N Seoul Tower N서울타워

Standing on the summit of Namsan, the forested hill in the middle of the city, N Seoul Tower is the most recognisable landmark on the Seoul skyline. Its observatory gives a 360-degree view across the whole basin, from the palaces and Bukhansan in the north to the Han River and the high-rises of Gangnam in the south. Even without going up the tower, the hilltop plaza is one of the best free viewpoints in Seoul, and the surrounding park makes the trip worthwhile in its own right.

Highlights

• The observatory – a glassed-in viewing deck near the top of the tower, best at sunset when you can watch the city lights come on.
• The summit plaza and terraces – open-air viewpoints at the foot of the tower, free to visit, with railings covered in padlocks left by couples.
• Namsan Park trails – wooded paths and stretches of the old Seoul city wall that wind up the hill from several directions.
• Restaurants and cafés – dining options in the tower, including a restaurant with city views, plus snack stands on the plaza.
• The tower lighting – the tower is lit at night with LED lighting whose colours change; since 2011 the colour has also been used to show the level of fine dust in the air.

Tips for visiting

• Go up about an hour before sunset to see the view in daylight, at dusk and after dark in one visit. Weekday evenings are calmer than weekends.
• Check the air quality forecast before buying a ticket: on hazy days the view toward the edges of the city can be poor.
• The Namsan circular buses (01A and 01B) are the simplest way up and stop beside the tower. They do not accept cash, so carry a T-money or other transit card; see our transportation guide for details.
• Walking up through Namsan Park is a popular alternative; the paths are paved but include long flights of steps, so allow plenty of time.
• A visit combines naturally with shopping and street food in Myeongdong at the foot of the hill.

History in brief

The tower was built as Korea’s first integrated broadcasting tower and has transmitted TV and radio signals for the capital region since 1969. The observatory was completed in 1975, and the tower opened to the public in October 1980 as Seoul Tower. After a major renovation it was renamed N Seoul Tower in 2005, and the observation floors reopened after a further renewal in 2011. Antennas for the major Korean broadcasters are still mounted on its mast. More ideas for the area are on our Seoul city page.