Ever since K-pop came into the scene, South Korea has infiltrated its way into greater Asia and Western pop culture. Korea is now a combination of traditional customs and charming landscapes - picture the fall leaves, ski slopes, and fresh spring scenes you usually see in Koreanovelas. There’s also a colorful city life in Seoul that just gets more and more robust by the day. The city seems to be constantly moving, with its huge shopping malls and pop-themed bars. There’s always a series of packed events all around the city. Not to mention the amazing accommodations such as ski resorts and unique Airbnb vacation rentals. But if it’s your first time in the country, you’ll want to see the most iconic parts of Korea first. For your ease, keep reading for a list of the most famous buildings in South Korea.
1. Myeongdong Cathedral
Myeongdong Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, is an iconic Catholic cathedral in Seoul. The cathedral’s history dates back to the late 19th century when Catholicism began to take root in Korea. Construction of the cathedral started in 1892 under the guidance of French Catholic missionary Bishop Eugène Jean George Coste, and it was completed in 1898.
Myeongdong Cathedral holds immense historical significance, as it played a pivotal role in the spread of Christianity in Korea during a time when the country was predominantly Buddhist. The cathedral’s architecture combines both Romanesque and Gothic elements, featuring beautiful stained glass windows and a striking facade. It has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for Catholics in South Korea and has become a prominent symbol of faith and heritage in the heart of Seoul.
Myeongdong Cathedral
Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Website: Myeongdong Cathedral
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 7pm; Sun: 7am - 8pm
Price: Free
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace
In its prime, Gyeongbokgung had 330 buildings with 3,000 staff that served the royal family. But while the eunuchs, concubines, mathematicians, scholars, and royals have all been replaced by a heavy mass of tourists that visit all times of the day, it’s still striking to imagine how this famous landmark in South Korea must have been in the 1500s.
Most of what you see today are reconstructions of the original structures as the buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt over the years. Feel like a king as you roam through the hallways and corridors of this magnanimous palace. You can also spice up your sightseeing pursuits by frequenting some night markets after a memorable visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Tip from Content Creator
If you are heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace, note that there’s a lot of walking involved (it’s the biggest palace in the country), so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. If you manage to get here in time, you can even take photos with the guards.
Also note that most people in Korea prefer an eco bag, which is really handy because you can put so many things in it without having to carry a bulky bag around.
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3. Deoksugung Palace
This is the only palace among Korea’s five palaces that can be visited in the evening. At night, the trees and the palace itself are illuminated with fairy lights, and you can stroll around freely on the grounds. You can imagine just how romantic that is. It is also perhaps the least traditional among the palaces, with Western-style neoclassical buildings mixed in with the more traditional Chinese-inspired structures.
If you have time to wait, watch the changing of the guards at 2pm and 3:30pm. This ritual at this famous place in Seoul, South Korea, is a fascinating sight to behold.
Deoksugung Palace
Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Website: Deoksugung Palace
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 9pm
4. Building Observatory
The 63 Building Tower in Yeouido Island is an iconic landmark tied to the 1988 Summer Olympics, which was hosted by South Korea. At that time, it was the tallest gold-clad structure in the world. While it has since been overtaken by other skyscrapers, it still looks impressive even up to this day. It regained popularity when it became an icon for the Sim City 3000 Unlimited cover.
5. Changdeokgung Palace
This palace is said to be the most beautiful among the 25 main palaces. With a spectacular view of the mountain at the back and a stream in front, Changdeokgung is a prime example of a Korean establishment that has good pungsu or feng shui. Roam through the courtyard, the corridors, and the beautifully maintained trees. You can also see a snippet of the royal family’s living quarters even if you can’t really access them.
Tip from tour guide
Raymond
Unlike Kyeongbokgung, the main palace where major buildings are arranged along an axis, Changdeokgung is laid out in harmony with the area's topography: it was constructed on the base of the mountain. Buildings were positioned naturally, taking into consideration the geographical features of the slope. Changdeokgung is a unique case in the history of palace architecture in East Asia as it retains remarkable asymmetric beauty in terms of layout, and it's exceptional for the way in which the buildings are integrated into harmony with natural settings.
Thus, the palace was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Furthermore, its Royal Garden boasts unique features that set it apart from both Chinese and Japanese styles. Don't miss the chance to experience it.
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Book Tours : Seoul UNESCO Heritage Palace, Shrine, and More Tour
6. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Perhaps the most appropriate symbol of a Modern Korea, the Samsung Museum of Art is a clean, contemporary architectural gem that houses hundreds of Korean paintings, metal and woodcraft, calligraphy, ceramics, and other Buddhist art. If you want a more curated tour, visit it during the weekend where there’s a scheduled hour and a half tour in English. Otherwise, there’s an audio guide that you can rent when you enter.
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Address: 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Website: Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10:30am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
7. Dongdaemun Design Plaza
If you’re looking for some fun things to do, spend an hour or two in Dongdaemun and find out what this cultural complex has to offer. There are galleries, design shops, parks, museums and even a 16th-century military camp. The Dongdaemun was designed by the late famous architect Zaha Hadid. And while they were excavating some of the spaces to prepare for construction, parts of the old Korea including the Seoul City Wall was excavated. It has since been integrated into the complex’s design.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Address: 281 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 7(chil)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Website: Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
8. Seoul City Hall
The Seoul City Hall was redeveloped recently to add more features inside the structure, such as an eco-wall, which is a vertical garden that reaches up to seven floors. There’s also an impressive art installation made out of twisted white balloons called ‘Metaseosa Seobeol’. And if you want to check out the rest of the City Hall installations, you can ride the glass elevator all the way up to the 8th floor, where the Sky Plaza Gallery is.
Seoul City Hall
Address: 110 Sejong-daero, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Website: Seoul City Hall
Opening hours: 7:30am - 6pm (daily)
9. Lotte World Tower
One of the most recent additions in Seoul’s cityscape, Lotte World Tower quickly became an iconic part of the city because it’s the 6th highest building in the world, which also makes it the tallest skyscraper in South Korea. Lotte World also has the world’s highest observation deck called the Seoul Sky, which has an art gallery, a six-star hotel, the Lotte World Mall complex, and a glass-floored Skywalk. Take your time as you enjoy everything this building has to offer.
Book Tours : Seoul: Lotte Tower Seoul Sky Observatory E-Ticket
10. N Seoul Tower
The Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower is the second-highest point in South Korea after another building on this list, the Lotte World Tower. You can take the cable car to reach the tower on top of Namsan Mountain and be rewarded with spectacular views of the city as well as the mountain where the tower lies.
At night, this tourist attraction in South Korea lights up, making it even more admirable. The place also happens to be less crowded at sundown.
Book Tours : Seoul: N Seoul Tower Observatory Ticket
11. National Museum of Korea
The National Museum has floor after floor of snippets of the Korean culture, starting from its prehistory all the way down to the more modern 1900s. When visiting this museum, it’s always best to take your time as you don’t want to just run through all the exhibits. But if you have other things in your itinerary for the day, just make sure you go to the Golden Treasures from the Great Tomb of Hwangham and the Baekje Incense Burner on the ground floor. There are cafes and restaurants connected to this museum, if you also want to relax for a while.
Impressive skyscraper giants in South Korea
From the idyllic countryside to the charming city, Korea has a lot in store for the traveler. It offers lots of amazing theme parks as well as destinations for fabulous winter family fun. And since it opened itself to the world, Korea is said to become even bigger and better than ever, and one of the most impressive symbols of that progress are its beautiful skyscrapers. This is exactly why you should visit it now while it’s in a beautiful transition. These famous structures in South Korea are a great way to start off your Korean journey.
Frequently asked questions about most famous buildings in South Korea
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