A Muslim’s Guide to Seongsu, Seoul Forest & Garden Show 2026

Discover Modern Seoul’s greenest district — home to the Seoul Garden Show 2026, where K-culture meets nature and Muslim travelers can enjoy Korea’s largest-ever garden festival across 150,000 pyeong (≈ 500,000 m²) of open-air gardens, parks, and Han River views — all within walking distance.

Before you visit: Make sure you have Korean mobile data ready — grab a Klook SKT 5G eSIM for instant connectivity (Naver Map, Muslim Pro prayer times, KakaoTaxi all work from arrival). Also see our full Korea Travel Setup Guide for K-ETA vs Visa, T-money, and WOWPASS.

Why Seongsu, Seoul Forest & Han River?

If you’re a Muslim traveler visiting Korea for the Seoul Garden Show 2026 (May 1 – October 27, 2026), this single district gives you everything modern Seoul offers — without sacrificing your faith or comfort.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government officially designates this area as the “Seoul Forest Grand Garden” — uniting Seoul Forest, Seongsu-dong, Han River, and Ttukseom into one connected garden city to host the Seoul Garden Show 2026, Korea’s largest-ever international garden festival.

For Muslim travelers, this area is uniquely friendly:

• 24/7 outdoor access to Seoul Forest (free) — ideal for Fajr morning walks, Maghrib evening visits, and Isha strolls
• 9-language Smart Guide Tour on mobile — self-guided audio tour available in Korean, English, and 7 more languages (specific language list confirmed on the official site)
• Multicultural Family Tour (every Saturday 16:00–17:00; 17:00–18:00 in July–August) — officially welcoming international families
• Open-air design — plenty of quiet corners for prayer, picnics, and rest
• K-pop Garden ⭐ — for the millions of Hallyu fans from Southeast Asia
• Global Garden (Multicultural Garden) — a curated multicultural garden category celebrating international contributions; specific 2026 country lineup is announced on the official site

This is not a tourist trap — it’s where young Koreans actually live, work, and unwind. And it’s perfectly compatible with your spiritual schedule.

Seoul Garden Show 2026: What You Need to Know

The Seoul Garden Show 2026 (서울국제정원박람회) — officially the 2026 Seoul International Garden Show — is the largest garden festival in Seoul’s history. Here’s the essential information from the official source (seoul.go.kr/festa/garden/y2026):

Operating Hours — Critical for Muslim Travelers

There’s an important distinction many guides miss:

• Seoul Forest itself: Open 24 hours, free entry → Perfect for Fajr (dawn) walks before the crowds arrive, and Isha (night) strolls after Maghrib prayers
• Garden Show programs (commentary, tours, performances): 12:00 – 19:00
• Summer extension (July–August): English docent tours run as late as 19:00–20:00, accommodating Maghrib timing
• Outdoor garden installations: viewable any time during park hours

This means you can experience the festival’s installations whenever it fits your prayer schedule — not just during fixed program hours.

What’s Inside the Garden Show

The festival hosts several themed garden categories:

• Invitation Gardens (초청정원): International guest artists
• Open-Call Gardens (공모정원): Selected Korean artists
• K-pop Garden ⭐: Themed gardens celebrating Korean pop culture
• Multicultural Garden (글로벌정원): Diverse cultural gardens
• Enterprise Gardens: Corporate-sponsored installations
• Character Pop-up Garden: Family-friendly themed spaces
• River-View Garden: Han River–facing gardens

For Muslim families especially, the K-pop Garden and Multicultural Garden are must-visits.

K-pop Garden & Global Garden: Made for Muslim Hallyu Fans

If you’re a fan of K-dramas, K-pop, or K-beauty (and millions of Muslim travelers from Indonesia and Malaysia are), the K-pop Garden at the Seoul Garden Show 2026 is a unique opportunity to experience Korean popular culture through landscape art.

The garden is themed around iconic moments and aesthetics of K-pop — making it one of the most Instagrammable spots in Seoul during 2026. Expect themed installations connected to popular Korean entertainment.

The Global Garden (Multicultural Garden, 글로벌정원), on the other hand, is a curated category celebrating international cultural contributions. For 2026, 16 teams have been officially selected including international and locally-based multicultural families. Teams include “정원에 피어난 사랑”, “BlueStars”, “Team Buliko (블리코가족)”, “Kompost”, “Cross-Border Bloom (국경을 넘어 피어나는 꽃)”, “3Roomers”, “Bloom & Grow”, “Dreamer”, “Kyongil’s KaleidoscopeKids”, “SSS (Seoul SisterS)”, “The Wave to Seoul”, and more — see the official Garden Show site for the full list and team backgrounds.

Photo opportunity tip: Both gardens are designed to be photographed. Visit between 16:00–18:00 for the best natural lighting (and aligns with Asr prayer schedule for many summer days).

For an immersive K-culture moment, consider renting a hanbok (Korean traditional dress) via KKday before your visit — many Muslim travelers wear hanbok while photographing themselves at the K-pop Garden and Seoul Forest installations for a uniquely Korean keepsake. Modest hanbok options are widely available.

Seoul Forest: A 24/7 Urban Sanctuary

Seoul Forest (서울숲) is a 1.16 million m² urban park — the central venue for the 2026 Garden Show. It opened in 2005 on the site of a former horse racing track.

Key zones for Muslim travelers:

• Deer Garden (사슴방사장): Free access, family-friendly. Children love feeding the deer.
• Wetland Ecological Park (습지생태원): Quiet, naturally calming, suitable for reflection and prayer
• Insect Botanical Garden (곤충식물원): Indoor option for hot summer days
• Cherry Tree Path (벚나무길): Beautiful in spring (May)
• Hill of the Wind (바람의 언덕): Open grassy hill, excellent for picnic and prayer

Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul Subway: Bundang Line Seoul Forest Station (서울숲역) — Exit 3 or Line 2 Ttukseom Station (뚝섬역) Entry: Free, 24/7

Prayer-friendly spots inside Seoul Forest: – Behind the Insect Botanical Garden (quiet, grass) – Near the Wetland Ecological Park observation deck (peaceful, wooden) – Hill of the Wind (open grass, suitable when not too crowded)

Bring a small prayer mat and a portable compass (or use the Naver Map Qibla feature) to perform prayers comfortably.

Seongsu-dong: Korea’s Brooklyn

Just one subway stop from Seoul Forest, Seongsu-dong (성수동) has transformed from an industrial district into Seoul’s coolest neighborhood — often compared to Brooklyn, New York. This is where you’ll find:

• Korean celebrity-favorite cafés: Slow Pharmacy, Onion Seongsu, Center Coffee
• Flagship stores: Dior Seongsu, AMORE Seongsu (K-beauty), Musinsa Seongsu (fashion)
• Pop-up exhibitions and art galleries: Daelim Warehouse, S Factory, Glow Seongsu
• Local shoemaker street (수제화거리): Historic Korean craft

Why Muslim travelers love it: Most cafés serve coffee, pastries, and seafood — many are naturally pork-free. The vibe is relaxed and respectful. You’ll see Hallyu celebrities, fashion influencers, and Muslim travelers blending together effortlessly.

Subway: Line 2 Seongsu Station (성수역) — Exit 3 or 4

(See “Halal Food Around” section below for specific pork-free café recommendations.)

Ttukseom Han River Park: Korean Riverside Lifestyle

After exploring gardens and cafés, head to Ttukseom Han River Park (뚝섬한강공원) — directly accessible from Seoul Forest via a pedestrian bridge.

What to do:

• Bicycle rental: ~3,000 KRW/hour at riverside rental docks; the Han River bike path runs 80+ km
• Picnic culture: Koreans love riverside picnics — bring a halal lunch (more on this below)
• Night views: After Maghrib, the Han River bridges light up beautifully
• Water activities (summer): Pedal boats, kayaks (note: dress modestly)

Muslim-friendly notes: – Entirely outdoor, free, family-friendly – Plenty of restrooms (clean Korean public facilities) – Vending machines and convenience stores nearby (look for GS25 or CU — both carry pork-free snacks) – Open space allows discreet prayer practice

For a special evening, consider booking a Han River sunset cruise via KKday — boats depart from nearby docks with panoramic views of Seoul bridges and city lights. Perfect timing after Maghrib for Muslim travelers looking to combine prayer schedule with iconic Seoul scenery.

Subway: Line 7 Ttukseom Resort Station (뚝섬유원지역) for the riverside, or walk from Seoul Forest.

Halal Food Around Seongsu: Practical Solutions

Here’s the honest truth: while the Seoul Garden Show 2026 runs across the Seoul Forest and Seongsu district, the area has very few KTO-certified halal restaurants directly within walking distance. But Muslim travelers can still eat very well with these three strategies.

Strategy 1: Pork-Free Cafés in Seongsu

Many Seongsu cafés focus on coffee, baked goods, and Western-style desserts that typically do not include pork. Some examples to research before visiting:

• Slow Pharmacy (슬로우파마씨): Herbal-tea café concept — menu typically focused on drinks
• Onion Seongsu (어니언성수): Famous pastry café — menu primarily breads, croissants, and coffee
• Center Coffee Seongsu: Specialty coffee with vegan-friendly options
• Sulbing (설빙): Korean dessert chain known for bingsu (shaved ice with fruit) — find the nearest branch on Naver Map

⚠️ Always verify with staff before ordering, since menus change and individual items may contain ham, bacon, alcohol-based extracts, or pork-derived ingredients. Show this phrase: “돼지고기 들어가요?” (“Does this contain pork?”) and “술 들어가요?” (“Does this contain alcohol?”). We do not certify any of these cafés as halal — they are pork-conscious options for travelers exercising personal judgment.

Strategy 2: Hannam-dong Halal Restaurants (15-min subway)

For full meals, take Line 6 to Itaewon (이태원) or Hannam-dong (한남동) — 15 minutes from Seongsu. This area has multiple KTO-certified halal restaurants. See our Top 10 Halal Restaurants in Seoul guide for the full list with maps and prices.

For first-time Muslim visitors who want a curated experience, KKday’s Seoul halal food tours cover multiple authentic restaurants in Itaewon and Hannam-dong with a local guide — useful for navigating menus and discovering Pakistani, Turkish, and Indonesian halal options you might miss on your own.

Strategy 3: Han River Halal Picnic

The most authentic Korean cultural experience: a halal picnic by the Han River.

How to do it: 1. Stop by Itaewon Halal Mart (이태원 할랄 마트) before heading to Seongsu — they sell halal-certified snacks, drinks, and pre-made meals 2. Pack: halal kimbap, halal sandwiches, fresh fruit, water, Korean ramen (halal versions exist — look for Samyang Halal line) 3. Spread out at Ttukseom Han River Park as Koreans do — bring a picnic mat (available in convenience stores) 4. Best timing: 17:00–19:00 sunset, or after Maghrib for night views

This combines Korean cultural immersion with full Muslim comfort.

Prayer & Religious Practical Tips

Nearest Mosque

Seoul Central Mosque (서울중앙성원, Itaewon) – Address: 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul – Distance from Seongsu: ~6 km (15–20 min by subway/taxi) – Friday Jumu’ah: 13:00 (arrive by 12:30) – Open 5:00 – 22:00 – Operated by the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF)

Outdoor Prayer Suggestions

Within the Seongsu/Seoul Forest area, these spots are suitable for short prayers:

• Seoul Forest — behind the Insect Botanical Garden (grass, quiet)
• Ttukseom Han River Park — under any of the riverside pavilions (often empty in morning/late evening)
• Seoul Forest’s wetland park observation deck — wooden floor, peaceful

Bring a foldable prayer mat. Use the Naver Map app’s Qibla compass feature, or rely on a separate Qibla app like Muslim Pro.

Emergency & Language Support

• 1330 Tourist Helpline: Free 24/7, supports Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Melayu (8 AM – 7 PM KST) — call this for any questions, including locating prayer facilities or halal food
• Source: Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)

Suggested Full-Day Flow (Aligned with Prayer Times)

This flow gives you a full day of Modern Seoul without rushing between locations.

How to Get There + Best Time to Visit

Transportation

Within the area (Seoul Forest ↔︎ Seongsu ↔︎ Ttukseom): walk 10–15 min or take Line 2 one stop.

Best Time to Visit

For Indonesian and Malaysian travelers, June–August matches Southeast Asian summer holidays — perfect timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is there an entry fee for the Garden Show? A: Both Seoul Forest and the Garden Show are free admission. Most programs (commentary tours, experiences, performances) are also free or have minimal fees. See the official program page for current details and advance registration.

Q2. Can Muslim families really enjoy this area? A: Yes. The festival officially runs a Multicultural Family Tour for international and mixed-heritage families every Saturday 16:00–17:00 (17:00–18:00 during July–August). The 9-language Smart Guide Tour and English docent tours make navigation easy. Outdoor design accommodates prayer needs.

Q3. Where’s the closest halal restaurant? A: Hannam-dong/Itaewon, ~15 minutes by subway. The Seongsu area itself has pork-conscious cafés but few full halal-certified restaurants. See our halal restaurant guide.

Q4. Can I bring children? A: Absolutely. The Deer Garden, Character Pop-up Garden, and family-friendly programs make this perfect for kids.

Q5. Is photography allowed? A: Yes throughout outdoor areas. Indoor exhibits may have restrictions — look for signs.

Q6. What about prayer times during the festival? A: Outdoor prayer is feasible in quiet zones. For congregational prayers, Seoul Central Mosque is 15–20 min away. The 12:00–19:00 official Seoul Garden Show 2026 hours align with Dhuhr and Asr — you can pause anytime.

Final Words

The Seongsu / Seoul Forest / Han River district isn’t just one of Seoul’s most exciting neighborhoods — it’s also one of the most Muslim-accessible. Between the Seoul Garden Show 2026’s largest-ever scale, K-pop Garden’s Hallyu appeal, and 24/7 outdoor freedom, this is where you’ll find Modern Seoul’s authentic young energy without compromising your faith.

Before you go:

• ✅ Read our Korea Travel Setup Guide for Muslim Visitors
• ✅ Book halal-friendly hotels near Seoul Central Mosque — see our list
• ✅ Save the Top 10 Halal Restaurants in Seoul
• ✅ Follow Seoul Halal Guide on TikTok for daily updates

Have questions or your own tips? Comment below or message us — we read every one.

Article #4 of the Seoul Halal Guide series. Published: June 1, 2026. Last updated: June 1, 2026. Author: Jeffrey (Seoul Halal Guide team).