1. Find your bearings at HiKR Ground 

Located in the central Jung-gu district, this is essentially the most forward-thinking, utterly immersive tourist information centre we’ve ever seen. Forget gray-haired volunteers handing out pamphlets. Instead think a 31 metre by 5 metre media wall by artist Leenam Lee flicking between the nation’s five tourist hubs, separate floors for K-Pop (where you can make your own videos), a modern art museum, revolving multi-sensory installations and your more traditional tourism info services. 

2. Eat up at Namdaemun Market 

This bustling hub has been a centre of trade for over 600 years and took its current form in 1964. It’s a traditional market in the sense that you can buy everything from paperclips to ginseng plants and sunnies. There are bargains galore here and just like so many other places in Korea, where people gather food follows. We recommend Hyoja King Dumplings and Namdaemun Charcoal Fire Ribs.

3. Live the history of  Gyeongbokgung Palace

Built in 1395 and often referred to as the Northern Palace, this sprawling complex is a time warp and the authorities have cleverly devised three walking courses - spanning 40 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes - depending on your time and interest. Adding to the spectacle, locals who wear the traditional hanbok clothing get in free. 

4. Get high at Namsan Seoul Tower

There are few better ways to get a sense of the scope and scale of a city than from above and sitting at almost half a kilometre above sea level, this tower delivers views, views and more views. There are food options that run from burgers to fine dining and be sure to check out the 40 laser projections of the Inside Seoul installations that come free with your ticket. Once you’re up on the observation deck, find one of the amazing digital telescopes with their 36x optical zooms lenses.

5. Hit the shops at Dongdaemun Design Plaza

This incredible complex designed by Zaha Hadid is worth a visit just for the architecture. It’s divided into sections including the Dongdaemun History & Culture Park but it’s the attached Fashion Arcade precinct that has us frothing. Especially if you’re keen on investing in Seoul’s innovative street style. Upward of a dozen separate style malls envelope the area so get out that credit card and go, go, go.

6. Enchant the kids at Lotte World

Tokyo may have Disney, but Seoul says ‘hold my soju’ when it comes to world’s largest indoor theme park. There’s go-karting, laser tag, carousels, rides aplenty and an intriguing mirror maze - to name just a few of the attractions here. Add a bunch of parades and live shows plus myriad dining options (try Ggongsi-MyeonGwan for black bean noodles) and you’ll have a day out to remember.

7. Ride the Hallyu wave 

Put away that surfboard and those swimmers. This is a metaphorical wave which refers to the rise and rise of Korean pop culture - music, fashion, films - around the world. Its epicentre is K-Star Road in Cheongdam-dong precinct. Once you’ve found the GangnamDol sculptures of the various artists who’ve brought this culture to life, do some star spotting and bougie shopping on Apgujeong Rodeo Street - so named as it echoes Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive - and be sure to check out the jaw-dropping Galleria department store. 

8. Chill by the Cheonggyecheon Stream

In a city as frenetic as Seoul, a bit of downtime in nature is just the tonic. Cheonggye Plaza roughly covers an area of 2,500 square meters with curved seating areas, bridges and green spaces by the burbling waters. At night the Candle Waterfall is a Tik-Tokker’s delight and alongside it you’ll find the Palseokdam wishing wells which are crafted from eight types of stone to represent the nation’s provinces. The entire project runs almost 11 kilometres and is a great way to meander through the city.

For more information, go to visitkorea.org.au

See also:

The beginner's guide to Seoul

7 best hotels in Seoul

12 things you never knew you could do in South Korea.