Welcome! This is part two following my first list of free experiences in Seoul, South Korea, so check out that first installment if you haven’t already! As I’ve continued exploring this incredible city, I just kept discovering more great free things to do, so I made a new list! I’ll just keep updating this list as I keep finding more free things to do in Seoul, so check back in the future for more budget Korea travel ideas!
This post contains affiliate or sponsored links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Namsangol Hanok Village
Seoul has a number of Hanok Villages: collections of preserved and/or reconstructed traditional Korean homes. Some famous hanok villages include Bukchon Hanok village and Eunpyeong Hanok Village. Near the base of Seoul’s Iconic Namsan Mountain is Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골 한옥마).
Enjoy walking amongst these lovely traditional buildings and sitting by the little streams and gardens. Namsangol is known for its beautiful views of Namsan tower and the many free public performances. Particularly during Chuseok (a major Korean holiday celebrating harvest), you can enjoy traditional Korean music, dance and even acrobatics.
Art Gallery Hopping in Insadong
The neighborhood of Insadong is certainly a popular tourist hub packed with shops and cafes. Dotted amongst the more touristy souvenir stores you can find some fantastic craftsman shops and plentiful art galleries.
I found a delightfully diverse range of paintings and sculpture from traditional pieces to more contemporary works. I particularly loved Insa Art Center, a sleek tall black building, which has the bonus of a great view from its patio near the top floor. Another great spot is the OCI museum, which is right next to the beautiful Jogyesa Temple.
More Free Museums
There are so many free museums in Seoul and I love slowly discovering them all! They are incredible places to celebrate the unique culture and history of South Korea. A real treat for me as a musician was the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music. This collection of various folk music recordings, instruments and artifacts is housed in a beautiful hanok building just across the street from Changdeokgung palace.
The Seoul Museum of Craft Art is a great place to see Korean pottery, ceramics, and other traditional decorative arts.
The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History delves into events during the mid to late 20th century, particularly around Korea’s militaristic history. A main draw of this place is the spectacular view from the top floor. The dramatic view of Gyeongbokgung Palace is unlike any other in Seoul.
Hikr Ground
After celebrating the historic/traditional side of Seoul, dive into the bright neon colored side of modern Korean culture. Hikr Ground (하이커 그라운드) is a fun space located right on the beautiful Cheonggyecheon Stream.
With various events and multi-media exhibitions on display, one of the most popular areas has a series of colorful digital art sets to immerse yourself in.
Feel like you’re in your own K-pop music video and pose around these bright colorful rooms. This space is particularly enjoyable with friends so someone can take pictures and videos of you.
COEX Mall and Starfield Library
COEX is a huge shopping mall with plenty of stores and even an aquarium and a movie theater. This is one of my favorite places to go in Seoul on a rainy day. One of the most popular areas you can enjoy for free is the beautiful Starfield Library where you can browse some books while admiring the fantastic architecture.
Hike the City Wall
Hiking the plentiful mountain trails is one of the most popular free pastimes in South Korea. Get a breath of the gorgeous views as well as some history by following the path along this ancient fortress wall which dates back to the 14th century. It’s a particularly fun way to hike at night as the wall lights up in the evening hours.
Donuimun Museum Village
You can find a fun immersive experience at Donuimun Museum Village (돈의문박물관마을) : a kind of open air museum consisting of a reconstructed village from Korea’s mid-century history
Roam narrow streets and alleys to visit an old-time movie theater, a vintage bar, the old town square and more. It’s a fun little trip back in time to explore this impressively sized reconstructed neighborhood.
Nodeul Island
Seoul is divided by the huge Han River and there are many places on it’s banks to enjoy lovely views of the water and the surrounding city. One of my favorite places to enjoy the Han River is Nodeul Island or Nodeulseom (노들섬).
This little island sits right in the middle of the Han River and boasts cafes and performance spaces that host various shows and festivals. On the grassy banks, you will find people picnicking and enjoying the view. It’s a great spot for watching the sunset in Seoul.
There are so many fun free things to do in Seoul and I hope you’ll pin this post to check back for more free experiences I add to this list in the future! If you plan to visit this amazing country, don’t forget to read my list of packing essentials for South Korea and check out some more Korea travel ideas below!
