performed at the Myeongdong Theater in Seoul and in the Hongdae Theater center.
Myeongdong Theater
Address: Unesco Building 3rd floor, 50-14, Myeongdong 2 Ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to get there
Go to Euljiro 1-ga station on Subway Line 2, take exit 6, and walk 200 meters. The theater can be found on the third floor of the same building featuring an Innisfree at the ground level.
Take Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station. Take exit 6 and walk straight for 200 meters following Myeongdong Jungang street.
Take a left when you see the “Teenieweenie” clothing store and walk straight about 50 meters, once you find the Innisfree on the first floor, head up to the 3rd floor to find the theater!
Hongdae Theater
Address: B2F, 357-4, Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
How to get there
Take subway Line 2 to Hong-ik University station and leave from exit 9. Go straight about 120 meters and walk pass both Mcdonald’s and SPAO. Keep following straight and take a left at the Beaknyeon Tojong Samgyetang restaurant. Keep going straight until you see a GS25 convenience store and take a left.
The theater is located in a striking building with a yellow and white glass facade, you can’t miss it!
More information
Nanta show tickets
Enjoy A Martial Art Show-Jump Show
Jump is a martial arts show in a comic setting.
The story is about a Korean family that needs to defend themselves from a band of thieves that are breaking into their house. Unfortunately for the thieves, the family members are trained, kungfu masters…
Address: 3F Myungbo Art Hall, 47 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to get there
From Euljiro3-ga Station (Subway Line 2, 3) Exit 8: Go straight for 1 min to arrive at Myungbo Art Hall
From Chungmuro Station (Subway Line 3, 4) Exit 7: Go straight for 5 mins. Myungbo Art Hall is at the next 4-way intersection
Check reviews and book:
Jump Show Tickets
The Painters Show
As you would come to expect, the Painters show is all about painting.
The show combines visual effects, comedy, and dance. During this funny and interactive show, the 4 artists create around 10 art pieces using different techniques while dancing…
The Painters show is suitable for young and old and is performed at the Jongno Theater and Seodaemun Theater.
Jongno Theater
Address: Seoul Theater 5F, 13 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea.
How to get there
Exit from Subway line 1, line 3, or line 5 at Jongno 3-ga Station. Proceed to exit 14 then turn right in front of Shinhan Bank and go straight for 67m
Seodaemun Theater
Address:58-1 Chungjeongno 3(sam)-ga, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
How to get there
Take subway line 5 to Chungjeongno station and find Exit 7. The theater can be seen as soon as you exit the station.
Check reviews and book:
The Painters show
Visit a Traditional Night Market
Myeongdong night market
There are plenty of things to do in Myeongdong at night.
At the Myeongdong night market you can find all sorts of affordable and cool souvenirs and keepsakes as well as a whole range of fried, steamed, and boiled snacks.
Oh and don’t forget to peruse the cosmetics shops all around, too! There’s a reason K-beauty is world-renowned for their cosmetics!
How to get there
Take Subway Line 4 to Myeong-dong station and head on out exits 6 or 7 to be greeted by sounds and smells that are out of this world.
Seoul Bamdokkaebi night market
This international cultural market, sponsored by the city of Seoul, occurs on Fridays and Saturdays running from the month of March through October. The market is organized against the beautiful backdrop of the Hangang River.
Handmade accessories from all over the world, unique performances, souvenirs, and exotic food are yours to experience.
Admission to the market is free and all the performances are free as well.
Address: Bamdokkaebi market can be found at 330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu.
How to get there
Take Seoul Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station.
Namdaemun market
From kitchenware to hiking gear to clothing, toys, and even traditional Korean art. You can find all of this and much more at the traditional Namdaemun market.
The shops are usually grouped. Some of the specialized streets are camera street, kids street, and souvenir street, and there is, of course, the foodie alley with all kinds of finger-licking good street food.
The market counts over 10,000 shops and is alive day and night. Some shops are even open 24/7.
Address: You can find Namdaemun at 21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu.
How to get there
Take Subway Line 4 to Heoyeon Station and leave using exits 4, 5, or 6 to reach this fabulous and timeless marketplace.
Gwangjang Market
The late Anthony Bourdain visited Gwangjang market multiple times for several of his award-winning food shows.
This market has an impressive range of food stalls.
You may be reluctant to try the food due to the crowds and the heat but once you taste some of the food you won’t regret and you will understand why Anthony Bourdain features this market in his shows.
The market also houses some other non-food-related shops, notably shops specializing in mother-of-pearl handicrafts, a Korean specialty.
But for those who want to taste true local delicacies, do not, we repeat, do not pass up on visiting Gwangjang!
Address: Gwangjang is found at 88, Changgyeongggung-ro, Jongno-gu.
How to get there
One can arrive at this food paradise by taking the subway to Jognno-5 station. From here head out exit 8 or exit 9. Follow the steam and the heavenly aromas.
Hit The Spa
There’s nothing wrong with a little rest and relaxation, especially in a city so busy and energetic as Seoul!
Jjimjilbang or saunas are pretty plentiful all around Korea, but if you want to experience a sauna like you have never experienced one before, you need to head to the Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul.
It attracts both locals as well as foreigners.
The spa is open 24/7, some Koreans even spend the night in this Jjimjilbang.
The Dragon Hill Spa has hot pools, cold pools, whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, and relaxation rooms. Some of the facilities are gender-segregated and others are in unisex areas.
The spa also offers several treatments. Traditional deep scrub massages are said to hurt, but you’re sure to feel much more relaxed afterward.
Upon your arrival in the spa, you will receive sweat clothes that you will need to wear in the unisex zones such as the restaurant.
The entry fee is w13,000, after 8 PM it increases to w16,000.
Address: 40-712-dong, Jongno-gu
How to get there
Take the Line 1 subway to Yongsan Station and use Exit 1 to find the spa!
Read reviews and book your tickets in advance:
Dragon Hill Spa Tickets
Walk Along The Cheonggyecheon Stream
Beautiful day or night, but with a special mystique at night when the lights of the surrounding skyline reflect off the meandering waters, the Cheonggyecheon stream is a romantic and serene place to take a stroll.
Visit the Cheonggyecheeon Museum to learn about the painful and tumultuous history that Cheonggyecheon bared witness to, from the Korean War to the struggle to rebuild post-war Korea.
This is a sight not to miss and an experience you can share with many other young Korean couples that come to celebrate their love at the boardwalk.
Address: 03187, 37 Mugyo-ro, Jongno-gu.
How to get there
Take Subway Line 1 and leave via exit 4. The stream is 5 minutes away on foot.
You can also go to Euljiro Station on subway line 2 and take exits 2 or 3, as well as to Dongdaemun Station on subway Line 4 where you would take exits 5, 6, or 8.
Visit A Noraebang Or PCbang
No trip to Korea is complete until one has visited a noraebang, also sometimes called a Karaoke Box, or PCbang.
“Bang” in Korean means “room” and “norae” is song while PC just refers to computers!
Both establishments are found quite numerous but two big ones to keep an eye on in Seoul are the Luxury Su Noraebang located at 367-4 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu in Hongdae, and the Peak PC located at Nunhyeon-dong, 86-4 1F in Gangnam.
Both these areas are vibrant places to check out the nightlife and finish the night singing songs in a room awash with retro-decor while your friends back you up on tambourine or with a massive state of the art headset.
Oh! And the food to enjoy?
At a Noraebang the singing is usually accompanied by fruit platters, beer, and soju ( a sort of Korean liquor).
At PCrooms the bars are usually filled to the brim with energy drinks like Hotsix and cup ramen are the culinary treats of choice.
Enjoy Seoul’s nightlife
Koreans work hard and they play just as hard, too.
There is no limit to the clubs, bars, pubs, and hot spots you can visit while you are in this futuristic city.
Hongdae is the place to go for underground and indie music and performances. Located at a crossroads of universities this is the place where many students gather to drink and congregate.
Itaewon is the place where you can mingle with foreign ex-pats and the American military (it is right by a big American army base).
Recently Itaewon has been demonstrating a culinary renaissance with the arrival of many foreign bars, grills, and restaurants. This is the place to go for those already missing food from back home or those who want to party with other English-speaking people.
Now as for Gangnam, this is the place to go for those who have a hefty amount of cash to throw around.
That doesn’t mean you can’t party or drink on a budget, but in Gangnam or Apgujeong, the glitz and glamour are cranked up to 11, so keep an eye on your bank balance when you hit the trendy bars!
Watch A Sports Match In A Sports Bar
Sports fans shouldn’t worry about missing their next favorite game.
Seoul is full of sports bars.
Whether you are a baseball, rugby, basketball, football or hockey fan you’re sure to find a bar that’s right for you.
If you are looking for recommendations, check out Sam Ryan’s bar in Itaewon or The Workshop.
Go Dancing At Club Ocatagon
Koreans know how to throw a party. Seoul has an electrifying nightlife and counts many famous clubs. Club Octagon is one, in particular, to aim to get into.
Located in Gangnam and often times boasted as “the best club in Seoul” Octagon charges an entrance fee of w30,000 which includes a drink.
The musical choices range from techno to hip-hop, depending on whether you are on the first or second floor of the club.
There are VIP tables and seating that will set you back at least w500,000 (+/- 428 USD) so check your bank account before rolling high at this club!
Address: 645, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Club Octagon
How to get there
Ride the Line 7 subway to Hakdong Station and use Exit 4. Continue by walking straight until you reach the New Hilltop Hotel. Club Octagon can be found at the basement level.
Seasonal Night Activities
Since Seoul is a city that never sleeps, there are also plenty of seasonal fun activities.
Here we share 2 of the most amazing ones.
Stroll Around Gyeongbokgung Palace At Night
If you happen to be in Seoul during spring, you might have the chance to explore this amazing palace at night.
The palace can be visited from 7 pm to 9.30 pm The last admission is at 8.30 pm
Since only 1300 visitors are allowed per day, we recommend that you buy your tickets well in advance. Unfortunately, the website is only in Korean.
If you don’t manage to navigate the website as a foreigner you can also purchase tickets on-site.
Each day, 100 tickets are reserved for sale on-site, for the day itself.
The ticket price is 3,000 won for adults, and 1,500 won for children between 7 and 17.
If you don’t manage to get tickets, we advise you to wear a Hanbok since wearing a Hanbok will guarantee you get entry even if the maximum of members is reached.
Although there are lots of Hanbok rental shops around the palace all have their own rules and opening hours for renting. Therefore, the easiest way to rent a Hanbok is online
Enjoy The Lights At Seoulight’s
If you are in Seoul in December you can go to the spectacular Seoulight festival.
This winter festival started in 2019 and takes place in the second half of December.
Visitors can enjoy a light show projected onto the DDP.
You can find more info here.
Conclusion
After a day of exploring Seoul, you will undoubtedly need some relaxation in the evening.
You can relax in the spa or treat your taste buds to a delicious meal at the Gwangjang market.
Be sure to take it a bit easier on 1 day so that you can also discover the vibrant nightlife of the city after dark.
Come and discover Seoul and all that Korea has to offer. From shopping in Gangnam to history at Gwanghwamun, Seoul has it all.
So, what are you waiting for? Come and discover this dazzling city today and make sure to stay out after dark!