Top 25+ Seoul photography spots: ultimate guide to South Korea’s capital

Discover the best Seoul photography spots in this complete guide, including the top 10 areas for street photography!

Seoul is the new Tokyo. After many years of Japan being the most popular tourist destination among the “rich” Asian countries, many people are starting to look at their northern neighbour. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Seoul has become a popular tourist destination in Asia. And photographers have started to discover Seoul, too. With its unique style, Seoul is a paradise for street photography, with a great mix of history and modern attractions. Korean culture is also at its peak, both in terms of gastronomy and arts, with K-pop as its leading cultural export.

In this guide, you will find out the best Seoul photography spots. However, Seoul is much more than specific photo spots. That’s why I have also listed my 10 favourite areas in the city to photograph and explore. Most of my favourite Seoul photos are not taken at a specific spot, but I stumbled upon them while walking around the city.

Are you planning a trip to Seoul? If you want to go beyond what’s written on the internet, schedule a 1-on-1 call with me using the link below. I’ll answer any questions you might have, and help you build your ideal Seoul photography trip!

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Seoul photography guide: FAQs

Seoul is a city full of life, and that’s where the best photography opportunities are. Before diving into the best Seoul photography spots and street photography areas, here are some FAQs I wish I’d known before visiting.

Is it legal to take photos in Seoul, South Korea?

This is a very important topic. South Korea is a tricky place to take photos. Technically, if you want to publish a photo where someone can be recognised, you need their consent, as privacy laws are very strict in South Korea. Thus, you can only (in theory) take photos for your own use, but if you want to publish them online, as I do here, you should either get the consent of the people in the photos or blur their faces before sharing online so they are not recognisable.

In reality, people are used to tourists and cameras, at least in Seoul. However, you can get some looks depending on the type of photography you are taking.

Seoul is the only place in the world where I have been screamed at for taking a photo. Ironically, it was a photo of an empty street. I did not have any problem when taking any of the photos included in this guide.

Nonetheless, there are a few ways to make sure that your South Korea photos are as legal as possible.

How can I take legal photos in Seoul, South Korea?

You should not be afraid of taking photos in Seoul (or in South Korea). However, you should be careful about how you publish your photos. While it’s true that there are many photos of Seoul where people’s faces are recognisable, I would advise against doing that.

To take legal photos in Seoul, South Korea, you must ensure that no people can be easily recognised (as the main element of the photo). If someone can be recognised, either get their consent (tricky and in many cases impossible because you can’t get to them) or just blur their faces before posting the photos online.

What are the best areas to stay for photography in Seoul, South Korea?

Seoul is a massive city. The answer to that question will depend on what type of photos you want to take. Moving around is easy; Seoul’s metro is efficient and fast, but it is still a big city, and it can take you around 1 hour to get to some spots. Thus, there are 3 areas I recommend:

• Between Myeong-dong and Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is a big area, but it’s well-connected. I liked the Jong-no 1-3 area, because of the good metro lines and the nice street photo areas nearby. Choose this if you want to visit some temples and do some touristy stuff.
• Hongdae. This will be cheaper, but also a bit more difficult to move to other locations. You’ll be in a prime street photo and party area, but a bit far from the main traditional places to visit (temples and markets)
• Gangnam. I would recommend this area if you are not visiting Seoul for the first time and you want to experience something different. It’s quite an expensive neighbourhood, and has a unique touch compared to Myeongdong and Hongdae.

How many days to photograph Seoul?

Most Seoul photography spots guides don’t cover these areas. However, photographing a city is a bit different from visiting a city. While many of the things to see are the same, the approach changes.

This Seoul photography spots guide also includes a list of areas for photography. If you like taking photos, you know that this can mean being up when others are not, taking breaks in the middle of the day, and shooting sunsets when others are having dinner.

That said, the answer to this question is “as many days as you can without compromising your trip”. You could spend 1 month in Seoul, and still miss some areas. It’s quite similar to Tokyo in this sense.

But what is the minimum amount of time needed to photograph Seoul? I would recommend at least 4 full days, and these will be packed. Remember that if you fly from Europe or America, you might experience jet lag, and you should also plan for that.

How safe is Seoul for photography?

Extremely safe. Seoul is very safe for photography, tourism, or any other regular activity. It’s true that, as a society, there are things that can be improved (as anywhere in the world). But chances are you will not struggle with such structural issues on a short visit.

However, if we define safety as not being mugged, robbed, or assaulted, your chances of that in Seoul are very low. I felt very safe taking photos in many areas, during the day and at night.

Best Seoul photography spots:

The Seoul photography spots in this guide are not listed in any specific order. I’ll mention which my favourite ones are, but unlike other types of photography guides, if I thought a place was not worth it or I did not like it, it will not be listed in this guide. If you want a soulless list, you can ask always ChatGPT. Let’s get started!

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Namdaemun Market

If you go through this guide, you’ll see I have a soft spot for markets. A few of them are listed as Seoul photography spots, and all of them are a must, in my opinion. The Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea, and there you can find almost anything that you can imagine.

You can find everything from fancy chopsticks to clothes, and of course, some food stalls with typical Korean food. It is extremely easy to get lost in this market, and this is what I would recommend you do. Walk around, get lost, explore some of the little alleys and observe the daily life. While there are tourists, it doesn’t feel super overrun (yet).

N Seoul Tower (Namsan viewpoint)

This spot was close to not making it into the Seoul photography spots guide. Mostly because this is not a single spot. You will see that I also mention Namsan in the best areas for photography in Seoul, later in this guide. Still, there is one specific spot I would like to mention, the Namsan Octagonal Pavilion Park Observatory.

From there, it is possible to take an amazing Seoul panorama photo. It’s not the full city, as this is something almost impossible, due to the size of Seoul, but it is a fantastic spot. Sunrise or sunset from there is also highly recommended.

Note that to get up there, you will need to either take the cable car (or bus) or walk all the way up to where the tower is. It’s also possible to climb to the top of the N-Seoul Tower, but it was quite overpriced, and the views from below are good enough.

Jungbu Dried Seafoods Market

It’s the third of the Seoul photography spots in this guide, and it’s another market. This is a very unique place, a dried seafood market. I visited it twice, once during the day, when it was full of life and people, and once at night, just when all the stalls were closing.

What I really liked from a photographer’s perspective is that there were many shops, and all of them seemed to sell the exact same dried fish. Moreover, the difference between day and night is amazing. I really enjoyed visiting it when everything was closing, as it was quieter and it was easier to take photos. It’s not a very popular tourist destination, but I highly recommend it.

Starfield Library

This is the definition of a prime Instagram spot. You will find it in almost any Seoul photography spots list or guide. This is the famous futuristic library in Seoul, with enormous bookshelves and hordes of people looking for the perfect Instagram shot.

This is what I used as my main photography element: the tourists (and locals) taking photos in the area. Instead of trying to make the place look empty, I included the people in almost every photo I took. However, despite being a crowded place, I think it is worth visiting.

Seoul Book Repository

Close to the Starfield Library, there is a less-visited and still interesting photography spot. The Seoul Book Repository is not a tourist attraction. It’s a building that most people will not even notice if they walk next to it. However, inside there is a nice photography spot: a tunnel made of books, with a mirror at the end, creating an infinity tunnel effect.

Unlike other spots in this list, there isn’t much creativity available in this spot. Maybe there are a couple of extra photos you can take, but even if you just go there for the main photo, it can be worth it.

Side note, make sure to look at some of the books there, as I found some in very unique languages!

Seoul Olympic Park

Seoul was the home of the 1988 Summer Olympics. The Olympic Park is the best place to learn about what the games meant for the city. For photography, Seoul Olympic Park is fantastic year-round. However, there’s something unique in the park during autumn.

The orange and red leaves, with the World Peace Gate, make for a fantastic photo spot. I will talk about the area in more detail below, but do not skip the Seoul Olympic Park. It’s the perfect place to diversify your Seoul photos, and add some nature and landscape shots to the many street and market photos you will take.

Hongdae street

Hongdae is one of the most vibrant areas of Seoul, especially at night. It’s an area with quite a young vibe, lots of bars, restaurants, neon lights; thus, it’s a perfect spot for street photography. In this section of the Seoul photography spots guide, I’ll focus only on the main street. See more about the full area below.

In Hongdae Street, the main photography elements are the people and the restaurants. It’s really common to see young artists playing on the street. In fact, many of the famous K-pop bands started playing in Hongdae Street! Visit the area after sunset, and you’ll be in the best place to take great street photos.

Myeongdong Cathedral

Although over half of the population of South Korea is non-religious, 31% of their inhabitants identify as Christian. This means there are many cathedrals and churches in the city. A special one when it comes to photography is the Myeongdong Cathedral.

What makes it unique is its location. Surrounded by skyscrapers that tower over it, the cathedral feels out of place, making for striking photos, highlighting this contrast between the cathedral and the rest of buildings.

Sungnyemun Gate

The contrast between old and new is one of the constants of many of the Seoul photography spots in this guide. Sungnyemun gate is another great example of this. This is a gate that was initially built in the 14th century, and after many reconstructions and changes, it has made it to the present day.

It is surrounded by modern buildings, traffic is almost everywhere, and my best tip to photograph it is to take some distance. If you frame it together with all the chaos that surrounds it, you can take a different photo of the gate.

Back in the days, I would have recommended isolating it from all the nearby buildings. However, I feel giving it context adds value to the photo. The whole area around Sungnyemun gate is very nice for photography, so do not skip it!

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

This is one of the most well-known Seoul photography spots, and a very popular one on Instagram. The DDP is a massive futuristic building, with multiple museums and exhibitions inside. However, the beauty (from a photography point of view) is the exterior.

I struggled to take great photos in the DDP. It’s one of these spots that is so unique and beautiful that it feels like any photo will work, and it doesn’t. Thus, I recommend spending some time there. Observe the people, the angles, the light sources. At night time it’s amazing, but I feel I should have spent more time there during the daytime.

Play with the different levels of the building, from the tallest points to the passages that connect it with the metro system. It’s common to see many people taking photos in this area, and it is 100% worth it.

Changgyeonggung Palace

Any Seoul photography spots guide must include the Changgyeonggung Palace. It’s not the most famous one in Seoul, but it’s a must in my opinion. The fact that it is not the most famous one means that it’s slightly less crowded than the Gyeongbokgung Palace, also included in this list.

In the Changgyeonggung, what really stood out to me was the whole area and the secondary palaces that are next to it. The next spot on this list is nearby and is another must-visit location for photography in Seoul.

Changdeokgung Secret Garden

The Secret Garden, located next to Changgyeonggung Palace but accessed with a separate ticket, is a fantastic spot for photography. Especially during autumn, there are many photo opportunities.

My favourite one (see the photo below) is the Anyeongji Pond, as it was the perfect place to capture the autumn tones together with some typical Korean temple structures.

If you are planning on visiting the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, give it enough time. It might seem that it takes a short time to visit it, but I ended up spending over 2-3 hours in the area, more than in any of the temples on this list.

Jongmyo

Opposite Changgyeonggung Palace and Changdeokgung Secret Garden, there’s the Jongmyo Shrine. It’s a bit less touristy than Changgyeonggung, and as in the case of Changdeokgung, it’s a great place to slowly discover and mix the natural elements with the temples.

Although I visited it during autumn, I think it’s worth photographing year-round. The photo opportunities are endless, and although you need to pay to access the grounds, the price is not that high, and you can get combined tickets for multiple temples, which makes it even more affordable. It’s closed on Tuesdays, so make sure to consider that in your travel plans.

EXTRA PHOTO SPOT: after visiting Jongmyo, check the Jongmyo Shrine Stone Wall Walkway (it appears like this on Google Maps). It’s a really calm street where I found some cool photo opportunities.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

This is THE Seoul photography spot, where many tourists and locals dress up in traditional clothes and spend hours taking photos. You must have seen this on Instagram or in other Seoul photography spots guides. It’s true that if you rent a traditional dress, you don’t have to pay, but the ticket itself is really cheap, so think twice before renting the robes.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must for photography. However, do not stop at the main building. The grounds of the palace hide many photography opportunities. As I mentioned in previous temples in this list, do not rush your visit. I initially thought it would take 1h to visit the Palace, and I ended up taking way more time. Partially because of the next spot on this list.

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion

This was a spot I had already identified before travelling to Seoul. This is a small pavilion at the centre of a pond. However, what I had seen online was that during autumn, it was possible to capture the pavilion and the colourful trees all in one photo. While this is true and the spot is beautiful, it’s not the best place for autumn photography in Seoul

If I had to recommend autumn photo spots in Seoul, I’d rather choose the Changdeokgung Secret Garden or even the Olympic Park. This is just one of the examples of all the photo opportunities you can find in the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds.

Gwangjang Market

If you like food, street photography, and you’re okay with being rejected a few times when taking photos, Gwangjang Market is your place. I loved taking photos there, but it’s not the easiest place to photograph. As I mentioned above, taking photos in Korea can be challenging, as people really care about their privacy.

To date, Seoul is the only place I’ve been screamed at when taking a photo of an empty public street. To be honest, though, I did not encounter many problems when taking photos there. However, I could feel that people were not used to being photographed.

Back to Gwangjang Market. This is a fantastic photo spot, and a place that appears in the Netflix show Street Food. Thus, it is really popular, with lots of tourists. However, it still has a distinct vibe, especially if you wander to lesser-visited areas of the market. Beyond the main food stalls, you can find really interesting scenes, and if you are patient enough, you will be able to take great photos.

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village/ Bukchon Hanok Village

Last but not least, the only Hanok Village I am including in this Seoul photography spots guide. I feel Hanok Villages are too popular, too touristy, and not authentic anymore. However, they are really photogenic. Full of traditional Korean houses, with a really nice vibe, and many times, in slightly inclined areas, which makes photography even easier.

If you visit one, though, be respectful. Most of the locals living there must be so annoyed by all the tourists who are visiting the area nonstop. I saw some people sitting on the fences of private houses, acting in ways that would be considered inappropriate elsewhere. Remember that people are living there, and that you’re just a visitor. Nonetheless, it’s a really nice place to visit and see a more traditional side of Seoul.

Seoul street photography areas:

Do you want to take the best possible Seoul photos? Skip all the Seoul photography spots above. They are nice, the photos are great, and they are easy to take. However, what made Seoul unique to me were the little alleys, unexpected photo opportunities and the contrast between day and night in the city. Here you can find some of the areas I enjoyed photographing the most during my stay in Seoul.

In some of them, there are unique photo spots listed above, but in many, what I thoroughly recommend is to grab your camera, walk slowly and get lost in the streets of Seoul. As with the Seoul photography spots above, the areas in this section of the guide are not listed in any specific order.

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Jong-Gag to Jongno 3-ga metro stations

This is the area I decided to stay in while I was in Seoul. It was very well connected, and it’s a fantastic neighbourhood for photography. To find it, search for the 2 metro stations, Jong-Gag and Jongno 3-ga. Stop at any of the two and go south. It’s impossible to miss, because in this area you can find a very lively nightlife. However, don’t visit it only after sunset.

During the day, the streets are silent, which does not mean empty. At night, the area transforms. People gather to eat, drink, and party. There are many neon lights, and people everywhere. If you manage to go there immediately after it rains, you will have the time of your life.

Moreover, just next to the party area, there is a small water channel, which can also be interesting for taking some photos. You might have seen it in other Seoul photography spots guides. It’s interesting, but there isn’t a single designated photo spot. The whole area and the people around it are what make it special.

Euljiro 4(sa)ga metro station to Gwangjang market

As you can see, the titles of the areas have to be pretty descriptive. In this Seoul photography spots guide, I have already mentioned the Gwangjang Market. It’s a great place to take nice photos, but the whole area from Euljiro 4(sa) ga metro until there is full of photo opportunities.

Like in the previous area, make sure to check the difference between day and night if you have the chance. During the day, it’s buzzing with activity. There are many workshops, stores, and markets (besides the Gwangjang). At night, the streets are empty, and the photo opportunities change. Getting lost in this area was one of my favourite things to do when I was in Seoul.

Myeongdong

This area has to make it in any Seoul photography spots guide. I already mentioned the Myeongdong Cathedral above, but there’s way more to photograph there. This area is well-known for its night market. However, it’s usually crowded, which can make it a bit difficult to photograph.

Yet, if you like people watching, this might be your spot. You will find a mix of tourists and locals (and some domestic tourists), which is great for photography.

Temples

You might think that after visiting one temple, they all look the same. I understand why someone would say that, but I don’t agree with it. Mostly because every temple I visited in Seoul felt different. The little details, decorations, and the complexity of the buildings makes them challenging for photography.

It’s easy to get the main panorama of a temple. However, if you want to get different photos, you’ll need to sweat a bit. This only makes it more interesting, in my opinion. Unlike in Japan, where small shrines can be found everywhere, in Seoul, I found temples to be more scattered but bigger.

When it comes to photography, remember that temples are sacred places where some people go to pay their respects. In 99% of the places, you will be allowed to take photos, but be respectful to those who are there to pray or pay their respects, not just to take photos.

When visiting temples in Seoul for photography, do not miss the gardens. They are not as well-kept as the Japanese ones, but they match very well with the temples. Adding some natural elements to your photos might be a good idea, especially if you manage to visit Seoul during spring or autumn.

Temples and their gardens make for some of the best Seoul photography spots. They are full of tradition, history and photo opportunities.

Tongin-dong

I wasn’t planning on visiting Tongin-dong. Although there isn’t a specific photo spot there, the whole area deserves to be mentioned in this Seoul photography spots guide. This area is west of the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds, and is mostly residential. There’s a small market, nice alleys and a calmer vibe than other areas of Seoul.

I really liked that the whole area is slightly hilly, and it helps when it comes to photography and adding some perspective to your photos. If you are looking to capture a different look and feel of Seoul, this is your spot. There were no tourists around, as the only “slightly” famous photography spot is a bookstore (Dae-o Bookstore), and from what I saw, it’s way more popular among Korean tourists than international ones.

Cheong-Gu (DDP area street)

The DDP is listed as one of the Seoul photography spots. However, the DDP is just the tip of the iceberg. While I was waiting for the sun to set and photograph DDP, I explored the Cheong-Gu area. As you can see in the photos below, I spent way more time in the area.

Similar to the photography area above, Cheong-Gu is not touristy. Thus, it makes it even more interesting from a photography point of view. Although it doesn’t look like the wealthiest neighbourhood of Seoul, it was perfect for street photography. Empty alleys, busy restaurants, and more activity than I was expecting.

If you are in the DDP area, another cool place to explore is west of the DDP. It’s not as residential as Cheong-Gu, but it’s still a great photography area in Seoul.

Seoul station

Train stations are usually great photography spots, and Seoul’s is no exception. However, in this guide, I am not talking about the inside of the station, but the outside.

Outside the Seoul train station, there is Seoullo 7017, an elevated garden from where it’s possible to take great photos. When I was there, it was still under construction. Some parts were open to the public, while others were newly built and unfinished or still closed. However, you could feel that this area had great potential when it came to photography.

The aerial view of the station, boulevards, streets… makes it a perfect area for photography in Seoul. Beyond Seoullo 7017, this area has a more urban and car-oriented vibe, which can also be interesting if that’s what you are looking for. It is in this area where you can find the Namdaemun Market, probably my favourite market for photography, and one that is listed above in the Seoul photography spots section.

Hongdae area

One of the Seoul photography spots listed is the main Hongdae street. However, the whole area is photography-worthy. I especially recommend it at night, when all bars, restaurants, and clubs are open, and lots of students and locals go out.

One great way to explore the area is to avoid the main street and venture into the back streets. One of the things that you will see in Seoul is the photo booths. Especially in Hongdae, it’s full of mini shops where couples or groups of friends take photos. In fact, many leave copies on the walls of the stores, something I had never seen in any other country.

Hongdae is a great photography area, but it can be a bit difficult if you are not used to night street photography. Still, give it a shot, and if you don’t feel inspired, go grab some drinks or food in the area.

Olympic Park (as an area) & Lotte Tower

Lotte is one of the big brand names you will hear in Seoul. While visiting the Olympic Park, you can also see the historical Summer Olympic buildings and get a great view of the tower, especially during the autumn months.

Moreover, the Olympic Park felt like an oasis in the middle of the city. While temples felt calm, the Olympic Park felt comfortable. People go there for a run, a bike ride or just a walk. You can find many people chilling on the benches, near the small river and pond.

The Olympic Park is way more than just a single photo spot. I enjoyed it a lot because I visited it during autumn. However, I see it as an amazing area for photography in Seoul, regardless of the season.

Gangnam

This area is about luxury. You will feel that the buildings are newer, the people dress (even) better, and the streets are (if possible) cleaner. In this area, there are a few Seoul photography spots that I listed above, such as the Starfield library.

To be honest, there’s nothing unique about Gangnam. Yet, it felt like a cool place for photography in Seoul. It’s quite far away from the “centre” (Myeong-dong, Namsam, Euljiro), so there are almost no foreign tourists after certain hours, or if you walk away from the Starfield Library and COEX Mall. Oh, and there’s another interesting photography spot, the Gangnam Style sculpture. Remember that song? Yes, it’s that Gangnam.

Namsam

The Namsam Tower is a great Seoul photography spot, perfect for getting a 360 view over the city. The paths leading up and down the tower offer even more photographic opportunities. You can see the whole city appear under your feet after a few stairs, and the more you climb, the better it gets.

This area covers from Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market to the top of Namsam Tower. The streets become steep, with interesting street art along the way, leading all the way up to Namsan.

Most tourists choose the cable car (which is great), but if you want to be able to stop wherever you want and take as many photos as you feel like, walk. It’s cheaper, you’ll do some exercise, and you’ll be able to take different photos.

This is the end of my Seoul photography guide, covering the best Seoul photography spots, areas, and photo opportunities. Are you planning a trip to Seoul? Do you have any questions or doubts? Schedule a call with me using the link below, and build your trip with first-hand knowledge! Like ChatGPT, but human 😉

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