Flights to Seoul from €596.58

Asia’s heart that pumps the future – the unique city of Seoul

South Korean capital of Seoul looks like a technological temple to the westerners. This impression is so strong that the city is often chosen as the location for futuristic sci-fi films. However, millions of tourists are attracted to Seoul for more than its modern state. Cheap flights to this megacity are a sure way of getting to know unique Korean culture, intriguing food, eastern entertainment activities, and the rapid tempos of life better.

How to travel?

Seoul guests are usually welcomed in two airports: Incheon and Gimpo. You can reach the city centre by using a bus, a taxi, or metro services.

The same means of transportation are also useful for inner city travels in Seoul. If you’re planning to use a moped or go on foot, be careful, as city locals like to interpret road rules to their own liking, and small accidents are quite common.

What to taste?

Cuisine in South Korea and North Korea is similar. Seoul is great for trying out some traditional dishes with large amounts of spices. Other countries’ locals join the Koreans in their liking of a fermented vegetables meal (kimchi), served alongside numerous local dishes.

For a filling lunch, try some soy stew doenjang jjigae, dumpling soup manduguk, noodles with souce guksu, and some roasted pork ribs galbi. Dishes taste even better when served together with green bean or soybean sprouts salad (sukju namul, kong namul).

Why not indulge in some sweets: try some honey pie yakgwa, cooked fruit suksilgwa, or some jelly-like boiled fruit confections gwapyeon. You can quench your thirst with Korean beer or with a cup of rice, corn or honey tea. We also recommend tasting some local rice sake or fruit and flower liquor.

What to see?

Begin your acquaintance with the city panoramic view from the Seoul tower. Fabulous sights of the oriental megacity will meet you on a boat trip by the Hangang river as well. If you love observing historical heritage objects, go and see the Great South gate of Namdaemun, the first royal residence of Changdeokgung, as well as the palaces of Deoksungung and Gyeongbokgung.

The lively Seoul is best observed in the markets of Namdaemun and Dongdaemun. Some peace and quiet can be found in the Olympic park, the National Museum of Korea, the ethnographic villages, or the Secret gardens.

What to do?

South Korean capital is surrounded by eight mountain tops. One of the favourite local entertainment activities is climbing up said mountains and enjoying the gorgeous panoramic view. Up in the mountains, several monasteries are located, and you can visit those for a few days.

If you want to stay in the city, try your vocal abilities in a local karaoke bar. It’s also worth going to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, where it will become obvious that Seoul is reaching ahead, into the future itself, and yet at the same time, it still goes down the more traditional path of freedom as well.