7 Most Famous Observatories To Visit In Seoul

Today, we'll introduce some observation decks where you can see all of Seoul at once.

These are the spots we recommend you visit to get a great view of Seoul!

N Seoul Tower
N 서울 타워

Source: hmg journal

Those who've researched traveling to Korea probably already know of this one. N Seoul Tower, located at the top of Namsan Mountain and overlooking Seoul, is one of Seoul's landmarks!

N Seoul Tower is popular in both day and night. In the evening, it is considered one of the most popular night view spots thanks to its colorful lighting.

Also, the lighting color of the tower tells you the air quality condition of Seoul that day. If the tower is red, it means that the current air quality in Seoul is very bad!

Source: 동아일보

The inside of the tower looks like this. There's a shopping center and cafe and there is an entrance fee to enter the tower.

It costs 16,000 won for adults and 11,000 won for children.

You can leave your mark without entering the tower. The various locks on the N Seoul Tower are from couples who promised their love to each other, and it means that their love will last forever unless the locks are broken.

Information

Address: 서울 용산구 남산공원길 105
105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-21:00
Sat-Sun 주말 11:00-22:00

N Seoul Tower Cable Car: Go straight from Exit 5 of Myeongdong Station to Hoehyeon Intersection, turn left, walk up, and go up the escalator to arrive at the cable car platform. Take the cable car to N Seoul Tower (about 15 minutes).

• Escalator hours: 09:00-23:00
• Cable car hours: 10:00-23:00

Sewoon Arcade
세운상가

As Korea proceeds with urban regeneration, it is also adding popular elements to smoothly combine tourism and local culture. Sewoon Arcade is a shopping mall specializing in electronic parts with a history of more than 40 years.

Sewoon Arcade is located on Jongno 3-ga and is also close to Cheonggyecheon. Also, Sewoon Arcade has a lot of entrances, so you can find the nearest escalator to enter.

The design of Sewoon Arcade, which combines modernity, history, and cultural innovation, has been renewed to transform it from an old shopping mall into a lively, unique destination.

You can reach the spot above if you go straight through the entrance of Sewoon Arcade and take the elevator to the 9th floor.

While going up the escalator, keep an eye out for Jongmyo Shrine, one of Korea's world heritage sites!

The view from above is very beautiful, and in the evening, you can even enjoy the colorful lights of Seoul. Sewoon Arcade is a place where you can see the equally beautiful night and day views in one place!

Information

Address: 서울 종로구 청계천로 159
159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-19:00
Closed Sun, Public Holidays

Transportation: 9 minute walk from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 12

Changsin Sungin Quarry Observatory
창신 숭인 채석장

*This observatory is permanently closed.

The Changsin Sungin Quarry Observatory is a perfect example of urban regeneration in Korea and it's a spot where you can see the skyline of Seoul in a glance!

Originally, this place was designated as a new town area and an apartment complex was almost built, but the residents actively protected it, allowing the observatory to open.

The observatory is on the third floor of the building, and you can go to the observatory after passing the cafe Daily Camel (낙타카페) on the second floor. It is said that the site where the observatory was located looked like a camel's back, so it was also called Camel Mountain (낙타산), thus the name Daily Camel.

This is the view from the observatory. The mountain that looks like a stone in the middle of the picture was used as a quarry in the past.

It's more colorful and beautiful because of the autumn leaves!

I recommend visiting the observatory around sunset. On a clear day, you can even see the ridge of Seoul Mountain.

If you come early, you can wait at the cafe and go back to the observatory in time for sunset.

Information

Address: 서울특별시 종로구 낙산 5길 51
51 Naksan 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hours: Tue-Fri 11:00-20:00
Sat-Sun 10:00-22:00
Closed on Mondays

Transportation: 11 minute walk from Line 6 Changsin Station Exit 1, 15 minute walk from Dongmyo Station Exit 9

Jeongdong Observatory
정동전망대

Source: 티스토리

Jeongdong Observatory is located at the Seoul City Hall Seosomun Building. It is located right next to Deoksugung Palace near City Hall Station, and has been opened to visitors since June 2013.

Source: 티스토리

You can also see Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong area, Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza. On a sunny day, you can see the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin in Gwanghwamun and the Blue House.

It's nice to go explore inside Deoksugung Palace, but seeing the harmony between the buildings of the past and the buildings of the present at Jeongdong Observatory is really impressive.

Source: 티스토리

Take the elevator on the right side of the building to the 13th floor and you'll see a cafe called Darak, where you can see an open view through a large window.

In the past, it was pretty empty because it was not well known, but these days, many locals and tourists visit even on weekdays.

Source: 티스토리

The window seats are popular, but you can see past pictures of Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong, and Seoul hanging on the wall.

Recently, as more foreign tourists visit, you can also find souvenirs and information in foreign languages.

Information

Address: 서울 중구 덕수궁길 15
15 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-21:00
Sat-Sun, Public Holidays 09:00-18:00
*Operation temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 (as of 11/30/2021)

Transportation: 7 minute walk from City Hall Station Exit 11

SEOUL SKY
서울스카이

Source: 비즈니스워치

Located at the highest point of Lotte World Tower, the world's fifth-tallest and Korea's tallest building at 123 stories and 555 meters high, is the SEOUL SKY Observatory. It's the tallest spot in Korea and you can get a 360-degree view of Seoul.

Source: 조선일보

Thrilling experiences from the dizzying height of 500m, various exhibitions with the subject of Korea's pride, various souvenirs, and cafes where you can enjoy a cup of coffee above the clouds make a visit to the observatory even more special.

Source: 식품음료신문

The picture above shows the inside of the Angel-in-us cafe located on the 122nd floor of Lotte World Tower. It is said that you can enjoy four types of "Sky Signature" drinks here. The "Sky Signature" drinks are cocktail-style juice drinks with a blue motif.

Source: 이뉴스투데이

There is a "trick" on each floor to make it more fun, which is fitting as Lotte World also operates a theme park. You'll especially feel how unique this experience is when you ride the double-deck Sky Shuttle where you can immerse yourself into a virtual reality world through the videos showing on monitors installed on three sides!

Information

Address: 서울 송파구 올림픽로 300 117~123층
117-123F, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Hours: Sun-Thu 10:30-22:00
Fri-Sat, Public Holidays 10:30-23:00

Tickets: Adults (13 and older) 27,000 won
Children (36 months-12 years 24,000 won

Transportation: 7 minute walk from Jamsil Station Exit 1

Cecil Theater Rooftop Observatory
세실극장 옥상 전망대

Source: 내 손안의 서울

The rest area on the roof of the Cecil Theater building, which opened on April 1, 2021, will definitely become a popular attraction in the future!

The Cecil Theater is run by the Seoul Theater Association. It is operated with the aim of contributing to the revitalization of plays in the Jeongdong area.

Source: 경향신문

Cecil Theater was designated as a Seoul Future Heritage site in 2013 in recognition of the value of architecture and culture and arts.

The Cecilmaru, is the rooftop of the Cecil Theater building, where you can see all the historical sites of modern history.

Source: 내 손안의 서울

When you go up to Cecilmaru, you will see a sign with an explanation of the building.

You can feel the importance of Cecilmaru, which was created as an observation deck in Seoul, on the information board.

Source: 내 손안의 서울

Located right next to the Cecil Theater is the Seoul Anglican Cathedral, which was built by adding traditional Korean architectural elements to the Romanesque architecture style.

You can see lots of cool things from Cecilmaru!

Information

Address: 서울 중구 세종대로 19길 16
16 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Hours: Tue-Sun 09:00-21:00

Transportation: 5 minute walk from City Hall Station Exit 3

63 Art
63아트

Source: 한화인

At the time of its completion, the 63 Building boasted the highest altitude above sea level in East Asia and became a landmark representing Korea.

Even now, more than 30 years later, everyone knows of the 63 Building if you think of Seoul!

Source: 신동아

The 63 Building is characterized by golden glass, and the atmosphere varies depending on the season and the amount of sunlight it gets. The beautiful riverside of the Han River and the sky are reflected, making a spectacular facade.

Source: 한국전경신문

In addition, the lobby and outdoor garden of the 63 Building are equipped with works by Korean contemporary artists, providing visitors with a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

Source: 티스토리

This is the panoramic view of Seoul from 63 Art. The sunset is so beautiful! It is one of the places we really recommend if you want a night view of Seoul.

Information

Address: 서울 영등포구 63로 50
50 Yeongdeungpo-gu 63-ro, Seoul

Hours: 10:00-20:00

Tickets: Adult 32,000 won
Children, Senior Citizens 28,000 won

Transportation: Take Yeongdeungpo Bus 11 to 63 Building (Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital/63빌딩. 가톨릭대학교 여의도 성모병원) Stop (19143), 6 minute walk to 63 Building.

This has been our summary of 7 observatories in Seoul.

Did you know there were this many in Seoul? Let us know which one you want to visit most!