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Seoul offers so many things to do, visiting once or twice for a couple of days doesn't do it justice.

If this isn't your first time travelling in Seoul and you've already hit the popular touristy spots, these places with breathtaking views are worth putting on your travel-Seoul-like-a-local itinerary! 🎒

Scenic Spots in Seoul | Best 20

1. Seongsudong (성수동)

• Address: 서울 성동구 성수동1가
• Public Transportation: Seongsu Station (성수역) Subway Line 2

Located close to Konkuk University, Seongsudong is a small up-and-coming area. The area features cafes with each of its own character along with Seoul's classic vibes. Onion's flagship location, a super popular cafe that many of you probably already know about, is also located here.

2. musinsa terrace (무신사테라스)

• Address: 서울 마포구 양화로 188 17F 
• Public Transportation: Hongik University Station (line 2) exit 4, exit 7

It's hard to imagine finding scenic areas in busy and bustling Hongdae. The most view we can think of getting out of the area is probably a view of a large crowd. Luckily, musinsa terrace offers more than that. Located on the 17th floor of AK&Mall, the place features a terrace with an open view. On a clear day, you can see all the way to N Seoul Tower and Lotte Tower.

3. Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

• Address: 서울 종로구 청계천로 159
• Public Transportation: Jongno 3-ga Station exit 12 (종로3가역)

Sewoon Plaza, standing near Jongmyo and famous Gwangjang Market, is still a hidden spot even to local Koreans. The plaza was originally home to electronics vendors, but after renovating, it's filled up with great vibes with a large rooftop. The rooftop is often referred to as 'Seoul Roof,' featuring a 360 view of the city.

4. Hyehwa Daehakno (혜화 대학로)

• Public Transportation: Hyehwa Station exit 4 (혜화역)

Just like Hongdae and Sinchon, Hyehwa is a huge university district featuring restaurants, cafes and shops. Lots of college students and young professionals love to meet up here.

5. Seoul National Cemetery (국립 서울 현충원)

• Address: 서울 동작구 동작동 271-18
• Public Transportation: Dongjak Station line 4, line 9 (동작역)

I wouldn't recommend Seoul National Cemetery to everyone visiting Seoul, but it's worth a visit to those who are looking to escape the crowded scene and to look at beautiful cherry blossoms. It's especially stunning when you visit during the period when cherry blossoms fall.

6. Independence Gate (독립문)

• Address: 서울 서대문구 현저동 941
• Public Transportation: Dongnimmun Station line 3 (독립문역)

If you're a history fan, but don't feel like going to places filled with tourists such as Gyeongbokgung and the museums again, Independence Gate is a great option. It features lots of educational information on the development of Korea since the war and colonization, making it a well-frequented spot amongst middle and high school students.

7. Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

• Address: 서울 중구 덕수궁길 15
• Public Transportation: City Hall Station line 1, line 2 (시청역)
• Hours:  09:00-21:00

The palace is close to Jeongdong Observatory which features magnificent views of Deoksu Palace and the City Hall. The area has a classic old-meets-new vibes, it's guaranteed to leave an impression. It's convenient to get to by public transportation too.

8. Nodeulseom (노들섬)

• Address: 서울 용산구 양녕로 445
• Public Transportation: Nodeul Station line 9 (노들역)

Shut down for 50 years and opened just recently, Nodeulseom has to be the newest Hangang park. Neighbouring Noryangjin and Hangang Bridge, this park boasting a prime location was the big project next to Seoullo 7017. It's not too crowded, allowing room and tranquillity for you to take in Hangang.

9. Hip-Jiro (힙지로)

• Public Transportation: Euljiro 3-ga Station line 2, line 3 (을지로3가역)

Eating at a pojang-macha (food vendors on the street) is also a great way to experience the local scene. Recently gaining popularity amongst young Koreans, Euljiro is now often referred to as hip-jiro. Grab a table and fill it up with food and drinks all over, experience hip-jiro. 😎

11. Jamsil Songlidan-gil (잠실 송리단길)

• Public Transportation: Songpa-Naru Station line 9 (송파나루역)

Jamsil is filled with office buildings and professionals busily going about their day, but there's a small alley-like street called Songlidan-gil hidden in the area. The street is filled with restaurants and cafes with retro-meets-modern vibes. If you need a break after a day at Lotte World or Lotte Tower, come around here to take a nice break.

12. Dosan Park (도산공원)

• Address: 서울 강남구 도산대로45길 20 
• Public Transportation: Apgujeong Rodeo Station / Apgujeong Station

Located in between Apgujeong and Apgujeong Rodeo, Dosan Park is also a memorial landmark for Korea's Independence Movement. There are lots of well-designed cafes around the park that are unknown to tourists and only frequented by locals.

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13. Sindangdong Tteokbokki Town (신당동 떡볶이 골목)

• Public Transportation: Sindang Station line 2, line 6

There are lots of food streets that are dedicated to specializing in one dish. Sindangdong Tteokbokki Town is one of them, an entire street filled with restaurants that serve delicious tteokbokkis(spicy rice cake). If you'd like to try authentic tteokbokki, this is the best place to find it.

14. Yeongdeungpo (영등포)

• Public Transportation: Yeongdeungpo Station line 1 (영등포역)

The first thing that probably pops up in our head when we hear the word 'Yeongdeungpo' has to be the famous underground shops, but Yeongdeungpo Time Square also has lots of shops and activities to do. This gigantic mall might sometimes feel like a senior meetup spot, but it's got its own character that make it worth a visit.

15. Oil Tank Culture Park (문화비축기지)

• Public Transportation: World Cup Stadium Station line 6 (월드컵경기장역)

Haneul Park, located in close proximity to the Oil Tank Park, is always filled with people. If you're in the mood for something out of the ordinary, somewhere quiet, the Oil Tank Culture Park is a great option. The park, transformed from old facilities, has enchanting rusty vibes.

16. Haebangchon/Gyeonglidan-gil

• Public Transportation: Noksapyeong Station, Itaewon Station exit 6 

Itaewon definitely has interesting exoticism to it, with one of the best views of N Seoul Tower and multicultural scenes around. Beautifully decorated cafes with rooftops and views of the lit-up city at night gives every experience here a dreamy feeling.

17. Gangnam (강남)

• Public Transportation; Gangnam Station line 2, Shinbundang line (강남역)

The first three things that we think of when we hear Gangnam has to be underground shopping, rich people and clubs. But, being one of the most lively areas of Seoul, Gangnam has countless clothing brands and restaurants. I often meet up with friends in Gangnam to grab food and go shopping.

18. Hannamdong (한남동)

• Public Transportation: Hangangjin Station line 6 (한강진역)

Completely opposite from exotic Itaewon, Hannamdong's beauty is only appreciated by locals and residents. Just like any other trendy spots of Seoul, this area features stunning cafes and young Koreans with unique styles, filled with locals' colours.

Scenic Spots in Seoul | Best 20

19. Wangsimni (왕십리)

• Public Transportation: Wangsimni Station line 2, line 5, Gyeongui-Jungang line, Bundang line (왕십리역)

Wangsimni is close to Hanyang University and very accessible by public transportation. Wangsimni has everything from hip bars and cute cafes to karaokes and a huge Emart.

Scenic Spots in Seoul | Best 20

20. Mullaedong (문래동)

• Public Transportation: Mullae Station line 2 (문래역)

I personally prefer Mullaedong to Sungsudong. This area is the best old-revamped-to-new neighbourhood and has very local scenes all around. The remaining traces of steel factories can be found, matched with unforgettable cafes and restaurants.

The 20 places mentioned above are unique, fairly local spots. I hope you pick and visit some of these places for one-of-a-kind experiences in Seoul.

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