On our way back home from Bangkok in early 2025, we had to do a layover in either Tokyo or Seoul. My mom, our friend Kayla, and I visited Tokyo last year and loved it, but we had never visited Seoul. So instead of just doing a short layover, we decided to spend four nights in Seoul and explore as much of the city as possible before going back to the U.S.
During our time in Seoul, we visited well-known sights like Myeongdong (basically the “Times Square” of Seoul), ate delicious Korean food, and we even did a day trip to the DMZ, which is the area between North Korea and South Korea. And our entire tour and all accessible transportation was arranged by the company Korea Wheelchair Tour. Paul, our guide from Korea Wheelchair Tour, was fantastic and really made our short time in the city as memorable as possible. I’d highly recommend using the company’s services if you’ll be in South Korea!
In this blog post, I’ll share some of the best wheelchair accessible Seoul attractions and things to do, information about our day trip to the DMZ, and at the end, I’ll let you know about the wonderful hotel we stayed at in Seoul. This was such a great trip and I’m excited to tell you all about it, so let’s get started!
Wheelchair Accessible Seoul Attractions & Things to Do
With over 12 million tourists visiting the city annually, Seoul is one of the world’s most popular destinations. Therefore, there are a plethora of wheelchair accessible Seoul attractions and things to do. I didn’t have enough time to do everything I would’ve liked to, but I did visit some fantastic attractions. Here are some of my favorites:
See the city of Seoul from above
Soaring 123 stories high at Seoul Sky, located within the impressive Lotte World Tower, was an exhilarating experience. The high-speed “Sky Shuttle” elevator whisked us to the top in what felt like seconds. Once on the observation deck, there was plenty of room to maneuver and take in the sights as a wheelchair user.
A highlight of Seoul Sky was rolling out onto a glass-bottom floor, which gave me a sense of floating above the city. Even though it was a little cloudy during my visit, the panoramic views were still absolutely epic. The staff were very helpful, guiding me to accessible lines, and since the entrance of Seoul Sky is located within a large mall, there were many shops and restaurants to choose from afterwards.
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For another perspective of the city from above, we headed to N Seoul Tower. Perched on Namsan Mountain, this iconic landmark offered remarkable views of the city. Getting to the top was a breeze, as an elevator provided easy access.
The entirety of N Seoul Tower proved to be wonderfully wheelchair accessible, allowing me to move around freely. I could explore the observation decks and take in the sweeping vistas from every angle. The lower levels even had a small mall with shops and eateries, all easily accessible, making for an enjoyable visit.
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Watch the Changing of the Guards at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace was a true highlight of our Seoul trip. I was really looking forward to seeing the Changing of the Guards ceremony, which occurs a couple times per day. It was an incredibly unique and memorable experience to witness.
I found a good spot to watch from my wheelchair, and the vibrant traditional uniforms were captivating against the palace backdrop. The ceremony was a fascinating glimpse into Korea’s royal past during the Joseon Dynasty. The ceremony lasted approximately 20 minutes and then, we walked/rolled around the palace grounds for a while.
Navigating the palace grounds was mostly smooth. Many pathways were level and well-maintained, making it easy to roll around and enjoy the grand surroundings. I was pleased by how accessible much of the main areas felt and there were ramps available in different areas.
While some areas did have rougher cobblestone, I was able to avoid most of it, so it wasn’t a huge issue. The historical significance and beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace made it an entirely worthwhile visit.
Tour The Blue House to see where presidents lived
The Blue House is South Korea’s version of the “White House”, as it was the presidential residence from 1948-2022. The Blue House offered a fascinating look into South Korea’s modern history, and it was really cool to explore the significant landmark.
I found The Blue House to be surprisingly accommodating for a wheelchair user. The grounds were well-maintained, with smooth pathways, making it pleasant to roll around. There were no steps at the entrance.
An elevator was available inside The Blue House as well, so I could easily access both levels of the main building, ensuring I didn’t miss anything. Moving freely between floors enhanced my visit and I loved being able to see every room within the house.
Rolling through, I could almost imagine presidents at work, making momentous decisions. It was a privilege to explore a place where so much history was shaped, all without mobility barriers.
Roll through Bukchon Hanok Village
Exploring Bukchon Hanok Village was a charming experience during our time in Seoul. This beautiful area, with its traditional Korean houses, offered a wonderful glimpse into the city’s past. I really enjoyed just wandering around the picturesque streets and soaking in the atmosphere.
However, I quickly discovered that Bukchon Hanok Village lives up to its reputation for being quite hilly! My powered wheelchair handled the inclines pretty easily, which was a relief, but if you use a manual wheelchair, you will probably need some assistance.
Despite the challenging inclines, the beauty of the traditional architecture made it all worthwhile. I loved seeing the intricate details of the hanoks and imagining life in times gone by. The serene environment, tucked away from the modern hustle and bustle of Seoul, offered a lovely escape for a while.
After exploring the charming alleys, we found a nice spot to relax. We stopped for coffee at a local shop nearby called Hollow. It was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the ambiance of the neighborhood after rolling through the village.
Check out the Times Square of Seoul, Myeongdong
If you’re looking for a vibrant shopping and entertainment hub in wheelchair accessible Seoul, look no further than Myeongdong. It is basically the “Times Square” of Seoul and as a wheelchair user, I found navigating the area surprisingly easy. The sidewalks were well-maintained, and many streets were pedestrian-only, making it a joy to roll through the bustling crowds without worrying about vehicle traffic.
One of the things I loved most about Myeongdong was the number of street cart vendors. They were everywhere, selling a fantastic array of unique items, from trendy fashion accessories to quirky souvenirs. It was so much fun to browse the different stalls and soak in the lively atmosphere, with delicious aromas coming from the food carts.
Speaking of food, Myeongdong is a foodie paradise! While exploring, I made sure to indulge in some of the yummy street food. From savory skewers to sweet treats, there was always something new and exciting to try right at my fingertips.
Beyond the street food, I had a fantastic Korean BBQ experience at a restaurant located near Myeongdong. It was a great opportunity to savor authentic flavors in a lively setting. Finding accessible restaurants can sometimes be a challenge, so I was happy to enjoy such a delicious and comfortable meal there thanks to a suggestion from our guide with Korea Wheelchair Tour.
Learn more about Korea in museums
Exploring Seoul’s museums offered a deep dive into Korea’s fascinating history and culture. First, I visited the National Museum of Korea, and I was incredibly impressed by its commitment to accessibility. The museum featured wide, spacious halls, making it easy to navigate in my power wheelchair.
Elevators were readily available to all floors in the National Museum of Korea, which meant I could effortlessly explore every exhibit. They even had innovative “barrier-free smart galleries” with adjustable kiosks. These provided information in various formats, including sign language and audio descriptions, which was a fantastic feature.
Next, I visited the War Memorial of Korea. This museum, dedicated to the Korean War, was also very wheelchair accessible. Smooth pathways and elevators allowed me to move freely throughout the exhibits.
I found it easy to explore the powerful stories and artifacts on display. Both museums offered enriching experiences, allowing me to delve into Korea’s past and appreciate its resilience, all within an accommodating and accessible environment.
A Wheelchair Accessible DMZ Day Trip
During our trip in Seoul, we did a day trip to the DMZ. Korea Wheelchair Tour arranged this day trip and provided our accessible transportation. In case you’re wondering what the DMZ is, it is the demilitarized zone that separates North Korea and South Korea. It’s an incredibly unique area to visit and this day trip was the highlight of our entire trip, without a doubt.
Our journey in the DMZ began by boarding the Peace Gondola, which provided a smooth and comfortable crossing over the Imjin River. I was very happy to find that the gondola was easily accessible for my power wheelchair, making the start of our day completely stress-free.
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Once we reached the other side of the river, we were at Camp Greaves. It’s an abandoned military base that is now an art zone and museum. However, despite the accessibility of the gondola itself, I faced a slight hurdle here, as I wasn’t allowed to enter Camp Greaves in my wheelchair. The guards explained it was due to “security concerns.” While it was a bit disappointing to miss out on that specific part, I was still able to visit several other sights in this civilian-controlled area.
We saw the Peace Lighthouse, a symbolic beacon, and I was able to roll inside a beautiful gazebo, where the Presidents of North and South Korea met several years ago. Here, they agreed to keep the DMZ a peaceful area, so it was cool to be in the place of such a historical and important moment.
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A particularly moving spot was the Wish Ribbon Zone, where countless colorful ribbons fluttered in the breeze, each carrying heartfelt messages of peace and reunification for the two Koreas. The paths in this area were mostly paved, which was helpful for my wheelchair. While some sections presented steep inclines, my power wheelchair handled them fairly easily, and even where the paths weren’t paved, the ground was smooth enough for semi-comfortable rolling.
We also found a DMZ Gift Shop for souvenirs and the “Forbidden Place Cafe” nearby for a quick coffee or snack. After picking up some meaningful souvenirs, we got back on the Peace Gondola for our return journey across the river. From there, we transferred to our van and continued our exploration to another part of the DMZ.
For lunch, we enjoyed a Korean buffet in Paju with a wide array of traditional dishes, which was a welcome and tasty break. There were many items on the buffet that I had never tried before, and I wish I knew what they were called, but I honestly have no idea. It was a nice lunch buffet though and if you’d like to try a Korean buffet while in the DMZ, just let Paul from Korea Wheelchair Tour know and he can arrange it.
Our final destination in the DMZ was an observation point at a park, where the emotional weight of the DMZ truly sank in. From here, we could actually see North Korea in the distance. There was a striking view of a North Korean flag waving on one side and a South Korean flag on the other. Being approximately five kilometers from North Korea at this vantage point was a surreal and impactful moment, and it was a clear reminder of the enduring division of Korea.
Watch the short video below of my time in the DMZ!
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Where to Stay in Seoul, South Korea
For our four nights in Seoul, we stayed at the absolutely gorgeous Conrad Seoul. This hotel was quite luxurious with seven restaurants, a spa, a great central location in the city, and the hotel was directly connected to IFC Mall, a huge shopping mall with hundreds of restaurants and shops.
We dined at two of the hotel’s on-site restaurants during our stay, 37 Grill and Zest. 37 Grill is a steakhouse and it’s located on the 37th floor with phenomenal views of Seoul. 37 Grill was good, but honestly, all three of us liked Zest much more. Zest is a buffet, but it was by far the most spectacular and tastiest buffet I’ve ever seen. There were so many options, including lots of lobster and seafood, and I would highly recommend dining at Zest if you like seafood. Be forewarned though that it is expensive… about $130 per person.
Our wheelchair accessible room had two beds in it. They were about 26 inches tall and there was clearance underneath the beds, so a hoyer lift / hoist could easily roll underneath them. The room was fairly spacious and we had nice views of the city from our window.
In the bathroom, there was a pull-under sink, a roll-in shower with smooth entry, and a separate bathtub. Grab bars were not by the toilet though, so if that’s something you need, this bathroom may not work for your needs.
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We were only at Conrad Seoul for four nights, but we tremendously enjoyed our stay. Seoul has some fantastic hotels, but for my accessibility needs, Conrad Seoul was perfect. If you’d like to learn more about the hotel or book a stay of your own, just click here.
The city of Seoul completely wowed us in just a few days, and I was constantly impressed by its accessibility. Whether we were checking out museums, viewing the city from above, or rolling through the DMZ, we were really enjoying the many wheelchair accessible Seoul attractions and things to do. If you have ever thought about taking a trip to Seoul as a wheelchair user, know that it is completely possible and start planning your own adventure now!
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