Seoul is one the most interesting cities in the world. Seoul is home to 5 palaces, traditional villages, incredible food, and vibrant culture. After spending a month traveling through Seoul and Korea, our Seoul itinerary has been compiled. This is our Seoul itinerary guide. It includes information about Seoul, places to stay, and things to see. This guide will help you plan your Seoul itinerary and make the most of your time there. Enjoy!
Seoul Itinerary
Eight days of amazing Seoul experiences have been shared. You can easily add or subtract days, or change the order to fit your schedule. These Seoul itinerary ideas are great for both first-time visitors and returning visitors who want to discover some new things in Seoul.
Seoul: How to get around
We used a mixture of walking, the subway and taxis to get around Seoul.
4G Internet
Klook allowed us to purchase a Sim card and it proved extremely useful during our stay in Seoul. It was a great way to navigate and research in the city by using mobile data. The KT Olleh simcard was used by us and we picked it up at Seoul’s airport upon our arrival. Klook makes it cheaper to order ahead.
You can rent a portable 4G Wifi hotspot if you own more than one device. These hotspots are great for connecting more than one device at once.
Seoul Pass
The Discover Seoul Pass is a great way to save money while visiting Seoul. This pass allows you to enter 42 of Seoul’s most popular tourist attractions for free. There are three options available: 24, 48, and 72 hours depending upon how much time you spend in Seoul.
Seoul Daily Itinerary
For day-by-day Seoul itinerary suggestions, read on!
- Day 1: Hanboks and palaces at the Bukchon Hanok village
- Day 1 is dedicated palaces and tradition
Renting a Hanbok, a traditional Korean dress that is colorful and vibrant, will start your day. It is not uncommon to see the 1,600 year-old Hanbok on the streets of Seoul. Many tourists rent Hanboks. It is a great way to see the historical side of Seoul, and it makes for wonderful memories and photographs! We had so much fun! I highly recommend renting hanbok in Seoul.
The Klook app saved us almost half off the cost of our hanboks by allowing us to reserve them. Although there are many shops that rent hanboks in Seoul, we recommend the Hanbok Rental Store in Gyeongbokgung. It’s conveniently located near the Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung, and Changdeokgung Palaces. There are many options for clothes – we were able find amazing hanboks both for women and men.
After changing into the Hanbok, you will make your first stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces in Seoul. These palaces were built during the Joseon Dynasty. A visit to at least one of them is a must on any Seoul itinerary. Beautiful palace grounds can be found at the Gwanghwamun main entrance. The Changing of the guard ceremony is held twice daily at 10am and at 2pm.
Walk from Gyeongbokgung to the Bukchon Haok Village. This village is a traditional Korean village that has Korean homes dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. The Bukchon Hanok village is a popular area for renting hanboks due to its history and picturesque streets.
Before you return the Hanboks, stop by Changdeokgung Palace. It is another Grand Palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful grounds and palace.
Changdeokgung Palace also features a Secret Garden, which includes pagodas, pavilions and a lotus-pond.
Day 2: DMZ (The Korean demilitarized Zone)
Many visitors make the day trip to the DMZ by car from Seoul. It is a wonderful experience. This 4km-wide area was established at the Korean War’s end in 1953. It runs along the border between North and South Korea. Only a tour is allowed to access the DMZ. You will see North Korea through the infiltration tunnel, Freedom House (JSA/Panmunjom tour), Dora Observatory, and Bridge of No Return.
You can choose to take a DMZ or JSA tour. Or, you could opt for a combination of both the DMZ/JSA tours.
JSA Tour: The JSA (or the Joint Security Area) is also known as Panmunjom. It includes Freedom House, which acts as a meeting point between North and South Korea. Visitors can visit the JSA to see North Korea’s forces and get a closer look at it.
DMZ Tour: The DMZ Tour takes you deep into the demilitarized zone. The tour does not include the Joint Security Area, so visitors can only travel a few miles from the North Korean border.
Day 3: Fried Chicken, Myeongdong and N Seoul Tower
Take a walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream’s arty walkway to start your day. The stream flows through North Seoul for miles and passes under 22 bridges. J enjoyed watching the ducks and fish as they moved by the umbrella-covered plaza near City Hall. This was our favorite spot. Highlights of the walk include the Spring Tower, Candlelight Fountain, and the stepping stones.
You should aim to cross the stream near Seoul City Hall, and then make a quick stop at its vertical gardens. Finally, take a quick picture at the I Seoul U sign on the adjacent Seoul Plaza.
Next, Myeongdong is a fun and chaotic neighborhood filled with great restaurants and quirky shops. These are the essentials for Myeongdong:
Style Nanda is a pink and quirky clothing and makeup store that consists of seven stores. Great shots of the giant parasols and pink pillows on the roof make for great photos
BHC Fried Chicken: Chimaek is a speciality from Seoul and BHC is a great spot in Myeongdong
Cosmetic shops: Korea is known for its cosmetics and make-up products. Myeongdong houses many of the top brands.
Street food: Food carts line Myeongdong’s streets. Our favorite is the 2-foot icecream!
Nanta is Seoul’s longest-running theatre production. It combines martial arts, music, and acrobatics with some kitchen antics. It is non-verbal, so language is not an issue
Namdaemun Market is the next stop after exploring Myeongdong. This market is Korea’s largest traditional market and street stalls sell souvenirs, clothing, luggage, accessories and stationery. You should try the Namdaemun street food. We stopped at the Hotteok Stall at Gate 2 at least three times during our stay in Seoul.
The iconic N Seoul Tower is just a short walk from Namdaemun. It can be reached in about 30 minutes. You can reach the N Seoul Tower by foot, cable car, or bus. If you have the time, we recommend that you walk through Namsan Park.
One of Seoul’s most famous landmarks is the N Seoul Tower. It offers stunning views of Seoul and is a great spot for photos. You can also visit a Hello Kitty home and a Love Locks tree.
Day 4: A Theme Park
A Seoul trip to one of two incredible theme parks, Everland or Lotte World, is worth it!
Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park, is extremely popular. There are five sections that offer attractions, including adrenaline-inducing rides as well as a Safari Park. You can easily reach Everland by shuttle bus from Seoul.
Lotte World is the largest indoor amusement park and outdoor Magic Island. It’s located on a manmade lake. It is both thrilling and magical. Lotte World’s indoor section makes it a great winter attraction. Lotte World can be found in Seoul.
Seoul tickets can be purchased in advance. Many offer discounted prices and shuttle buses that take visitors out of the city.
Day 5 Gangham, LotteWorld and a Korean Barbecue
Starfield Coex Mall is a great place to start your day for book lovers. Starfield Library, which houses over 50,000 books, is located in the mall.
There is also a tribute sculpture outside the mall to PSY and Gangnam Style, his viral hit song. You can’t resist trying to recreate some of the dance moves.
Just across the street is the Bongeunsa Temple. The Giant Buddha is also a highlight.
Common Ground, a popular spot for Instagram lovers in Seoul, is a great option. 200 shipping containers were brought in to create hip shopping and dining experiences.
Lotte World Tower
Next on the agenda is the observation deck at Lotte World Tower. The observation deck offers 360-degree views of Seoul and is the fifth tallest building in the globe. Kids will love the double-decker elevators and glass-bottomed observation deck.
We recommend ending the day with Korean barbecue after you’ve seen all of the sights. Mapo Sutbul Galbi, Seocho Myeonok and Seocho Myeonok make great choices. They are both easily accessible via subway from Lotte World. If you’re looking for Korean barbecue joints in Seoul, it shouldn’t be difficult to find one near you.
You can enjoy street food and barbecue on a guided tour.
Day 6: Dongdaemun and Ihwa Mural Village and War Memorial and Museum
Visit the War Memorial of Korea to learn more about Korea’s history. The museum displays the history of Korea’s wars and features fascinating sculptures, exhibit halls, and military vehicles.
You can find the Dongdaemun Market and DDP Design Plaza in Dongdaemun.
One of Seoul’s most famous buildings is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. It is home to creative exhibitions, conventions, and concerts. Its minimalist architecture and unique flowing design are amazing. It is worth visiting the museum building’s floating stairway and the LED rose garden that lights up when the sunsets turn.
Dongdaemun Market, Seoul’s fashion market, refers to an area in Dongdaemun that includes shopping malls as well as niche shops and traditional markets. You can find nearly anything in the night market or food alley.
Dongdaemun Gate is the oldest of Seoul’s eight main gates. It was located along Seoul’s city walls. It is officially known as the Heunginjimun Gate and dates back to the 14th Century.
The Ihwa Mural Village is located on Mount Naksan. It’s full of quirky shops and street art, and is a fun and colourful place to explore. The sign that says “I Love Seoul” is great for family photos. Angel wings are also very popular.
Day 7: Nami island
The picturesque Nami Island, located about 90 minutes from Seoul is known for its tree-lined avenues. The island is also home to many Korean dramas, including Winter Sonata. The cherry blossoms are usually in bloom when you visit April.
Nami Island is most popular during the summer, but it’s beautiful at all seasons. Nami Island can be reached by public transport (Gyeongchun line subway or ITX–Cheongchun, and get off at Gapyeong Station. Walk/taxi to Nami Island). However, it is best to take a tour from Seoul.
Day 8: Jogyesa Temple and Jongmyo Shrine, Insadong
Begin your day by visiting the Jongmyo Shrine. This Confucian shrine is dedicated to the memory of the Korean Joseon Dynasty’s kings, queens, and sages. This shrine is one 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea.
A guided tour is recommended as it provides a detailed explanation of the significance and history of the site. The Ancestral Hall, which is the final stop on the tour, is the most striking of all the buildings.
Spend an afternoon exploring the Insadong neighborhood. The streets are filled with souvenir shops, food stalls, and wooden tea houses. This area is famous for its ability to give you a glimpse into traditional Korean culture. Another must-see is the Ikseondong neighborhood, which is one of Seoul’s oldest neighborhoods. It is home to many quirky shops and trendy eateries.
Insadong’s Alive Museum is worth a visit. This museum is 4D and features optical illusions, peculiar art, and a Dynamic Maze.
The Jogyesa Temple, the heart of Korean Buddhism, is a great place to end the day. It is colorful and beautiful, and the grounds include ancient trees that are over 500 years old. There are also fun statues that will bring a smile on your face.