FreePhoto: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
화계사
Historic site · Gangbuk-gu
A mountain temple within the city, founded in the early Joseon era. Look around the grounds for free and combine it with a Bukhansan hike.
Open in a map app
Source: hwagyesa.org
Suyu Culture and Information Library
FreeLibrary · Samyang Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Public library in Gangbuk-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.
Bukhansan National Park
FreeMountain & trail · Solsaem Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Bukhansan National Park, a natural park within a city of a kind rare anywhere in the world, became Korea's 15th national park in 1983. It covers 77.334㎢, divided by Ui-ryeong pass into the Dobongsan area to the north and the Bukhansan area to the south
Gangbuk Culture and Arts Center
₩4,000Sports facility · Gaori Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Public indoor pool in Gangbuk-gu with a 6-lane adult pool (25m) and a 4-lane youth pool (20m). Open swim 4,000 won per session. Session times change monthly, so check before you go.
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Korean History
FreeMuseum · 4.19 Democratic Cemetery Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Solsaem Culture and Information Library
FreeLibrary · Solsaem Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Public library in Gangbuk-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.
Seoul Gangbuk Youth Center
₩5,000Sports facility · 4.19 Democratic Cemetery Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)
Public indoor pool in Gangbuk-gu with a 5-lane, 25m adult pool and a toddler pool. Open swim 5,000 won per session. Session times change monthly, so check before you go.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3) Exit 5
Joseon's foremost royal palace. Free on the last Wednesday of the month or in hanbok. The changing of the guard ceremony (10:00 and 14:00) is always free.
Changdeokgung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 3
A UNESCO World Heritage site famed for autumn foliage. Free entry applies to the main palace only; the Secret Garden requires a separate booking.
Changgyeonggung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Hyehwa Stn. (Line 4) Exit 4
A palace with a Grand Greenhouse and the Chundangji pond. Linked internally to Changdeokgung, and beautifully lit during night openings.
Deoksugung Palace
Free if eligibleJung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2) Exit 2
A downtown palace where Seokjojeon sits alongside traditional halls. Open until 9pm, it's popular for evening strolls and the stone wall road; the changing of the guard is free.
Jongmyo Shrine
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Lines 1, 3, 5) Exit 11
A World Heritage shrine housing the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, with a meditative path through dense woods. Self-guided visits on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are the most relaxed.