Namsan Seoul Tower Pilgrimage Guide | 3 Key Points to Know Before Visiting
🎬 3 Things to Know Before Your Visit
✍️ Written by: YEPPURIKO Editorial Team
This guide was created based on information gathered firsthand by members who have traveled to Korea more than 50 times in total.
🎯 Why Namsan Seoul Tower Is Now a Hotspot for Pilgrimage Visits
Namsan Seoul Tower has seen an increase in fans visiting as a pilgrimage site because it was the filming location for the scene in the drama K-Pop Demon Hunters (케이팝데몬헌터스) where the group “Saja Boys” performed the song “Your Idol.”
This article summarizes the visiting guide, recommended seasons, and ways to avoid crowds that you should know before traveling to Korea.
Namsan Tower is one of the few places where you can experience both at the same time.
Since its opening in 1975, it has also remained a symbol of Seoul throughout the years.
The tower is 236 meters tall. Combined with Namsan’s elevation of 243 meters above sea level, it offers a 360-degree panorama of Seoul from the top.
From a single location, you can see the city’s skyscrapers, royal palaces, hanok houses, the Han River, and even the mountains in the distance.
🗺️ Where to Go Around the Tower to Complete Your Pilgrimage Visit
![A Seoul attraction making headlines thanks to 'K-Demon Hunters'… The place where Lumi and Jinu went on a date [Walking Around Korea]](https://img.seoul.co.kr//img/upload/2025/08/04/SSC_20250804153332_N1.png.webp)
Namsan Seoul Tower is not “just the tower.”
The observatory at the summit, the surrounding plazas, the love-lock fence, and the walking trails leading toward Palgakjeong Pavilion create a fulfilling route even for a short visit.
✅ Pilgrimage Route Highlights
A convenient order is observatory (summit) → viewpoints in the plaza around the tower → love-lock fence → walking trail toward Palgakjeong Pavilion. Cafés and restaurants are concentrated below the tower, so that is a good place to take a break.
The scenery looks different depending on where you stand in the plaza around the tower.
Stand on the north side for views of the skyscrapers and royal palaces, or head south to see the Han River. Simply walking all the way around lets you enjoy Seoul’s many different faces at once.
The “love-lock fence” is where couples from around the world have attached padlocks.
People of different nationalities and languages have left locks on the same fence. It is a must-see spot both for photos and for experiencing the romantic atmosphere of a drama.
If you want to enjoy Seoul sightseeing more deeply, we also recommend exploring the surrounding areas along with Namsan Tower.
For related information, also check out the Seoul Recommended Café Guide and Korean Cosmetics Pilgrimage Guide.
🌸 Namsan Looks Completely Different Depending on the Season
Namsan is a mountain in the heart of the city with four distinct seasons.
Cherry blossoms in spring. A deep green forest in summer. Walkways covered in autumn foliage. Snowy scenery in winter.
Even if you walk the same route, it looks like a different place when the season changes.
Namsan’s circular walking trail is also popular with runners and hikers, offering moderate ups and downs and changing seasonal scenery.
The autumn foliage season in particular has an exceptional atmosphere, with the walking trails enveloped in red and yellow.
✅ Recommendations by Season
🌸 Spring (March–April): During cherry blossom season, early mornings tend to be less crowded.
🍃 Summer (June–August): The greenery is lush, and cool mornings are recommended.
🍁 Autumn (October–November): The peak foliage season is around early November.
❄️ Winter (December–February): The tower covered in snow creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Be sure to dress warmly.
🚌 What to Know About Transportation, Reservations, and Crowds
✅ Reservation and Transportation Tips
Observatory tickets can be purchased through the official website or on-site. Crowds are expected on weekends and holidays, so we recommend checking in advance. The Namsan circular bus is a convenient way to reach the tower. You can also take the cable car (ropeway), although waiting times may occur when it is crowded.
✅ Notes on Holiday Periods and Crowds
Korean holiday periods (Lunar New Year, Chuseok, Golden Week, etc.) also tend to bring crowds around the tower. If your planned visit falls during a holiday period, the time immediately after opening or later in the evening is often relatively quiet. Conditions vary, so please also check information locally.
✨ Summary | Things to Check Before Your Namsan Seoul Tower Pilgrimage Visit
🗼 Check observatory ticket availability in advance (purchase through the official website or on-site)
🚌 Research how to get there by Namsan circular bus or cable car
📸 Walk all the way around the plaza near the tower and take photos from multiple angles
🔒 If you plan to visit the love-lock fence, prepare a padlock in advance to be safe (on-site availability varies)
🍁 Since the scenery changes significantly depending on when you visit, plan your schedule with the season in mind
🎬 If you want to recreate a scene from K-Pop Demon Hunters, check in advance the spot where the Saja Boys stood
☕ You can take a break at the cafés and restaurants below the tower, so we recommend allowing plenty of time in your schedule.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to reserve tickets for the Namsan Seoul Tower observatory?
Both advance purchases through the official website and same-day purchases on-site are available. Crowds are expected on weekends and holidays, so it is reassuring to check the official website in advance.
Q. How can I get to the tower?
The Namsan circular bus is convenient. You can also take the cable car (ropeway), but there may be waiting times when it is crowded. We recommend choosing your transportation method according to the situation.
Q. When is the best time to visit Namsan Seoul Tower?
Each season has its own highlights. Spring cherry blossom season (March–April) and autumn foliage season (October–November) are particularly popular. To avoid crowds, weekday opening hours or later in the evening tend to be relatively quiet (conditions vary).
Q. Can I buy a padlock for the love-lock fence on-site?
On-site availability varies depending on the season. If you want to be sure to have one, it is best to prepare it in advance.
📲 For More Information About Traveling to Korea
On YEPPURIKO’s Instagram (@yeppuriko), we share the latest useful information for traveling to Korea, including Seoul sightseeing, Korean cosmetics, and drama filming locations. Please follow us and check it out.
Related Columns
- Seoul Botanic Park’s Aquatic Plant Exhibition—the free area is the right choice.
- Busan Pass: The Difference Between the 24-Hour and BIG3 Options
- 11 Hanok Cafés and a Half-Day Itinerary in Samcheong-dong and Bukchon
- In Mullae-dong, there are only two places you need to check out.
- The Perfect Myeongdong & Anguk Beauty 1-Day Course
- This view is free. Seoul City Hall 9th-floor observatory