Seoul 4 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Central Seoul

  • Palace Area (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung): Start your day with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest among the Five Grand Palaces of Joseon Dynasty. Explore Changdeokgung and Deoksugung palaces as well.

    • Activity: Watch the Changing of the Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung.
    • Food: Try traditional Korean food at local restaurants like Gwanghwamun Jai-gaek Samgyetang for ginseng chicken soup or Tosokchon for their famous soy sauce galbi and ginseng chicken.
    • Stay: Stay centrally in areas like Myeong-dong, City Hall, or Hongdae for easy access to various attractions. Recommended hotels include Grand Hyatt Seoul, Park Hyatt Seoul, and budget-friendly Motel Barak.

  • Myeong-dong: Shopping and Street Food! Explore the bustling streets of Myeong-dong, filled with cosmetics shops, fashion boutiques, and street food. Don’t miss out on trying popular snacks like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and hotteok (sweet, stuffed pancakes).

Day 2: Experience Modern Seoul

  • Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): Visit the futuristic DDP, a cultural hub with various exhibitions, shops, and events. Climb up to the rooftop for panoramic views of the city.

    • Activity: Take a break at DDP’s art park or visit the nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream.
    • Food: Lunch at Heoja Dwaeji Guk for pork bone soup, located near DDP.

  • Hapjeong/Hongdae Area: Explore hipster cafes, indie music venues, and trendy fashion stores in the vibrant neighborhoods of Hapjeong and Hongdae.

    • Activity: Enjoy live music performances at clubs or open-air stages in Hongdae.
    • Food: Have dinner at Bibigo for a modern twist on Korean BBQ, or grab a bite at the many street food stalls around Hongik University Station.

Day 3: Discover Cultural Seoul

  • Insadong: Immerse yourself in traditional Korean culture. Visit Bukchon Hanok Village to see centuries-old houses, and browse through Insadong’s antique shops, tea houses, and art galleries.

    • Activity: Try on Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) at one of the many hanbok rental shops in the area.
    • Food: Savor a traditional tea set with banchan (side dishes) at Ssamziegil, or enjoy a sweet treat like patbingsu (shaved ice dessert) at Insadong Patbingsoo Rampyeong-ro Namdaemun-ro 67-32.

  • Jamsil: Visit Lotte World, an amusement park and shopping mall complex. For sports enthusiasts, catch a baseball game at the nearby Jamsil Baseball Stadium or explore the Olympic Park.

    • Activity: Ride the sky cable to Lotte World Tower’s observation deck for breathtaking views of Seoul.
    • Food: Dinner at Mekong in Lotte World Mall, offering a variety of Asian cuisines.

Day 4: Enjoy Nature and Shopping

  • Namsan Mountain and N Seoul Tower: Take the cable car to Namsan Mountain, then head up to N Seoul Tower for panoramic views of the city. You can also lock a love padlock on the Love Locks of Hope Bridge nearby.

    • Activity: Hike some of Namsan’s trails or rent a bike around the park.
    • Food: Grab lunch at Namsan Gourmet Street, located near the cable car station, offering various food options.

  • Garosu-gil and Apgujeong Rodeo Street: Spend your last day shopping in trendy districts like Garosu-gil and Apgujeong Rodeo Street. These areas are filled with high-end boutiques, cafes, and art galleries.

    • Activity: Visit the nearby Bongeunsa Temple or the famous luxury mall, Apgujeong Mall.
    • Food: Dinner at Woorijip for traditional Korean dishes, or grab a drink at one of the many rooftop bars around Garosu-gil.