Yeouido: A Guide For The Must See Island In Seoul
Last Updated on July 30, 2026
Yeouido Island shows up on a lot of Seoul lists, and when I first started exploring the city I couldn’t quite figure out why. It’s a business district on an island in the Han River, not the most obvious tourist destination. But once you know where to go, it turns out to be worth a full day or even a whole weekend.
Cherry blossoms in spring, a moon-shaped balloon 130 meters in the air, yacht rides on the Han River, an underground art bunker found by accident during bus station renovations, and the Pompidou Center inside a 1985 skyscraper, once the tallest building in the country. Yeouido keeps changing, and it keeps getting better for locals and tourists alike.
Yeouido has more to see than a lot of tourists know about. Go beyond the Yeouido Han River Park, and here is what else you can find:
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How To Get There
Yeouido has four subway stations, which matters because the island is larger than it looks on a map. Pick your station based on where you’re headed:
- Yeouinaru Station (Line 5): The closest to the Han River Park and the best entry point for outdoor activities, the cruise terminal, and the Han River waterfront.
- Yeouido Station (Lines 5 and 9): Central, and the best stop for IFC Mall, Conrad Hotel, and The Hyundai Seoul.
- Saetgang Station (Line 9): On the southern side, closest to Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park.
- National Assembly Station (Line 9): On the western end of the island, closest to Sky Farm and the National Assembly building.
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
Annual Events
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. This is one of those things that sounds gimmicky until you’re actually up there.
- 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
- Book tickets online in advance: You can book the date and choose the time of departure on local booking platform Creatrip, or on major ticketing platforms including Klook, and on kkday. I highly recommend this as you can wait quite a bit of time if you rock up in person.
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 largest shopping mall in Seoul, opened in 2021, covering the equivalent of 13 football fields. What makes it worth visiting even without shopping in mind is the design philosophy: 49% of the interior is devoted to recreational space, the roof is full glass to flood the building with natural light, there’s a 12-meter indoor waterfall, and large garden spaces run throughout. Come for the architecture as much as the stores.
What really distinguishes The Hyundai Seoul from every other large mall in the city is the Sounds Forest on the fifth floor, a massive indoor sky garden that floods the whole mall with natural light through a glass ceiling. It’s where most people end up spending longer than they planned. The B1 basement is equally worth your time: “Tasty Seoul,” the B1 food court, features some of the trendiest restaurants from across Korea, it can be busy though especially during lunch hour for the companies nearby. This is a business district afterall.
- Address: 108 Yeouidae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울 영등포구 여의대로 108)
- Navigation tip: The Hyundai Seoul connects underground from Yeouido Station Exit 3 via a covered walkway through IFC Mall, useful on rainy days and a more pleasant approach than street-level in any weather.
- 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 (63빌딩) has been a Yeouido landmark since 1985, a golden-clad skyscraper on the Han River that was briefly one of the tallest buildings in the world at the time of completion. You can spot it’s gleam as you ride on the subway and cross the bridges. For years it coasted on that history and an observatory that felt increasingly dated. That changed recently with two significant additions that make it worth a visit once again.
Pompidou Center Hanwha (퐁피두센터 한화)
A partnership between the Centre Pompidou in Paris and Hanwha, this is the first Pompidou outpost in Asia. The collection rotates contemporary and modern art drawn from the Pompidou’s permanent collection, which means you’re looking at work from one of the world’s great modern art institutions in an unexpectedly Seoul location. I went recently and found the exhibition genuinely engaging rather than the cursory brand-partnership experience I half-expected. The space itself has been well designed to handle the scale of the works.
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.
63 Sky Picnic (63 스카이피크닉)
The observatory has been reimagined as the 63 Sky Picnic, an elevated outdoor terrace concept above the city. The combination of panoramic views over the Han River, Namsan Tower, and the Lotte World Tower with a more relaxed, picnic-oriented atmosphere makes it a different experience from the standard observation deck visit.
From the first floor, 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.
- 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/
FAQ
What is there to do in Yeouido, Seoul?
Yeouido has the Yeouido Han River Park (popular for picnics, cycling, and the cherry blossom festival), SEOULDAL (a moon-shaped balloon ride 130 meters above the river), the Pompidou Center Hanwha and 63 Sky Picnic at the 63 Building, The Hyundai Seoul (the city’s largest mall), Han River cruises and private yacht charters, and the SeMA Bunker underground art gallery.
When is the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival?
Typically the first or second week of April, depending on when the buds bloom that year. Check for updated dates as the season approaches. The festival centers on 1,700 king cherry blossom trees along the western end of Yeouido Island and is free to attend.
What is the Pompidou Center Hanwha at the 63 Building?
The first Asian outpost of Paris’s Centre Pompidou, opened in partnership with Hanwha in Seoul’s 63 Building in Yeouido. The space shows rotating contemporary and modern art from the Pompidou’s permanent collection.
What is SEOULDAL?
SEOULDAL (서울달) is a tethered moon-shaped balloon in Yeouido Han River Park that lifts visitors 130 meters above the city. It operates Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00pm-10:00pm, with admission at ₩25,000 for adults and ₩20,000 for children.
Is Yeouido good for families?
Yes, the Han River Park has open space for children to run, the 63 Building has family-friendly activities alongside the new Pompidou exhibitions, and the river cruises work well for all ages. The Hyundai Seoul’s indoor garden and waterfall are also popular with children.
What subway station should I use for Yeouido?
It depends where you’re going: Yeouinaru Station (Line 5) for the Han River Park; Yeouido Station (Lines 5 and 9) for Conrad Hotel, IFC Mall, and The Hyundai Seoul; Saetgang Station (Line 9) for the ecological park; National Assembly Station (Line 9) for Sky Farm and the western end.
Yeouido has always had the infrastructure for a great day out what with the river, the park, the views. It’s a business district for sure, but there are some nice things to do here and there in Yeouido if you know where to look.
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