If you are planning a travel itinerary to Seoul in Korea, you cannot miss the Lotte World Tower, with a visit to Seoul Sky, the panoramic observatory located on the top floors of the skyscraper.
Opened on April 3, 2017, after five years of construction (2011–2016), the Lotte World Tower is currently the sixth tallest skyscraper in the world, the third tallest in Asia, and the tallest building in Korea.
But let’s take a step back: what is Lotte? It is the fifth largest chaebol (conglomerate) in Korea. With more than 60,000 employees, this multinational operates in sectors such as food, hospitality, financial services, electronics, IT, and construction.
Today, the Lotte World Tower has become one of the new symbols of Seoul. Thanks to its Seoul Sky observatory, open to the public, you can admire not only the futuristic architecture but also a breathtaking panoramic view of the city that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Lotte World Tower is 555 meters high and has 123 floors. Its panoramic observatory, Seoul Sky, is located at 478 meters. The tower’s light-colored exterior glass is inspired by traditional Korean ceramics, while its shape recalls the brushstrokes of Korean calligraphy. In many ways, its design is a true tribute to Korean culture.
High standards of environmental sustainability: the tower is equipped with an advanced heat pump system for heating and cooling, powered both by 720 geothermal probes placed 200 meters underground and by the waters of the Han River. It also features heat-insulating glass with passive shading systems, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and rainwater harvesting technologies.
Inside the Lotte World Tower you will find offices, about 30 floors of luxury apartments, and 25 floors dedicated to the Signiel Seoul. With its 235 rooms, it is the most luxurious hotel in Korea and one of the best hotels in the world. Despite this, you can stay here at significantly lower prices than hotels of the same level in Europe or the United States. Definitely worth considering if you want to experience an unforgettable wake-up call with a panoramic view of Seoul. The tower also hosts a contemporary art museum, bars, restaurants, an aquarium, and the Lotte World Mall, a large shopping complex.
As you can see in the graphic, the top floors of the Lotte World Tower are dedicated to the panoramic observatory, Seoul Sky. It spans six floors, from 118 to 123, which can be fully visited with a ticket, in order to enjoy an incredible panorama of Seoul. Each floor offers something different, and one of them features the world’s highest glass-floored observation deck. The streets of Seoul will look so far below that they almost seem unreal.
The ticket price is 31,000 KRW for adults and 27,000 KRW for children aged 3 to 13. However, I strongly recommend that you buy it online since you can get a discounted rate. Tickets are dated, meaning you must select the actual day of your visit. To be safe, purchase them closer to the visit date so you can check the weather forecast.
The most breathtaking view is at sunset or in the evening, when the city lights begin to sparkle. Even the elevator ride is a show in itself, but the real highlight comes when the doors open at the top. No more spoilers from here, just go and see it for yourself!
Once you have finished visiting the Lotte World Tower and the Seoul Sky observation deck, you can also explore the surrounding area. Right below the skyscraper, you will find the large Lotte World Mall, where you can shop or dine at one of the many restaurants.
Also nearby is the famous Lotte World, a beautiful amusement park that I highly recommend if you are a fan of theme parks. If you decide to visit Lotte World and enjoy a day full of fun and adrenaline, I suggest taking advantage of the 35% discount below — buying tickets on site means paying the full price instead. In addition to the amusement park, there is also the Lotte World Aquarium, part of the huge Lotte entertainment complex.
Finally, you can enjoy a walk around Seokchon Lake, located right next to Lotte World. During spring, the lake is beautifully surrounded by cherry blossom trees. Personally, I love evening walks and sunsets at Seokchon Lake because they are incredibly relaxing.
Now all you have to do is buy tickets for the panoramic observatory of the Lotte World Tower, Seoul Sky, and book your visit. The panoramic view of Seoul from almost half a kilometer high will not disappoint you.
If you want to discover more must-see places in Seoul, also read the article dedicated to the Best 10 attractions to see in Seoul.
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