Seoul by night, a spectacular, sleepless journey

It would be a shame to leave Seoul without having had a real Korean barbecue or two (or three). Of course, there are many other traditional Korean dishes worth trying, but Seoul is famous for its barbecue! Insomniacs can try pork or beef with kimchi and rice. Another dish to try is shabu shabu (Japanese fondue), a Japanese hot dish that has also been adopted in Korean cuisine. It's a fairly inexpensive and really healthy meal.

Street food stalls and night markets are perfect for those on a budget. The Bamdokkaebi Night Market (April to October) is held in six locations (Cheonggyechon, Yeouido, Banpo, DDP and the Oil Tank Cultural Park) across Seoul with different themes.

The Bamdokkaebi night market, which literally means "Korean ghosts that appear at night", offers a variety of handmade products, exotic cuisine and unique performances by artists!

The Yeouido market brings together chefs from all over the world. You can also enjoy unique, multicultural handmade items, all with the night landscape of the Hangang River in the background.

As for the bar, we recommend M. Ahn's Craft Makgeolli. Recently awarded a handsome Michelin plaque for 2019, this craft brewery and gastropub perfectly pairs food with its traditional Korean liqueurs.

It's possible to see Seoul in a different light. As soon as night falls, wanderers can enjoy a night-time hike along the Seoul Fortress Wall, for superb views over the city. Although most of these stone walls - known collectively as the Hanyangdoseong - have been demolished over the years to make way for modernisation, sections have been preserved and even restored.

There are several starting points scattered around the wall from which to begin the hike. The Bugaksan Mountain section is one of the most popular.

With its flat paths and staircases, the 2.3 km hike takes you through the forest, ending in a climax at the observation point overlooking the twinkling lights of the city.

Head for the Lotte World Seoul theme park. After an adrenalin-filled day of thrilling rides and dazzling shows, visitors gather for the "Let's Dream Night Parade", a night-time spectacle of lights and fireworks.

The fireworks are accompanied by aerial balloons, lanterns and flashy costumes. In short, Lotte World at night is a feast for the eyes. The parade starts at 8pm and lasts 30 minutes each day.

Around Dongdaemun Design Square (commonly written "DDP"), near its rooftop garden, a spectacle is unveiled once night falls. The garden lights up with its 21,000 LED roses above this neo-futuristic urban monument. Given its dazzling success, the display of LED roses is now permanent and fits in perfectly with the Korean nightscape. Once you're there, you might as well take advantage of the DDP museum to learn more about Korean design and artistic trends.

Once you've had your fill of local food, you'll need to put all your energy into discovering Seoul by night. And why not explore the VIP Pub Crawl !

It's a great way to find out how the locals party while taking advantage of VIP access, which gives you free entry to three bars and a club, as well as three free shots and a free drink.

Other great places to party are in the Hongdae hipster district or in Itaewon.

Seoul's N Tower, also known as the Namsan Tower, is an iconic Seoul landmark offering a bird's eye view of the city. The tower was the first to offer radio waves in South Korea and broadcast signals to the Korean media. Built in 1971, it has become one of Seoul's landmarks. Since it opened to the public in 1980, it has become increasingly popular with locals and tourists alike. When the sun goes down, the view of the city lit up by a thousand lights from the top of the tower is incredible.

The tower can be reached by taking the cable car up to Mount Namsan. The entrance to the tower closes at 10.30pm.

Ranked as one of the world's tallest buildings, the Lotte World Tower soars 555 metres into the sky, offering incredible night-time views of Seoul.

Located on the 7th floor, Seoul Sky offers a panoramic view of the capital. To get to the top, you'll need to take the Sky shuttle, a lift that travels at up to 600 metres per minute, and is considered to be one of the fastest lifts in the world.

For visitors to Seoul, an evening in a noraebang (karaoke hall) is an experience to be savoured. Immensely popular with Koreans - students and adults alike - Korean-style karaoke halls are a place to de-stress and relax while singing, and with noraebangs on almost every block, it can be hard to decide which one to choose. Head to Luxury Su Noraebang in the Hongdae shopping district and lock yourself into its spacious rooms and beautifully decorated interiors to sing the night away.

Detox and reset! The jjimjilbang is an experience you should have at least once in your life! At the Dragon Hill Spa, you can take advantage of a variety of baths to relax tired muscles after a long day spent roaming the streets of Seoul. The immense Dragon Hill Spa is equipped with a range of quality facilities, from outdoor saunas to private massage rooms. There are even comfortable sleeping areas to recharge your batteries!