Seoul, the capital of Korea, has always been included in the list of the most beautiful places to visit every year, and for good reason. This vibrant city features ancient palaces, temples, and bustling markets that will captivate your heart. The stunning architecture and botanical parks will mesmerize your eyes as you witness these breathtaking sites on your next trip to Seoul.
Planning to travel to Seoul and discover the most Instagrammable photo spots to elevate your feed? This guide is perfect! We’ll list picturesque landmarks and sightseeing spots where you can capture the best photos, creating lifelong memories you will cherish forever. Keep on reading to explore the most Instagrammable spots in Korea’s capital.
1. Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village definitely takes the top spot as one of the most postcard-worthy spots in Seoul. Despite being a residential area, travelers often visit this place to admire the gorgeous traditional homes and take photos while renting traditional hanbok. If you plan to visit this place, remember to be respectful to the residents. It’s a real residential neighborhood, so avoid making random noises.
For the best photo spot, we recommend going up the hill. Take a picture while looking down the street with the Seoul Tower’s figure and the city skyline visible in the background. Bukchon Hanok Village was built as ancient as the Joyston Dynasty.
Want to level up your pictures? Why not hiring a professional photographer to get stunning pictures of you in Bukchon Hanok Village! It’s a unique experience and you won’t go back home with just selfies. If you are interested, here at Photo Trips, we offer this awesome Hanbok photoshoot in Seoul that you are going to LOVE.
Address: Bukchon Hanok Village
2. Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple is located in Seoul City Center and might be the most colorful shrine in Korea’s capital. This spot has ancient trees, peaceful grounds, and quirky statues. Upon entering, you will immediately feel the spirit of Buddhism in the temple’s simple architecture.
Get the perfect Instagrammable photo when you visit in October. This month holds the annual flower festival, where you can capture plants and grasses shaped like dragons, Buddhas, and animals.
You should also visit Jogyesa Temple during the Lotus Lantern Festival, when devotees celebrate Buddha’s birthday. Take photos of the colorful paper lanterns displayed in the courtyard.
Address: Jogyesa Temple
3. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Have you ever dreamed of being in a Korean drama where the setting occurs in ancient Korean palaces? Capture beautiful Seoul photos in Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Joseon Dynasty’s main royal palace. With its long yet well-preserved history, this sightseeing spot is famous among travelers and locals who want to experience being an ancient Korean.
The entrance to the palace is already Instagram-worthy, with a colorful main gate and a pavilion extending in front of it. This area often gets crowded with travelers taking photos, so we suggest heading to the palace in the early morning.
Another traveler’s tip is to witness the palace’s ceremony of changing the guards. The ceremony takes place every day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. except Tuesdays when Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed to the public.
Address: Gyeongbokgung Palace
4. Starfield Library
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The Starfield Library is located inside CoEX Mall, a popular sightseeing destination for all travelers. This stunning spot features thousands of books that make the best backdrop for your next Instagram photo. More than being a library, Starfield is famous for being an art installation.
One of the best captures is heading to the escalator with your camera angled upward. You can even take beautiful videos as the escalator goes up or down for that additional dramatic effect. However, you should remember that the Starfield Library is often crowded. The chances of getting that perfect escalator shot are slim but still worth it!
Address: Starfield Library
5. Eunpyeong Hanok Village
If you want to visit more peaceful villages for better photo opportunities, we also recommend Eunpyeong Hanok Village. It’s also a residential area, so you have to be careful and respectful when meeting the residents and Korean locals. Eunpyeong Hanok Village might be smaller than Bukchon, but you will still love how charming and ancient the surroundings are.
Eunpyeong Hanok Village is a hillside location with 20 traditional hanoks where you can take photos. We love that it’s peaceful and calm, and the crowds are nothing compared to Bukchon. Take pictures outside the traditional houses and admire their unique architecture.
Address: Eunpyeong Hanok Village
6. N Seoul Tower
Nasam Seoul Tower has the best panoramic views in the city, thanks to the stunning backdrop and the surrounding mountains. This sightseeing spot is Korea’s first multipurpose tower and has been an iconic landmark for 4 decades.
Even from afar, you can capture beautiful N Seoul Tower shots. The tower illuminates at night, creating a breathtaking view perfect for your Instagram feed. We also suggest riding the Namsan Cable Automobile so you can witness the observatory deck up close.
Address: N Seoul Tower
7. Cafe Onion Anguk
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Let’s move on to something more modern, perfect if you’re after beautiful aesthetics on your Instagram feed. Cafe Onion Anguk is one of the most gorgeous cafes in Seoul because of its Hanok-style architecture and stunning pastries inside. This brunch spot is right next to Bukchon Hanok Village and is definitely worth lining up for.
Cafe Onion Anguk features traditional seating areas. The line starts to get long in the morning, so we highly suggest setting your alarm to get there earlier. Every corner of this cafe is indeed Instagrammable, and we love that the pastries and coffee are also delicious!
Address: Cafe Onion Anguk
8. Yeouido Park
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Yeouido Park is the perfect spot if you’re looking for blooming cherry blossoms in spring. This destination is located on Yeouido Island right at the foot of Han River, and is a famous public park among travelers.
Colorful flowers and lush greenery surround Yeouido Park, which becomes even more beautiful when springtime arrives. Several Instagram-worthy spots are nearby, so we guarantee you can capture a stunning photo despite the crowds. Besides being a picturesque park, Yeouido Park also has different bicycle paths, walking trails, and jogging tracks.
Address: Yeouido Park
9. Gangnam Style Sculpture
Remember Gangnam Style in 2012? It became a trendy hit song as it topped charts and radio stations. To commemorate this popular trend, you should visit CoEx and find a pair of bronze hands outside the main entrance. It’s definitely a great photo to make your Instagram feed look cooler.
For the best shot, we recommend standing between the two hands and recreating the famous dance move. This is even more interesting because the song plays when you stand close to the giant hands!
Address: Gangnam Style Sculpture
10. Seoul Sky
If you’re visiting the Lotte World Tower, don’t miss the Seoul Sky Observatory on its top. As one of the world’s tallest buildings, you can witness breathtaking panoramic aerial views of the entire Seoul. Take photos inside with a stunning backdrop that changes colors depending on the time and season.
Besides capturing photos, we recommend visiting museum exhibits and trying coffee from the cafe. There’s also a gift shop to get fun souvenirs showcasing Seoul Sky.
Address: Seoul Sky
11. Seoul Forest Park
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Seoul Forest Park is another stunning public park in the Seongdong District. This is a perfect sightseeing spot for nature lovers because it has trees, wildlife, flowers, and seasonal plants. You’ll love this park because it’s a perfect destination every season, especially during spring and autumn.
Snap beautiful cherry blossom photos during springtime and yellow ginkgo trees every autumn. These seasonal plants make Seoul Forest Park look vibrant and colorful, perfect for that Instagram photo. Additionally, you can even catch a deer and a butterfly house.
Address: Seoul Forest Park
12. Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
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Changdeokgung Palace is another sight to admire, built in the ancient 15th century. Like Gyeongbokgung Palace, its vibrant color scheme gets even livelier in autumn.
But what makes this palace truly unique and Instagrammable is the Secret Garden. You need to pay a different ticket to enter this spot, but it’s definitely worth your money. The Secret Garden is only open to travelers on a guided tour, so we suggest booking tickets online in advance. This sightseeing spot has pagodas and pavilions where you can also relax after capturing iconic photos of the historical landmark.
Address: Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
13. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
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Besides temples and shrines, Seoul also has modern spots worth taking photos of, like the infamous Dongdaemun Design Plaza. It’s popular among travelers because of its beautiful architecture, boutiques, and artistic galleries. If your Instagram feed is into views and aesthetics, you might want to take a photo of the plaza’s architectural design with the staircase.
If you head to the topmost floor, you can also snap a shot of the LED rose garden. Visit the plaza during sunset and witness the roses in colorful, dazzling illumination. Don’t forget to go inside galleries to see different exhibitions by local artists.
Address: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
14. Leeum Museum of Art
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Leeum Museum of Art is another modern sightseeing spot for your Instagram feed. One permanent exhibition inside this museum is free, but other paid exhibits are available for viewing.
Leeum Museum of Art has two Instagrammable locations. One is the set of spiral stairs where the free exhibition is. The style lets vibrant illumination enter the slits. On the other hand, there’s also the exit hall where you can capture different lights and mirrors, creating quirky shots.
Address: Leeum Museum of Art
15. Heunginjimun Gate
Feel like traveling back to ancient Korean times and visiting Heunginjimun, one of Seoul’s oldest traditional gates. This sightseeing spot features an iconic Instagram landscape, explaining why travelers often visit this landmark.
Heunginjimun is beautiful any time of the day, but we highly recommend photographing it after sundown. It’s also a breathtaking scene at night because lights illuminate the entire gate, highlighting its wonderful architecture and shadows.
Address: Heunginjimun Gate
16. Ihwa-dong Mural Village
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If you’re into art murals by local artists, you will also love Ihwa-dong Mural Village. It’s a hillside destination with an enjoyable walk while admiring different paintings and artworks. Our favorite is the set of angel wings, where you can stand in the middle and snap an angel shot.
Address: Ihwa-dong Mural Village
17. Seoul Botanic Park
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Seoul Botanic Park is another public park with flower beds, forests, marshlands, and lakes. This destination features Instagram-worthy shots in every spot, which are perfect when you want to snap different ecological neighborhoods.
Seoul Botanic Park is accessible because it’s close to the Seoul subway station. It’s a perfect sightseeing spot for nature lovers who appreciate green spaces and exotic flora.
Address: Seoul Botanic Park
18. Namsangol Hanok Village
Rent hanboks and visit Namsangol Hanok Village near the Namsan Mountain. It’s smaller than Bukchon and Eunpyeong, but the views are more peaceful, making better photo opportunities. This ancient Korean village consists of five hanoks that underwent relocations from different parts of Seoul.
Namsangol Hanok Village is a great side trip after visiting Namsan Tower and the Namsan Mountain Park. Besides taking photos, you can also enjoy different Korean cultural activities like calligraphy and watch live performances.
Address: Namsangol Hanok Village
19. Common Ground
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Common Ground is the perfect spot if you’re looking for edgy photos. It’s not your ordinary shopping district. Hundreds of metal shipping containers are converted into party venues, eateries, and boutique architecture.
What’s excellent about Common Ground is you don’t need to line up for long hours to capture the perfect shot. Each storefront design is Instagrammable, so you can easily snap a photo and start shopping!
Address: Common Ground
20. Arc N Book
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If you want to avoid the big crowds in Starfield Library, you might want to check out Arc N Book inside Lotte Tower Mall. This isn’t your typical library; it features dim lights and illuminated arcs that divide the place into different book sections.
Stand below one of the arcs and ask someone to snap your photo while reading your favorite book. Arc N Book also features thousands of book collections, ranging from fiction to non-fiction.
Address: Arc N Book
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Seoul is definitely one of Korea’s most beautiful cities. From nature parks to boutiques, museums, and libraries, we guarantee you will find the perfect spot for an Instagram photo.
Have you visited other landmarks and sightseeing spots that should be included on our list? Let us know below!