For many decades, Seoul has been considered a success story, a massive metropolis with a generous sprinkling of culture and sharply suited business folks. But, many don’t know that the legacy of this town dates back 2000 years! 

Seoul, with its exciting blend of the modern and the ancient, is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Many travel sites in 2022 included Seoul as one of the top picks for vacationers. 

But why do people want to travel to Seoul? The global popularity of K-Pop and K-dramas has undoubtedly altered perceptions of South Korea. In 2021 alone, there were a staggering 7.8 billion tweets about K-Pop on Twitter, showcasing its immense popularity. Even those who aren't fans of K-Pop couldn't have missed the buzz surrounding this cultural phenomenon. 

These cultural exports from South Korea have become immensely popular all over the world, inspiring the term "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu" to describe the phenomenon. Seoul has experienced a surge in tourism, particularly from those influenced by the Korean wave. The widespread appeal of Korean performing arts has lent the country ‘soft power’ – a chance for world domination through creative expression.

Along with Korean pop culture and artistic outputs like music and soap operas, Korean cuisine has gone global. Everybody wants to experience authentic Korean food and snacks like Bibimbap, Kimchi, Ramyeon, and Korean fried chicken. With more than 120,000+ restaurants available in this cosmopolitan city including 35 Michelin restaurants (2023 Michelin Guide), Seoul is the best place to taste the very best of South Korean cuisine.

And what better time to do that than spring?

The allure of Seoul only grows stronger as the springtime season draws near. While Japan is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms, the city of Seoul is home to a bounty of yellow forsythias, red, white, and purple azaleas, pink cherry blossoms, and white pear blossoms. These flowers are in full bloom and can be seen in public parks, mountains, and forest drives. 

"The chance for restaurants to exhibit their best dishes and improve the dining experience for their customers grows as springtime in Seoul blooms. Our partner restaurants in Seoul are well-positioned to capitalize on this exciting season and exceed diner expectations thanks to TableCheck's cutting-edge reservation system and guest experience platform," says Ken Yeo, Regional Sales Manager, Greater China and Korea.

With that, it's time for a springtime trip to Seoul! Here are some of the top sights and sites not to be missed, as well as some restaurants – and TableCheck clients – to try along the way.

1. Enjoy a day full of activities and exploration in Seoul’s large public parks

Several big public parks in Seoul serve as tranquil escapes from the city's hectic pace. Namsan Park is the biggest park in the city and is well-liked for its walking paths, the Seoul Tower, and sweeping vistas of the city. The longest trail of flowering Cherry trees can be found here and it is a sight to behold during spring. Just a few minutes from Namsan Park is a short drive away from  Grand Hyatt Seoul’s steakhouse which has been officially ranked in 74th place at the 2023 World 101 Best Steak Restaurant Awards. The award-winning restaurant must be experienced for its high-quality beef, fresh ingredients, and excellent service.

Another great park that is always buzzing with activity is Yeouido Hangang Park. The park hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival, Fireworks Festival, and weekend cultural events for picnickers.  The Conrad Seoul, located close to this park, is the perfect spot to indulge in the finest in contemporary cuisine. You can choose between a hearty Italian restaurant, grill dining with a view of the Han River, an international buffet, and a decadent dessert bar.,

The Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, also within walking distance from Yeoido Hangang Park, is running a “Spectrum Spring Promotion” to welcome guests with healthy Spring Greens along with their signature menu.

Other parks that visitors will appreciate include Naksan Park, Olympic Park, Seoul Forest, and Ttukeseom Hangang Park.

2. Spend an afternoon feeding birds in small parks

Every neighborhood in Seoul has access to natural space thanks to the proliferation of small parks throughout the city. Children particularly enjoy Yongsan Family Park, which has well-organized walking pathways and also allows them to feed the birds and wild pheasants that live within the park. Visitors also flock to Hanuel Park, which is perched atop a hill, and Tapgol Park, which is quaint and home to medieval relics.

3. Go hiking in Seoul

Hiking and trekking opportunities are abundant in Seoul. The Forsythia spring blooms give the Eungbongsan Mountain a lovely golden hue, while the Ingwangsam Mountain provides a breathtaking panorama of the mountains in all directions. When forsythia and pink azaleas are in bloom in April and May, Cheonggyesan Mountain becomes a site to behold and is perfect for a family outing. 

4. Watch the season’s blooms

Every spring, the city of Seoul is covered in blossoms of all different kinds, including irises, wildflowers, canola flowers, and the blooms of the Ipop tree. The Seoul Iris Garden, Banpo Seorae Island, Bukhansan National Park, and Rodeo Street in Songpa-gu are just a few of the locations that visitors can go to to take in the natural splendor that the city has to offer.

5. Go on a scenic drive

Inwangsan Road, with its Forsythia, azalea, and cherry blossom blooms, is the best route in Seoul for a scenic journey, though the city has many other options. Along the two-lane Walkerhill Road in Gwangjin-gu, a magnificent sight is created by the blooming royal cherry trees. Walkerhill is also home to the Walkerhill Hotel and Resort. The dining options at this hotel range from modern interpretations of Korean nobility cuisine, Korean beef barbecue, authentic Japanese, modern Italian cuisine, and freshly baked pizza to a social lounge where expert mixologists serve inventive cocktails. Guests can make sure to use TableCheck's amazing Table Management System (TMS) so they won't have to worry about waiting for a table at the restaurant after a long and scenic drive.

6. Take a trip down history at Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village

The Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul is a traditional Korean village that has been maintained for 600 years. Hundreds of hanok, or traditional Korean houses, dating back to the Joseon period can be found in the Village. Many of these hanoks are now in use as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants, or tea houses, giving tourists a taste of traditional Korean life and a chance to learn about the country's rich history.

7. Visit world-class museums showcasing Seoul's art, history, and culture

The National Museum of Korea and the Seoul Museum of Art are two popular tourist destinations in Seoul that most visitors make sure to visit. The National Museum of Korea is the top institution for showcasing Korean history and culture. The Seoul Museum of Art has a lot of great exhibits to see. Modern and contemporary art records are collected, archived, researched, and displayed as important artifacts.

8. Explore the stunning palaces of Seoul

For travelers interested in Korean Architecture, and history, Seoul boasts five magnificent palaces that are a must-see, namely Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace, the primary royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, has been a popular tourist site. Intricate balustrades, stunning sculptures, old bridges, and decorative roof tiles are just a few of the outstanding design features that can be found throughout the palace.

9. Enjoy a fun-filled day at Starfield COEX Mall

The popular cultural space with shopping, entertainment, an arcade, a library, and international cuisine make Starfield COEX Mall the perfect place for a visit with family and friends. It's located at the heart of the city, at Samseong-dong in the Gangnam district. This entertainment complex is home to both the Megabox cinema, COEX Aquarium, and the gorgeous Starfield Library as well as hundreds of shops and restaurants. After admiring the gorgeous cherry blossoms, consider making a stop here for a short break.

Just right across the Starfield COEX Mall is Park Hyatt Seoul which serves delectable modern Korean cuisine, international dishes, and drinks in its four restaurants, its flagship restaurant Cornerstore, Timber House, The Lounge, and Citrus Bar.

10. Stroll leisurely along the riverside

In Seoul, many places provide excellent views of the river. The Dongho Bridge walk is a unique experience as the bridge is illuminated at night, perfectly complementing the sparkling cityscape lights. Visitors can also consider visiting Jamsil railway bridge walk, Mangwon Hangang Park, Yanghwa Hangang River Park, and Banpo Hangang Park for a nice walk. The Cheonggyecheon stream in the heart of Seoul is another spectacular walkway that must not be missed. At night, the illuminated art and nature walkway feature a stunning light and water show.

The Four Seasons Hotel is located near Cheonggyecheon. At the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, guests can indulge in a range of culinary delights. From authentic Italian and Japanese fusion to international buffets and inventive cocktails, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Now that Spring has sprung in Seoul and tourist season has begun, TablecCheck can help restaurants manage their online reservations, optimize restaurant operations and automate their marketing campaigns through the TableCheck EDM feature. TableCheck is used by more than 8000+ hospitality operators around the world to offer their guests award-winning experiences.