Seoul: palaces, K-culture and street food

Who Seoul suits

Seoul is a favourite with fans of Korean dramas and music, cosmetics and shopping lovers, foodies and anyone who wants to see an Asian megacity without language stress: the metro and signs are in English. The city is great for trips with teenagers, for couples and for groups of friends.

Many people in Uzbekistan know Korea through relatives or work, but tourist Seoul is a world of its own: palaces, tea houses, food markets and observation decks. For the rest of the country, see our South Korea page.

When to go

Spring is the best season: the cherry trees bloom in early April and the weather is mild. Seoul is a good answer to the question of where to go in spring if you want a city rather than a beach.

Autumn is the second peak: from mid-October, maples and ginkgos colour the parks and palaces. Summer is hot, with the monsoon rains from late June through July. Winter is frosty and windy, but it is still an option for shopping trips and the nearby ski resorts.

Where to stay

Myeongdong

The city’s shopping hub: cosmetics stores, street food and plenty of hotels at every level. Namsan and Namdaemun Market are close by. Ideal for a first visit.

Jongno and Insadong

The area between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. Tea houses, galleries and hanok, traditional houses, some of which operate as guesthouses. For those who want the atmosphere of old Seoul.

Hongdae

A student district with street musicians, clubs and inexpensive cafés. Life goes on late into the night, and there is a handy express train to the airport.

Gangnam

An upmarket business district south of the river: malls, clinics and restaurants. Convenient for business trips and for those visiting beauty clinics.

What to see

• Gyeongbokgung. The main palace of the Joseon dynasty, with a changing of the guard ceremony. Many visitors rent a hanbok, as entry to the palaces is often free in traditional dress.
• Bukchon Hanok Village. Quarters of traditional houses on a hillside. People live here, so keep quiet: visiting hours for tourists are restricted in part of the village.
• N Seoul Tower on Namsan. A cable car and a view over the whole city, especially at sunset.
• Gwangjang Market. Bindaetteok pancakes, gimbap and other simple dishes at long counters.
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza. A futuristic building and late-night clothing malls.
• The Han River. Riverside parks, bike rental and the evening fountain show on Banpo Bridge.
• The Demilitarized Zone. A tour to the border with North Korea, booked in advance, passport required.

How many days to plan

• 4–5 days: the palaces, Bukchon, Myeongdong, Namsan, the markets and the river.
• 6–7 days: add the DMZ, Nami Island or Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon.
• 10 days or more: Seoul plus Busan by high-speed train or Jeju Island. Some travellers combine Korea with Japan, for example with Tokyo.

Good to know

The visa is the main preparation step. See our guide to the South Korea visa for details. Rules are given as of October 2026 and may change: check with our manager or the official embassy website before you travel.

Flights from Tashkent: our manager will find direct and connecting options. For the metro, a T-money transport card is handy. Local map apps work better than international ones, so download them in advance.

There are halal restaurants in Itaewon, near the Seoul Central Mosque. Elsewhere, check the ingredients: pork is common in Korean cuisine.

Food in Seoul

Korean food will appeal to those who like spicy dishes and grilled meat. Try bulgogi beef, tteokbokki rice cakes, fried chicken and bibimbap with vegetables. Koreans eat lunch early, and many restaurants are not set up for solo diners: some dishes have to be ordered for at least two. The evening pojangmacha street food tents are an experience in themselves. You can easily spend half a day in the city’s cafés and coffee shops: Seoul is as famous for them as for its palaces.

Let us plan your Seoul trip

Send a request, message us on Telegram @GlobalDestination1 or call +998 99 760-82-88. Our manager will advise on your visa documents and find flights and a hotel in a convenient area for your dates and budget.