N Seoul Tower

Perched on top of Namsan in the middle of the city, N Seoul Tower is the easiest way to see Seoul laid out in every direction, from the old palaces to the Han River and the mountains beyond. Private cars and taxis cannot drive up, so most people ride the Namsan Cable Car from near Myeongdong, take the 01A or 01B shuttle bus, or walk the trails through Namsan Park. The plaza at the base is free: this is where you will find the fences and railings covered in padlocks left by couples, the terraces with city views and a few cafes and snack counters. The indoor observatory needs a same-day ticket and gives a 360-degree view over the city from two levels near the top of the tower. Visibility makes or breaks the visit, so check the air quality before you go. Sunset into early evening is the classic time, when the tower lights come on and the city grid starts to glow, and the easy walk down the steps to the lower cable car station takes about 15 minutes.