10 Things To Do In Seoul This Spring | 2024
A guide to all the best activities, restaurants, cafes, & beauty services to check out this spring in Seoul!
- Seoul Rose Festival
Are you traveling to Seoul this spring? We've compiled a list of 10 things you MUST DO during your time here! From restaurant and cafe recommendations to getting discounts on tickets and Hanbok rentals, we've got you covered. Check it out!
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1. Visit Lotte World in a Korean School Uniform
Lotte World is a favorite among both Koreans and foreigners. There are lots of fun rides and experiences, and even if you're not a fan of rides there are other activities you can do while there!
You'll definitely get hungry while you're there, but don't worry, there are lots of fun food options available to snack on!
The good news is, you can book tickets to Lotte World right here at a discounted rate! Click the link below to see prices and purchase tickets:
You can even rent a Korean school uniform and pretend like you're back in school for a day! It's a fun tradition among Koreans to dress up in high school uniforms to reminisce on one's school years. The two rental shops below are very popular! Book on Creatrip for a discount:
2. Rent a Hanbok
Renting a Hanbok, which is traditional Korean clothing, is something you absolutely have to do in Korea! You can pick out any Hanbok you like and head over to any of the nearby palaces in Seoul to take photos.
Click on the link below to take a look at all the different Hanbok rental shops and make a reservation with discounts and special deals!
3. See the Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Viewing (April~May)
Gyeongbokgung Palace is beautiful in the day time, but at night, it seems to come to life with all the illuminating lights! Seeing Gyeongbokgung Palace at night is on a Korean local's bucket list as well, so tickets sell out just as fast as K-pop concerts do, as it's only available during spring and fall.
There are three ways to get admission: online, on-site, or for free if you wear a Hanbok! Online tickets sell out fast and are difficult for foreigners to get, while on-site tickets will have you waiting in line and will also most-likely sell out.
We highly recommend renting a Hanbok for easy entrance! Plus, your photos will come out amazing.
For more information on how/when to see the Gyeongbokgung Night Viewing and which Hanbok rental stores are available at night, check out our guide in the link below:
Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Viewing
4. Go to a Korean Hair Salon
Koreans are serious about their hair game, which is evident when watching K-pop music videos or K-dramas. They all have perfect hair and it's thanks to the amazing hair salons in Korea!
Not only are Korean hair stylists experts at their craft, they also offer very affordable prices and the latest styles. The salons are super trendy and hip too!
Getting a hair makeover is a must-do in Korea! You can make a reservation at popular hair salons SOONSIKI, The Days, and JUNO Hair. Click the link below to see all the options!
Korean Hair Salon Reservations
5. Have a Picnic at the Han River & Watch the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show
The Han River is one of Seoul's most famous attractions. The wide river runs straight through the city, and is a popular destination for families, couples, and friends! To really experience Seoul like a local, a Han River picnic is a MUST! If you're not sure which part of the river to go to, check out our guide!
The convenience stores at the Han River are special because they have special induction stoves for cooking ramen! Even Koreans admit that there's something special about ramen at the Han River - it tastes more delicious for some reason!
You can also pick up other snacks at the convenience store while you're there! From shrimp chips to bags of ade you can pour into ice cups, there's so much to choose! Your belly will be satisfied for sure.
Lots of people also love to order delivery food and have a picnic at the river. The most popular picnic delivery food in Korea is probably fried chicken and beer! Foreigners can easily order delivery using the Creatrip app. Click the link below to order delivery:
If you stay long enough at Han River, don't miss the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show! Banpo Bridge is a very famous spot along the Han River. You can see this beautiful lights show while music plays in the background. It's super romantic and calming!
The surrounding area is just as beautiful and you can rent bikes and enjoy the sunset while you wait for the show to start! For more information on the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show, including hours and location, check out our blog below:
6. See the Spring Flowers
Cherry Blossoms
Korea is covered in pink cherry blossoms every spring! They usually are in full bloom from late March to early April, so if your trip is planned during that time, you'll be seeing lots of cherry blossoms.
Some popular spots for cherry blossoms in Seoul include Yeouido, Seokchon Lake, and Seoul Forest. For a list of the best cherry blossom spots in Seoul, check out our blog below or book a tour!
Must-Visit Cherry Blossom Spots in Seoul
2024 Cherry Blossom Tours | Book Here
Canola Flowers at Seoraeseom Island
Seoraeseom Island, or 서래섬, is a small island located in Banpo that is known for the beautiful canola flowers that bloom every year in May!
Many people like to visit the island and take photos here. There's even a festival with events and little photo spots set up! Last year, the festival was from May 12th to May 21st. Check it out if you can!
You can get some really nice photos here with the flowers, Han River, and N Seoul Tower in the background! Make sure you bring a friend to help you get those photos~
The view of the Han River and the bridge is especially beautiful at sunset! We recommend coming in the late afternoon for the best photos.
Seoraeseom Canola Flower Festival: May 10th, 2024 ~ May 19th, 2024
Address: 40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 서초구 신반포로11길 40
Seoul Rose Festival
You can also see a huge variety of roses at this huge rose festival located in Jungnang-gu, Seoul. This year's spring festival is from May 18th to May 25th, so definitely check it out if you'll be in Seoul!
You can get some really nice photos here at Jungang Park when the roses are fully bloomed! There are lots of different colored roses, so take as many photos as you want.
For more info on rose festivals in Seoul during May, check out our blog in the link below:
Seoul Rose Festivals | May 2024
Seoul Rose Festival: May 18th. 2024 ~ May 25th, 2024
Address: Jungnang Rose Park, 375 Muk-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중랑구 묵동 375 중랑장미공원
7. Go Shopping (Garosugil, Hongdae)
Garosugil
To find the most popular Korean brands, we recommend going to Garosugil! The prices are a bit higher overall here, but quality is guaranteed and there are lots of unique shops to visit!
From the hottest makeup brands to famous high-end brands like Gentle Monster or Tamburins, you can find it all!
Even Korean celebrities and influencers frequent Garosugil to go on a shopping spree or just hang out in the area. Check out our full Garosugil Shopping Guide in the link below!
Hongdae
Hongdae is one of the most popular neighborhoods to visit in Seoul because there is an abundance of restaurants, cafes, shops, and more to enjoy!
You can find a variety of clothing styles, shoes, accessories, and cosmetics! For a full-fledged guide to our favorite places to shop in Hongdae, check out our guide below. Also, don't forget to get our Hongdae Shopping Pass as well for special exclusive discounts!
Hongdae Shopping Pass | Purchase Here
8. Go Cafe-Hopping in Yeonnam
Urban Beach Yeonnam
Yeonnam-dong is walking distance from Hongdae and has some of the best, most popular cafes. Urban Beach Yeonnam has a super cute beach theme with real sand inside! The drinks and desserts are amazing as well.
Cafe Layered
Next up is Cafe Layered, which is so popular that it can be hard to get a seat during peak hours. They have a huge variety of London-style pastries and delicious drinks as well! If you want to avoid the crowd, try to come as soon as it opens!
C.THROUGH
Lastly, we recommend C.THROUGH, which has the cutest desserts we've ever seen! They have a big menu with all kinds of cutely decorated desserts and lattes. They are just as delicious as they are cute! Plus, you can get a discount with the Creatrip coupon below.
9. Take Pictures at a Korean Photo Booth
Photo booth culture in Korea is on another level. There are self photo booths on almost every street!
Most photo booths will provide props like stuffed animals, headbands, or sunglasses.
Some popular photo booths we recommend visiting are DON'T LXXK UP, Haru Film, Photoism, and Life Four Cuts. For the full list of photo booth recommendations, check out our blog!
9 Must-Visit Self Photo Booths
10. Must-Eats
Jamsil - Bangi Donga
You can't leave Korea without having K-BBQ! Bangi Donga is known for having incredibly thick and juicy pork belly.
Their cheesy fried rice is the perfect way to finish off the meal! Don't forget to get the Creatrip Pass to skip the line and get 10% off! It also includes special perks to other popular restaurants. Click the link below to get yours!
Myeongdong - Myeongdong Kyoja
Myeongdong Kyoja is one of the most famous restaurants in Myeongdong and even has a Michelin star. There are only two things on the menu; Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), and steamed dumplings. Definitely add this one to your list!
It can get pretty crowded at lunch and dinner time, especially on the weekends, so try to schedule your visit to avoid these peak hours! For more Myeongdong restaurant recommendations, check out our guide:
Gangnam - Art Monster
If you want to enjoy some good food with the vibe of a trendy bar, Art Monster is the place for you!
Here, you receive a wristband and can enjoy a variety of beers on tap! The wristband will record the amount of beer you've consumed and you can pay the calculated total when you leave. For more Gangnam food recommendations, check out our guide:
Hongdae - Tokkijung
Lastly, we recommend this Japanese-style fusion restaurant called Tokkijung! It's very popular among younger people and is a popular date spot as well.
You can try a variety of foods, such as their famous cream curry udon, pork katsu, and flavored sodas! Get 10% off with the Creatrip coupon below!
K-Beauty Services
We hope you enjoy your trip to Seoul this spring! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com. You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!