Open Travel Guide
History of Seoul

Seoul History & Heritage Guide 2026

Seoul's past, on the ground: the sites, museums, and eras that explain what you're seeing.

Seoul is South Korea's dynamic capital city, a megacity where ancient palaces and traditional markets coexist alongside gleaming skyscrapers and state-of-the-art technology. With a rich cultural heritage spanning over 600 years as the Joseon Dynasty capital, Seoul offers world-class cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and extraordinary shopping.