Olympic Park is one of Seoul’s largest recreational areas, built for the 1988 Summer Olympics. This massive park offers a mix of sports facilities, cultural venues, nature walks, and historical significance that makes it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Olympic Park Seoul Entrance Fee
Great news: Olympic Park Seoul is FREE to enter!
The park grounds, walking paths, outdoor sculptures, and most recreational areas can be accessed without any entrance fee.
However, some specific facilities charge admission:
- Seoul Olympic Museum: 3,000 KRW (adults), 1,500 KRW (children)
- Concert venues: Varies by event (5,000-100,000+ KRW)
- Sports facilities rental: Varies by facility and duration
- Special exhibitions: Usually 2,000-5,000 KRW
- Parking: 2,000-4,000 KRW for the day
Olympic Park Seoul Opening Hours
Park grounds: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week Best visiting hours: 6 AM – 10 PM (well-lit and safest)
Facility operating hours:
- Olympic Museum: 10 AM – 6 PM (closed Mondays)
- Sports facilities: 6 AM – 10 PM (varies by facility)
- Restaurants and cafes: 10 AM – 9 PM (varies by establishment)
- Concert venues: Varies by event schedule
- Visitor information center: 9 AM – 6 PM
Best times to visit:
- Morning (7-10 AM): Perfect for jogging, fewer crowds
- Afternoon (2-5 PM): Good for sightseeing and activities
- Evening (6-8 PM): Beautiful for sunset walks
- Weekdays: Less crowded than weekends
Here you can explore Namsangol Hanok Village, Changgyeonggung Palace, Ikseon-dong Hanok Village & here you can visit to see the 10 famous temples of Seoul that are very close to you.
Olympic Park Seoul Capacity
Olympic Park covers an enormous area with multiple venues:
Total park size: 1.5 million square meters (370 acres)
Major venue capacities:
- Olympic Stadium: 69,950 seats (main stadium)
- Olympic Gymnastics Arena: 15,000 seats
- Olympic Fencing Gymnasium: 6,341 seats
- Olympic Weightlifting Gymnasium: 4,520 seats
- Swimming venues: Various pool capacities
Park visitor capacity:
- Can accommodate hundreds of thousands of visitors simultaneously
- Popular events can draw 50,000+ people to the park
- Normal days see 10,000-30,000 visitors
- Has multiple parking areas for thousands of cars
Olympic Park South Korea History
Pre-Olympic Era:
- Area was originally ancient Baekje Kingdom fortification sites
- Archaeological discoveries date back over 2,000 years
- Mongchon Fortress ruins still visible in the park today
1988 Seoul Olympics Preparation:
- Construction began in 1984
- Built as the main Olympic venue complex
- Designed to showcase Korea’s modernization to the world
- Cost billions of won in government investment
Olympic Games (September 1988):
- Hosted multiple Olympic sports including athletics, gymnastics, swimming
- Main stadium held opening and closing ceremonies
- Successfully demonstrated Korea’s organizational capabilities
- Put Seoul on the global map as a major international city
Post-Olympics Legacy:
- Converted to public recreational space
- Became major cultural and sports venue
- Hosts concerts, festivals, and sporting events
- Symbol of Korea’s economic development success
Modern significance:
- One of Seoul’s premier event venues
- Popular location for K-pop concerts and international shows
- Regular venue for marathons and sports competitions
- Important cultural landmark representing Korea’s Olympic heritage
What Happened to Seoul Olympic Stadium?
Current status: The Seoul Olympic Stadium (also called Jamsil Olympic Stadium) is still actively used and well-maintained.
Current uses:
- Home stadium for FC Seoul (K-League football team)
- Major concerts by Korean and international artists
- Athletic competitions including track and field events
- Cultural events and festivals throughout the year
- Public events like marathons and sporting competitions
Recent renovations:
- Underwent major renovations in 2014-2015
- Updated seating, sound systems, and facilities
- Improved accessibility and safety features
- Enhanced lighting and video display systems
Why people ask this question: Many Olympic stadiums around the world fall into disrepair or disuse after the games, but Seoul’s Olympic Stadium remains active and relevant 35+ years later, which is quite remarkable.
Future plans:
- Continues to host major events regularly
- Maintained as an important cultural venue
- Part of Seoul’s ongoing urban development plans
How to Get to Olympic Park from Seoul
Method 1: Subway (Most Popular)
- Take Line 5 to Olympic Park Station (올림픽공원역)
- Use Exit 3 for main park entrance
- Walk 5 minutes to reach central park area
- Total time: 30-50 minutes depending on starting location
- Cost: 1,370-2,150 KRW depending on distance
Method 2: Subway Line 8
- Take Line 8 to Mongchontoseong Station (몽촌토성역)
- Exit 1 leads directly into the park
- Total time: 25-45 minutes from city center
- Cost: 1,370-2,150 KRW
Method 3: Bus
- Multiple bus lines serve Olympic Park
- Bus numbers: 70, 303, 3217, 3319, 3411
- Get off at Olympic Park stop
- Cost: 1,200-1,500 KRW
Olympic Park South Korea Things to Do
Sports and Recreation
Running and jogging: 10+ km of running paths throughout the park
Cycling: Bike rental available, dedicated cycling paths
Tennis courts: Multiple courts available for rental
Swimming: Indoor and outdoor pool facilities
Fitness equipment: Outdoor exercise stations throughout park
Cultural Attractions
Seoul Olympic Museum: Learn about 1988 Olympics and Korean sports history
Mongchon Fortress: Ancient Baekje Kingdom archaeological site
Sculpture gardens: Over 200 outdoor art installations
Peace Plaza: Large open area perfect for events and relaxation
Nature and Scenery
Rose Garden: Beautiful seasonal flower displays
Nakta Lotus Pond: Scenic pond with walking paths
Wolyeong Mountain: Small hiking trail with city views
Cherry blossom trees: Spectacular spring blooms (April)
Fall foliage: Beautiful autumn colors (October-November)
Entertainment Venues
Olympic Hall: Major concert venue hosting K-pop and international artists
Olympic Gymnastics Arena: Sports events and large concerts
Outdoor stages: Free performances and cultural events
Festival spaces: Regular seasonal festivals and markets
Is Olympic Park Worth Visiting Seoul?
Yes, definitely worth visiting!
Olympic Park represents an important chapter in Korean history while offering modern recreational opportunities. Whether you’re interested in Olympic heritage, need a peaceful escape from Seoul’s urban intensity, or want to experience where major K-pop concerts happen, this massive park complex delivers a unique Seoul experience that combines culture, history, nature, and entertainment in one accessible location.