Even in one of the world’s most famously bustling cities, travelers can find sprawling and delightful parks to enjoy.
In between exploring the busy, dense neighborhoods of Seoul, including Gangnam, Insadong, and Hongdae, make time to unwind in green spaces throughout the city. Many of these parks incorporate the capital’s industrial heritage and repurposed spaces downtown.
Whether you’re looking for fabulous views, sports facilities, flowering fields, or a hidden oasis, here are some of the best parks in Seoul.
Visit Yeouido Park for Cherry Blossoms and Picnics
If you are going to visit only one park in South Korea’s capital, Yeouido Park is the one to choose.
Once you arrive, you’ll walk through a grove of 1,400 cherry trees that burst into bloom every spring, gloriously announcing the warmer weather ahead. The Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most popular spring events in South Korea, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The park also offers sports facilities, rental bikes, and convenience stores that are easy to find. Many enjoy picnicking here, and in summer, the lawns tend to be almost entirely covered with mats.
This urban gem is easy to reach by public transport, with the subway delivering you directly to this riverside park. Yeouido Park is also home to the E-Land Cruise Terminal, where you can board a ferry to take in city views from the Han River.
The City Views Dazzle at Naksan Park
Conveniently located in downtown Seoul near the bustling shopping district of Dongdaemun, Naksan Park occupies the side of a mountain and offers stunning views out over the city. While visiting here requires a walk uphill, the spectacular views at the top make every step worth it. As you follow along a portion of the old Seoul Fortress Wall, you’ll contemplate the city’s history while looking out onto the modern metropolis beyond. The park also has beautiful gardens featuring flowers in bloom every spring and summer.
Most park visitors, after stopping to enjoy the views, continue to the nearby Ihwa Mural Village, which was decorated with murals by 70 artists in 2006 to revitalize the neighborhood; today, it’s filled with cute cafes.
Look Forward to Some Romance in Seoul Forest
Inspired by New York’s Central Park, Seoul Forest offers a plethora of activities. The Ecological Forest is a protected natural habitat that’s home to animals, including deer, chipmunks, and ducks. In the Nature Study Field, previously a water-treatment facility, you’ll find beautiful wildflower plantings and a botanical garden.
The centerpiece of the forest is the Culture and Art Park, which offers decorative flower beds and performances on an outdoor stage. With greenhouses filled with butterflies, deer to feed, bikes for rent, and grassy fields surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in fall, Seoul Forest presents endless options for a romantic afternoon.
Run Around with the Kids at World Cup Park
World Cup Park encompasses five different parks, with Haneul Park being the best known. Perched on a hillside, Haneul Park showcases beautiful eulalia grass that is lush and green throughout summer while turning golden in the fall. During this season, crowds flock to the area to enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
Don’t miss out on the other parks: Nanji Stream Park, Nanji Han River Park, Sunset Park, and Peace Park have an amazing array of plants, including metasequoia trees, cherry trees, and cosmos flowers.
Sunset Park features campgrounds and a nine-hole golf course, while Peace Park showcases artistic installations left over from gardening expos. Furthermore, both Nanji Stream Park and Nanji Han River Park offer sports fields, a skate park, and bike rental facilities. World Cup Park is a lovely place to spend a day or even several days.
Contemplate Nature at Seoul Botanic Park
Opened in 2019, Seoul Botanic Park is one of the newest parks in the city. Slightly outside of the city yet easily accessible by subway, this green space remains quiet most of the time, making it an off-the-beaten-track gem. The park has a giant lake for leisurely walks, a wetland area where it meets the Han River, and playgrounds featuring spraying water to cool kids off during summer.
The highlight of the park is the Seoul Botanic Garden and its massive greenhouse. Inside, plants are divided into various sections such as the Windy Garden, with sawgrass and purple reed-grass, and the Healing Garden, featuring plants used for medicinal purposes. Pathways guide visitors through these plants, up to a walkway that hovers above. The hot and humid environment is delightful in winter when you’re cold to the bones—just be prepared to remove a few layers.
The Options Abound at Olympic Park
Adjacent to Jamsil district, Olympic Park encompasses 1.4 square kilometers (345 acres) of green space featuring vast open areas, numerous sculptures, rose gardens, and cosmos flower fields that become must-see sights in Seoul when in full bloom. The park is also home to the iconic Lone Tree, known as One Tree Hill, which is one of the most photographed locations in Seoul.
Visitors will find something for the history buff, nature lover, and sports enthusiast alike here. A fascinating aspect of this park is Mongchontoseong, an ancient earthen rampart dating back to the Baekje Kingdom (18 BCE – 660 CE). Additionally, the park hosts some of the most sought-after venues for sporting events and music concerts in the capital. Wandering through this expansive park can take hours, so be sure to stop into the information center at World Peace Gate to collect a map.
Seonyudo Park Delivers a Dose of Much-Needed Tranquility
This award-winning park sits on Seonyudo Island in the middle of the Han River. Only accessible by public transport or bus, this island, previously hosting a water treatment plant, now serves as a green oasis. The park features a greenhouse, floating gardens, and ivy-covered cement walls, providing an urban playground for both kids and adults.
Visit in spring to discover blossoming cherry trees without the crowds, or enjoy a summer picnic surrounded by the verdant vines overtaking the industrial infrastructure that remains. Once on the island, the sounds of cars and people fade away, making it hard to remember you’re in a city of 10 million.
