Experience Namsan Tower in Seoul: How to Get There, What to Eat, and What to See

Must visit Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower): Perfect for couples and tourists

Daytime Namsan Tower view in Seoul – panoramic city view from Namsan during the day.
Daytime view of Namsan Tower.

If you’re visiting Seoul, Namsan Tower is an absolute must-visit. The iconic landmark has gained even more fame from K-pop content, such as Demon Hunters. Known for its stunning night views, Namsan Tower is also famous for the Locks of Love, making it a favourite date spot for couples.


Colorful buildings in Myeongdong alley – vibrant street scene on the way to Namsan Tower.
On the way from Myeongdong Station to Namsan, we spotted colourful buildings tucked in simple alleys.

People photographing Korean old alley near Namsan Donkatsu – capturing nostalgic street vibes.
People taking photos in a Korean old alley vibe while heading to Namsan Donkatsu

Walking through alleys toward Namsan Tower – exploring Seoul’s hidden streets.

Walking toward Namsan Tower through charming alleys.

The Best Local Dish in Namsan: Namsan Donkatsu (Korean-Style Pork Cutlet)

The menu and Price

Before heading up the tower, we stopped by Namsan Donkatsu, a local favourite and a must-try when you’re in the area. From Myeongdong Station, it’s just a 10-minute walk. The menu has something for everyone: classic king-sized donkatsu, super king donkatsu, spicy donkatsu, cheese donkatsu, garlic donkatsu, fish cutlet, and chicken cutlet. Prices range from 12,000–16,000 KRW for most dishes, except for the super king donkatsu, which is slightly higher—perfect for a satisfying meal.

The restaurant's walls are adorned with celebrity autographs, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. Operating hours and the menu are displayed outside, so you can decide what to order while waiting. Once seated, you place your order and pay via a tabletop kiosk.

Namsan Donkatsu restaurant sign – famous Korean pork cutlet spot near Namsan Tower.
Namsan Donkatsu Sign

Entrance of Namsan Donkatsu with colorful chairs – welcoming visitors waiting to dine.
Entrance of Namsan Donkatsu with colourful waiting chairs.

Namsan Donkatsu menu on wall – check menu before ordering at kiosk, Seoul restaurant.
Menu on the wall at Namsan Donkatsu - check while waiting and order quickly at the kiosk

Celebrity signatures inside Namsan Donkatsu – popular Korean eatery near Namsan Tower.
A wall covered with autographs of celebrities who visited Namsan Donkatsu

Honest Review of Taste of 101 Namsan Donkatsu

My husband ordered the cheese donkatsu, while I went for the spicy donkatsu. We asked for the sauces on the side to keep the cutlets crispy. Both dishes came out quickly and the portions were huge. The spicy donkatsu is the same size as their basic king donkatsu, so it was naturally bigger than the cheese donkatsu. 

The cheese filling was generous, and the spicy version had a strong kick; It was even too hot for my husband, who doesn’t usually eat spicy food. The downside was that the batter was thick, dry, and heavy, rather than light and crispy. While the portion made the meal quite filling, the heaviness left a slightly greasy aftertaste. Overall, it wasn’t to my taste, and I probably wouldn’t visit Namsan Donkatsu again.

King and Cheese Donkatsu served with sides – including salad, crunchy peppers, baked beans; self-serve kimchi, pickled radish, and soup.
Donkatsu served – King Donkatsu with spicy sauce on top, Cheese Donkatsu underneath. Salad, crunchy peppers, and baked beans are standard. Kimchi, pickled radish, and soup are self-serve and free.

How to get there to Namsan Tower : Cable Car or Bus?

From Namsan Donkatsu, the cable car station is only a 3-minute walk away. Since it was Friday evening and sunset was approaching, we opted for the bus instead. We didn’t want to wait in line or risk getting stuck in the 48-person cable car for a short ride.

We walked downhill to the Namsan Yejang Bus Parking Lot, the bus terminal, and caught bus 01A or 01B to the tower. This terminal is the first stop, and the ride takes about 15 minutes. Buses come every 15 minutes, so you never have to wait long. The route goes around the mountain, so you can also enjoy the surrounding scenery through the windows as you head up toward the tower. Walking up would take over 30 minutes, so the bus is definitely the easier option. The fare is 1,400 KRW.

A friend who had planned to park a car at the cable car station and ride up eventually gave up due to the long lines.

Namsan Summit Bus Stop – final bus stop for visitors going to N Seoul Tower, crowded at times.
If taking the bus to Namsan Tower, this is the last stop – Namsan Summit Bus Stop. It gets very crowded when coming down.

Final Thought : Having a Good night view and hanging a love Lock

After getting off the bus, there’s about a 5-minute uphill walk to reach Namsan Tower. The climb is a bit steep, but manageable. Entrance to the tower itself is paid, though we chose not to visit the observatory and instead enjoyed the view from the plaza. The famous “Locks of Love” are everywhere, attached to fences and railings. Even though there were many people, they were scattered around, each enjoying their own time, so it never felt crowded. We were able to relax and soak in the scenery at our own pace.

We took the bus up and walked down, which made the visit smooth and stress-free. Namsan Tower can get very busy on weekends and holidays, so plan accordingly if you visit during peak times. While going up the observatory would have been nice, we still had a great time without entering the tower. 

Love Locks at Namsan, Seoul – couples’ padlocks on fence with Seoul city view.
Love Locks at Namsan.

Namsan love locks and Seoul city view at sunset – popular tourist attraction for couples.

Visitors hanging padlocks at Namsan Tower – symbol of love with panoramic Seoul view.

Close-up of love locks at Namsan Tower, Seoul – couples’ padlocks on fence with city backdrop.
We also hung the one. ๐Ÿ’•

installed signage "Namsan Nightscape" visible in Seoul on deck.

Sunset Seoul skyline from Namsan – city lights beginning to glow.
Waiting for nightfall while enjoying the Seoul skyline.

Global landmark signs at Namsan Tower – popular tourist attractions in Seoul.
Global landmark signs - Namsan

Twilight over Seoul from Namsan – cityscape behind mountains as darkness falls.
Darkness slowly settles with Seoul visible behind the mountains.

Steps leading to Namsan Tower with city lights – night view of Seoul from hillside.
Steps leading to Namsan Tower with the city lights in the background

Visitors enjoying evening at Namsan – people relaxing as night sets in.
People are spending their time in the slowly darkening atmosphere.

Octagonal Pavilion at Namsan – another iconic landmark with panoramic views of Seoul.
Another landmark in Seoul – the Octagonal Pavilion at Namsan.

People at Octagonal Pavilion, Namsan – enjoying leisure time with unobstructed city views.
From the pavilion, people enjoy their own time. It feels busy but not overcrowded, letting us have a relaxing moment too.

Evening view of N Seoul Tower – illuminated tower with ongoing construction visible.
Evening view of N Seoul Tower – currently under some construction.

Walking down from Namsan Tower – well-lit path for a pleasant evening stroll in Seoul.
Tried taking the bus down, but it was too crowded, so we walked. The path was well-lit and made for a pleasant stroll.

N Seoul Tower 

The 1st through 4th floors of the tower are free to visit and feature galleries, a game arcade, a VR experience zone, and various gift shops.
The admission fee:

  • 26,000 KRW for adults 
  • 20,000 KRW for children

 Operating hours :

  • 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays 
  • 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on weekends and public holidays


*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.

Location: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

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