There is so much to do in Seoul and South Korea, I've not done it all even after 10 trips! If you're lucky enough to have 7 days in Seoul, here are some tips for making the most of your trip (especially if traveling wither seniors), such as the top things to do, things to eat, and where to stay!
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Seoul is a bustling metropolis with amazing shopping, the most advanced skin treatments, delicious street food, ancient palaces, and more! It has a vibrant nightlife, and is an easy train ride from many top attractions in Korea - there are so many things to do, I've not been able to do them all even after 10 visits.
Hence, you need to plan carefully to make the most of your visit. Scroll down for some of my tips on how to plan the best Korean trip ever!
As Seoul is such a large city, I've grouped attractions that are close to each other on the same day to save commuting time.
Day 1: History in the Heart of Seoul
In Seoul, you'll find remnants of the city's past next to modern skyscrapers. Today, we'll be enjoying traditional Korean tea and learning more about the city's history.
If you wake up early enough, I suggest trying a traditional Korean breakfast. It's very different from a Western breakfast, as it's savory and more filling- delicious though!
Gyeongbokgung Palace 景福宮
Gyeongbokgung Palace was voted by many Koreans as the "most scenic location in Seoul." You will need at least 2 hours, or more, to see the huge palace grounds. (The guided tour alone is 1.5 hours!)
One of the top things to do in Seoul is to visit the royal palaces, which are also very centrally located, so we'll start our day there.
There are 5 Palaces in Seoul but the most famous is the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace. Many kings of the Joseon Dynasty were crowned here.
It's also the largest and in the best condition which is why I'm including it in the itinerary. (Visiting 1 Palace- or max 2- is more than enough for the average visitor to Seoul. Seeing all 5 can be overkill, unless you are VERY interested in Korean history or Korean historical dramas!)
Constructed in 1395, the palace was almost totally destroyed by Japan so unfortunately what we see today is mostly a reproduction.
I recommend renting a traditional Korean outfit (Hanbok.) It may seem kitschy but it gets you free entry! (Visitors dressed correctly in the hanbok do not have to pay admission fees to the Royal Palaces. The hanbok site I linked to has OVER 1500 options for you to choose from! If you make a booking, I get a small commission at no cost to you.)
It's not everyday that you roam palace grounds in traditional Korean dress, so why not hire a photographer to commemorate the day? (You get over 200 photos, 20 of which will be edited.)
Since you're in the area, you may want to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony (Sumunjang.) I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but you do get some nice photos.
The full ceremony is held at 10 and 2 pm, every weekday EXCEPT Tuesday, in front of the main gate of Gyeonbokgung.) For a shorter procession, visit at 11 am or 1 pm on the weekends.
Alternative: Changdeokgung Palace 창덕궁/ 昌德宮 or Changdeok Palace is also worth visiting if you've already seen Gyeongbokgung. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its"Secret Garden", or Biwon (비원/ 秘院) and its Ongnyucheon Jade Stream. If you're visiting in spring, this is one of the best place to see cherry blossoms in Seoul!
Bukchon-dong/ Insadong/ Ikseondong
Next up are Insa-dong, Ikseon-dong and Bukchon-dong, 3 of my favorite places to visit in Seoul. You can find traditional Korean architecture and culture in the 3 areas, which are actually located within walking distance of each other.
They're so close to the palace, there are tours which include both Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon. It's easy to get around Seoul, so you don't really need a tour guide, but the guides do give you better insight into the history of the areas.
All 3 areas have a slightly different character, which I've summarized below:
- Bukchon Hanok Village: translated as "North Village", this is a residential area that has become a tourist attraction thanks to the many traditional Korean houses that you can find there. The houses date back hundreds of years and you can even do a hanok stay in some of them. Along the main street, you'll find cool cafes and independent shops- wander into the little alleys to see the best of the traditional hanok houses (but do respect the residents' privacy!)
- Insa-dong: this arts and crafts street can feel a bit kitschy. The main area is filled with souvenir shops and mass produced knick knacks. The real attraction is in the side streets and alleys, where you'll find traditional Korean tea houses and restaurants. (To me, it feels like Insa Dong has the most Korean restaurants and tea houses out of these 3 areas.)
- Ikseon-dong: this area has become super trendy in the last few years, and you'll see many of its cafes on TikTok and social media. Unfortunately, it has the narrowest streets of the 3 districts, which can get very packed. There's also a super long queue to get into the most famous cafes, such as the one shown below. The cafes, restaurants, and shops that you find here are more cosmopolitan (and less traditionally Korean.)
Ikseon Dong
Once you've finished at the Palace, why not head to Ikseon Dong for some lunch and window shopping?
There seem to be more international restaurants in Ikseon Dong than Korean, but since it's your first lunch in Korea, I'm assuming you'll want Korean food. (If you can't take chili, here are some non-spicy Korean dishes.)
I recommend trying Bangida Ikseon 반기다, a modern Korean restaurants that was opened by a chef who used to work at the Michelin-starred La Yeon in the Shill Seoul.
Address: 서울 종로구 익선동 166-52 | 166-52 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
In terms of shopping, you'll find Korean accessories and Korean fashion sold there, but not so much in the way of souvenirs. Note that Korean clothing mostly comes in a very small free size. (Don't worry you can get more than your fair share of that in Insa-dong, which is where we're heading next!)
After lunch, you may want to have dessert at one of Ikseon Dong's famous cafes or save the stomach space for some traditional Korean tea in Insa Dong!
Note: I suggest lunch at Ikseon Dong instead of dinner, because we want to avoid the after-work crowd! Ikseon Dong is already crowded enough in the day!
Insadong
Insa Dong is very close to Ikseon Dong, but the walk over is not terribly scenic, so I suggest grabbing a cab (relatively inexpensive in Korea).
Since we've just eaten, let's walk off lunch at the open-air mall, Ssamzigil (쌈지길), where you'll find lots of handcrafted goods which make great Korean souvenirs. Some of the shops even have craft classes, where you can make your own creations, such as small music boxes. (If you're looking for more regular, machine made souvenirs, you'll find plenty of those in the shops lining the main street of Insa Dong.)
When your feet are tired, why not sit down to some Korean tea and traditional Korean snacks? If you're fit enough to sit on the floor, I suggest finding a teahouse with that option, since it's the traditional Korean way! (Super comfortable in winter, since the floor is heated!)
After that, it's an early dinner and back to the hotel to catch up on rest!
Note: Jogyesa Temple is close to Insa Dong so you may want to check it out before you head back!
Day 2: Shopping and Skincare
Markets
Seoul has numerous markets.
Today, we'll be visiting Namdaemun Market , which sells everything from food to electronics and jewelry. It is 1 of the most famous markets in Seoul and very close to Myeong Dong, where you can get lots of Korean beauty products.
Namdaemun sells everything from food and jewelry to electronics. I suggest trying some of the street food here then heading to Myeong Dong.
Note: Gwangjang Market, made famous by Netflix, is also a popular place to visit, but there are reports that the fame may be going to the head of some of the vendors.
What to get: Cute and cheap socks are everywhere in Seoul, and make nice souvenirs. You can also get inexpensive but good skincare as well as trendy but cheap jewelry.
Note: if you don't see anything you like to eat at Namdaemun, head to Shinsegaee Department Store. It's just next to Namdaemun and has a great food court!
Note: if you bought a lot, you don't have to carry your haul all around with you. Leave it in one of the lockers in the tube station. (You have to pay to use those, of course.)
Myeongdong
After that, let's head to Myeong Dong which is, sad to say, overrun with tourists. However, I'm still including it on this Seoul 7 day Itinerary, because it's a super convenient place to pick up skincare and beauty products!
Not only are all the shops close to each other, most of them make it super easy to get your tax back: if you spend over a set amount, usually 30,000 Won or US$30 (approx), the tax will automatically be deducted from your bill. This makes life SO much easier, because the tax refund at Incheon International Airport is not straightforward at all.
You'll find almost all the affordable mainstream skincare brands in Myeong Dong, such as Innisfree, Face Shop, Nature Republic, etc, as well as "umbrella" shops which have a range of brands, such as Olive Young. (Think of them as the Korean equivalent of Sephora.)
All the shops- even if they're from the same brand- will run different promotions, so shop around before you buy. And most will give different gifts based on your expenditure level, so check what the free gifts are first!
You can easily spend 2-3 hours shopping here!
In the evening, you'll find lots of street food vendors in Myeong Dong but I don't find the food that good at the night market. (It's more expensive too.)
Note: if your muscles are tired, you can get cheap massages in Myeong Dong (but they book up fast, so don't expect to be able to walk in. You'll need to book a few hours ahead of time.)
Hongdae
A fun place to hang out in the evening is Hongdae. It's a University area where you can often see live performances, but you don't have to be college age to enjoy it!
You'll find good music, people busking on the streets, good restaurants etc. Perfect for your second night in Seoul!
Note: Edae, which is the area around the Women's University, used to be great but is full of closed storefronts now sadly.
Day 3: Gangnam
Today, we're heading over the Han River to Gangnam, which is considered the posh part of Seoul.
To be honest, it's not really that posh! Gangnam is a HUGE area, so some parts are fancy but many parts are not. If you're crazy about K-pop and Korean dramas, this is your best bet for spotting celebs (but no promises.) Just note that Gangnam is much more spread out than the other parts of Seoul we've visited so far, so you'll be spending more time commuting.
I suggest starting at Garosugil. I think of it as Gangnam's equivalent to Myeong Dong (but not as fun, to be honest.) You'll find shops and restaurants along a pretty tree-lined street here.
After that, take a cab to Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple, where you can enjoy a cup of tea in the teahouse and take part in some temple programmes. Bongeunsa is very close to COEX and its famous Starfield library, so head over if you want some photos for your Instagram. However, COEX is quite over-hyped in my opinion.
One of my favorite things to do in Seoul is to grab a facial and Gangnam is a great place for that- I make sure to get at least 1 skin treatment per trip! The Sulwhasoo facial is one of the best (non-invasive treatments) I've tried in Seoul and Sulwhasoo has a spa in Gangnam (click through for my review of the facial.)
In the afternoon, let's head to Seoul Forest (서울숲), one of my favorite places to visit in Seoul. It's an old hunting ground converted to a public park that is free to enter. The street next to Seoul Forest is also very much worth visiting: it's lined with independent shops and restaurants. The best place to get dinner before heading back!
Day 4: Hands-on in Bukchon
Bukchon is a picturesque village full of historic Korean buildings but we've already seen 2 pretty hanok villages, so it's time for something different.
Today, I suggest trying some traditional Korean crafts and classes. Nothing better than something you made with your own 2 hands! (If this isn't your thing, why not get your hair done in Seoul or just skip to Day 5 below.)
I've taken a kimchi making course at the Kimchi Academy, which was very fun, made my own Korean mother of pearl souvenirs, gone for a Korean make-up class (by a celebrity makeup artist, apparently) etc etc. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone! (Click the link for my review of the MOP class.)
Here are some suggestions:
- get your colors done (one of the most hottest beauty services in Korea at the moment)
- learn to cook Korean food (beyond kimchi), such as Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice), Dakgalbi (stir-fried chicken), Pajeon (Korean pancake), and Doenjang-Jjigae (Koreanfermented soybean paste stew).
- Take a Kpop dance class (which includes video + editing)
- Make your own Korean wine
Day 5: Take a day trip!
There are tons of things to do in Seoul, but also so many lovely sights nearby. Thus, for Day 5, why not do a day trip out of Seoul?
- Although Busan is worth spending a few days in, if you don't have enough time, you can take the 2hour+ KTX train down for the day. (There's a lot to do in Busan, from the Sky Capsule to Gamcheon Village.)
- If you're interested in the Korean War and North Korea, you may want to book a tour to the demilitarized zone (DMZ).
- Another day trip is popular with K-drama (Winter Sonata) fans is Nami Island.
- Take a hike in Bukhansan National Park (has hiking trails for all levels), Mount Seorak, Namsan Park, or Inwangsan Mountain? Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Korea, so you'll be really experiencing local life!
For more of the best places to visit within easy reach of Seoul, click here.
Day 6: Relaxing at a Traditional Korean Spa
If you're not shy about appearing in your birthday suit, why not try a jjimjjibang, or traditional Korean spa?
After that, head to Seongsu Dong, an area full of repurposed warehouses that have been converted into coffee shops and restaurants. (It's like the Brooklyn of Seoul.) The area is very much about street art and cafe hopping.
Note: Seongsu Dong is quite close to Seoul Forest, but I split them into 2 different days, so that you don't have to rush!
Day 7: Museums
On your last day, visit some of Seoul's best Museums, such as the National Museum of Korea, the National Folk Museum of Korea, or Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.
Along the way, take a leisurely stroll down Cheonggyecheon stream, where you will find buskers and birds flying over the waters.
Expert Tips
- Google maps does not work in Korea! You will need to download Kakao Maps or Naver Maps. (Here's a list of the best apps when traveling to Seoul.)
- You can get Internet almost everywhere in Seoul but, for convenience, I purchase an e-Sim or a local SIM card with a data plan. (I prefer the e-Sim as everything is online and you don't have to go to a shop to get it.)
- For those on a budget, here are some free activities to do in Seoul.
- If you don't know where to stay, here's guide on the best places to stay in Seoul, as well as a review of the various 5-star hotels in Seoul!
- If you only have 3 days in Seoul, click here.
For more Korean travel tips, click here.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Seoul is during September to November (fall.) The foliage is beautiful, weather is good, and there's less yellow dust.
There are beautiful cherry blossoms in Spring- but also lots of air pollution! If you are in Seoul in April, May or June, click through for a guide to those months + a guide to summer in Seoul
Getting Around
The easiest way to travel around Seoul is obviously by taxi (and surprisingly cheap.) For those travelling with others, or who have a more flexible budget, I recommend taking a taxi (IF it is not peak hour. Traffic jams can be bad in Seoul!)
Seoul also has a great public transportation system, from bus to subway and train. My top recommendation is the subway. It's fast, clean and convenient. Buses are not bad but the bus rides can be quite... startling? The drivers start and stop as well as take corners quite aggressively so, if you can't get a seat, you may find yourself in danger of falling over whilst standing. (Buses get crowded during peak hours so it's hard to get a seat.)
Pro Tip: get a T-money card at vending machines in subway stations or from the cashier at convenience stores. This is a reloadable transportation card that can be used on subway, buses, and even taxis. With it, you are sometimes able to save some money commuting.
Travelling to Seoul from Incheon Airport
Incheon International Airport is the main airport in Seoul. From Incheon, there are several ways to get to the city centre:
- private car (comfy but pricey. This private transfer service from Incheon takes up to 7 people, so it can be worth it for larger groups, especially if your Hotel is not on the Airport Limo Bus route.)
- taxi (can be a hassle. For example, I've had taxis refuse to take us when travelling with my Aunt and her wheelchair.)
- express train (45 minutes to Seoul station. Note that if you need to transfer to a regular bus in Seoul, it may be an issue if you have luggage. (It's up to the discretion of the bus driver whether or not to take you.))
- my favorite: airport limousine bus (not expensive and comfortable!) You can buy the tickets at a counter in Incheon Airport. (It's just by the exit to where you wait for the bus)
Note: Starting from July 1, 2021, foreign visitors staying in South Korea for over 90 days need a K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorization) before their arrival. This can be easily done online.
If you have questions about the South Korean capital, let me know in the comments!
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