Seoul Plaza is an oval public space located in front of City Hall in the heart of the city. Once a traffic circle, it is now used for events and festivals. Originally, a large water fountain could be found in the center of the traffic circle, but it has since been removed.
Prior to 2004, the plaza, congested with traffic, was known as City Hall Plaza. In 2004, the area was renovated and became vehicle free. On May 1, 2004, the new plaza, renamed Seoul Plaza, was opened.
During the renovation, the fountain at the center of the plaza was removed and the oval area surrounding it was replaced with grass. The fountain was replaced with a sidewalk fountain that spurts water high up in the air through a number of holes in the ground.
Many protests have occurred at this location over the years including the Independence Movement in 1919, pro democracy movement in 1987, and the candlelight protest of United States beef imports in 2008.
In 2002, thousands of fans packed the plaza to cheer on South Korea in the World Cup. The South Korean team finished in fourth place out of 32 teams that competed.
Today, the plaza used to hold events such as the Hi! Seoul Festival and is enjoyed by tourists and locals as a place to relax and take a break from the fast paced city life.
At all hours of the day, especially on warm summer days, visitors to the plaza will find office workers relaxing with a cup of coffee during work breaks, tourist and locals with cameras around their necks snapping photographs, mothers with their children, and young couples on romantic dates.
In the winter, an ice skating rink can be found in the plaza. In the summer, the rink is replaced with grass full of people running around with their shoes off.
Table of Contents
Seoul Plaza Hours
24 hoursAdmission
FreeHow to get to Seoul Plaza
Take Subway Line 1 or Line 2 to City Hall Station (Exit 5).Map
Additional Resources
Viator
Viator is a popular online platform that helps travelers book tours, activities, and unique experiences worldwide, including in Seoul. It connects users with a wide selection of options, such as sightseeing tours, cultural events, outdoor adventures, and more, all offered by local providers. Travel easily, with free cancellation and flexible payment options, making Viator an excellent choice for stress-free tour booking.
Book Recommendations
While The Seoul Guide provides plenty of information about traveling to Seoul, sometimes it helps to bring a book with you on your journey. Want to visit Gwangjang Market, hike Bukhansan National Park, visit an ancient palace, or sing karaoke all night long? The book I always recommend is Fodor's Seoul, which provides expert recommendations including sights to see, restaurant reviews, maps, and essential trip-planning information for everything related to Seoul.
Learn more about book recommendations
Rakuten
Save money while exploring Seoul with Rakuten cashback program. By booking hotels through Rakuten, visitors can earn cashback rewards and enjoy significant savings. Exclusive partnerships and deals make stays in Seoul more affordable, freeing up funds for attractions, dining, and other experiences. I use Rakuten for cashback on all of my hotel stays in Seoul.
If you sign up using the link below, you will get $30 cashback after your first purchase over $30.
Klook
Klook is a reliable online platform offering discounted tickets and reservations for attractions and services in Seoul. It covers theme parks, museums, transportation, WiFi, tours, and more. Travelers can save time and money by booking through Klook's user-friendly interface, with secure transactions and helpful customer support.
If you sign up using the link below, you will get $5 off your first order.
Learn more about KlookLast Updated on Dec 23, 2021