Yeouido: A Guide For The Must See Island In Seoul
Yeouido Island in Seoul, Korea is one of those places that gets on a lot of lists for where to go in Seoul and things to do in Seoul but it took me awhile to figure out why. Sure, there are some awesome things to see like the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival or the only fireworks festival in Seoul. BUT, what is there TO DO in Yeouido? Well, I’ve got the list if you’re like me and went and wondered where you were supposed to go in the business district in the center of Seoul.
From the Yeouido Han River Park to the 63 Building a few spots in between, there’s definitely to fill up a weekend.
Here is your guide to Yeouido:
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How To Get There
There are four subway stops on Yeouido Island. The island, though an island, is quite large though so make sure you know where you want to go and what you want to see so you choose the appropriate subway station. It’s pretty easy to get there if you’ve got your T-Money Card.
The subway stations are
- Yeouinaru Subway Station which is on the purple line and the closest to the Han River park.
- Yeouido Subway Station which is on the purple and light brown line and is central and a good one to get to IFC Mall and Conrad Hotel.
- Saetgang Subway Station which is on the light brown line which is on the backside of the island and near the Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park.
- National Assembly Subway Station which would be good for getting to Sky Farm or the western end of the island.
Where To Stay
Yeouido is actually a great location to stay if you want a staycation in Seoul or if you’re visiting and want somewhere central but near parks and the river. The Conrad Hotel is our favorite place to stay on the island and you can check out my whole review and guide to Conrad Hotel here.
Conrad Hotel Seoul
The Conrad Hotel is a 5-star luxury hotel with amazing views of the Han River and within walking distance of the Yeouido Han River Park where you can rent bikes and go for a ride. The Hyundae Seoul which is the largest department store in Seoul is just there too.
This is the place to stay on Yeouido Island for the most exquisite stay, especially if you want an amazing staycation in Seoul with plenty to do within walking distance. You won’t want to go outside at all with everything there is to do at Conrad Hotel. There are ton of places to eat and it’s connected to another mall on Yeouido Island too!
Book a stay at Conrad Hotel Seoul here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Where To Eat
Sky Farm (더스카이팜)
Sky farm is one of my favorite spots for a bite to eat with a view. This is also a spot I’ve included on my list of great spots to get a view of the city for free because there’s an indoor garden a floor above the restaurant that you can check out for free. Have a bite and sit awhile and enjoy the eats and the sights though. It’s gorgeous and the food is delicious.
- Address: 24 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의대로 24)
- Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 10:00pm (Break time 4:00pm ~ 5:00pm)
Annual Events To Look Out For!
There are two major events held annually on Yeouido Island and if you’re around during either one of them, you absolutely need to check them out. Whether it’s the premier cherry blossom festival of the city or the only fireworks festival in Seoul, just go.
Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival (여의도 봄꽃축제)
The Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event that kicks off the cherry blossom fun in Seoul. There are 1,700 king cherry blossom trees that line the western end of Yeouido Island. There is no admission fee but it is also one of the, if not THE, most popular place to see cherry blossoms when they bloom in Seoul so be prepared for some crowds. It’s worth the trip though.
- When To Expect It: The first or second week of April. Check for updated dates which depend on when the buds bloom.
Seoul Fireworks Festival (서울세계불꽃축제)
The Seoul Fireworks Festival is an international event held in front of the 63 Building. Most people sit, or try to sit, at the Yeouido Han River Park. Personally, I think you can get a spectacular view from some other spots and not mess with the crowds or getting a seat in the morning for the fireworks at night. Check out my guide to the Seoul Fireworks Festival if you want to see this gorgeous event this year.
- When To Expect It: Early October
What To Do
SEOULDAL (서울달)
SEOULDAL is Seoul’s high-flying attraction, offering a moon-shaped balloon ride that lifts visitors 130 meters into the air over Yeouido. Tethered safely to the ground, SEOULDAL offers a unique way to see Seoul from above, both day and night.
- Address: 68-1 Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의공원로 68-1)
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm
- Admission: Adults (19-64): W25,000; Children (3-18): W20,000
Yeouido Han River Park (여의도공원)
The Yeouido Han River Park is probably the most popular of the many Han River Parks that line the iconic river in the center of Seoul. Because of the close proximity to the subway stations and exits, it means this park is very popular. It’s also where you can take a cruise or a yacht so there are plenty of reasons to visit besides just taking in some epic Han River views.
- Address: 120 Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의공원로 120)
- Hours: 24 hours a day 365 days a year
The Hyundai Seoul (현대백화점 더현대 서울)
The Hyundae Seoul just premiered this year (2021) and is the largest shopping mall in Seoul. It covers 13 football fields but it’s not meant to be overwhelming. 49% of the property has been devoted to recreational areas and the roof has been built with glass to allow the natural sunlight to filter in. There is also a 12-meter waterfall and a huge garden to explore. Whether you want to shop or not, you should visit.
- Address: 108 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의대로 108)
- Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10:30am ~ 8:00pm; Friday – Sunday: 10:30am ~ 8:30pm.
- Website: http://www.thehyundaiseoul.com
ELand Han River Cruise (여의도 이랜드크루즈)
A cruise on the Han River is one of those quintessential things you have to do in Seoul at some point. I’ve been in every season and there are beautiful things about every one of them. Ferries run for up to an hour and a half and some even serve full course meals while you take in the views. Go for a day cruise, but then again, an evening cruise to see the city lights twinkle is pretty magical. There are various time slots and themes available. So just take your pick!
- Address: 280 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의동로 280)
- Hours: 10:30am ~ 9:00pm
- Buy Tickets: There are discounted tickets available for ELand Cruises on Trazy.com. If you’re interested in one of the dining cruises, then make sure you check out this page for a discounted ticket for the dining cruise on Trazy.com. Also, if you are getting the Discover Seoul Pass, you can also use it for a ride on this ferry!
- Website: http://www.elandcruise.com/
Yacht Marina (서울 마리나에서 크럽 & 요트)
You can absolutely take a cruise with a hundred other people OR you can take a private yacht tour of Han River. This is actually not too expensive if you go with a few friends and it is just a stunning way to see Seoul. Get out on the water and definitely do this if you have time in Seoul. When we went, the captain was awesome and even let us steer for a bit. Want to try your hand at sailing a bit? Here is your chance.
- Address: 81-9 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의도동 81-9)
- Hours: 11:00am ~ 10:00pm
- Website: http://www.seoul-marina.com/
63 Building (63빌딩)
The 63 Building features an observatory, aquarium, and more. Built in 1985, 63 Building, officially named 63 Square, was one of the tallest buildings in the world at the time of completion. It’s a golden beauty you can spot as you drive along the Han River highway.
I visited many years back… well about 15 years ago when I first arrived and I wasn’t all that impressed but they have upped their tourist game it seems. I visited again this year and was quite charmed by the fun inside.
We enjoyed our time here and it makes for a good thing to do with kids in Seoul especially if it’s raining, or you want to head indoors for a bit after fun at the Han River nearby.
From the basement, take an elevator that will whisk you to the top of the building where you can get some beautiful views of the city. You can see Namsan Tower and Lotte’s Sky Tower too. A perk of this observatory view is that there is an art exhibition that they regularly rotate so you can get some good views and usually some colorful fun too.
- Address: 50 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 63로 50)
SeMA Bunker (SeMA 벙커)
This art gallery is in an underground bunker that was found in Yeouido by chance during renovations to a bus transfer station. Now operated by the Seoul Museum of Art, this is a unique cultural complex. The exhibitions are usually devoted to showcasing the history and discovery of the bunker and Yeouido. There are also special programs throughout the year. If you’re in the area and passing by, stop in. It’s not huge, but a very interesting piece of history.
- Address: 2-11 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의도동 2-11)
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am ~ 7:00pm
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://sema.seoul.go.kr/
Yeouido Island is a fun place to explore if you know where to go. If you don’t, you could be walking down streets in this business district and not know what to see at all. I hope you have a great day or weekend in Yeouido because there is plenty to do. Enjoy!
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