South Korea, Asia
A modern, hilly capital where palace grounds, riverside paths and dense shopping districts each offer a different kind of walk.
Photo: Gyedong-gil street with climbing plants at golden hour in Seoul South Korea
Why walk here
Seoul mixes flat, easily walkable districts like Myeongdong and Gangnam with hillier, more traditional neighbourhoods such as Bukchon Hanok Village, where narrow, sloped lanes wind between traditional houses. The contrast between old and new is part of what makes walking here so engaging, sometimes within the same short stretch of street.
The Cheonggyecheon stream, a restored waterway running through the heart of downtown, gives walkers a sunken, mostly flat path that cuts calmly beneath the busy streets above, a favourite escape from traffic noise without leaving the city centre.
Seoul's scale is considerable, so covering more than one or two districts in a single day on foot alone is ambitious. Combining focused walking within a neighbourhood with subway hops between them tends to work better than trying to walk the whole distance.
Practical notes
Written for someone who has just landed and does not want to read a guidebook.
Seoul's subway system is extensive, clean and reliably on time, with the T-money card serving as the standard way to pay across subway, bus and even taxis. Signage is in Korean and English throughout the system, making it genuinely easy for visitors to navigate independently. The AREX train runs directly from Incheon International Airport into the city centre, with an express option cutting the journey time further.
Seoul is a very safe city to walk through, including late at night in busy districts like Hongdae or Itaewon, with low crime rates and a strong sense of public order. Standard caution in crowded nightlife areas late at night is sensible, but violent crime against visitors is rare.
Tipping is not part of Korean culture and is not expected in restaurants, taxis or cafes. Prices are considered to already reflect the full cost of service, and attempting to tip can sometimes cause confusion.
Tap water is treated and technically safe, though many residents still prefer boiled or bottled water out of habit. Shops, particularly in shopping districts, keep notably long hours, often well into the night. Cards are widely accepted and often preferred over cash, even at small vendors. Korean is the local language, with English signage common in central areas but less so further out. Summers are hot and humid, winters are cold and dry, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking.
Walks in this city
Pick one, screenshot the cards, and leave the phone in your pocket between stops.
FoodSeoul, South Korea
A walk through one of Seoul's oldest markets and its surrounding streets, tasting the raw and cooked dishes that make Gwangjang a food destination on its own.
Hidden GemsSeoul, South Korea
A calm walk through Seochon's hanok alleys and hillside lanes, a residential neighbourhood that stayed local while Bukchon across the palace filled with tour groups.