The 3 Most Romantic Destinations in Seoul

Korean dramas perfectly symbolize the essence of romance. The lovable characters, tearjerking plots, and beautiful photography attract audiences from around the world. Seoul, often the filming location of these dramas, features a number of romantic destinations. This map highlights some of the most iconic locations from Korean Dramas that you can go and experience for yourself.

Don’t have time to go to all these filming locations? Here are my 3 top picks for romantic destinations — N Seoul Tower, Petite France, and Cheonggyecheon Stream — to include during your trip to Seoul.

A landmark of Seoul, the N Seoul Tower stands 479.7m above Namsan hill and offers breathtaking views across Seoul and beyond. Opened to the public in 1980, the N Seoul tower got the letter ‘N’ for its ‘new’ look after renovation in 2005. Upon arrival, you can ride the express elevator to the Observatory Tower, where you get to see 360 degrees panorama of Seoul.

N Seoul Tower Ticket Price: ₩ 10,000 for adults and ₩ 8,000 for children (click here for discounted tickets on Klook)

For an extra luxurious experience, you can enjoy a delightful French dinner prepared by Michelin star chef at n.Grill, a revolving restaurant in the N Seoul Tower. There’s no better way to catch the night views of Seoul than staring out the glass windows of this restaurant as you taste the fine French wine and cheese platter.

Romantic highlight: The love locks at N Seoul Tower allow couples to profess their love. Tradition says that writing the names of two lovers on a lock and fixing it around the base of the N Seoul Tower can secure the couple’s love forever. Fact or fiction, N Seoul Tower is one of the only few places in the world where visitors are actively encouraged to hang these symbols of love onto important monuments. You can double the magic by making a wish in the Wishing Pond on the second floor of the tower.

How to get there: You can reach N Seoul Tower by bus, cable car, or foot.

By bus: you can take the Namsam Shuttle Bus Number 02, 03, and 05. These buses can be accessed conveniently and come every 15-20 minutes. Bus 02 passes by Chungmuro Station and and Dongguk University Station; 03 passes by Seoul Station, Itaewon Station, and Hangangjin Station; 05 passes Myeong-dong Station and Chungmuro Station.

By cable car: you can take the subway to Myeong-dong Station. After you see Pacific Hotel, keep right and walk 15 minutes  then you will reach the boarding point. For round trip, the adult ticket costs ₩ 8,500 and the children ticket costs ₩5,500. There is usually a wait for the cable car but during the 7 minutes ride, you can take scenic photos of the journey up Namsam Hill.

By foot: you can walk for 2km on the trail up to Namsam Park. The hike mainly comprises of stairs and is not too difficult. On the way, you can find beautiful pond, flowers, and greenery. While this method takes the longest, the walk clears your mind and serves a romantic road for you and your lover to spend quality time away from the urban noises.

Dream of a romantic European escape? Well this might not be France but perhaps Asia’s nearest equivalent. You can indulge in the European spirit of romance during your South Korean experience without leaving the country. Inspired by the famous French novel “The Little Prince,” Petite France resembles a small town in the French countryside. A French cultural village an hour from Seoul, Petite France celebrates the Little Prince by placing inspired art around the 16 French-style buildings and 23 attraction stops. The houses of yellow, blue, red invite visitors to pause momentarily and enter into their fantastical European dream.

Petite France Admission Fee: ₩8,000 for adults and ₩6,000 for children

Opening Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm

Besides the architecture, you can participate in various activities available within Petite France. To commemorate the life of  the author, the Saint-Exupery Memorial Hall explains the history behind this novel and displays rare manuscripts. You can also admire precious ancient dolls from around the world in the Theatre de l’etoile, which stands for the theater of the star. For people who appreciate classical musical, there is a special treat of a hundred-years-old orgel demonstration in the Orgel House.

Photo Credit: PF Camp

Romantic Highlight: Besides leisurely strolling through the quaint buildings, shops, and restaurants, you can even reenact the iconic scenes from Korean dramas with your lover.  Several dramas were shoot in Petite France — “Beethoven Virus,” “Secret Garden,” and “My Love from the Star.”  How about a kiss under the starry sky, just like that between Jun Ji‑hyun and her alien lover.

How to get there: To get to Petite France, you need to first get to Cheongpyeong station. You can reach this station by the ITX train or Seoul Subway System. For ITX, reserve a seat online. For the subway, you can pay by cash or T-money.

From Cheongpyeong Station, you can either ride a taxi or a bus. A taxi ride to Petite France costs around around ￦15,000. Alternatively, take the shuttle bus leaving from the bus stop at exit 2 of Cheongpyeong Station. For ￦6,000, the shuttle bus covers the major tourist spots in the area, where you hop on and off the bus to explore the attractions. If you want to minimize the fuss of logistical planning, you can join a tour that picks up at your hotel and includes both Petite France and Nami Island, another romantic corner nearby.

They say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” For a taste of Seoul’s local dating scene, visit the Cheonggyecheon Stream. An urban renewal project, this 8.4 km long stream is more than 15 feet below ground. It serves as a hidden oasis in the bustling city center of Seoul. Many couples enjoy taking a walk by this stream, especially during the evening. The pretty lights and fountains along the way add extra elements of romance to your night stroll.

With 38 exits, you can enter the stream from multiple points. The most common route is to start at the Cheonggye Plaza, where the signature Spring Sculpture stands. Following this path, you can reach various nearby famous tourist spots. You can watch the Royal Guards Changing Ceremony at the Deoksugung Palace. You can shop for traditional Korean clothing and crafts on Insa-dong Street. You can enjoy a buffet at Top Cloud, a restaurant in Jongno Tower, a distinct triangular glass structure.

Romantic Highlight: From November 6-22, 2016, Cheonggyecheon Stream hosts the Seoul Lantern Festival. During this festival, visitors can find hundreds of uniquely designed lantern displays along the stream. Each lantern, illuminating softly amidst the autumn night, tells a special story that touches your heart. You can even buy your own lantern and make a wish with your loved one.

How to get there: The easiest way to reach Cheonggye Plaza is by the subway. The closest stations is the Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. From Exit 5 of the station, you can walk for less than 3 minutes to find the plaza.

 

Have you got any tips for Seoul’s romantics locations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

For extra travel inspiration, visit Klook for more things to do in Seoul and other romantic destinations.