What Makes Seoul, South Korea a Must-Visit City in 2025

What Makes Seoul, South Korea So Exciting to Visit in 2025

Revamped hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and immersive cultural experiences make Seoul one of Asia’s must-visit destinations this year.

With its dynamic blend of tradition and trendsetting modernity, Seoul continues to rise as a global cultural capital in 2025. Fueled by the global K-wave—known as Hallyu—the city has become a magnet for travelers drawn to K-pop, K-dramas, contemporary cuisine, and innovative design. But what makes South Korea’s capital truly exciting now is how it seamlessly merges its centuries-old heritage with cutting-edge attractions and world-class hospitality.

In 2025, Seoul is seeing an influx of new museums, a refined culinary landscape (including its first three-Michelin-star restaurant), and beautifully designed hotels that offer everything from hanok-style retreats to skyline-view pools. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Seoulite, here’s what makes the city unmissable this year.

Hot Hotels Redefining Seoul’s Hospitality Scene

Nostalgia Hanok Hotel in Bukchon Hanok Village offers an elegant take on traditional Korean living. Made up of six restored hanoks—with a seventh opening in April 2025—the property blends serene courtyard gardens with minimalist interiors, antique artwork, and classic tiled rooftops. Some rooms even come with hot tubs or foot baths for an extra layer of indulgence.

For K-pop fans, The Link Seoul—a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel—opened in late 2024 near the Gocheok Sky Dome, one of Seoul’s top concert venues. The hotel’s bold interiors fuse Scandinavian and Korean design, and its social lounge spaces and rooftop pool are perfect for pre-show mingling.

Another major comeback: the Grand Mercure Imperial Palace Seoul Gangnam, which reopened in December 2024 after an extensive renovation. With its Club Imperial Lounge modeled after a hanok and a Grecian-style outdoor pool, this hotel combines classic grandeur with local culture.

Michelin Moments: Seoul’s Elevated Dining Scene

Seoul’s food culture has long been one of its strongest draws—and in 2025, it’s breaking new ground.

Mingles, led by chef Kang Min-goo, has earned South Korea’s first-ever three-Michelin-star rating. Located in upscale Gangnam, the restaurant offers experimental Korean fine dining with dishes like flounder topped with gochujang-marinated caviar and Hanwoo beef served with blood sausage and pear kimchi.

Another standout is Légume, a plant-based pioneer in Seoul’s growing vegan movement. Chef Sung Si-woo's menu highlights hyper-seasonal Korean ingredients, like aralia shoots and Korean onion stalks, all elevated into Michelin-star-worthy art. It’s a must-visit for both vegans and curious food lovers alike.

Must-Visit Museums and Market Experiences

This year, Seoul Museum of Art expands its footprint with two new branches: the Photography Seoul Museum of Art, opening in May in Dobong, and the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art in Geumcheon, coming later in 2025. The former will house over 20,000 works devoted to Korea’s photographic heritage, while the latter focuses on immersive media art installations.

For hands-on food lovers, Gwangjang Market remains the epicenter of street food culture. A new tour from 8 Birds Tours and Events offers guided tastings paired with traditional Korean alcohol—a flavorful dive into culinary heritage. For plant-based travelers, chef Yie Yori’s Korean Vegan Market Tour introduces a sustainable twist on classic favorites like tteokbokki and kimbap.

Outdoor Adventures for the Active Traveler

Seoul’s Bukhansan National Park is a natural playground with scenic trails, dramatic granite peaks, and city views—all accessible via metro. Thanks to the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center, visitors can rent gear, join guided treks, or participate in the 2025 Global Hiking Mate program, which pairs foreign tourists with Korean hikers for community-based excursions.

A third center location opens in April 2025, making it even easier for travelers to explore Seoul’s lush mountain backdrop without the hassle of packing extra equipment.

Fly In With Ease

Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) ranks #3 on Skytrax’s 2024 Top 100 Airports list—an accolade well-deserved after a $3.5 billion expansion. Terminal 2 now features two outdoor gardens, kinetic art, and robot concierges that can carry your luggage or bring snacks to your gate. A fourth runway ensures even smoother arrivals and departures.

From ancient palaces and traditional hanoks to Michelin stars and media-art museums, Seoul is offering travelers more reasons than ever to fall in love with the city. Whether you're following the latest K-pop trends, sampling plant-based Korean cuisine, or hiking its serene peaks, South Korea’s capital delivers one unforgettable moment after another.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for more insider guides on Asia’s hottest destinations in 2025.