Visitors to Seoul in the autumn season are in for a treat as fall, along with spring, is particularly a beautiful time to visit.
The city’s historic sites and neighborhoods serve as a particularly beautiful backdrop during this time of the year. Changdeokgung Palace is a favorite autumn destination and especially Huwon, the rear garden. Huwon can only be visited by buying a ticket for an official tour but it’s well worth a visit this time of the year for the many beautiful foliage. Changgyeonggung Palace, right next to Changdeokgung, is also quite stunning especially with the many trees around Chundangji Pond.

Deoksugung, especially the Doldam Road right next to the entrance, is lined with gingko trees that rain colorful leaves during this time. The surrounding Jeongdong neighborhood with its many historic and charming buildings will serve as a beautiful photo opportunity. Another neighborhood popular around this time is Samcheongdong and from the area’s higher grounds, you’ll be able to spot the colorful leaves of the trees of Bugaksan nearby.

Speaking of mountains, fall is an especially popular time for mountain climbing and should not be missed. Enthusiasts can head to higher peaks like Bukhansan, Inwangsan, or Gwanaksan and be rewarded with picturesque autumn scenery and stunning city views. For easier mountains but with still fantastic views, you can head to hills like Achasan or even Namsan.
If climbing sounds a bit daunting, there are plenty of parks you should visit in fall. The Seoul Forest has many pathways that lead you through tall colorful trees. Sky Park, one of the parks of the World Cup Park in Sangamdong, is also a must-visit when fields of silver grass grow as far as the eye can see. It’s more than worth the climb at the entrance for the scenery you won’t find elsewhere in Seoul.

If you’ve considered taking part in a Temple Stay program, autumn is a great time to participate. The grounds of temples like Bongeunsa, Gilsangsa, or Jinkwansa turn into movie-like settings and meditating while sipping tea as the leaves fall outside is a memorable and unique experience.

Autumn is also when a lot of food such as produce are in season making it an opportune time to visit one of the many traditional markets such as Namdaemun Market or Gwangjang Market. Fruits like pears and apples are at their juiciest this time of the year while you’ll soon be able to spot vendors roasting chestnuts and sweet potatoes for a warm treat. Even neighborhood traditional markets should carry these and other autumn goods to enjoy. Also during this time, pay a visit to Noryangjin Fish Market if you want to catch seafood like jumbo shrimp, blue crabs, and shad fish at their best! Shop around and negotiate for the best price and let the vendors know how you want your catch prepared. Or, you can pay a small fee to have it cooked to your liking in one of the many associated restaurants in the market.

Many also come this time of the year to do some fall and winter shopping. Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Garosugil all are great places to shop or observe the latest trends in Korean fashion. For popular local and independent brands, neighborhoods like Hannamdong and Cheongdamdong are home to many Korean fashion brands where you can pick up the latest in Korean fashion that’s sweeping the world.

Fall is also the last opportunity to catch professional soccer (also known as football) and baseball games before their seasons end for the winter. Catch a spirited game at either the World Cup Stadium or the Jamsil Stadium with passionate locals and snacks and drinks!

If you’d rather focus on the snacks and drinks, rooftop bars are quite popular all around Seoul lately. Aside from many hotel rooftop bars, there’re quite a few restaurants and bars with spectacular views along Sowol Road in the neighborhoods around Namsan such as Huamdong and up Kyungnidan.