Seoul: next week
Plan ahead — what starts in Seoul next week, where the crowds will be, and where to eat and shop.
Plan ahead
Coming up: festivals & events
Starting Oct 12–18, in order of start date
- OCT16–17Starts in 7 days Jung-gu
Jeongdong Culture Festival · 정동문화축제
Jeongdong Culture Festival highlights local attractions through activities and displays in an autumn setting.
Place Area of Deoksugung Stone Wall RoadHours 17:00-22:00Admission Free - OCT16–18Starts in 7 days Gangdong-gu
Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival · 강동선사문화축제
The Gangdong Prehistoric Culture Festival mixes archaeology activities and a craft market with performances and lights after dark.
Place Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong, Seoul and Amsa History ParkHours 10:00~21:00Admission Free (fees vary by programs) - OCT16–18Starts in 7 days Gwanak-gu
Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival · 관악강감찬축제
The Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival celebrates the general’s legacy through history and culture in a community atmosphere.
Place Nakseongdae ParkHours 12:00-21:00Admission Free - OCT17–18Starts in 8 days Geumcheon-gu
Geumcheon Harmony Festival · 금천하모니축제
Geumcheon Harmony Festival brings people together with music, performances, fireworks, hands-on booths and food trucks.
Place Geumcheon-gu Office Palaze, Geumnarae Jungang ParkHours 11:00-20:00Admission Free - OCT17–23Starts in 8 days Mapo-gu
Seoul Silver Grass Festival · 서울억새축제
The Seoul Silver Grass Festival offers views of autumn blooms amid Haneul Park’s restored ecosystem.
Place Haneul ParkHours 10:00-21:00Admission Free - OCT17–25Starts in 8 days Gangnam-gu
Hangang River Festival · 한강페스티벌
Hangang River Festival offers family activities, food and stage performances in a relaxed riverside setting.
Place Jamsil Hangang ParkHours Varies by programAdmission Free (Separate fees may apply to certain programs)
Popular areas this week
Areas by visit index — not a ranking of single attractions
- 1
Gangnam-gu · 강남구
In Seoul's Gangnam-gu, travelers visit Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil Road and Spa 1978.
#1 of 25 districts by visitors from outside the district, Aug 29 – Sep 4Highlights Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil Road · Cocory Color Research Institute - Gangnam Branch · Spa 1978 (SPA 1978) · Hyanggieok - 2
Seocho-gu · 서초구
In Seocho-gu, Seoul, you visit Banpo Hangang Park, Heidi Haus, Picasso Mural and Gilsang Ceramics.
#2 of 25 districts by visitors from outside the district, Aug 29 – Sep 4Highlights Banpo Hangang Park · Heidi Haus · Picasso Mural · Gilsang Ceramics - 3
Jung-gu · 중구
In Jung-gu, Seoul, travelers visit Deoksugung Palace and see the Baekbeom Kim Koo Statue at Baekbeom Plaza.
#3 of 25 districts by visitors from outside the district, Aug 29 – Sep 4Highlights Deoksugung Palace · Baekbeom Kim Koo Statue (Baekbeom Plaza) · Chunpoong Brewery · Cocory Color Research Institute - Myeongdong Branch - 4
Jongno-gu · 종로구
In Seoul's Jongno-gu, you can visit Jogyesa Temple, Changgyeonggung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Saekjang Rice Mill.
#4 of 25 districts by visitors from outside the district, Aug 29 – Sep 4Highlights Jogyesa Temple · Changgyeonggung Palace · Gyeongbokgung Palace · Saekjang Rice Mill - 5
Songpa-gu · 송파구
In Songpa-gu, Seoul, you visit Lotte World and Korean Spa Yeo Yong Guk.
#5 of 25 districts by visitors from outside the district, Aug 29 – Sep 4Highlights Lotte World Tower SEOUL SKY · Lotte World · KidZania Seoul · Korean Spa Yeo Yong Guk
Where to eat
Places to eat in those areas
- Gangnam-gu
Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon · 진미평양냉면
This Gangnam-gu restaurant serves Pyeongyang-style chilled buckwheat noodles, along with mandu and bulgogi.
Address 305-3 Hakdong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul - Seocho-gu
BBQ Yul · 고깃집열
BBQ Yul in Seocho-gu serves Korean barbecue with staff-cooked, domestically sourced meats, including pork aged for 336 hours.
Address 48 Seocho-daero 78-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul - Jung-gu
Bokidang · 복이당
Bokidang is a bakery cafe in Jung-gu that serves salt buns made by hand and drinks.
Address 3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul - Jongno-gu
Ilpumdang Premium · 일품당프리미엄
Ilpumdang Premium in Jongno-gu serves shabu shabu and sukiyaki and offers private rooms for dining.
Address 7 Saemunan-ro, 5ga-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul - Songpa-gu
Carols Main Branch · 캐롤스 본점
Carols Main Branch in Songpa-gu is a retro family eatery serving American dishes like baby back ribs, Monte Cristo and spaghetti.
- Gangnam-gu
Oegojip Seolleongtang · 외고집설렁탕
Oegojip Seolleongtang is a restaurant in Gangnam-gu that serves seolleongtang.
Address 555 Samseong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Where to shop
Places to shop in those areas
- Jung-gu
Migliore - Myeongdong Branch · 밀리오레 (명동점)
Migliore - Myeongdong Branch is a mall with shops on its first two floors and direct access to Myeongdong Station on Line 4.
Address 115 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul - Jongno-gu
WA YU JAE · 와유재
WA YU JAE is a souvenir shop where travelers find designs rooted in Korean traditions and learn the stories behind them.
Address 108 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Getting around
- Buy a T-money card at a convenience store or subway station and tap in and out of subways and buses.
- Subway stations and trains show English names, and each line has its own color on the map.
- Taxis and ride apps need a Korean address — show the Korean name next to each place in this guide.
Good to know next week
- Always — Festival dates, hours and entry rules can change — check the organizer’s website before you go.