7 Best Parks in Seoul to Visit in 2024

Visiting parks is one of my favorite things to do in South Korea, and there are an incredible amount of green spaces and beautiful parks in Seoul.

I’ll go over the 7 best parks in Seoul.

The parks in Seoul are accessible by public transit, safe, and have lots of benches for people to unwind and be surrounded by nature.

As busy as life in Seoul may get for locals, there was a calmness and sense of community once I stepped inside Seoul parks.

I’ve been to Seoul six times now, and visit parks each time.

Here were my 7 favorite parks in Seoul during my visit.

If you’re new to South Korea, make sure to read my travel guide to South Korea.

Map of Best Parks in Seoul:

1. Namsan Seoul Tower & Park

Locks of Love with view of Seoul buildings - Namsan Park Seoul Tower South Korea

You cannot leave Seoul without visiting Namsan Park! It’s the most famous park in Seoul.

This park is best known for the Namsan Tower (aka Seoul Tower) and Observatory at the top, and the famous Locks of Love, where visitors express their love for their partner, a loved one, or themselves by attaching a lock and throwing out the key.

What many don’t realize before visiting Seoul Tower is that Seoul Tower is actually part of Namsan Park, which is the biggest park in Seoul.

Besides the Observatory area at the top, you can hike and picnic at Namsan Park too.

Get to Namsan Park by bus, taxi, cable car, or by walking.

There are multiple trails going up to Seoul Tower and take around 30 minutes. These are uphill but do make for a great workout! Bring water with you!

If you don’t want to walk up, I highly recommend walking back down if you can. There’s viewing decks on the way down, plus some benches for a quick rest.

🎫 Skip the lines: Pre-book your Namsan Tower cable car ticket online

2. Seoul Forest Park

Water Lake in Summer Seoul Forest Park South Korea

This park is more locally-known, but one of the most scenic parks I’ve been to.

Seoul Forest Park is located in the eastern part of Seoul and has its own subway stop, Seoul Forest Station.

The park is divided into four different areas: Culture & Art Park, Eco-Forest, Education Park, and Riverside Park.

Besides the beautiful tall trees throughout the park, there’s also a lake and butterfly garden. Many locals also have picnics at Seoul Forest.

There’s benches to sit everywhere. You can also rent a bike to explore the park.

I visited Seoul Forest during summer in Seoul and towards the end of autumn, and there were still lots of fall foliage here!

3. Yeouido Hangang Park

I Seoul You Sign Courtyard at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul

Yeouido Hangang Park, or Yeouido Han River Park, is another beloved local park in Seoul, and one of the many parks located along the Han or Hangang River.

You’ll often see Yeouido Hangang Park featured in kdramas.

You can sit on one of the many cement steps or grass areas, or have a picnic. Some people even bring tents. You can rent a bike and bike along the river.

The waterside view here is incredible and peaceful, though I did visit during summertime when the cicadas’ buzzes are extra loud.

You can visit Yeouido Hangang Park during the day or night.

⛴ Something memorable: Join a sunset or moonlight Han River cruise for only $10 USD

4. Banpo Hangang Park

Banpo Hangang Park Light Show with purple lights with water spraying out of bridge at night. Top parks in Seoul.

Banpo Hangang Park is one of the most popular sites and famous parks in Seoul to visit at night. It’s open 24 hours.

You can bike, picnic, jog, or attend a market with food stalls on the famous Some Sevit, the artificial floating island.

You can catch the light show daily at 12pm, and every half hour from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

I highly recommend walking through the bridge at night for an amazing view of the light show. The light show would be directly above you.

A lot of people run on the bridge during the day and night.

5. Olympic Park

Olympic Park Statue Building_Seoul South Korea

Olympic Park was built to host the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. It’s massive at over 1.4 million square meters and is one of the biggest parks in Seoul.

Walking through the park’s greenery was so nice and you’ll see elderly locals sitting peacefully on the benches.

At the west end is also the Flag Plaza where you’ll see the flags of countries that participated in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games.

There are also concert halls and arenas like Olympic Hall where concerts and games are held, so if you’re going to an event at Olympic Park, you can head a bit early to explore the rest of the park.

6. Seokchon Lake Park

Walking Trail - Seokchon Lake Park_Seoul South Korea

Seokchon Lake, or Songpa Naru Park, is an artificial lake surrounded by jogging and walking trails and beautiful trees. It’s located in the Songpa district in eastern Seoul.

It’s one of the best areas in Seoul for cherry blossom season, especially during the annual Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival.

Seokchon Lake is located next to Lotte World. I recommend visiting if you’re already in the area.

During the summer, the water shows a beautiful teal color.

7. Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon Stream during summer day - Seoul, South Korea

This public recreational space is a 7-mile (12 km) stream across downtown and is open 24 hours (Unless it’s raining – they close the stream for safety).

Cheonggyecheon Stream is one of my top places to visit in Seoul. The stream is beautiful to walk and sit by during the day.

They also have light shows at night and the pathways are also lit up.

Sit by the water on the steps and enjoy the free wifi!

Cheonggyecheon Stream is a long park, and the nearest subway stations are Gwanghwamun, Jonggak and Euljiro subway stations depending on where you’re coming from.

The subway stop closest to the Cheonggye Plaza where most of the light shows take place is the Gwanghwamun station.

🌌 Stroll Seoul at night: Join a night tour of Cheonggyecheon Stream, Royal Palace, & Naksan Park

Namsan Park Walking Path Seoul South Korea

Best Times to Visit Parks in Seoul

The parks in Seoul will look different every season, and each season is worth visiting.

In summer, parks in Seoul will be covered in incredible greenery.

During winter, you’ll see trees covered in snow.

In spring the trees bloom with white and pink flowers and cherry blossoms.

During autumn, parks are at its most colorful with green, orange, yellow, and red leaves. Lucky us! Each visit will be beautiful.

What Time Do Parks Close in Seoul?

Most parks in Seoul are open 24 hours a day!

They are generally safe to wander at night (but always be careful in any country).

What is the Most Famous Park in Seoul?

If you only had time to visit one park in Seoul, visit Namsan Park. Namsan Park is the most famous park in Seoul and is famous for the Seoul Tower Observatory, Locks of Love, and incredible views of Seoul.

Have a great time visiting the parks in Seoul!

Book Before Your Seoul Trip:

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