5 Great Activities in Seoul with Family – Unforgettable Experiences for the Whole Family

Seoul is one of the most modern cities in the world. It's perfect for traveling to Seoul with family and discovering this exciting metropolis. We had an unforgettable time here, surrounded by South Korean traditions and the modernity of the Lotte empire. Two of the biggest technology corporations, Samsung and LG, are based here in Seoul. Sometimes it seems like South Koreans have wrapped entire buildings in screens. A legendary sight.

With around 10 million inhabitants, Seoul initially feels like a charming little city to catch our breath. We are traveling from Chongqing, one of the megacities in China. And although China has significantly more space and the city is much greener, the thought of a smaller city is initially comforting. And finally, after almost a week with little to no internet, the world is back online here. Everything works lightning fast, just as we are used to from Switzerland and Malta. Perfect!

In my travelogue South Korea, I want to introduce you to a trip to Seoul with family. What can you experience here and how do you easily keep the kids happy? Let's go…

Getting from Chongqing to Seoul

We are traveling from China to South Korea. Everything is going smoothly, and we are happy when we arrive at Incheon Airport in Seoul and realize that people here can speak English again. But unfortunately, that didn't last long. In reality, you won't get far in Seoul with English either. Since we generally only take taxis, we can simply enter our destinations in Uber and are taken there without having to explain where we want to go with hand gestures. That works wonderfully.

The Top 3 Best Shopping Malls in Seoul

Keep in mind that we are in Seoul in August. So it's a pleasant 35 degrees Celsius here. Even though we like these temperatures, we tend to look for shady spots to linger. Since we also enjoy shopping, shopping malls are always high on our to-do list. When we are traveling in countries that are rather exotic from a European perspective, shopping malls always offer a good insight into local life. The food court usually offers local food, and every now and then American fast food chains can be found mixed in.

For us, there were three beautiful shopping malls in Seoul that I'd like to mention here in my travelogue about South Korea.

A small tip on the side: Always take your passport with you, as you can then shop duty-free in South Korea. It's worth it!

Times Square Seoul

The Times Square in Seoul is the city's largest shopping mall, or rather one of the largest in South Korea. In addition to Asian stores, you'll find all Western brands here. We spent an afternoon here because Times Square has a cool indoor playground for children. Champion The Black Belt, which is supervised.

The kids had a really good time there and we should be there a few more times in the coming days. Times Square Mall is also easily accessible by metro. Nevertheless, we took an Uber, as we can still see a little more of the city by taxi.

Starfield Coex Mall Seoul

My personal favorite mall in Seoul. The Starfield Coex Mall. In the middle of the mall is the Starfield Library, a huge library with cafes all around it. Most of the books there are in Korean, but there are also a few English editions. The library is a great place to take a short break and unwind. There are many people here, but it's a rather quiet place. We enjoy it and recharge our batteries with a lot of peace and a delicious coffee.

There's also a Champion indoor playground in Coex Mall, which we visited two or three times. The kids even made friends there. That's great, and they always came back totally excited. If you're visiting Seoul with family and your kids are around 12 years old, then Champion The Black Belt is perfect for a short break for the kids, or a break for the parents while the kids are occupied. 😉

The Coex Mall is located in Gangnam, the neighborhood where we are staying in Seoul. We are totally happy with the decision to be in an apartment here. It's a bit outside the classic center with Insadong and Myeongdong. But Gangnam is super connected to everything, and it's not far from the malls.

Furthermore, thanks to Psy, Gangnam is certainly also the most famous district in Seoul worldwide. With hip cafes, cool and modern buildings, and numerous coworking spaces, Gangnam is ideal for us.

Lotte World Tower – Shopping Mall Gangnam

A beautiful shopping mall in the city's tallest building. In addition to countless shops, you'll also find an aquarium and a huge cinema here. Unfortunately, we couldn't watch a movie as we had already seen the only children's film in English, Despicable Me 4.

By the way, the Lotte World Tower has a cool observation deck on the 123rd floor. In 2024, it costs about 15 EUR per person. We're not going to miss out on that, because the view from up here is breathtaking. A few corridors and rooms with information about the construction and history of the Lotte World Tower eventually lead to the elevator, which takes you up to 485 m. In 2024, the Lotte World Tower is the sixth tallest building in the world.

We are enjoying the view with a delicious ice cream and exploring the city from above. We look down on a gigantic construction site. What looks like a small village from above are actually about 30 high-rise buildings, all being constructed in the same style. A crazy and breathtaking sight. We round off the event with a bag of „cotton candy“ from the shop in the mall and let this wonderful day in Seoul come to an end.

Ddong Café – The Poop Café in Seoul

The funniest and most unusual cafe I've ever visited by far is the Ddong Cafe in Seoul. A trip to Seoul with family won't be complete without going to this quirky cafe. The Ddong Cafe is located in the heart of Insadong and yes, the theme of this cafe is entirely centered around the „poop“ motif. 💩 🪠

Insadong is a popular quarter for art, culture, and traditional Korean experiences. The Poop Café is a fun break for the whole family after strolling through the narrow alleys and small shopping malls. Above all, there's the Ssamzigil Mall, an outdoor shopping mall, on top of which the Poop Café is perched, so to speak.

Everything in the cafe follows the poop theme. From the decoration to the cups and saucers. I'm drinking my cafe latte out of a culinarily appealing toilet 🚽. But it tastes exceptionally good. Not machine coffee, but really delicious. I still need to get used to the atmosphere a bit. The coffee costs 6000 Won, so about 4 Euros. That's still okay price-wise, considering the experience is included. At Sprüngli in Zurich, the same coffee costs 7.45 Euros, and it's not even served in a toilet. 😁

Our kids can't stop giggling and laughing. They find the location absolutely fun and exciting. The fatigue from the last few kilometers of shopping disappears in an instant. The Ddong Cafe in Insadong is ideal for families, as it's a place where children can laugh, parents can relax, and everyone can take home a memorable experience from Seoul together. Therefore, this spot should definitely be on your list when you visit Seoul with family.

The Ssamzigil Mall is also a real highlight for families, by the way, as the shops offer cute homemade items here. There are no big chains or stores here, and everything is designed for kids.

Visit a palace in Seoul

There are several large palaces in Seoul. Overall, we like the contrast between modern buildings and traditional palaces that are hundreds of years old. We had planned to only see the largest palace, which is conveniently located in the middle of the city. Since we got lost, we were even able to see a second palace, which is practically right next door. How convenient.

Our kids also had a lot of fun because they were amazed by the many people in traditional Korean costumes. Around the palaces, you can rent a traditional costume for a few won and walk around in a typically Korean way all day. We didn't do that and went to see the palaces dressed as tourists. In fact, we stood out less that way than a North German in Korean attire. But it still looked veeeeeery funny.

Unhyeongung Palace Seoul

The Unhyeongung Palace is not actually a true palace, but rather served primarily as a residence and private estate for the royal family's relatives. Therefore, you'll get a unique insight into the private lives of the Korean royal family and their retinue here. Unhyeongung has been beautifully preserved as a museum, showcasing the different houses, rooms, and traditions.

One of the highlights of Unhyeongung's history is the wedding of King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong, which took place in the palace. The atmosphere at Unhyeongung is more down-to-earth and intimate compared to the opulent government buildings, making the visit feel particularly authentic. Many of the original structures have been preserved or restored, including the regent's living quarters and the rooms where royal receptions were held.

This is especially recommended when visiting Seoul with family, as it offers a less formal, but equally fascinating glimpse into royal history.

Especially if you want to learn more about the Joseon Dynasty and the private lives of the royal family, Unhyeongung is a must-see on your list of Seoul attractions. We ended up here by chance, but in the end, we were glad we have such a poor sense of direction.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul

A highlight of my South Korea travelogue is Gyeongbokgung Palace, considered the cultural heart of Seoul. It's a symbol of Korea's rich history and also the largest palace in Seoul.

It was built in 1395, shortly after the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, and served as the main residence of the kings and the center of government. The name Gyeongbokgung means „Palace of Shining Happiness,“ which is also reflected in its magnificent architecture and expansive courtyards.

Although we missed the daily changing of the guard ceremony that takes place in front of Gwanghwamun Gate, rumors say it's a special highlight. 😉 It must be very colorful there and therefore ideal for families, as the guards perform in traditional costumes.

Inside the palace, there are various halls and pavilions to explore, including the majestic Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall where royal ceremonies took place. The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, perched on an artificial lake, also delights us and offers an impressive backdrop. It clearly shows the harmony between architecture and nature.

On the palace grounds, you will also find the National Folk Museum and the National Palace Museum. We walked through for just a few minutes. The history of the Joseon Dynasty and its era is covered there in great detail.

More palaces in Seoul

As mentioned above, there are numerous other palaces in Seoul. If you only have time for a single palace, be sure to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul. It's worth the visit, and since the palace is right in the city center, it's also very easy to get to. Especially for a family visit to Seoul, you shouldn't have too many things on your itinerary. Our kids had enough of culture and history after two palaces. We rewarded them with a delicious ice cream. 😀

Cheonggyecheon – A Bit of Nature in the Middle of the Big City

Cheonggyecheon is described as a man-made natural paradise. Indeed, this nearly 11 km long stream that flows through the middle of Seoul is impressive. It is a beautiful and peaceful place for families, a mixture of nature and city experience, so to speak.

Here, the city has transformed an originally dirty stream into a clean recreational space as part of an urban renewal project. Perfect for relaxing after a day of work or shopping.

We're also treating ourselves to a few pleasant hours here, including dangling our feet in the river. That was great and provided a wonderful cooling off in 38-degree heat. Speaking of sun and heat. The Cheonggyecheon also scores points here because it offers pleasant shady spots created by trees along the river and some bridges. At one of the hot spots under a larger bridge, there's even a „lifeguard.“.

Furthermore, you have great child-friendly walking paths here, which even stroller-friendly are. We don't need that anymore, but I can confirm from my own experience that the paths here are also suitable for carrying children are.

Our kids discover some animals in the river, like fish big and small, cranes, and even a duck. The crane, however, just snatched one of the smaller fish and is hastily flying away. That's just how nature is. Our little one looked quite bewildered because she actually liked the fish.

Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain

The Banpo Bridge in Seoul is surely a highlight for many tourists. When I was looking for excursions in Seoul with family, the Banpo Bridge with its rainbow fountain show (달빛무지개 분수 in Korean, by the way) appeared on every list – and rightly so. It stretches across the Han River and connects the districts of Seocho and Yongsan.

But the really exciting part happens when it gets dark. Because then the bridge transforms into a colorful show stage. The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain showcases the bridge with water fountains and colorful lights, and it looks absolutely amazing, especially when you're standing directly on the bridge.

We were all absolutely thrilled with the water show. The fountains spray in time with the music, and the colors change constantly.

If you're traveling to Seoul with your family, you absolutely shouldn't miss Banpo Bridge. The combination of modern technology, a relaxed atmosphere, and a fascinating light show ensures that it's not just the children who will be amazed. For us, it was an experience we won't forget anytime soon. Very similar to the Fountain Show in Dubai, but a notch bigger again.

Here are a few more facts about the rainbow water feature, thanks Wiki.

Total length: 1140 meters. This makes it the longest bridge water feature in the world, with a total of 38 water pumps and 380 jets, water cascades from the bridge from a height of 20 meters into the river. In the dark, 200 lights create a rainbow spectacle. The bridge fountain has been in place since December 2008. Guinness Book of World Records.

Conclusion Travel Report South Korea – Seoul with Family

Seoul is a beautiful city where we spent wonderful days as a family. There was something for everyone to discover here. In addition to great indoor playgrounds and malls where we could escape the heat, Seoul also has a lot of beautiful nature to offer. I also took a trip to the border with North Korea, which I will write about in a separate post. This point is not well-suited for families, so it is missing from this South Korea travel report.

Overall, we had many wonderful impressions of this city. Since there are numerous parks and quiet zones like the Cheonggyecheon River, our trip was very pleasant and relaxing despite the 10 million inhabitants and additional tourists.

Here are some more impressions from Seoul. I hope I can inspire you to visit Seoul with your family or at least give you some great ideas for excursions. Let me know in the comments if you have already taken any of the trips..

Photo Gallery: Travelogue South Korea – Seoul with Family