Feel the Soul of Seoul: Cultural Experiences You’ll Love
Looking for unique cultural experiences to make your trip to Seoul unforgettable? In this article, we’ll take you through some of the most distinctive activities you don’t wanna miss.
✈︎ Wondering how to make the most of your South Korea trip?
Our South Korea Travel Essentials has you covered with detailed guides, packing tips, and more.
RENT A HANBOK AND FEEL LIKE KOREAN ROYALTY
Wearing a Hanbok offers a charming way to immerse yourself in Korea’s rich cultural history. We found the Hanbok style adorable and a unique opportunity to capture beautiful photos in traditional attire. This experience is particularly enjoyable during the spring and autumn months, as it may feel too warm during summer and too light for the colder winter months. While wearing the Hanbok, you’ll also have the added bonus of free entry to any palace, making it a wonderful way to explore Seoul’s historic sites in style. You can create a unique look with a variety of options:
Hanbok options: Choose between Premium (lace, flowers, intricate designs, different fabrics) and Traditional (simple, one colored fabrics)
Add-ons: Petticoat, Hair accessories, King / Sato hat or Raised Hat
Some pricier packages include handbag rental, more hair styles options and traditional shoes
We rented two premium Hanbok outfits for 2.5 hours and visited Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village to take photos. However, we felt rushed towards the end and believe that renting for four hours might be a better choice, depending on how many photos you want to take and the locations you plan to visit.
RENT | Find fair prices and a wide selection at Hanboknam.
TIP | Bring your own tripod to take pictures as you like
GET A BEAUTY TREATMENT: KOREAN FACIAL
When in South Korea you’ve got to pamper yourself. Known as the hub for skincare and facial treatments, Korea offers a chance to give your skin some well-deserved care. Ingrid opted for a Contour Line Intensive Facial at Line Esthe in Myeongdong. The session started with makeup removal and a deep cleanse, followed by an Aqua Peel Treatment to clear the pores and a soothing mask to calm the skin after the peel. This facial went beyond the usual steps, including needle-free extractions, a cooling mask, face-lifting massage, and a shoulder, neck, and half-back massage, finishing with a hydrating mask. The treatment promised moisturized, radiant, and brighter skin, with a primary focus on contouring the face through firm, intense massage. It was a firm and somewhat painful experience—Ingrid’s jaw and cheekbones were sore for over two weeks. She was also advised to avoid sleeping on her side for the first week, though the discomfort made it difficult even if she tried.
Was it worth it? Absolutely, YES! It was incredible to witness. The therapist started by contouring one side of Ingrid’s face first, allowing her to compare it with the untreated side—and the results were immediate and surprising! She hadn’t anticipated such a noticeable difference right away, but the transformation was striking. Her cheekbones appeared lifted, her chin looked slimmer and more defined, and her eye area seemed brighter. Even two months after the massage, her face still looks contoured, with softened wrinkles and reduced puffiness.
BOOK | Make a reservation via Klook
PRICE | 120,000 - 300,000 KRW | €79 - €198 | US$82 - $204
Planning your next holiday?
When you make a purchase through our links, you support us without any extra cost to you.
Your support means the world to us!
Find a Rental Car
Book Tours & Attractions
Find Flights
Book a Bus/ Train/ Transfer
VISIT THE DMZ: KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE
The DMZ represents the ongoing conflict and lack of a peace treaty between the two Koreas, which are still technically at war. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea is a 250-kilometer (160-mile) long and approximately 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) wide buffer zone that separates North Korea and South Korea. It was established as part of the armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953, at the end of the Korean War, to serve as a neutral area between the two countries.There are tours with different programs that will take you to this zone and explain you all about it. All in all, it was impressive to us and we could not believe our eyes that we were so close to North Korea and yet so far.
We started our day at one of the three offered pick-up points and drove about an hour to our first stop: Imjingak Peace Park. This park is filled with memorials of the Korean War, a North Korean train, and even a spot where you can see and buy North Korean money. There’s an option to pay extra for a gondola ride to view the DMZ from above, and we highly recommend it. It’s a rare chance to get an unparalleled, close-up look at the area. If you opt out, you’ll find yourself waiting for the rest of the group with little to do in the meantime.
Next up, we visited the Third Infiltration Tunnel, an underground passage dug by North Korea as part of a plan to invade South Korea. The tunnel was discovered 1978 after a North Korean defector alerted the South Korean government, and it’s now open to visitors. You can either walk the tunnel or book a small train ride for part of the journey when booking your tour. We did the walking, and although the return journey was steep and humid—it was absolutely worth it. At 1.78m tall, Sven usually doesn’t have much trouble with his height, but after nearly 300 meters of walking hunched over, he was grateful for the helmet. Just be mindful if you have any health issues, as the conditions can be quite demanding.
The highlight of the tour for us was the Dora Observatory. Until 2023, visitors could go to the Joint Security Area and see North Korean soldiers not far away. Unfortunately, this changed after an American soldier attempted to defect during a tour, so now the closest view is from the observatory. Standing by a massive window, your guide will point out key landmarks in the Demilitarized Zone. If you’re in a large group, finding a good spot by the window can be tricky. Keep in mind that photography and videos are strictly forbidden—violating this rule can result in serious consequences, such as jail time.
The final stop was the Unification Village, which turned out to be more of a souvenir shop than an actual attraction. Unless you’re looking to buy something, it’s a pretty boring and felt more like a break than a point of interest.
Newsletter
Turn dreams into plans and get a monthly dose of wanderlust with our tips, guides & travel stories.
RELAX AT A JJIMJILBANG
A Jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean spa that feels like a cozy escape from the world. It’s a place to relax, recharge, and enjoy soothing hot and cold baths, saunas, and unique rooms like salt or clay chambers. Many people come to experience the warmth, treat themselves to a body scrub, and let go of everyday stress. You’re given comfy spa clothes to wear, and you can spend hours wandering between the rooms, chatting with friends, or just soaking in the calm atmosphere. It’s a special and beloved part of Korean culture, perfect for relaxation and self-care.
This was the most authentic cultural experience we had in South Korea, and it left a lasting impression. The afternoon was so peaceful and refreshing, and it’s something we’ll always look forward to whenever we visit this beautiful country again. Don’t let the nudity scare you off—it’s nothing to worry about! There’s a shared hang-out area and separate gender-specific zones. These gender-segregated areas include the shoe storage, locker rooms, showers, and hot springs or tubs. The reason for this setup is simple: everyone in these areas is completely naked. It’s natural and part of the experience, making it even more unique and special.
READ | Surviving a Jjimjilbang Korean Spa: Everything you need to Know
WHERE | Aquafield Goyang: around 45 min from the city center but features modern facilities and a roof top pool
PRICE | 25,000 Won | €17 | US$17 for 6 hours
LEARN ABOUT KOREA: NATIONAL MUSEUM
While visiting the museum might seem like a typical activity, you have the option to make your experience truly one of a kind. We arrived just in time to join a guided tour, and it turned out to be the best decision we made.
The guides, typically retired Koreans, provide a deep dive into Korean culture, walking you through exhibitions and artifacts that showcase how they have shaped Korean life. With just four people in our group, our guide was able to share his passion for Korea in a personal and engaging way over the course of an hour and a half. We learned about the Korean language, religion, history, and the three most valuable artifacts. One of these left Sven in awe—it was a true marvel of craftsmanship, beautifully presented.
The museum’s presentation, and Korean museums in general, is exceptional, with clear explanations in both Korean and English. It doesn’t overwhelm you with artifacts but focuses on showcasing each one in a thoughtful, outstanding way. After the tour, we explored the museum on our own and realized how much more we understood and appreciated it, seeing it with new eyes.
OPEN | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wed & Sat 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
TOUR | Everyday at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM (English)
ENTRANCE | Free
Worried about roaming charges abroad? An eSIM gives you affordable local data without the surprise fees! We use Saily during our travels and recommend it fully.
FOLLOW us
