Night Views and Dinner at N Seoul Tower, South Korea

When you’re in Seoul, it’s impossible to miss the iconic N Seoul Tower, also known as Namsan Tower. The “N” stands for Namsan Mountain, and many people simply call it Namsan Tower. On my previous trip to Seoul, I visited the tower but didn’t stay long—it was too cold! So this time, I made it a mission to enjoy the night view of Seoul and have dinner atop N Seoul Tower.

How to Get to N Seoul Tower

Located atop scenic Namsan Park, N Seoul Tower offers breathtaking views of the city at any time of day. It’s also famous for its Love Locks, a romantic symbol that draws couples from around the world.

Since May 1, 2015, Seoul has restricted private vehicles from driving up to the tower, and parking nearby costs about ₩1,000 per 10 minutes (~$0.75 USD). So here are the two best ways to get to the tower if you’re traveling independently: by shuttle bus or by cable car.

By Bus

There are three shuttle bus routes that take you directly to the base of N Seoul Tower: Bus No. 02, 03, and 05. They run every 15 minutes and cost ₩1,200 in cash or ₩1,100 with a T-Money card.

Note: From the drop-off point, you still need to walk uphill to reach the tower. It’s quite a climb—when I saw people hiking up while I was taking the cable car down, many were out of breath. Definitely not ideal for nighttime visits when the view is limited.

Bus 02: From Chungmuro Station (Exit 2) or Dongguk Univ. Station (Exit 6)
Bus 03: From Seoul Station (Exit 9), Itaewon Station (Exit 4), or Hangangjin Station (across from Exit 2)
Bus 05: From Myeongdong Station (Exit 3) or Chungmuro Station (Exit 2)

By Cable Car

This is my preferred method—used on both of my visits. Riding the cable car offers a great view of Namsan Mountain and the city below, plus the excitement of watching the tower get closer with every second.

To get there, take the subway to Myeongdong Station (Exit 3), then walk about 10–15 minutes past Pacific Hotel. On my first trip, I walked; this time, I took a taxi from the hotel to the cable car station—it cost just ₩4,500.

Cable car prices: ₩6,000 one-way, ₩8,500 round-trip. If you get a one-way ticket, you can hike or take the bus down after your visit.

Seoul by Night from N Seoul Tower

At the base of the tower, there are plenty of photo spots—especially the colorful Love Locks, which have turned this place into a “Tower of Love.”

To enjoy the 360° night view of Seoul, you’ll need a ticket to the Observatory Deck at the top. The view reminds me of Bitexco in Saigon—sparkling city lights stretching as far as the eye can see. There’s also a cozy space upstairs where you can chat with friends while enjoying drinks or light snacks.

I went on a Saturday, so it was crowded. Waiting for the cable car took nearly an hour, and there was another line to reach the Observatory. By the time I was done, I was starving—and decided to have dinner right at the tower before heading back down.

Dinner at N Seoul Tower

There are several dining options available:

N.Grill – A French fine dining restaurant at the top of the tower with a 360° rotating view every 48 minutes. If you dine here, you don’t need to buy an Observatory ticket.
HANCOOK – A Korean restaurant offering traditional dishes
The PLACE Dining – Italian-style cuisine
Cheiljemyunso – Specializing in Korean noodles

These restaurants offer a more upscale experience, so expect higher prices. But don’t worry—there are affordable options too!

If you’re on a budget like me, check out:

N Burger – Classic American-style burgers inspired by the 1930s
N TERRACE and N Sweet Bar – Great for quick bites and drinks (popcorn and soda are popular here)

Combo Deal: Dinner + Observatory Ticket

From my experience visiting places like N Seoul Tower, Disneyland, or Universal Studios, it’s always better to buy your tickets online beforehand—it saves time and money.

You can get an N Seoul Tower Observatory ticket online for just $6 USD, compared to $9 USD on-site—a 15% discount.

Even better: I bought a combo ticket that included Observatory access + a full N Burger meal (burger, fries, drink) for $17 USD. Totally worth it after a long day!

Tip: Book in advance here to skip the lines and save more.

Final Thoughts

Night views, romantic vibes, and a satisfying dinner—N Seoul Tower is the perfect way to end a day in Seoul. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or coming back for more, this experience is not to be missed. Just remember to bring a warm jacket if you’re going in winter, and maybe your own love lock too 😉