With its chaotic streets, 24/7 vibes and an eclectic mix of traditional and modern, Seoul is an Instagram dream and there are some incredible Instagram shots just waiting to be captured across the city. We’ve put together this list of our favourite Instagram-worthy spots in Seoul to help you find some of the most photogenic and Instagrammable locations. From the colourful cafes to the incredible palaces and architecture we hope you have as much fun as we did visiting some of the best Instagram spots in Seoul!
Best Instagram Spots in Seoul
1 | StyleNanda
Seoul certainly knows how to do stores and cafes and the StyleNanda Pink Hotel, a makeup and clothing store in Myeongdong, is an Instagram winner! Pink and quirky is the theme throughout its 7 floors and the rooftop, adorned with giant pink pillows and parasols, is made for photographing!
Location: StyleNanda Pink Hotel, 37-8, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: If you visit StyleNanda make sure to take a walk around the surrounding streets of Myeongdong as quirky and colourful Instagram spots often pop up temporarily.
Where to Stay in Seoul
Seoul is a massive city and choosing where to stay can be very confusing. To make the most of your time in Seoul we recommend staying as central as possible. The areas that are best to base yourself are Namdaemun, Myeong-dong and Insa-dong
- Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun – Where we chose to stay during our time in Seoul and this hotel didn’t disappoint. The Marriott Seoul Namdaemun is located right beside the lively Namdaemun market and is a short walk to most of the city sights. The executive lounge has stunning views across Seoul and the rooms are a true luxury. Did we mention that the breakfast buffet is incredible! – check prices now!
- Hotel28 Myeongdong – Located in the heart of Myeondong, Hotel 28 is a great budget choice and perfectly located for exploring the city. The hotel is close to the subway and a short walk from many great restaurants and sights – check prices now!
- Aloft Seoul Myeongdong – The Aloft Seoul is a great value, modern hotel with spacious rooms, a gym and 24-hour business centre. Plus the breakfast buffet is amazing with Western and Korean foods – check prices now!
- Orakai Insadong Suites – this is a great option in Insadong for anyone looking for an apartment style hotel. With on-site laundry, great breakfast buffet and fantastic location the Orakai Suites are a perfect base for exploring Seoul – check prices now!
4G Internet
We purchased Sim card on Klook and it was super-useful during our time in Seoul. Having mobile data while exploring the city was invaluable. We recommend the KT Olleh sim card provider which we used without any problems during our time in South Korea., plus it’s cheaper if you order in advance with Klook – click here to order now!
If you have more than one device and don’t want to get separate sim cards you should consider renting a 4G Wifi portable hotspot. They’re great if you need to connect more than just your phone while on the go – click here to order now!
2 | Dress up in a traditional Hanbok
The colourful hanbok, a 1,600-year-old traditional Korean dress is a common sight on the streets of Seoul with many visitors renting a hanbok and wandering through the city’s historic palaces. The hanbok is worn by men, women and children and Koreans and visitors are encouraged to dress in the celebratory outfit – renting a hanbok is an awesome way to embrace the Korean culture and capture some unique and colourful photos in Seoul! We loved every second of our Hanbok rental in Seoul.
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: plan to visit a palace and the Bukchon Hanok Village on the day you rent a hanbok. We recommend a 3.5hour rental as is the perfect amount of time to explore a little and capture lots of photos. Remember, many tourist sites close on Monday’s in South Korea: the Gyeongbokgung Palace is the only palace open on a Monday.
We used the Klook app to reserve our hanbok’s and saved almost 50% on the in-store price. There are lots of shops offering hanbok rental in Seoul but we highly recommend this one located in Gyeongbokgung. The location is perfect as it’s close to the Bukchon Hanok Village and the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Changdeokgung Palace and the selection of clothes is extensive.
Click here to book your Hanbok now
3 | Starfield Library, Coex Mall
The Starfield Library in Gangnam’s Coex Mall is a book lovers dream and its towering shelves, filled to the brim with enticing books, make for some amazing Instagram shots. On any given day, the Starfield Library escalators ferry selfie seeking visitors alongside its 50,000 books which, coincidentally, is approximately the number of times I rode the escalators to get Instagram worthy pics!!
Location: Starfield Library, Central Plaza, Starfield COEX Mall
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: make sure to pop outside the East Gate of the Coex Mall for a fun pic with the Gangham Style statue. The song, one of You Tube’s most watched videos ever, is honoured with a gold statue which shows two fists overlapping in a tribute to the Gangham Style dance moves!
4 | Iwha Mural Village
The winding streets of the Iwha Mural Village were transformed into a sea of street art and murals by a group of 70 artists and it’s one of the most popular neighbourhoods on the Seoul tourist trail. The quirky murals, which include an ‘I love Seoul’ tribute and some highly coveted angel wings, are the perfect spot for an Instagram shoot.
Best Instagram spot Seoul tip: the Iwha Mural Village is a popular spot so try and visit early or late in the day if you prefer some quiet time to take pics.
Location: Iwha Mural Village, 6-18 Ihwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
5 | Bukchon Hanok Village
A traditional Korean village, the narrow and winding streets of the Bukchon Hanok Village are filled with hanboks, traditional Korean houses which date back as far as the Joyston Dynasty. The picturesque alleys and beautiful architecture are a tourist magnet in Seoul and it’s a popular stop for those seeking to capture the colorful hanboks in a traditional setting.
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: the Bukchon Hanok Village remains a residental area so please be considerate of the locals and their property.
Location: Bukchon Hanok Village, 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
6 | Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky
Seoul is incredible from the dizzying heights of its tallest building! The Lotte World Tower is the 5th tallest building in the world and dominates the city skyline. As well as the floor to ceiling windows and the endless skyline pics, the glass-bottomed observatory allows for some incredible Instagram shots with a birds-eye perspective on the city street – check prices here!
Book your Lotte World Tower tickets
Best Seoul Instagram spots tip: after descending from the dizzy heights of Seoul Tower make sure to stop by the adjoining Lotte World Mall and check out the incredible staircase, a focal point of the luxury shopping center.
Location: Lotte World, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
7 | Common Ground
Seoul’s Common Ground ticks all the Instagram boxes: strong colours, food trucks, pop up stores and shipping containers! At Common Ground, 200 shipping containers were hauled in to create a hip shopping and dining experience and, if the day we visited is anything to go by, it’s a happening spot for edgy photo shoots and Instagram lovers!
Location: Common Ground, 200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
8 | Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple is located in the heart of Seoul and is the centre of Korean Buddhism. The temple is colourful and beautiful and the grounds contain ancient trees which are 500 years old as well as fun statutes which won’t fail to bring a smile to your face.
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: we visited during the annual flower festival in October and the grounds were incredible with scultped hedges representing Buddha’s, elepahants and dragons. During the Buddha’s birthday and the Lotus Lantern Festival temple courtyard is decorated with paper lanterns making for a spectacular sight.
Location: Jogyesa Temple
9 | The Grand Palaces of Seoul
Dating back to the Joyston Dynasty, the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace make up the five grand palaces of Seoul. A visit to at least one of the five grand palaces is almost mandatory when sightseeing in Seoul! The vast palace complexes are well preserved and offer endless backdrops which make for a great addition to any Instagram feed.
10 | Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden
Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the Secret Garden, once a haven of relaxation for the Royal Family dating as far back as the 15th Century. The pavilions and pagodas make for fantastic photo opportunities in the lush green surroundings.
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: tickets to the Secret Garden are separate to the basic Changdeokgung Palace entrance ticket so you will need to purchase a ticket to the Secret Garden tour in advance. At the start of the tour we were given the choice to follow the tour or wander through the gardens at our own pace which allowed us the opportunity to take our pics.
11 | Dore Dore Rainbow Cake
Dore Dore’s Rainbow Cake, six brightly coloured layers separated by cream, is the prettiest cake we set our eyes upon in Seoul! The two varieties of cake, Precious and Feel Good, are picture-perfect and fit beautifully with the cafe’s girly decor.
Best Instagram Spots Seoul tip: I was a little apprehensive to try such a brightly coloured concoction but fortunately the cake tastes almost as good as it looks!
Location: Dore Dore, Common Ground and various locations throughout Seoul
12 | Seoul City Hall and Plaza
The super modern Seoul City Hall is a glass and steel masterpiece often described as resembling a tidal wave. Inside, the vertical gardens are a treat together with the quirky exhibitions which often feature. Located in Seoul Plaza make sure to check out the I Seoul U sign, another great Instagram opportunity.
Location: Seoul City Hall, 110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
13 | Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
One of the most hashtagged Instagram locations in Seoul, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the work of world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid and hosts creative exhibitions, conventions and concerts. The minimalist architecture is an Instagram treat and its iconic staircase is a renowned Instagram spot. The rooftop LED rose garden is a permanent feature and, as the sun sets, the roses light up in a mesmerising display.
Location: Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Dongdaemun, Seoul
14 | Alive Museum
For some quirky and fun Instagram shots visit the Alive Museum in Insadong, a 4D museum full of optical illusions and peculiar art – check prices here!
Book your Alive Museum tickets
Location: Alive Museum, 12, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
15 | Seoul Street Art
Street art is abundant in Seoul and, as well as the aforementioned Iwha Mural Village, features prominently in many neighbourhoods including Hongdae, known as the art district of the city. Mullae Village and the Apgujeong Graffiti Tunnel also feature vibrant street art.
Location: We Are Young, 64, Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
this is an amazing post!! cant wait to explore Seoul
Thanks Kennedy, hope you like it as much as we do.
What month did you visit Korea?
Hi Grace, we were there in October 2018.
This is the best in Seoul I’ve read! I’m going tomoro and this gave concise and clear ideas of things to do ! It made it very easy to understand! I love it
Hope you had fun!