If you want to see autumn leaves in Seoul but only have a few hours, head to Namsan Mountain (남산). It rises right behind Myeongdong, so you can be under red and yellow trees within about 20 minutes of leaving your hotel. By day you look out over the whole city, and after dark Seoul lights up beneath you.
We went on an autumn weekend with our 33-month-old. We took the bus instead of driving, and it turned out to be the easiest part of the day. Here's what to expect, and why you don't need to pay for the tower to get the view.
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| N Seoul Tower through the autumn leaves (mid-October) |
Quick facts
- Where: Namsan Mountain, central Seoul (next to Myeongdong)
- Best time for autumn leaves: late October to early November
- Getting there: Namsan Circular Bus 01A or 01B, about 10 minutes from Chungmuro Station (T-money only, no cash)
- Cost of the view: free from the summit plaza (the tower observatory is extra)
- Good with kids? Yes. A short, gentle walk from the bus stop to the top.
- Driving? Not recommended (see below)
Why Namsan is the easiest autumn foliage spot in Seoul
- It's right in the city. No day trip, no early train. Most visitors staying in Myeongdong, Jung-gu or around City Hall are already at the foot of the mountain.
- Two views in one place. In the daytime you see the city stretched out between the mountains. At night the whole of Seoul turns into a sea of lights.
- It works in every season. Cherry blossoms in spring, green trees in summer, colorful leaves in autumn and snow in winter. If you want one spot that sums up Seoul, this is it.
- You don't have to go up the tower. More on that below.
We noticed lots of international visitors on our trip, so you won't feel out of place. Signs at the bus stops and around the summit include English.
How to get there: take the bus
Skip the car, even if you have a rental. Regular cars can't drive to the summit, and parking around Namsan fills up fast on autumn weekends.
The easiest way up is the Namsan Circular Bus 01A or 01B from Chungmuro Station, Exit 2. It takes about 10 minutes to the Namsan Seoul Tower stop. The buses are cash-free, so load your T-money card first. For all the details, including the cable car and walking routes, see our guide on how to get to N Seoul Tower.
Our son loved the bus ride. Watching the autumn trees go by out the window was half the fun for him.
The short walk to the top
From the Namsan Seoul Tower bus stop, walk straight up the road. There's a restroom along the way, which is handy with little ones. The summit area is about 300 meters (7 minutes) from the stop. The path is uphill but gentle. Our 33-month-old held our hands and walked the whole way.
If your child walks well, you can skip the stroller. If you bring one, the paved road is manageable.
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| A snack break on the way up. Little legs managed the whole walk |
Skip the tower ticket: the free view from Palgakjeong
Here's a tip many first-time visitors miss. You don't need to buy a ticket for the N Seoul Tower observatory to see Seoul from above. Right at the summit plaza there's a traditional octagonal pavilion called Palgakjeong (팔각정). The terrace in front of it gives you a wide, open view over the city for free.
From here you can see the river side of the city, the high-rises downtown and the mountains ringing Seoul. With autumn trees all around the plaza, it's one of the best photo spots on the mountain.
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| Palgakjeong pavilion and the summit plaza in autumn |
We did go up the tower as well, and it was worth it with our son. I'll cover the observatory, tickets and what it's like with a toddler in a separate post.
Day or night? Go late afternoon and get both
Namsan looks completely different by day and by night. In the daytime, the autumn colors and the city view are at their best. After sunset, the tower lights up and Seoul glitters below.
The buses run until about 11:00 pm, so a good plan is to come up in the late afternoon, enjoy the leaves in daylight, stay for sunset and catch the night view before heading down.
Tips for visiting Namsan in autumn
- Go early on weekends. We arrived just after 9 am and it was already busy with runners and cyclists. Autumn weekends get crowded fast.
- Load your T-money card first. The circular buses are cash-free.
- Bring a light jacket. It's breezier and cooler at the top than in the city, especially in the evening.
- Use the restroom on the way up. There's one between the bus stop and the summit.
- Check the foliage forecast. Colors usually peak in Seoul from late October to early November, but it shifts a little every year.
Is Namsan worth it for autumn leaves?
Yes, especially if your time in Seoul is short or you're traveling with kids. You get autumn colors, a sweeping view of the city and a night view, all in central Seoul, all by bus, and the view from Palgakjeong is free. If you only do one autumn outing in Seoul, make it this one.
Looking for more ideas? See our list of easy day trips from Seoul with a toddler, or read our practical guide to Seoul with a toddler.
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