During my year in Korea, Seoul became like my big friend. Every time I felt bored in Busan, I would just hop on a bus or train, and in a few hours I was back in the capital loud, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating. I visited at least six times in a single year, until I knew my way around those endless subway lines like a local (well… almost)
If you’ve never been to a mega capital before, Seoul will blow your mind. It’s a city of extremes: shiny skyscrapers standing right next to centuries-old palaces, neon-packed shopping streets hiding traditional temples, and millions of people rushing everywhere in perfect order.
Here are my first impressions of Seoul and the neighborhoods that completely stole my heart.
First Impressions: The Shock of a Mega City
The very first thing I felt in Seoul was its non-stop energy. No matter the hour, the city is alive. The buildings are taller than you imagined, the avenues seem endless, and the subway stations? They’re like underground cities.
And yet, there’s this strange sense of order in the chaos. Millions of people, but no one pushing. Everyone queues up perfectly to wait for the metro, while I was still staring at the map trying to figure out where the heck I was.
And then… the food. Oh man, the street food smells hit me like a truck. Whole alleys filled with sizzling tteokbokki, sweet hotteok, and skewers of everything you could imagine. Of course, in my first month it was all trial and error and let’s just say I learned the hard way that Koreans are basically the “Mexicans of Asia” when it comes to spicy food
Myeongdong: The Neighborhood That Never Sleeps
Myeongdong will always have a special place in my heart, because it was my very first stop in Asia. It was where I stayed my first nights in Korea — and honestly, what a way to start.
It’s a place packed with energy: cosmetics shops, fashion stores, souvenirs, food stalls, and neon signs everywhere. At first, it felt overwhelming, but once you dive in, you realize getting lost there is the best part.
The magic happens in the evening, when the whole neighborhood lights up. Stalls sizzling with street food, shop music blasting, neon everywhere, and the sound of people buzzing through the streets. It was here that I realized something important: Seoul never slows down, you just have to catch up with its rhythm
Cheonggyecheon & Sejong-daero: The Beating Heart of Seoul
After the chaos of Myeongdong, discovering Cheonggyecheon Stream felt like finding an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. This stream flows through central Seoul, with paths lined by cafes and skyscrapers looming above. It’s calm, aesthetic, and perfect for just walking and breathing in the city.
Cheonggyecheon connects straight into Sejong-daero Avenue, one of the city’s main arteries. Here you’ll meet the imposing statue of King Sejong, the man who created the Korean alphabet, and understand just how much pride Koreans feel for their culture.
At the end of the avenue sits the Gyeongbokgung Palace — the grandest palace in Seoul. Seeing people walking in hanbok across its huge courtyards with mountains in the background is one of those “this is Korea” moments you never forget.
Bukchon Hanok Village: A Step Back in Time
Then comes Bukchon Hanok Village, the place that made me feel like I had just time-traveled. This neighborhood is full of hanok (traditional Korean houses), narrow alleys, antique shops, and small cultural workshops.
The vibe here is completely different: calm, traditional, and almost poetic. You can wander around for hours and still discover little hidden gems that feel untouched by modern Seoul.
And if you want to really feel the culture, Bukchon is the perfect spot to rent a hanbok. There are tons of shops that let you try them on, and wearing one gives you discounts when entering palaces and temples. I did it once, and honestly, walking those streets in hanbok felt like stepping into a different century.
CHECK THIS AMAZING GUIDE ABOUT ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW OF S. KOREA
That’s Seoul in a nutshell: one moment you’re meditating in a temple, and the next you’re belting K-pop songs in a karaoke or sharing soju with friends in Gangnam.