Summer weekend in Seoul
How locals do summer in Seoul — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Seoul
Han River Parks
OutdoorsYeouido / Banpo
Bike loops, chicken-and-beer picnics, Banpo bridge rainbow fountain at night.
Gwangjang Market
Food & DrinkJongno
Bindaetteok mung bean pancakes and live octopus — Netflix-famous.
Hongdae
NightlifeMapo
University district — buskers by day, clubs til sunrise.
Itaewon & Gyeongnidan
NightlifeYongsan
Craft beer, speakeasies, the best soju cocktails in the city.
Where to eat
Jungsik
$$$$Modern Korean · Gangnam
Two-Michelin-star tasting menu — bibimbap rethought as fine dining.
Myeongdong Kyoja
$Noodles · Myeongdong
Kalguksu hand-cut noodles in chicken broth — four-item menu only.
Mingles
$$$$Contemporary Korean · Cheongdam
Three-star tasting from chef Mingoo Kang.
Tosokchon
$$Samgyetang · Jongno
Ginseng chicken soup the presidents eat — go before noon.
Live & on stage
K-pop concerts
Gocheok Sky Dome · Year-round · K-pop
Pentaport Rock Festival
Incheon · Aug · Rock
Ultra Korea
Olympic Stadium · Jun · EDM Festival
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Han River Parks, Hongdae, Itaewon & Gyeongnidan. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Seoul and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.