Korea itineraries
5 days in Seoul
A 5-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: 5 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…
Day 4 · Seoul: Seongsu, Gangnam and the Lotte World Tower
Seongsu-dong's warehouse cafés and pop-up stores, a walk in Seoul Forest, the Starfield Library at COEX, and the view from the Lotte World Tower at dusk.
Seongsu성수동Old brick factories and shoe workshops turned into cafes, galleries and design stores,…
Seoul Forest서울숲A large green park beside the Han River with open lawns, ponds and tree-lined paths, good…
Samseong & COEX (with Bongeunsa)삼성동 코엑스 봉은사A big underground mall and aquarium across the road from a working Buddhist temple, among…
Jamsil (Lotte World & Seokchon Lake)잠실 롯데월드 석촌호수A lakeside area with a theme park and Korea's tallest tower, good for evening strolls and…
Day 5 · Seoul: Day trip: the DMZ or Suwon
Join a DMZ tour (Imjingak, the Third Infiltration Tunnel; bring your passport and book a day ahead), or take the subway to Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress and walk its walls.
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.