7 Places To Get A Great View of Seoul From Above For FREE

Looking for the best views in Seoul, Korea? We’ve got the list for you. Seoul Sky Observatory is so worth the ticket price in my opinion, BUT if you want a few other options that will make that trip to Seoul very budget friendly, here is a good list of places to check out.

They may not be as tall, because the Seoul Sky Observatory is way… way up there, but these buildings Seoul will give you some great cityscape and tall perspectives of the streets of Seoul.

If you’re looking to check out the Seoul Sky Observatory, get your tickets online before you go. You don’t have to wait in the line to get tickets as that line can be long, but also, they only sell a certain number of tickets for each time slot so there aren’t too many people at one time and you don’t want to rock up and find that you have to wait hours for the next available time.

Observatory views in Seoul that are Free:

1. The Sky Farm
2. Sewoon Market (세운상가)
3. Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널)
4. World Cup Park (월드컵파크)
5. Myeongdong Sinsaegae Department Store (명동 신세계면세점 명동점)
6. Seoul Metropolitan Library (서울도서관)
7. Bugak Skyway (북악스카이)

(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.)

---

How To Prepare

Want to check out these spots? You can visit a lot of them while you’re on the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus.

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.

---

1. The Sky Farm (더스카이팜)

The Sky Farm is a gorgeous greenhouse on the 51st floor of an office building in downtown Yeouido. Surrounded by office buildings you’d never even expect this place to be in the top of one. The views are great from here but the greenhouse is also absolutely stunning and most people that head up stop just short of it as they head into the cafe and restaurant one floor below.

Actually, the elevator will only take you to the 50th floor, so it stands to reason that most people don’t even realize they can go up juuuust a bit more. Feel free to stop into the cafe for an (expensive) meal but if you head back to the elevator from which you came and look for a stairwell, there you will find another elevator that goes up just one more floor to a hidden gem with views and a beautiful green space.

If you head to Yeouido to visit Sky Farm, also check out taking a cruise on the Hangang River with Eland. It’s a great experience and definitely something fun to do on the Han River if you haven’t yet. You can easily get from Sky Farm to the Yeouido Han River Park and it’s a must visit. And of course, if you visit in the spring, don’t miss the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival.

• Address: 24 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의대로 24)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 10:00pm (Break time 4:00pm ~ 5:00pm)

---

2. Sewoon Market (세운상가)

Sewoon Market was recently renovated and the rooftop was a part of those renovations. The space has a rooftop garden as well as an overlook to see out over Jongmyo Shrine and if you turn around, it offers great views of N Seoul Tower too.

It might just be the best rooftop downtown and that’s not all that has been revamped. Head down a few floors and you can stop in to some cool cafes and see what collaborations are afoot. The entire block will be getting redone over the next couple of years, but I’m glad this building was the first to be remade. Learn more about Sewoon Sangga and the views.

This area downtown can be a little confusing if you don’t know your way around, but it worth the wander. If you want a tour of the sites to really understand how the alleys of Euljiro are growing and have expanded through the Korean industrialization check out a tour with Trazy. You’ll visit Sewoon Plaza and the nearby alleys and meet some of the inventors in the area.

• Address: 136 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울시 중구 청계천로 136)

---

3. Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널)

Anyone who has ever made their way through the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal was likely overwhelmed with all the pathways and possibilities. My favorite hidden gem is the 10th floor rooftop garden. Grab a coffee and head up there for a peaceful view of the city away from the chaos and the hustle bustle below. Then head down to the underground shopping center for all the deals.

• Address: 194 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 신반포로 194)

Not planning on taking a bus from the terminal? Check out some other things in the area:

• Visit the Sulwhasoo Spa. It is one of the most talked about spas in the city and it’s located at the beautiful Sulwhasoo Flagship Store.
• Visit the COEX Aquarium with 40,000 sea creatures.
• Want to have a night out after seeing the sunset from the rooftop? Check out Club Octagon ranked 7th in DJ Mag’s 2018 world’s best clubs.

---

4. World Cup Park (월드컵파크)

No post is complete if I don’t bring up World Cup Park. If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you just know that to be true by now, don’t you? Both Haneul Park and Noeul Park in the park system offer great views and you don’t have to huff and puff your way up to see them.

Catch one of the electric cars and then find a bench and take it all in. Look out over the Han River, catch a glimpse of the Seoul Battleship Park, and if you time it right, enjoy a sunset.

• Address: 95 Haneul Gongwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 하늘공원로 95)

There are a ton of cool things to do in the area due to it’s proximity to both Mangwon and Hongdae so visit the park and then plan to do something like:

• Make your own custom ring in Hongdae. What would you put on it?
• Visit the VR Arcade and have the fun you didn’t even know existed.
• Make your own leather goods in Hongdae. Choose between a bracelet, card case, passport case or single fold wallet.
• Make your own neon light. Need something to decorate with? This is it and it’s super cool.

---

5. Myeongdong Sinsaegae Department Store (명동 신세계면세점 명동점)

Shinsegae Department Store is located on the site of Seoul’s first department store. While getting in some much needed shopping time in Seoul’s hottest shopping district, take a stroll to the older Shinsegae building and make your way to the rooftop statue garden. It has a perfect view of Namsan Tower and a lovely cafe for a break. There are some other awesome places in Myeongdong like the Urban Space cafe with a giant adult size ball pit and some eats that just can’t be beat. Spend the day in the area and do all of the best things.

• Address: 77 Teogye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로 77)

Want some other ideas for what to do in the area?

• Need to let some steam off? Head to the Myeongdong Shooting Range.
• Make your own unique perfume that you can take home with you.
• Take part in a Kimchi and tteokbokki cooking class.

---

6. Seoul Metropolitan Library (서울도서관)

The Seoul Metropolitan Library is the former City Hall and now sits just in front of the Seoul City Hall and across the street from Deoksugung Palace. There are over 200,000 books inside and also has a comprehensive search tool to help identify materials are 320 libraries around Seoul.

The building was built in 1926 and even if you don’t have a book you want to check out, head in and up to the cafe and the outdoor park. The park on the top floor of the building provides a view straight from City Hall down to Gwanghwamun Plaza and on to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the President’s House.

The only thing I’ll say about this spot though, is that it is hit or miss if the rooftop will be open. I’ve had friends swing by and find the entrance closed off. I THINK it has to do with concerts in the square or other events downtown, buuuut if you’re in the area, it’s worth it to see if it’s open.

• Address: 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 세종대로 110)

---

7. Bugak Skyway (북악스카이)

This spot might be the only one on the list that is more beautiful looking in rather than looking out. Okay, no, that’s not true but it’s definitely something beautiful. The Bugak Palgakjeong on 19 kilometer long Bugak Skyway, a road that passes over Bugak Mountain, offers some great 360 degree views of the valleys surrounding.

The colorful octagonal pavilion that sits at the top of the mountain is a popular stop for couples on a date looking for the lights that flicker on in the evening.

The easiest way to get there, and the way I’ve always gone as I’ve often been shown here by friendly coworkers, is by car. Without a car, the hike to this spot is about 3 kilometers and takes about an hour to reach.

There are four paths to get to the pavilion and one is up one of my favorite routes known as the ‘Kim Sinjo Route’ which is know for a 1968 attack on the Blue House by North Korean spies. It’s a path that is great no matter the season. Also, if you’re interested in other budget friendly things to do in Seoul, check out this guide to the best free things to do in Seoul.

• Address: 6-94 Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 평창동 산6-94)

---

Did you like this post? Pin It!