My Journey Through the Best Places to Visit in Seoul

South Korea » Seoul

I landed in Seoul on a crisp autumn night, the kind of evening when the air feels electric with possibility. My husband, Tom, was arriving on a later flight, so I found myself alone at Incheon Airport, clutching my carry-on and wondering how hard it would be to navigate a foreign city after dark. But the moment I stepped into the sleek, spotless terminal, my anxiety melted away. The signs were clear, the staff were kind, and before long, I was gliding past the glowing skyline toward the heart of the city — one of the most fascinating places to visit in Seoul, the Conrad Hotel by the Han River.

I still remember stepping into that room for the first time — the soft hum of the city below, the glow of Seoul Tower in the distance, and a faint reflection of myself in the glass, tired but glowing with excitement. The room was modern perfection: floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Han River, a rainfall shower that washed away every worry, and a Nespresso machine that instantly won my heart. (I bought the same one the week I got home.)

When Tom arrived a few hours later, I was still awake — too thrilled to sleep. This trip wasn’t just another getaway; it was a return. My father had been stationed in Seoul when I was ten, and we spent Christmas there together as a family. Those weeks are among my fondest memories: the smell of roasted chestnuts, the glittering lights downtown, and my dad’s uniform hanging neatly by the door. Coming back to these familiar streets and rediscovering the places to visit in Seoul from my childhood felt like walking through a dream — one I had outgrown, but that had never truly left me.

Day One: Nostalgia in Yongsan & Flavors of Itaewon

The next morning, the city welcomed me with its usual buzz — a rhythmic symphony of horns, chatter, and the whisper of leaves in the Han River breeze. Tom had meetings on Yongsan base, so I took a cab there and wandered on my own. I found the old Dragon Hill Hotel where I used to do my schoolwork in the lobby as a kid. It was surreal walking through a place that had once seemed so enormous, only to realize how small it truly was now.

After that quiet trip down memory lane, I walked to nearby Itaewon — Seoul’s eclectic, cosmopolitan neighborhood where the world seems to blend into one long, delicious street. The air smelled like sesame oil and espresso, and store owners greeted me with cheerful annyeonghaseyo! I window-shopped through boutiques and street stalls until Tom texted to meet him for lunch.

We ate at Vatos Urban Tacos, a Mexican-Korean fusion restaurant that friends had highly recommended. I ordered the famous Kimchi Fries — a heavenly chaos of brisket, spicy mayo, melted cheese, and, of course, kimchi. I didn’t even know I liked kimchi until that moment. It was bold, tangy, and addictive — kind of like Seoul itself.

After lunch, Tom headed back to work, and I went exploring again. My next stop was something that would never exist back home — a raccoon café. Yes, you read that right. At Blind Alley Café, two raccoons shared the space with customers, wandering between tables as if they owned the place. I kept my distance (I don’t exactly trust wild animals with a coffee in hand), but I couldn’t help laughing when one curious little guy sniffed my sleeve. It was weird, wonderful, and exactly the kind of unexpected adventure that makes travel unforgettable.

As I sipped my latte afterward, I felt this quiet gratitude. I was halfway around the world, completely alone — and I was okay. More than okay. I was alive in a way that routine never allows.

Day Two: High Lines & Hidden Markets

The next morning, with the soft hum of the subway beneath the streets, I set off to explore Seoullo 7017 — Seoul’s answer to New York’s High Line and one of the most unique places to visit in Seoul. Once an elevated highway, it’s now a sky garden floating above the city, filled with flowers, cafés, and small art installations. From up there, the rooftops stretched endlessly — gray, neat, and alive with quiet rhythm.

Tom joined me later that afternoon, and together we walked to Sungnyemun Gate, one of Seoul’s oldest treasures from the 14th century. The massive wooden beams and curved rooftops told a story of resilience and beauty. Just beyond it, Namdaemun Market burst into life — a whirlwind of colors, shouts, and sizzling sounds. Vendors called out cheerfully, the air smelled of sweet bread and grilled squid, and the city pulsed around us in perfect chaos.

We picked up tiny silk fans for our daughters and a hand-painted vase that somehow survived the flight home in my backpack.

Dinner that night was a Korean BBQ feast — marinated bulgogi grilled right at our table, wrapped in crisp lettuce with garlic and gochujang. It was smoky, flavorful, and unforgettable — the kind of meal that defines the best places to visit in Seoul not by landmarks, but by moments.

At one point, our waiter told Tom he looked like George Clooney. He hasn’t stopped reminding me since.

Day Three: History, Reflection, and Turkish Ice Cream

Our last full day in Seoul began with a visit to the War Memorial of Korea. I’d been there as a child with my grandfather, who fought in the Korean War, and standing there again as an adult felt different. The memorial’s central sculpture — two brothers, one South Korean and one North Korean, embracing across a cracked dome — brought tears to my eyes. It’s one thing to read about history. It’s another to feel it in your bones.

Later, we wandered through Itaewon again, stopping for lunch at Maple Tree House, another incredible BBQ spot where the servers cook everything for you. I couldn’t stop eating the bulgogi — sweet, savory perfection.

Then we walked through the alleys for Turkish ice cream, the kind that’s sticky and chewy, served with a bit of showmanship.
The vendor flipped the cone upside down and twirled it around before finally handing it to me, grinning at my laughter.

Before heading back to the hotel, I stopped by a small pottery shop and fell in love with a blue-and-white vase. It was big — too big, probably — but I had to have it. That vase now sits in the center of my dining table back home, and every time I look at it, I’m right back in that little shop in Seoul, the smell of clay and tea in the air.

Final Thoughts

Tom flew out early the next morning, but my flight wasn’t until evening. I spent the day wandering the luxury mall beneath the Conrad, sipping coffee and reflecting. I’d come to Seoul as someone chasing memories — but I left with new ones that were entirely my own.

Travel has this way of showing you who you are when you’re far from everything familiar. It humbles you, challenges you, and gifts you small, beautiful moments you can’t plan — like petting a raccoon, tasting kimchi for the first time, or realizing that the courage to explore alone was inside you all along.

When I finally boarded my flight home, watching the city fade beneath the clouds, I whispered to myself, “See you again, Seoul.”
Because deep down, I know I will.