Few travelers get the opportunity to spend as much time as we did in Seoul – 3 months. Most will only be visiting for a few days or maybe a couple of weeks. With that in mind, these are our itineraries for the time-strapped traveler. Considering the city is huge, there’s no way you’ll get to see everything, so we’re going to outline what we think will give you the best and most authentic taste of the city. Here is your Seoul Itinerary, broken down into 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days.

Seoul Itinerary Guide

1 Day Seoul Itinerary

If you only have one day, chances are you’re in transit so you’ll only have a few hours to really get anything done. You’ll need to allow yourself about an hour and a half into and out of the city from and to the airport respectively. As such, you really only have the ability to access areas close to metro stations.

Gyeongbokgung Palace – Start off here, on the northern edge of Seoul. This is the central palace of Joseon Dynasty and will give you a great view of Korean architecture. There are a few museums within the complex and will provide a full morning of exploration.
Jahamun-ro – This street is just west of Gyeongbokgung and contains a lot of authentic restaurants and a few street vendors as well. Here you can grab lunch from anyplace that strikes your fancy. Most restaurants will have a display of fake plastic food, serving as representatives of the dishes you can order – it makes it very easy to decide on what you want if you don’t know the names of the dishes.
National Museum of Korea – After lunch, hop on the metro and go to the National Museum of Korea. The largest museum in Asia offers an awesome selection of history and culture to explore. The grounds are expansive and will allow you finish off your afternoon here. Once you’re done, finish off by having dinner at any place you like out front of the museum campus and return to the airport or proceed on your way

3 Day Seoul Itinerary

If you have three days, you have a little bit more time on your hands, so you’re going to have the chance to immerse yourself a little bit more in the culture. But you’re still going to be a little pressed for time. Unless otherwise noted, I’m just going to discuss the days here. You should fill your nights by exploring the areas close to your hotel, taking in street food, and trying a few drinks of soju.

Day 1:

Day 1 will bring you up to speed with getting around Seoul and introduce you to the culture. The day is rather leisurely, and you can go at whatever pace you decide.

N Seoul Tower – Start here, and spend an hour at the top getting a nice view of the city. Within the tower, there is information regarding different regions within Seoul which can further inspire your travels. You can take a bus or gondola to the top for the easiest trip, but it can be worth it to hike from the bottom to the top. You’ll get to hike a short piece of the Seoul City Wall, which you otherwise won’t get to visit on this visit.
Itaewon – Just south of N Seoul Tower is the international district, Itaewon. Spend some time here exploring the shops, chatting with some locals (you’re more likely to find a few English speakers here), and grabbing some local food – I recommend the Bulgogi.
National Museum of Korea – The museum will offer you a great introduction to Korean people and provide a full afternoon for you. Once you finish the museum, you can grab dinner out front of the museum.

Day 2:

After a relaxing day 1, day 2 will test your abilities and comfort zone a bit more. On this day, you’ll get out into nature, see an ancient temple, and experience a quintessential aspect of Korean life.

Ansan Trail – Start off from Dongnimmun Station and travel through Yonsei University campus towards Ansan Mountain. If you want a more leisurely exploration, you can check out the jail at the base of the trail. Hike up the trail and get a wonderful panoramic view of the city once at the top. The hike will take you a couple of hours but is not particularly strenuous. The park here offers many different trails if you’re not quite up for a full hike.
Bongwonsa Temple – If you descend Ansan on the other side of the ridge, you can come down and visit the Bongwonsa Temple. It’s old and will give you a great opportunity to see a historic and still operating Buddhist temple. You can then continue on down the hill and you will come through some roads that offer a great variety of foods to enjoy – they specialize in ox-bone soups here).
Jimjilbang – Your muscles are probably a little sore, and you a little dirty from your day of hiking. Enjoy some relaxation and cleanup time at a Jimjillbang. There are many throughout the city and relatively cheap. You can spend as little or much time as you want here. But you may want to allow a couple of hours at least – even more, if you’re not on a budget and can afford to splurge on body scrapings and other specialties. Just be aware it’s a public bath! – no privacy.

Day 3:

Day 3 is where you will get to learn and appreciate Korea’s history and culture. It will be less strenuous than the day before, but still be very full.

Korea War Museum – Often toted as the forgotten war, the Korean War is an important part of Korean heritage and still bears an important of Korean identity. The museum will give you an in-depth look at the war and current politics of South Korea.
Gyeongbokgung Palace – Finish off your stay with a visit to the grand palace of the Joseon Dynasty. You will get a great view of Korean architecture. There are a few museums within the complex and finish off your afternoon.
Jahamun-ro – This street is just west of Gyeongbokgung and contains a lot of authentic restaurants and a few street vendors as well. Grab dinner from anyplace that strikes your fancy as you wander through the historic streets. Most restaurants will have a display of fake plastic food, serving as representatives of the dishes you can order – it makes it very easy to decide on what you want if you don’t know the names of the dishes. Also, be sure to indulge in the local drink – Soju.

5 day Seoul Itinerary

With a week to explore the city, you can really get a good bit of exploration done. This itinerary may be exhausting, but it is well worth it. You won’t forget the experiences.

Day 1:

Your first day will give you a quick introduction to the city and let you explore some of the best shopping districts that won’t break your bank. As it is your first day, it will be a little more relaxed to prepare you for the following days.

N Seoul Tower – Take in an early morning trip to the top of the tower and take in the sites. Enjoy a coffee while gazing out on the city. Be sure to read the information printed on the windows as it provides insight into what you are looking at and also may provide you with ideas on where else you will want to check out.
Myeongdong – A great shopping and food district on the northern end of N Seoul Tower. You can take a cable car down for a more scenic view that will bring directing into the district, or ride a bus down, or even walk. Once in the neighborhood, there is plenty to keep you occupied from high-end shopping to fun little boutiques.
National Museum of Korea – Spend the rest of your afternoon taking in the museum. Since it is free, you won’t feel guilty about any spending you just did in Myeongdong, and you will get a good understanding of the country. It should help inform the rest of your visit. If you have enough time, you can also check out the Hangul museum located adjacent to the National Museum.

Day 2:

Your second day is still bringing you up to speed with the city. There will be a lot of walking and learning as you explore Korea past and present. If you didn’t pick up a souvenir on the first day, you’ll have another chance to do so today.

Korean War Museum – Check out the war museum to learn about the still on-going Korean War. The military is an important part of Korean life, and paying your respects to fallen soldiers while also learning about the situation will bring you up to speed on the region.
Itaewon – Check out the international district, Itaewon. Spend some time here exploring the shops, chatting with some locals (you’re more likely to find a few English speakers here), and grabbing some local food – I recommend the Bulgogi. It’s a great place to go to see how cultures collide in Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung Palace – Begin the end of your day with a visit to the grand palace of the Joseon Dynasty. You will get a great view of Korean architecture. There are a few museums within the complex and finish off your afternoon.
Jahamun-ro – This street is just west of Gyeongbokgung and contains a lot of authentic restaurants and a few street vendors as well. Grab dinner from anyplace that strikes your fancy as you wander through the historic streets. Most restaurants will have a display of fake plastic food, serving as representatives of the dishes you can order – it makes it very easy to decide on what you want if you don’t know the names of the dishes. Also, be sure to indulge in the local drink – Soju.

Day 3:

This day will be difficult to manage for some, but is an experience well worth it. See the city from a perspective few visitors will get. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time, and maybe consider packing a picnic lunch as well.

Seoul City Wall – More complicated than most other items on this list, but it’s well worth it, providing a great view of the area. The Seoul City Wall is part of the historic wall that surrounds the original city limits of Seoul. This particular section takes you to some key historical sites, a few gates, and ends in a historic village. Bring your Passport though, or else you can’t do it since the area is still technically an active military zone ~ don’t worry though, it is safe.

Day 4:

Your fourth day will allow you to relax from the previous day. Indulge in the quirky cafe culture, high-end fashion and shopping, and K-Pop. It’s a day to relax and explore the city at your pace.

Hongdae – This district offers a lot to see and do. There’s plenty of restaurants and bars. You can even check out a cat cafe here – or a Hello Kitty Cafe. It’s a great place to spend the day just checking out local life.
Gangnam – This is the district the song is named after. While it’s a little overrated, it is still worth checking out. There are quite a few high-profile shopping centers here as well as the highly rated Samsung D-light. Be aware that this is the more expensive area of the city, so dress up to look like you belong.

Day 5:

Your final day will be a little grueling, but you’ll be in good company as you take part in Korea’s national pastime for a great view, and then relax your sore muscles.

Mount Dobangson / Bukhansan National Park – Hiking is Korea’s national past time, and this strenuous hike will test you, certainly get your lungs going. You can expect to spend the majority of your day hiking. There are various forts and temples along the trail to the top. Spectacular views await you. ~ If a difficult hike is not for you, I recommend the Ansan Trail / Bongwonsa Temple route from the 3-day itinerary.
Jimjilbang – After a full week of walking, hiking, and having just finished Mount Dobangson, a Jimjilbang is exactly what you need to finish off your stay. A traditional Korean bath, you can soak in the thermal waters and really unwind.

Honorable mentions:

Though I didn’t include them on the itineraries, these places are great substitutes if something doesn’t appeal to you.

Seoul Zoo – this is an especially good option for anyone who is interested in animals or has kids. The zoo needs at least a half-day, but could easily extend to a full day. It is also adjacent to an amusement park which you can travel to via a gondola in the zoo.

Changdeokgung Palace – This palace is just as impressive as Gyeongbokgung Palace, though it is a little further out on the metro. The secret garden tour is a highlight of the trip and well worth the tour.

Metro Stations – Although it is not the case for every station, many stations are adventures unto themselves. In fact, there is even a metro tour you can follow! Whenever you are at large stations, it is worth checking out what is around – you can find restaurants, malls, and even art exhibitions.

Prepare for your Adventure!

So now that you have an idea of what you are going to do during your stay in Seoul, you need to prepare to make sure that you enjoy it. Now, South Korea experiences a wide range of weather, so preparing properly is going to depend a little on the season. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered a bunch of tips that should help you enjoy your stay.

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Travel Pack – Carrying the right pack can make a huge difference while out. Our Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Travel Pack will help ensure you get off on the right foot.
Water Bottles – Collapsible Water Bottles – These are some of our favorite items to bring with us. They’re really light-weight and you can also roll them up so you can store them away easily. If there is one item that is most important to bring with you, it is water.
Hiking Clothes – If you go hike during the warmer months, you will want protection from the sun. A recent addition to my wardrobe has made a big difference so that I can be protected from the sun and comfortable. For him | For her
Headlamps – Seoul is pretty well lit, so you don’t need these if you’re sticking to the city, but if you want to do a sunrise or sunset hike, you may want to make sure you can see where you’re going. Getting caught on a mountain at dark can be frightening, or downright deadly. It is easy to get caught past dark, so we recommend these just in case. Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight
Raingear – If you visit during the rainy season, you’re going to want to keep dry. Dragging an umbrella around in such a dense city can get a little cumbersome. I really like this jacket because it’s light enough to wear without getting hot, but if it’s cool out – it will also keep you from getting chilled. As a plus, it can be folded into itself making it very easy to carry around or pack. For him | For her
Trekking Poles – The trails near Seoul are pretty steep – and rocky – and a helping hand or in this case pole can really make a difference. Bringing a trekking pole gives you extra stability and allows you to use more of your body when climbing, giving your legs a little bit of a break. You see all the locals using them on this trail and there is a reason why. Trekking Poles
First-aid Kit – You really need to be prepared for anything when hiking, which means you need to be prepared for injury. We don’t often get hurt, but we have. You never know what could happen so you should always carry a basic first aid kit to be able to patch up whatever may happen. First-Aid Kit
Bug Repellant – We were surprised to find that South Korea is full of mosquitos. No one wants to come down with any of the awful diseases these bugs can bring. Unfortunately, there is no way to deal with these really other than to be proactive. Off! Deep Woods Towelettes
Sun Screen – During the summer you could easily get burned. If you don’t cover up with clothes, then you should wear sunscreen. TSA Approved Sunscreen