The Best Places To See The Sunset In Seoul

Last summer, as part of the Global Seoul Mates there was a mission to showcase Seoul’s gorgeous sunsets and oh how many beautiful sunsets did I enjoy. We were sharing sunsets for the whole month of August and this summer as August rolled around again, I was thinking back to some of the best places to see the sunset in Seoul.

Do you want to see pink and orange skies over skyscrapers? Or want to see the sunset while you picnic along the Han River? Ever wondered where the best places to see the sunset in Seoul? Well, let me tell you!

There are just a ton of beautiful places to see the sunset in Seoul. Here’s what you should know to plan your evening out.

• What Time Is Sunset In Seoul?
• Tips For Seeing A Beautiful Sunset
• Where To See The Sunset In Seoul
  • Hotels
    • Signiel Hotel
    • The Four Seasons
  • Riverside Parks & Cruises
    • World Cup Park: Nanji Han River Park
    • Banpo Han River Park
    • ELand Cruises
  • Mountain Tops
    • World Cup Park: Sky Park/Haneul Park
    • Namsan Mountain
    • Haengjusanseong Fortress
    • Namhansanseong Fortress
    • Bugak Mountain: Bugak Palgakjeong
  • Building Tops
    • Seoul Express Bus Terminal
    • 63 Building
    • Sewoon Market (세운상가)
    • Lotte Sky Tower Observatory

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

---

What Time Is Sunset In Seoul?

Summer: As I said, sunset viewing becomes quite the summer activity… if you’re staying out late enough. In the summer, the sun sets around 9:00pm… and you should definitely be staying out to see it.

Winter: While the winter sunset is a bit less popular just due to the possible frigid temperatures, it does set earlier so you can catch it on the way home from work if you’re in the city for business. Don’t stare at your phone on the bus ride… look out the window whenever you can. The sun sets around 6:00pm in the winter in Seoul.

You can check the updated time for when you’re looking to see the sunset here on TimeandDate.com

---

Tips For Seeing A Beautiful Sunset

I’m often seen staring out the window in the evening trying to guess if we should head to our rooftop or race down to the river or a park to catch the sunset. Here is what I look for when trying to decide if we should go out to see the sunset or not:

• There should be some clouds. I find the most beautiful sunsets have been when there are some clouds in the sky. I don’t know if it’s scientific, but it seems like the light really bounces around the clouds a bit more. When there are no clouds, the colors don’t seem to get as much reach.
• It should be sunny/partly cloudy day. If it’s rainy, there MIGHT be a break in the clouds, but it’s more difficult to guess. If it rains in the morning, but hasn’t all day, it could be a pretty good evening. But if it’s been raining most of the day, which can absolutely happen during monsoon season in Korea, it is more likely not to be that beautiful but just grey and cloudy.
• It shouldn’t be dusty. Unfortunately, we have a dust issue in Korea. Should you be wearing a fine dust mask in Korea? Absolutely. On high dust days, I don’t go out much at all if I don’t have to because it immediately gives me migraines. But on the sunset point, sunsets suck when the smog and dust are high. Check those high dust meters and look for it to be in the lower healthier ranges if you want to see a nice sunset. We need clear skies for beautiful views.

---

Where To See The Sunset In Seoul

Hotels

Signiel Hotel

Four Seasons

Riverside Parks & Cruises

Did you know there are 11 riverside parks in the city of Seoul? And there are more beyond Seoul too. Here is a guide to the Han River parks and what you can see and do in each one. Here are some of my favorite parks for views of the sunset.

World Cup Park: Nanji Han River Park (월드컵공원, 난지한강공원)

There will often be much less people in the Nanji Han River Park so you can enjoy that sunset on your own. This park also has an ecological park, campgrounds, cosmos fields, and more so a lot to see along with that sunset.

• Address: 487-359 Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 성산동 487-359)

Banpo Han River Park (반포한간공원)

• Address: 40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서초구 신반포로11길 40 (반포동))

Han River Cruise

Want to see the sunset FROM the Han River? Your best bet is on one of the ELand Han River Cruises. There are a few to choose from so make sure you check the times to get the right one. There’s a moonlight one which actually departs right around sunset time in the summer which is more moon in the spring. There are some earlier options for spring and autumn too though. This is a great option and a super fun way to enjoy the city.

You can book tickets on their cruises on Trazy or on book your cruise on Klook.

• Address: 290 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의동로 290 (여의도동) 한강유람선 선착장)

Mountain Tops

World Cup Park: Sky Park/Haneul Park (월드컵공원, 하늘공원)

Already mentioned for the riverside park, but World Cup Park also has the popular Sky Park/Haneul Park. Usually popular in the autumn, you can visit the rest of the year for sunset views too though. While I tend to head down to the riverside in the autumn when this spot is more popular, I head up to the top in the summer and in late autumn for the views.

It’s beautiful up there but a bit more when the crowds of the autumn festival aren’t there. Plan your visit wisely.

• Address: 487-359 Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 성산동 487-359)

Namsan Mountain (남산)

A popular mountain to visit in Seoul and easily visited due to the cable car that takes visitors up, I always recommend a visit here just before evening to get views of the city from day into night. Head to Namsan Mountain and then up even further to Namsan Tower for some of the best views out over the city of Seoul at sunset. This spot can be pretty busy at times, but it’s still worth a visit and gets on to must see lists every year for a reason. Don’t miss this romantic location.

• If you want to take the cable car up and go up the tower, make sure you get your tickets online to take advantage of the discounts. They also have great packages on Coupang for N Seoul Tower and the restaurants there from time to time as well.
• Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105)

Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성)

This is one of those spots that a lot of photographers head to for some of the best shots of the sunset out over the city. You’ll be able to include Lotte Sky Tower, Namsan Tower, and a ton of beautifully lit up buildings. I’ve only been during the day as Namhansanseong is on the complete other side of the city from me so I opt for Haengjusanseong Fortress if I want to walk along a fortress ridge, but this is one to note if you really want to go hard on sunsets this year.

It’s not the easiest place to get to, but it’s not the hardest either. Here is more information about the Namhansanseong Fortress.

• Address: 731 Namhansanseong-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광주시 남한산성면 남한산성로 731 (남한산성면))

Haengjusanseong Fortress (행주산성)

This fortress is a bit less popular than the one mentioned above, but that’s why I’ve enjoyed it and the views you can get from up there. Located on the northwest side of the city, it’s exactly opposite from Namhansanseong Fortress so offers a very different view but still beautiful.

If you live on the west side of the city, try this fortress first because it’ll probably be a bit easier to get to. I even went up the first time with my daughter in a stroller… it’s that easy to walk up. Here’s more information about Haengjusanseong Fortress.

• Address: 89 Haengju-ro 15beon-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 고양시 덕양구 행주로15번길 89)

Bugak Mountain: Bugak Palgakjeong (북악팔각정)

Building Tops & Observatories

Seoul Express Bus Terminal (고속터미널역)

63 Building (63빌딩)

Sewoon Market (세운상가)

Lotte Sky Tower Observatory

---

Did you like this post? Pin IT!