Why Namsan Tower Is A Must See In Seoul

If you’re a tourist headed to Seoul, South Korea, chances are you’ve heard of the iconic N Seoul Tower. Nestled atop Namsan Mountain, this observatory offers unforgettable views of Seoul.

As one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, this towering structure boasts not only breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis but also a rich cultural significance and should definitely be on your Seoul itinerary even if you’re in the city for a short time.

Plan your trip to N Seoul Tower now:

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N Seoul Tower, Seoul, Korea — Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/Penta Press

How To Get There

Namsan Tower can easily be tacked on to any trip to the city because it really is so easy to get to so do NOT miss this beautiful site as you flit from here to there seeing what there is to see in Seoul.

Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that it also stops here. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.

By Subway: You can take a short walk from Myeongdong Station through the Ani Mural Town to the cable car entrance. From Myeongdong Station exit 1, walk up and around to the right. You’ll follow along the main road and find the cable car. OR, you can go out of exit 2 or 3 and you can follow the backstreets up the cable car. Basically just head up and you’ll find it. The walk only takes about 10 minutes.

On Foot: You can head up the mountain via the cable car or you can enjoy a hike up. Don’t worry, it’s not too strenuous and Trazy offers a great tour if you’re worried about hiking on your own without knowing the way.

Basic Info

Observatory Hours: Saturday: 10:00am ~ 12:00am; Sunday – Friday: 10:00am ~ 11:00pm (Last admission 30 minutes prior to closing.)

Admission: Buy your tickets in advance here to make it easier and faster to get up.

Tower Only: Adults: W10,000 & Children: W8,000
Ssentoy Museum & Showroom: Adults: W8,000 & Children W7,000
Helly Kitty Island: Adults: W8,000 & Children W7,000
Package with all three above: Adults & Children: W15,500
Visitors eating at N. Grill have free admission to the observatory w/ advance reservation

Namsan Cable Car Hours: 10:00am ~ 11:00pm

Cable Car Admission: Adult Round Trip: W8,500 & Children Round Trip: W5,500

Amenities: restrooms, restaurants, baby stroller rental

N Seoul Tower History

The tower was built and opened in 1971 but it wasn’t opened to the public until 1980. Established as a broadcast tower to send out TV and radio signals, the tower is 480 meters above sea level and is now one of the most iconic sites in the capital of Seoul. It was the first tourist friendly tower in the country and by 1990 had been visited by over 10 million tourists.

Is it Namsan Tower or N Seoul Tower?

In 2000, the tower was taken over by YTN who renovated the building and renamed the tower in 2005 to N Seoul Tower. The “N” is supposed to stand for “new”, “Namsan”, and “nature”. While the official name may now be N Seoul Tower, you may still hear people and taxi drivers refer to it as Namsan Tower. Don’t be confused, they are one in the same.

What To See At N Seoul Tower

Namsan Tower (남산서울타워), or N Seoul Tower, is well-known as a romantic spot for Seoulites. It’s really quite a bit more romantic than the other taller and newer observatory Seoul Sky Observatory, in the city. Seoul Sky Observatory has its own positive attributes, but taking a cable car up to a park with wooden decks for viewing the rushing city below, a pagoda to sit beneath and Namsan Tower really is quite peaceful and enjoyable. It has all of the ambiance and somehow manages to be perfect for both a date destination for local couples and a family friendly spot to spark a child’s excitement.

If you get your tickets in advance, you can also forgo the lines in the observatory and skidaddle around even faster. It’s beautiful in the summer and autumn in Korea when I’ve been, but it’s also one of the most popular places in Seoul to see cherry blossoms.

Even if you don’t go up into Namsan Tower, the views from the park platforms are gorgeous. Now, if heading up in a cable car and taking in the views isn’t quite enough, there are a few other fun things to do while you’re up there. There are a number of restaurants with everything from Korean to Italian and chic French cuisine. Expect to pay a bit extra as you’re getting a view too. If you want to eat in the tower, I found this deal that you can book online to get a bit of a discount while you’re up there.

A popular thing to do on the viewing decks is to attach your very own “love lock”. You can buy them in the tower for some exorbitant price, or bring your own which I recommend if that is something you want to do.

The ticket to go up into the tower is W10,000 but honestly, the views from the ground floor platform, which are free, are just as beautiful. I’d highly recommend going up in the cable car just before sunset to see the city in the light of the sun and watch as the sun sets over the beautiful Han River and watch as the light fades and all of the twinkling lights turn on down far far below. If you want to partake in a little activity in the tower while you’re visiting, check out the Hanbok experience and have a fun photoshoot.

What To See Nearby

Hannam-dong

One of the greatest things about Namsan Tower is just it’s easy to reach and always easy to see central location. You can head down south to Hannam-dong to find art museums and cafes. The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is a highlight for me as well as D Museum. Walk down the numerous alleyways and find delicious international eats.

Seoul Station

Head down in a westerly direction and you’ll end up at Seoul Station and an entrance into the popular Seollo7017 that is an overpass now converted into a pedestrian walkway in one of the busiest parts of the city. While at Seollo DO NOT MISS the awesome installation at Malli-dong and the other cool architecture spots around Seoul. From the street, you could, like most, walk right on by and not even notice, but walk up and down and you find an amazing world of steps and mirrors.

Malli-dong Plaze, Seoullo 7017, Seoul, Korea

Myeongdong

Go north and you end up in the popular shopping district of Myeongdong where you’ll also find an amazing night street food market. Myeongdong might be super popular for shopping, BUT there is more to do there than you might know about.

There are so many great places in Seoul to get great views of the city from above including some hidden gems like the community rooftop on Sewoon Market in Jongno. Get out there, get the views, and enjoy the hunt to find them.

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