Are you looking to explore the history of Seoul through the ages? There are a number of historical destinations in Seoul including the time-honored buildings, monuments, palaces, and parks where you can learn about the glorious past of Seoul. The presence of these historical sites and museums will take you on a walk through Seoul ‘s rich history.
If you are willing to have an in-depth historical information about Seoul, we recommend that you take a wonderful guided tour to cover the major historical attractions. Also, check the opening and closing time for each so that you can organize your time. Make sure that you go through the complete list of historical places in Seoul for a great trip!
Top Historical Places in Seoul
Let's witness the history of Seoul with these top historical places - monuments and landmarks:
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Gyeongbokgung Palace
(11481 Votes)
Built in 1935, the Gyeongbokgung palace stands out amongst its peers because of its vivid design and architecture. Even though this palace was partially destroyed in a fire, one can’t help but notice the style resemblance of the Joseon dynasty. The complex of this palace also hosts the remarkable National Palace Museum and National Folk Museum. Visitors can experience the change of guard...Read more -
The War Memorial Of Korea
(10351 Votes)
One of the darkest phases in the history of this country is extremely well documented in this museum located in the Yongsan-dong area of Seoul. The Korean War was one which had a number of significant influences on the nation and how it is today. The museum houses war memorabilia, military equipment, period art and exhibits and is a huge draw for tourists on a regular basis. It is recommended ...Read more -
Changdeokgung Palace
(9333 Votes)
Built in 1405, this palace has been the principal residence off many kings from the Joseon dynasty. The marriage of nature and architecture is a stunning sight at this palace. Many of the buildings here are hand painted. This palace was once burned down in 1592 when an angry mob vented its frustration over the absconding king during the Japanese invasion. Perhaps the most well known part of th...Read more -
Bukhansan National Park
(7383 Votes)
While visiting Seoul, one has to make sure that the final stop in their travels in this magical city filled with modernist images is amongst nature. Nature in all its splendor is what a visitor will get to see in this national park located in Gyeonggi and Seoul. Home to three granite peaks, forested areas and temples, this protected national park should not be skipped on. The tour will take so...Read more -
The Bukchon Village can be considered to be one of the best examples of living history in the city of Seoul. This area is over six hundred years old and people can get an intrinsic look into the ancient lives of the people of Korea. This locality is placed between Gyeongbok Palace, Jongmyo Royal Shrine and the Changdeok Palace. This area is strewn with alleys and small streets where people can ...Read more -
Jogyesa Temple is the main temple for Zen Buddhism in Korea. It holds a very important place in the religious identity of the city and the nation itself. Surrounded by mature trees, this temple invokes peace and spirituality almost instantly. The main building is said to be close to 500 years old. The Baeksong tree that surrounds the temple has been given the status of a national treasure. The ...Read more -
Gwanghwamun
(7114 Votes)
This is one of the main gates of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. One of the most important pieces of architecture in Seoul, this gate is a constant reminder to some of the most illustrious phases of the history of the city. Built during the Jonseon Dynasty, this gate has seen its fair share of mismanagement and disrepair. The government undertook restorations of this monument in 2010 after which it h...Read more -
This very sacred shrine is dedicated to the memorial ceremonies of the royals from the Joseon dynasty. This memorial service called JongmyoJaerye has been designated as UNESCO World Heritage because it is the oldest complete ceremonial service in the world. In the old times, this ceremony was held at the change of seasons and during the twelfth lunar month of the year. Currently, this ceremony ...Read more -
Seoul Museum Of History
(1893 Votes)
A place to witness the true soul of Seoul, its evolution and transformation, the Museum of History is a place that hosts educative displays ranging from prehistoric era to modern times. Visitors can also encounter some rare relics from the Joseon dynasty here. The museum has an interactive model of Seoul that allows you to see the most iconic buildings of the city. It traces the city’s ch...Read more -
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
(2041 Votes)
A fascinating place to visit, the Seodaemun prison is where a number of Japanese soldiers were tortured and later a number of Korean patriots were imprisoned too. Visitors can see the original prison cells where a number of independence campaigns were masterminded. In many ways, these prison cells were where the Korean democracy movement took shape. At one time, during the anti-Japanese protest...Read more -
National Palace Museum Of Korea
(2290 Votes)
A great place to acquaint yourself with the culture and lifestyle of the Joseon dynasty that lasted from 1310 to 1910, the National Palace Museum of Korea is a treasure trove of artifacts and information. There are over 40,000 objects of interest dating back to various stages of the Joseon rule. The most interesting aspects of the museum are the royal symbols dedicated to the kings and queens, ...Read more -
Gyeonghuigung Palace
(1171 Votes)
Situated close to Seoul Museum of History, Gyeonghuigung palace or ‘palace of the west’ is one of the ‘five grand palaces of Seoul’. This place was used as a secondary residence for royals for a long while. Made in the traditional Joseon dynasty designs, this palace complex once accommodated close to 100 buildings altogether. There was also a bridge that connected this p...Read more -
Bugaksan
(1978 Votes)
Bugaksan or the Seoul Fortress Wall is one of the iconic tourist destinations in Seoul. This place is in actuality a wall built along the face of the Bugaksan Mountain. Korean folklore has a lot of stories that are related to this place and it hence holds a special place in the lives of the Korean locals. Sightseeing is basically the only activity that can be carried out in this location. The m...Read more -
Traditionally named Seongsan Ilchulbong, this is a ‘tuff cone’ which is situated at the eastern front of the Jeju Island. When looked upon from a distance, this natural monument can seem like a giant fortress. The top of the hill is in the form of a preserved crater which is bowl like in appearance, has a lot of natural geographical features. This place has a lot of geographical wor...Read more -
Cheongwadae Or Blue House
(2124 Votes)
The Blue House is the official place of residence for the President of the Republic of Korea. There are quite a few buildings in the Blue House complex and all of these official buildings are designed keeping intact the traditional Korean heritage and architecture. The interiors of the buildings are quite modernized and the entire complex spans over sixty two acres. The grounds upon which the p...Read more