Korea itineraries
3 days in Seoul
A 3-day plan for Seoul that groups nearby places on the same day, so you spend your time seeing things, not on the subway.
At a glance
- Seoul: 3 days
Day 1 · Seoul: Palaces and hanok alleys
Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace (closed Tuesdays; the guard ceremony is at 10:00 and 14:00), then walk up through the hanok houses of Bukchon. Lunch and tea in Insadong, and an evening in the small lanes of Ikseon-dong.
Gyeongbokgung & Gwanghwamun경복궁 광화문Wide royal courtyards backed by Bugaksan mountain, with Gwanghwamun Square and broad…
Bukchon & Samcheong-dong북촌 삼청동Sloping lanes of tile-roofed hanok houses with the city skyline behind them, and quiet…
Insadong인사동One long street of traditional teahouses, calligraphy shops and craft stores, with an…
Ikseon-dong익선동Narrow alleys of low hanok houses turned into cafes, small restaurants and shops, tucked…
Where to stay: Stay around Myeongdong or Jongno for the palaces, or Hongdae for nightlife; both have direct trains from Incheon Airport.
Day 2 · Seoul: Secret Garden, markets and Namsan
Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden in the morning (closed Mondays; book the garden tour). Lunch at Gwangjang Market (mung bean pancakes), street food in Myeongdong, and N Seoul Tower for the sunset.
Changdeokgung & Changgyeonggung창덕궁 창경궁Two quiet palaces with wooded grounds, ponds and pavilions, set in the east of old Seoul.
Gwangjang Market & Jongno 5-ga광장시장 종로5가A covered market over a century old, packed with food stalls, fabric shops and wholesale…
Myeongdong명동Crowded shopping streets packed with cosmetics stores, fashion shops and street food…- Namsan & N Seoul Tower남산 N서울타워A forested hill in the middle of the city, topped by a tower with views across Seoul in…
Day 3 · Seoul: Hongdae, Yeonnam and the Han River
Cafés and vintage shops in Yeonnam-dong along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, lunch at Mangwon Market, then the river: a picnic and convenience-store ramyeon at a Han River park. Back to Hongdae for street performers at night.
Yeonnam-dong연남동A relaxed residential area of small cafes and restaurants along a tree-lined former…
Mangwon & Hapjeong망원 합정A neighbourhood of local markets, small cafes and indie shops, with a riverside park a…
Yeouido여의도A flat river island of office towers, a long riverside park and broad plazas, with cherry…- Hongdae홍대Seoul's student and indie-music district, with street performers, clubs, vintage shops…
Before you go
- Get a T-money card at the airport for subways and buses everywhere in Korea.
- Install Naver Map or Kakao Map: Google Maps does not give walking directions in Korea.
- Palaces close one day a week (Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung on Mondays): swap days if needed.
- Book KTX trains a few days ahead for weekends and holidays.
Make it yours: pick your dates and hotel, and get every subway and bus step for these days.