SeoulCapital
South Korea · Country profile
Seoul is South Korea’s huge, hyper-connected capital, a city where gleaming K-pop headquarters and skyscrapers stand beside 600-year-old palaces like Gyeongbokgung and the still-thriving Bukchon hanok village. It’s a round-the-clock city of 24-hour convenience, superlative street food and some of the world’s best shopping, from Myeongdong to the Hongdae student quarter. The Han river splits the city, with mountains and fortresses like Namsan and Bukhansan for hiking right at the doorstep. Seoul is endlessly inventive — cutting-edge today, deeply traditional tomorrow, and always easy to discover with its superb metro.
About Seoul
Seoul is the capital of South Korea. The city's documented population is around 9,579,449 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the South Korean Won (KRW) and Korean is spoken; the dialling code is +82. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Incheon International Airport.
Palaces, Neon Districts and Mountains at the Doorstep
Seoul is a vast, hyper-connected capital where centuries-old palaces harmonise with cutting-edge districts. The metro is extraordinary, fast and cheap, making the sprawling city feel manageable. It is a place of powerful contrasts — the traditional hanok village and royal tombs sit moments from neon shopping streets and K-pop culture. It is also a city set among mountains and a river, with hiking on the doorstep. As a round-the-clock city, the streets rarely sleep, and the food, shopping and subcultures keep pace with the technology that surrounds you.
Layered Seasons, Guard Ceremonies and Transport Cards
A rechargeable transport card smooths the metro and buses, and it is worth getting one on arrival. Dress in layers — the winters are cold and dry, the summers hot and humid, and the change is sharp. The major palaces often have free-entry periods or guided tours, and the Gyeongbokgung guard-changing ceremony is a highlight worth timing. The city is superb for shopping and food, but note that some smaller restaurants and markets prefer cash, though cards are now widely accepted. The two airports connect to the centre by rail, with high-speed trains to Busan and elsewhere.
Late-Night Pojangmacha, River Parks and the Metro Backbone
The metro is the superb backbone of the city — fast, cheap and easy to navigate, with English signage throughout. Taxis are common and metered, but the rail network covers most ground better. Seoul’s late-night food culture is legendary — street stalls, pojangmacha tents and the fried-chicken-and-beer tradition run into the early hours. The river parks and the mountains offer escape within the city. Tipping is not expected. The weekends bring crowds to the major palaces and shopping streets, so go early. Away from the centres, quiet traditional quarters reveal a slower, deeper side of the city.
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- Country
- South Korea
- Population
- 9,579,449
- Coordinates
- 37.4602, 126.4407
- Capital
- Seoul
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- South Korean Won (KRW)
- Languages
- Korean
- Calling code
- +82
- Country code
- KR
Entry requirements for South Korea
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting South Korea for tourism.
Getting to Seoul
Airports we list for Seoul:
Frequently asked questions
Is Seoul the capital of South Korea?
Yes — Seoul is the capital of South Korea.
What currency do I need in Seoul?
The local currency is the South Korean Won (KRW). Languages spoken in South Korea include Korean.
What is the dialling code for South Korea?
The international dialling code for South Korea is +82.
Which airport should I fly into for Seoul?
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the airport we list for Seoul.
Do I need a visa to visit South Korea?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Morocco currently enter South Korea visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Seoul? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.