Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun)
숭례문(남대문)
Historic site · Jung-gu
National Treasure No. 1 and the south gate of the Seoul City Wall. Open free of charge up onto the wall, with a changing of the guard ceremony on weekdays.
Official hours and feesOpen in a map app
Source: Seoul Tourism Organization (Visit Seoul)
Nearby in Jung-gu
Seoul Youth Center Jung-gu
FreeStudy & youth space · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2)
A lounge, study and community space free for all young people, part of the Seoul Youth Center Orang network.
Sunhwa Culture Park
FreePark · Seoul Stn. (Lines 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)
A park between Seoul Station and Seoul City Hall, remodelled in 2023. Ageing exercise, play and rest facilities were replaced to shed its former gloomy feel, and a variety of trees and flowering plants were planted so visitors can feel the seasons
Seoul Museum of Art, Seosomun Main Branch
Partly freeArt gallery · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2)
A municipal art museum preserving the facade of the old Supreme Court. On the Deoksugung stone wall walking route, with free permanent exhibitions.
Seosomun History Park
FreePark · Seoul Stn. (Lines 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line)
Once the execution ground at the crossroads outside Seosomun Gate, where Catholics, Donghak Peasant Revolution leaders, soldiers and other reformist figures were put to death from the 1801 Sinyu Persecution to the 1866 Byeongin Persecution
Baekbeom Square Park
FreePark · Hoehyeon Stn. (Line 4)
A broad lawn plaza at the foot of Namsan. It connects directly to a stretch of the Seoul City Wall and can be reached on foot from Myeong-dong.
Paichai Hakdang History Museum
FreeMuseum · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2)
Free museum in the 1916 red-brick East Hall, Korea's first modern school. Combine with a stroll along Jeongdong-gil and Deoksugung.
Other historic sites in Seoul
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.