You don’t have to pay for an expensive observation deck to enjoy a great view of Seoul.

In fact, some of the city’s most interesting viewpoints are completely free.

Around Seoul City Hall, three public observation spaces offer very different views of central Seoul: Sky Observatory at Seoul City Hall, Haneultteul Rooftop Garden at Seoul Library, and Jeong-dong Observatory.

The best part?

Since September 2026, all three have been available for evening visits on Fridays and Saturdays, making them an easy addition to a Seoul night itinerary.

From one viewpoint, you can look down on Deoksugung Palace.

From another, Seoul Plaza and the bright lights of Sejong-daero spread out below you.

And from the third, you can enjoy the historic Deoksugung area from above while having a drink at a rooftop café.

Here is how to visit all three.

Seoul City Hall’s Free Observation Decks at a Glance

Observation spot	Best view	Night hours
Sky Observatory	Deoksugung, Gwanghwamun, Sungnyemun & central Seoul	Fri–Sat until 10 PM
Haneultteul	Seoul Plaza & Sejong-daero	Fri until 9 PM
Jeong-dong Observatory	Deoksugung & Jeong-dong	Fri–Sat until 10 PM
Admission	Free	No admission fee
Best time	Around sunset and after dark	—

The three spaces are close enough to combine into one evening walk, although their operating hours differ.

The City Hall area is also surrounded by some of Seoul’s best-known attractions, including Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, Seoul Library and Jeong-dong.

That makes this much more than simply a trip to an observation deck.

It can become a free Seoul night-view walking route.

1. Sky Observatory: The Best Overall City View

Start at Sky Observatory (Haneul Jeonmangdae) inside Seoul City Hall.

The observation space is located on the 8th and 9th floors of the main City Hall building, with the 9th floor serving as the main viewing area.

Large windows give you a panoramic view over central Seoul.

Look toward one direction and you can see the long stretch of Sejong-daero.

Turn another way and you’ll see the traditional roofs of Deoksugung Palace.

The distinctive red roof of Seoul Anglican Cathedral also stands out among the modern city buildings.

This mixture of old and new is one of the most interesting aspects of the view.

You’re looking at a royal palace, historic buildings and modern Seoul skyscrapers at the same time.

What Can You See?

From Sky Observatory, you can see landmarks and areas including:

Deoksugung Palace
Gwanghwamun
Sejong-daero
Sungnyemun Gate
Seoul City Hall
Seoul Anglican Cathedral
Central Seoul’s surrounding skyline

The view is particularly attractive after sunset, when traffic along Sejong-daero creates long lines of lights through the city.

If this is your first visit to Seoul and you want one free viewpoint that gives you a broad introduction to central Seoul, this is probably the one to choose.

How to Visit Sky Observatory

The entrance is inside the main Seoul City Hall building.

You can enter through the City Hall lobby and take the dedicated elevator to the observation area.

There is no admission fee and no advance reservation is required.

Opening hours

Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM–6:00 PM

Friday–Saturday: 7:30 AM–10:00 PM

During November and December, the evening closing time is scheduled to move earlier to 9:00 PM.

If you’re visiting specifically for the night view, Friday or Saturday evening is the easiest time to combine it with the other observation spaces.

2. Haneultteul: A Rooftop Garden Above Seoul Plaza

The second viewpoint is completely different.

Haneultteul is the rooftop garden on the 5th floor of Seoul Library, the former Seoul City Hall building.

Instead of looking through large windows, you step outside into an actual rooftop garden.

Trees, plants and subtle lighting surround the space.

And below you is Seoul Plaza.

This is perhaps the most atmospheric of the three viewpoints.

You are not simply looking at Seoul from a high floor.

You are sitting above the city with the evening air around you.

The View from Haneultteul

Look down and you’ll see Seoul Plaza.

Depending on the evening, you may see:

The illuminated Seoul Plaza
People relaxing in the outdoor library
Sejong-daero
Seoul City Hall
Historic and modern buildings around the square

The view is particularly interesting when an event is taking place at Seoul Plaza.

You may be able to see the lights, stage or crowds from above.

This gives you a completely different perspective from street level.

Why Haneultteul Feels Different

If Sky Observatory is about panoramic city views, Haneultteul is about atmosphere.

It is an outdoor rooftop garden.

You can feel the breeze.

You can see the trees and plants around you.

And you are close enough to the city that you can hear the activity below.

For couples, this may actually be the most romantic of the three viewpoints.

It feels more like a hidden rooftop garden than a conventional observation deck.

Haneultteul Opening Hours

The rooftop garden is open:

Tuesday–Friday: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM

Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

It is closed during the winter period from December through February.

Because the evening hours are different from Sky Observatory, check the operating hours carefully if you’re trying to visit multiple viewpoints in one night.

3. Jeong-dong Observatory: The Most Romantic View

The third location is Jeong-dong Observatory, on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall’s Seosomun Building.

If you’re interested in Korean history, this may be your favorite.

The view focuses on Deoksugung Palace and the historic Jeong-dong neighborhood.

Instead of looking primarily at modern skyscrapers, you see palace roofs, historic buildings and the tree-lined streets of Jeong-dong.

The result is a much quieter and more historic view of Seoul.

Have a Drink While Looking at Deoksugung

One of the biggest advantages of Jeong-dong Observatory is the café.

The Cafe Darak is located inside the observatory.

You can sit down with a cup of tea or coffee while looking out toward Deoksugung.

This makes Jeong-dong Observatory particularly appealing if you don’t simply want to take photographs and leave.

You can slow down.

Have a drink.

Watch the city lights come on.

And look down at the palace.

The observatory was recently expanded to around 2.8 times its previous size, giving visitors a more comfortable space to enjoy the view.

Jeong-dong Observatory Opening Hours

Monday–Thursday: 1:30 PM–5:30 PM

Friday: 1:30 PM–10:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM–10:00 PM

During the winter period from December through February, the evening closing time moves earlier.

Unlike some observation decks, Jeong-dong Observatory does not require you to buy an expensive ticket.

Admission is free.

Which Observation Deck Is Best?

If you only have time for one, choose according to what you want to see.

If you want…	Go to…
A broad Seoul city view	Sky Observatory
Deoksugung + modern Seoul	Sky Observatory
Seoul Plaza from above	Haneultteul
An outdoor rooftop garden	Haneultteul
A romantic atmosphere	Jeong-dong Observatory
Deoksugung Palace from above	Jeong-dong Observatory
Coffee + a view	Jeong-dong Observatory
The best first-time visitor option	Sky Observatory
A quiet evening	Jeong-dong Observatory

The nice thing is that you don’t necessarily have to choose.

You can visit all three as part of one evening.

The Best Free Seoul Night View Route

If you want to make the most of the area, I recommend visiting them in this order:

Stop 1 — Sky Observatory

Start at Seoul City Hall.

Go up to the 9th floor and see central Seoul from above.

Spend around 30–45 minutes here.

↓

Stop 2 — Seoul Plaza

Come back down to street level.

Walk across Seoul Plaza and take a look at Seoul City Hall from outside.

If the Reading Seoul Plaza outdoor library is operating, this is a great time to stop and relax.

↓

Stop 3 — Haneultteul

Walk into the old City Hall building, now Seoul Library.

Take the elevator to the rooftop garden.

Enjoy the view over Seoul Plaza.

↓

Stop 4 — Deoksugung Stone Wall Road

Walk along the famous Deoksugung Stone Wall Road toward Jeong-dong.

This is one of the most atmospheric walking routes in central Seoul, especially after sunset.

↓

Stop 5 — Jeong-dong Observatory

Finish your evening on the 13th floor.

Have a drink at Cafe Darak.

Look down at Deoksugung Palace.

This gives you three completely different perspectives of Seoul in one evening.

Don’t Miss Deoksugung at Night

One of the reasons this route works so well is that Deoksugung Palace is right next to the observation spaces.

After seeing Seoul from above, you can walk along the palace walls.

The palace itself may not always be open for nighttime entry, but the exterior and surrounding streets are beautiful after dark.

There is also a nighttime royal guard-changing ceremony at Daehanmun Gate on selected evenings.

So if you’re planning your visit around a Friday or Saturday night, check the current schedule.

You could potentially combine:

City Hall viewpoint → Seoul Plaza → Deoksugung → Jeong-dong → dinner

into one easy evening.

Add Seoul’s Outdoor Library

Another nice bonus is Reading Seoul Plaza, the city’s outdoor library program.

The library turns Seoul Plaza into a large open-air reading and relaxation space with books, beanbags and evening programming.

During September, the nighttime program operates from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Fridays through Sundays.

That means you can go up to Haneultteul and literally look down at people relaxing and reading below.

It creates a surprisingly beautiful city scene.

If you’re visiting Seoul in September, this is an easy combination to add to your itinerary.

Join the Nighttime City Hall Tour

If you want more than just the views, Seoul has also introduced a new Night Tongtong Tour.

Starting September 18, the guided tour operates every Friday and Saturday from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

A professional guide takes visitors through parts of Seoul City Hall before finishing with nighttime views.

The route includes:

City Hall’s 1st-floor model
Seoul Gallery
Vertical garden
Robot café
Sky Observatory
Lounge
Seoul Library’s Haneultteul on Fridays

The tour requires advance online reservation.

For travelers who want to understand the building and its history rather than simply take photographs, this is a particularly interesting option.

A Perfect Free Evening in Central Seoul

You can build an entire evening around these viewpoints without spending much money.

5:00 PM — Gwanghwamun

Start your evening around Gwanghwamun Square.

Walk south along Sejong-daero toward City Hall.

6:00 PM — Sky Observatory

Go up to Seoul City Hall and enjoy the first city view.

6:40 PM — Seoul Plaza

Walk around the square and take photographs of City Hall.

7:00 PM — Haneultteul

Go up to the Seoul Library rooftop.

Watch the lights of Seoul Plaza come on.

7:45 PM — Deoksugung Stone Wall Road

Walk toward Jeong-dong.

8:15 PM — Jeong-dong Observatory

Have a coffee or tea while looking down at Deoksugung.

9:00 PM — Dinner

Finish the evening around Jeong-dong, City Hall or nearby Euljiro.

This is a particularly good itinerary for travelers who have already visited Seoul’s major palaces during the day and want to see a different side of the city at night.

Why These Free Viewpoints Are Worth Knowing

Seoul has several famous paid observation decks.

N Seoul Tower is probably the most famous.

Lotte World Tower’s Seoul Sky offers an even higher view.

But those aren’t necessarily the best choice for every traveler.

Sometimes you don’t need to see the entire Seoul metropolitan area.

You might want to see Deoksugung.

Or Seoul Plaza.

Or the traffic moving down Sejong-daero.

Or the contrast between a royal palace and modern office buildings.

That’s where these smaller observation spaces become interesting.

They show you central Seoul itself, rather than simply showing you a distant skyline.

Best Time to Visit

For photography, arrive shortly before sunset.

This gives you three different views:

Daylight

You can clearly see the architecture and landmarks.

↓

Golden hour

The city takes on warm colors.

↓

Night

The streets and buildings light up.

This is especially effective from Sky Observatory because you can watch central Seoul transform from day to night.

For Jeong-dong Observatory, arriving after sunset can be better if your priority is the palace night view.

Tips for Visiting

1. Check the opening hours

The three spaces have different schedules.

Don’t assume that all three stay open until the same time.

2. Friday and Saturday are best for a night-view route

The special evening opening makes these the easiest days to combine all three with other nighttime attractions.

3. No expensive ticket is necessary

All three spaces are free.

4. Bring a camera or phone

The views are very photogenic, although indoor lighting at Sky Observatory can cause reflections on the glass.

For better night photographs through glass, move your phone or camera as close to the window as possible and avoid bright objects behind you.

5. Don’t rush between the viewpoints

The walking route itself is part of the experience.

Especially between Seoul Library and Jeong-dong Observatory, the streets around Deoksugung are beautiful at night.

6. Check for temporary closures

Because these are public buildings and rooftop spaces, operating hours can change because of weather, events or building circumstances.

Is Seoul City Hall’s Free Observation Route Worth Visiting?

Yes — especially for travelers who want a free night activity in central Seoul.

The biggest advantage isn’t the height.

It’s the variety.

From Sky Observatory, you see modern Seoul stretching along Sejong-daero.

From Haneultteul, you look down at Seoul Plaza from a rooftop garden.

From Jeong-dong Observatory, the historic roofs of Deoksugung become the star of the view.

Three viewpoints.

Three different versions of Seoul.

And all without paying for an observation-deck ticket.

If you’re visiting Seoul on a Friday or Saturday evening this autumn, this is one of the easiest ways to experience the city after dark.

Seoul City Hall Free Observation Decks: Quick Summary

Sky Observatory
8th–9th floors, Seoul City Hall
Best for: panoramic central Seoul views
Friday–Saturday until 10 PM

Haneultteul
5th-floor rooftop garden, Seoul Library
Best for: Seoul Plaza and an outdoor atmosphere
Friday until 9 PM

Jeong-dong Observatory
13th floor, Seoul City Hall Seosomun Building
Best for: Deoksugung Palace and a quieter atmosphere
Friday–Saturday until 10 PM

Admission: Free

Best night: Friday or Saturday

Best time: Around sunset

Best combination: City Hall → Seoul Plaza → Deoksugung Stone Wall Road → Jeong-dong

Final Thoughts

You don’t always need to climb Seoul’s tallest tower to get a memorable view of the city.

Sometimes the more interesting view is much closer.

A palace roof glowing under the city lights.

Cars moving along Sejong-daero.

Seoul Plaza shining below a rooftop garden.

And the historic streets of Jeong-dong quietly sitting between modern buildings.

The three free observation spaces around Seoul City Hall offer exactly that kind of Seoul experience.

If you’re looking for a free thing to do in Seoul at night, put this route on your list.

It is simple, central, photogenic — and it gives you a view of Seoul that many first-time visitors never see.

For more ideas for your Seoul itinerary, see our guide to How Many Days Do You Need in Seoul: 3, 5 or 7 Days?.

3 Free Observation Decks Near Seoul City Hall: Where to See Seoul at Night