Where to Stay in Seoul
For a 3-day first visit, stay in Myeongdong, Jongno or Hongdae. Myeongdong puts you within walking distance of palaces, shopping and the airport bus. Jongno is ideal for history and Bukchon. Hongdae is best for nightlife, cafes and indie shopping.
Any central hotel should be within a 10-minute walk of at least two subway lines, which makes the itinerary below efficient.
Day 1 — Palaces & Traditional Seoul
Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace — arrive before 09:30 and watch the 10:00 changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate. Rent a hanbok nearby to skip the ₩3,000 entry fee and get beautiful photos. Walk through the National Folk Museum on the palace grounds.
Cross to Bukchon Hanok Village for traditional Joseon-era homes and sweeping views of downtown. Lunch in Samcheong-dong at a dumpling or tteokbokki spot, then walk to Insadong for tea houses, art galleries and souvenir shopping. Finish the day at Cheonggyecheon Stream for an evening stroll.
Day 2 — Modern Seoul & Nightlife
Morning: War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan (free entry, plan 2 hours). Subway to Itaewon for lunch and an international neighborhood stroll. Afternoon: N Seoul Tower via the Namsan cable car or a short hike up Namsan Park.
Evening: head to Hongdae for dinner and nightlife. Start with Korean BBQ or chimaek (fried chicken and beer), then wander the main street for buskers, indie clubs and dessert cafes open until sunrise.
Book Changdeokgung's Secret Garden tour online a few days in advance if you want to add a second palace visit.
Start with a traditional breakfast at Gwangjang Market — try bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap and mandu. Walk to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), then the Dongdaemun fashion wholesalers or Euljiro's retro coffee scene.
Afternoon: Lotte World Tower's Seoul Sky observation deck (555m, one of the tallest in the world) or a Han River bike ride from Yeouido. Evening: Myeongdong for street food, skincare shopping and your last Korean BBQ dinner.
Costs, Transport & Food Tips
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|
| Hotel per night | ₩40,000 | ₩100,000 | ₩250,000 |
| Meals per day | ₩20,000 | ₩50,000 | ₩120,000 |
| Subway per day | ₩4,000 | ₩6,000 | ₩10,000 |
| Activities per day | ₩10,000 | ₩25,000 | ₩60,000 |
| 3-day total | ₩222,000 | ₩543,000 | ₩1,320,000 |
- Buy a T-money card at any convenience store for ₩2,500-4,000 and top it up as needed.
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap — Google Maps is unreliable for walking routes in Korea.
- Book a DMZ day tour if you want to add a 4th day — independent access is prohibited.
- Most palaces are closed on either Monday or Tuesday — check ahead.
Emergencies: 112 police, 119 fire/medical, 1330 tourist helpline (free, 24/7, English available). Verify K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr before flying.
The KTX to Busan (2h40, ~₩60,000) makes a great day trip if you extend to 4-5 days. Book Korail tickets ahead on weekends.
Where to Stay in Seoul
For a 3-day first visit, stay in Myeongdong, Jongno or Hongdae. Myeongdong puts you within walking distance of palaces, shopping and the airport bus. Jongno is ideal for history and Bukchon. Hongdae is best for nightlife, cafes and indie shopping.
Any central hotel should be within a 10-minute walk of at least two subway lines, which makes the itinerary below efficient.
Day 1 — Palaces & Traditional Seoul
Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace — arrive before 09:30 and watch the 10:00 changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate. Rent a hanbok nearby to skip the ₩3,000 entry fee and get beautiful photos. Walk through the National Folk Museum on the palace grounds.
Cross to Bukchon Hanok Village for traditional Joseon-era homes and sweeping views of downtown. Lunch in Samcheong-dong at a dumpling or tteokbokki spot, then walk to Insadong for tea houses, art galleries and souvenir shopping. Finish the day at Cheonggyecheon Stream for an evening stroll.
Day 2 — Modern Seoul & Nightlife
Morning: War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan (free entry, plan 2 hours). Subway to Itaewon for lunch and an international neighborhood stroll. Afternoon: N Seoul Tower via the Namsan cable car or a short hike up Namsan Park.
Evening: head to Hongdae for dinner and nightlife. Start with Korean BBQ or chimaek (fried chicken and beer), then wander the main street for buskers, indie clubs and dessert cafes open until sunrise.
Book Changdeokgung's Secret Garden tour online a few days in advance if you want to add a second palace visit.
Start with a traditional breakfast at Gwangjang Market — try bindaetteok (mung bean pancake), mayak gimbap and mandu. Walk to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), then the Dongdaemun fashion wholesalers or Euljiro's retro coffee scene.
Afternoon: Lotte World Tower's Seoul Sky observation deck (555m, one of the tallest in the world) or a Han River bike ride from Yeouido. Evening: Myeongdong for street food, skincare shopping and your last Korean BBQ dinner.
Costs, Transport & Food Tips
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|
| Hotel per night | ₩40,000 | ₩100,000 | ₩250,000 |
| Meals per day | ₩20,000 | ₩50,000 | ₩120,000 |
| Subway per day | ₩4,000 | ₩6,000 | ₩10,000 |
| Activities per day | ₩10,000 | ₩25,000 | ₩60,000 |
| 3-day total | ₩222,000 | ₩543,000 | ₩1,320,000 |
- Buy a T-money card at any convenience store for ₩2,500-4,000 and top it up as needed.
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap — Google Maps is unreliable for walking routes in Korea.
- Book a DMZ day tour if you want to add a 4th day — independent access is prohibited.
- Most palaces are closed on either Monday or Tuesday — check ahead.
Emergencies: 112 police, 119 fire/medical, 1330 tourist helpline (free, 24/7, English available). Verify K-ETA at k-eta.go.kr before flying.
The KTX to Busan (2h40, ~₩60,000) makes a great day trip if you extend to 4-5 days. Book Korail tickets ahead on weekends.