Seoul Itinerary: 3 to 5 Days From a Former Resident

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Seoul is one of the most exciting cities in Asia: royal palaces next to glass towers, night markets, K-pop, cafes in old factories and some of the best food you will ever eat. I lived in Seoul for a year as an exchange student, and this itinerary is the route I would plan for a friend visiting for the first time. It works for 3, 4 or 5 days, with day-by-day plans and tips on where to stay and how to get around.

Day 1: Palaces and Old Seoul

Start at Gyeongbokgung, the biggest of Seoul’s royal palaces. Watch the changing of the guard and walk through the courtyards. Entry costs about 3,000 won, and visitors wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, get in free; rental shops nearby make it easy. The palace is closed on Tuesdays. Continue to Bukchon Hanok Village, a hillside of traditional houses. People still live here, so keep your voice down. In the most famous lanes, tourists may only visit between 10:00 and 17:00, and fines apply outside those hours, so come in the morning. In the afternoon, walk to Insadong for tea houses, craft shops and Ssamziegil, then end the day at Gwangjang Market with bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap.

Day 2: Myeongdong, Namsan and the Night

Spend the morning in Myeongdong for cosmetics, fashion and street snacks. Walk or take the cable car up Namsan to N Seoul Tower for the view over the city. In the evening, go to Dongdaemun, where the Dongdaemun Design Plaza lights up and fashion markets stay open late, or to Itaewon for international food and bars.

Day 3: Sinchon, Hongdae and the Han River

This is my neighbourhood. Start with brunch in Sinchon, walk through the campus of Yonsei University and try student favourites like Korean fried chicken and tteokbokki. My Sinchon guide lists my favourite places. In the afternoon, walk to Hongdae for vintage shops, cafes and street performers. At sunset, go to a Han River park such as Yeouido or Mangwon, order fried chicken delivered to the river and watch the lights, like Seoul locals do.

Day 4: Gangnam or Seongsu

Choose modern Seoul. In Gangnam, visit COEX and the Starfield Library, Bongeunsa temple across the road, and Lotte World Tower with its observation deck and the Lotte World theme park. If you prefer cafes and design, spend the day in Seongsu, where old factories became cafes, concept stores and pop-up shops, and finish at Seoul Forest park.

Day 5: Day Trips From Seoul

Day trip	Why go	Travel time
Nami Island and Gapyeong	Tree-lined paths and nature, easy by ITX train	about 1 to 1.5 h
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress	UNESCO fortress walls and a walk around the old town	about 1 h
DMZ	The border with North Korea, only with an organised tour	about 1 h
Incheon	Chinatown and the Fairy Tale Village	about 1 h
Mallipo or the west coast	Beach, surfing and sunsets	about 2.5 h

For Incheon, see my guide to the Fairy Tale Village, and for the coast, my Mallipo Beach guide. If you have more time, take the KTX to Busan; my Busan travel guide covers the best of Korea’s second city.

Book Seoul tours, day trips and tickets:

What to Eat in Seoul

• Korean barbecue (samgyeopsal) with friends and soju.
• Korean fried chicken and beer, called chimaek.
• Tteokbokki and fish cakes from street stalls.
• Bibimbap and kimchi jjigae for a simple lunch.
• Hangover soup (haejang-guk) after a night out.
• Bingsu, shaved ice dessert, in summer.

My Korean food guide lists more than 30 dishes to try, and you should also try the viral Icetino coffee drink.

Where to Stay

For this itinerary, Myeongdong, Hongdae or Sinchon are ideal bases. I compare all areas in where to stay in Seoul. You can also compare Seoul hotels on Agoda.

Find your Seoul hotel:

Getting Around Seoul

Get a T-money card at any convenience store, download Naver Map or Kakao Map and use the subway for almost everything. From Incheon Airport, the AREX express train reaches Seoul Station in about 43 minutes. Everything is explained in my guide to getting around South Korea. Book an AREX ticket online and set up a Korea eSIM before you fly.

Tips for Your Seoul Trip

• Check whether you need a K-ETA before you fly.
• Many museums and palaces close on Mondays or Tuesdays; check before you go.
• Spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (red leaves) are the most beautiful seasons; summers are hot and humid, winters very cold.
• Shops and cafes open late; Seoul is a night city.
• Carry a little cash for street food and markets.

Choose your season with the best time to visit South Korea, plan your budget with South Korea trip cost and check the K-ETA requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Seoul Itinerary

How many days do I need in Seoul?

Three days cover the highlights: palaces, Myeongdong, Namsan and Hongdae. Four to five days let you add Gangnam or Seongsu and a day trip.

What is the best area to stay for this itinerary?

Myeongdong is central for sightseeing, while Hongdae and Sinchon are better for nightlife and budget stays.

Is Seoul worth visiting for a first trip to Korea?

Absolutely. Seoul combines history, food, shopping and nightlife, and it is the easiest base for day trips and the KTX to Busan.

Can I visit Gyeongbokgung for free?

Visitors wearing hanbok get free entry. Otherwise, the ticket costs about 3,000 won. The palace is closed on Tuesdays.

Is a DMZ tour worth it?

For many visitors it is one of the most memorable experiences in Korea. You can only visit with an organised tour, and you need your passport.

What is the best time to visit Seoul?

April to early June and September to November have the best weather. Cherry blossoms bloom in early April and autumn leaves peak in late October and early November.

Is Seoul expensive?

Mid-range. Hotels and cafes in trendy areas can be pricey, but transport is cheap and street food and local restaurants are affordable.

Final Thoughts

Seoul rewards curiosity. Spend mornings in palaces and old neighbourhoods, afternoons in cafes and markets, and nights by the Han River or in Hongdae. Three days give you a taste; five days let you live a little like a local. See you in Sinchon.