Visit Seoul, the capital of South Korea and explore its many neighborhoods. This Seoul 7 days itinerary will show you where to go in Seoul.
After the Seoul 7 Days Itinerary you can find some additional ways to spend your days in Seoul: perfect for second or third-time visitors or for those looking to explore the lesser-known and less touristy parts of Seoul: have you been to Gangdong, Pyeongchang, Buam, Eunpyeong and Tongui?
Seoul 7 days itinerary
Below is a day to day example itinerary to see all the highlights of Seoul in one week.
- Day 1 – Myeongdong and Seoul Tower
- Day 2 – Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, Cheonggyecheon stream
- Day 3 – Noryangjin fish market and Gangnam
- Day 4 – Day trip to Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Chuncheon
- Day 5 – Dongdaemun
- Day 6 – Day trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
- Day 7 – Hongdae and Itaewon
Bonus days:
Check out my Seoul 7 Days Itinerary map in Google maps.
Day 1 - Myeongdong and Seoul Tower
Your first day in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Be prepared to visit the diverse neighborhoods: go shopping, try out the food, admiring the architecture.
After arriving, buy a public transport card and load it with 60.000 Won and head towards the bus station to catch a bus 6701 to City Hall. For first time visitors, the area around City Hall is the perfect starting point to go sightseeing in Seoul: two well-connected subway lines nearby and the Seoul train station within walking distance. At night you can walk to the vibrant area of Myeongdong for entertainment.
If you arrive early, visit Lotte Department store and browse the stores and supermarket.
Spend the afternoon wandering about Myeongdong, a popular shopping destination for cosmetics and clothes. This area is busy all day but comes to life at night.
When it gets dark take the cable car up to Namsan Tower for a nice view over the city. Afterwards, head back to the street food stalls in Myeongdong to eat your first tteokbokki of your trip. The start of the cable car is within walking distance from Myeongdong. While walking you can see the lights playing with Shinsegae and Lotte Department Store. The Bank of Korea (opposite of Shinsegae) is also an interesting building to see; its ‘western’ architecture not quite matching the modern buildings surrounding it.
Day 2 - Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, Cheonggyecheon stream
Tip for eating Korean food in South Korea
Many restaurants don’t open before 11 am. At least not the ones you can find information about online. But there are many small-family owned establishments that open early and you can see many locals wandering in.
Check my Search for breakfast in South Korea post for more tips.
On the road between City Hall and Gyeongbokgung palace you can see the statue of King Sejong, the inventor of South Korean’s Hangul script. Follow the boulevard to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Admire the view of the old palace and take a walk on the palace grounds. Keep walking until you find yourself straight ahead until you reach the far end of the palace grounds. You will find yourself alone with ample photo opportunities. If you go to the North exit you can see the Blue House.
Turn back into the park and take the east exit towards Bukchon Hanok village. Wander around the small streets and visit a tea house for a traditional tea with snacks to show off your tea-making skills.
From there head towards Insadong; it’s all within walking distance. Visit the craft stores and Ssamziegil mall. If you’re up for some more tea you can go to Osulloc: a modern tea house.
For dinner tonight head towards the area in between Insadong and Chyeonggyecheon stream. This area looks best at night when all the billboards are lighting up the area. Try your hand at grilling your own meat.
Take a stroll along Chyeonggyecheon stream and turn right near Ganghwamun subway station to visit Kyobo Gwanghwamun Bookstore (open until 10 pm). Look here for a list of popular Korean books.
Day 3 - Noryangjin fish market and Gangnam
Take the subway to Noryangjin fish market for breakfast. Buy the fish you want to eat for breakfast and head to one of the restaurants with your bought fish to have it prepared for you.
Head to Samsung D’light and do the interactive tour to admire Samsung’s innovations. From there go to Apgujeong-ro in Gangnam for a walk along K-Star road and many luxury stores. From here walk to Garosu-gil (the ‘tree-lined street’) for a drink at Eighty seconds or if you want something less touristy, head to the area around Bongeunsa-ro 2 gil in Yeoksam-dong; my favorite restaurant and cafe area in Gangnam.
Day 4 - Day trip to Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island and Chuncheon
Visit the Garden of Morning Calm and see the blooming flowers in spring or summer, autumn leaves in fall or snow landscape in winter. If you’re visiting in winter it’s worth going there at night as a day trip from Seoul as the whole garden will be lighted and look like winter wonderland.
From there on head to the ferry starting point for Nami Island and take a stroll along the tree-lined boulevard famous from the Korean TV Drama Winter Sonata.
If you have time left go Petite France or Chuncheon to try Chuncheon Dakgalbi. If not head back to Seoul here.
Instead of going on your own, you can also book a day trip via GetYourGuide and have your visit to Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm and Petite France arranged for you.
Day 5 - Dongdaemun
Eat breakfast at Gwangjang market. Try their mung bean pancakes, chicken legs and other food that catches your eye.
Head to Dongdaemun Gate and walk along the eastern wall and enjoy a nice view of the city.
Explore the malls in Dongdaemun. Especially Doota shopping mall is also worth a visit to try on affordable clothes from starting fashion designers.
The shopping malls are right next to Dongdaemun Design Plaza. From the higher floors of Migliore mall, you have a nice view of the plaza. It is very interesting to watch this beautiful building both during the day and the night when the flower fields come to live. Also, make sure to explore the inside of the Design Plaza as well; depending on when you visit there might be an interesting exhibition inside.
Day 6 - Day trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
The city of Suwon is best known for Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. A good start would be to head to Janganmun Gate and follow the trail south along the wall admiring the reconstructed historical buildings until you get to Seojangdae Commanding Post.
Leave the fortress in the south and head east to Padalmun gate, one of the four big gates of Suwon Hwaseong. The area around the gate and Yeongdong Market is ideal to buy some snacks or lunch during a day full of history.
Follow Haenggung-ro to visit Hwaseong Haenggung, a temporary palace where the royal family retreated to during a war. In Haenggung-ro you can see many interesting shops and mural art. This is also the street the dressed-up royal guards with musical instruments take from the palace.
Your next stop is Haenggung-dong Mural Village. There are only a few streets, but the painting on the walls is really impressive. End your historical tour in Suwon with a look at Banghwasuryujeong Pavilion.
If you have time for diner, I recommend heading to Hyanggyo-ro near Suwon train and subway station. There are many fun places to eat here and this area really comes to life at night.
Day 7 - Hongdae and Itaewon
Visit the campuses of Ewha University and Yonsei University. The architecture is quite a sight.
Have lunch near Sinchon subway station and do some shopping. If you happen to be there around Christmas, this area will have turned into a Christmas market with live music.
Take the subway to Itaewon in the evening to explore this expat neighborhood with many foreign restaurants (and foreigners). Or if you took a liking to Hongdae, just stay there (I didn’t think Itaewon was all that interesting and I prefer other neighborhoods in Seoul over it) and hang out it the shopping and restaurant area around Hongdae Fashion Street.
Extra days or alternative options
The above itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors to Seoul. But for those visiting for the second time or those wanting a less touristy experience read on for alternative days based on my second and third visit to Seoul.
Gangdong and Hanam’s Gusanseongji
On the southeastern side of Seoul, just east of the Gangnam and Songpa lie the Gangdong neighborhood and the city Hanam. If you go there, you probably won’t see any other tourists. Interesting, right?
Start your day in Hanam with a visit to Gusanseongji, the holy shrine where Saint Sungwoo (Antonio) and eight martyrs were buried. It is a Christian religious site, but with a Korean touch to it: you can see it in the choice of sculptures and the use of the land. If you come by car, you can park in the parking lot right next to the site. Also interesting is the contrast the residences in the streets surrounding the shrine, that is: three-story houses very much like those in my country, form with the high white flat neighborhoods everyone who has ever visited South Korea is familiar with.
From Gusanseongji, drive or take a bus to the area surrounding Cheonho subway station in Gangdong. If you come by car, it is probably best to park in the Hyundai department store, as parking lots on the streets are numbered. Gangdong sightseeing starts at the mountain fortress Pungnaptoseong, which basically looks like a grass hill with a walking path in the middle of the city. In the streets surrounding it (around Baramdeuri-gil) you can find a market.
If it is about time for lunch, head to the Food Alley at Cheonhodae-ro for something to eat.
Walk east towards the Gampul Manga Theme Street. In the area, you can find mural art, but in a very small-town “we’re just living here”-way. So it is not the most beautiful mural art area but it is one of the most realistic areas you will see. The same goes for the rest of Gangdong.
Next up is Cheonhodong Rodeo Street; a shopping and restaurant street that is very much alive during the day and even better at night. It’s not a large shopping street, but it fits the neighborhood.
If you have some time left you can go shopping in the Hyundai Department Store or head straight to the Olympic Park in Songpa-dong for some relaxing and see the World Peace Gate and Mongchontoseong Fortress (or G-Dragon and Nike’s basketball court).
Pyeongchang and Buam
Pyeongchang-dong is the neighborhood that reminded me the most of drama sets of K-Drama’s: it’s the neighborhood where all the well-off drama families live. Big villa’s with gates hiding what’s going on behind. A walk through the neighborhood (uphill of course) offers a peek into a different side of Seoul. In the streets, you come across many museums and higher up you find Cafe Piano, built against Bukhansan National Park. This cafe has a beautiful rock garden and offers a nice view of the mountain and the city of Seoul. You can read more about this cafe in my post about the best cafes in Seoul with a mountain view.
From Pyeongchang, head to Changuimun Gate in Buam-dong to start exploring Buam. In the neighborhood, you can find many cafes, temples, historical sites and museums like Whanki Museum and Seoul Museum. Based on what you like to do, you can create your own afternoon program. Perhaps the most well-known cafe in the neighborhood is Sanmotoonge Cafe which was featured in the K-Drama Coffee Prince. The cafe offers a great view of the neighborhood, but also of the city wall going up the mountain, making Sanmotoonge also one of the best cafes in Seoul with a mountain view.
If you have a car (or more spare time) you can visit Bugak Skyway Palgakjung Pavilion just ten minutes east of Buam-dong for another good view of the city.
Eunpyeong and Goyang
In every neighborhood in Seoul, you can find a great number of interesting cafes. But the most beautiful are those at the outskirts of the city (or a little bit beyond), offering a view of one of the many mountains within the borders of Seoul or of the city itself. If you are looking for a day of peace and quiet away from the bustlings city of Seoul, then a cafe day tour in Eunpyeong and Goyang is the way to go.
The first stop is Eunpyeong Hanok Village, a newly constructed Hanok Village with beautiful and modern houses with a traditional style and look. Everything looks brand new but the residents did a good job infusing the neighborhood with the ‘Hanok’-feeling. Eunpyeong Hanok Village is a very good alternative (or addition to your must-see Hanoks list) to more touristy and crowded Hanok villages within Seoul, Jeonju or other cities. Best of all is that the village offers a view of Bukhansan National Park and can even be used as a starting point for a hike.
You can wander through the streets to admire the houses and visit Eunpyeong History & Hanok Museum to learn more about the area before going to the first cafe of the day: Myeonggeumtang Traditional Tea House, for some Korean Traditional Tea or another drink.
After exploring Eunpyeong Hanok Village, head to Jingwansa, one of the major temples in Seoul. The temple site is only a ten-minutes walk from the Hanok village and even less if you parked your car at the temple parking lot. Take a stroll around the temple grounds (or go hiking in Bukhansan National Park) before striking down at Yeonjiwon Traditional Tea House for another drink while absorbing the tranquility of the area.
From the temple site, take the car (or hop back on the bus) to drive ten minutes further north to Pointvill Cafe in Goyang. This cafe has a beautiful garden with a mountain view and a very good atmosphere, as the big amount of visitors and people lounging around all day prove. Time to join them for our last stop of the day. If you like reading, this is also a good cafe to bring a book to and enjoy reading with a beautiful view.
Seochon Hanok Village, Seosomun Shrine History Museum, Seoul Station area
Whereas everyone goes right after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace (I pointed you right in Day 2 of this Seoul 7 Days Itinerary as well), going left is also a good option that will lead you to Seochon Hanok Village in Tongui-dong. This Hanok Village is not as extensive as Bukchon Hanok Village, but it is far less crowded and also offers historical houses, traditional Korean tea houses and museums.
Let’s start at Daelim Museum today. Depending on the exhibition this can be a very enjoyable or a less interesting stop. When I visited in October 2019, the Serious Fun exhibition was live and as the title suggests, it was a very playful exhibition which made it an interesting stop for adults and children both. There was a room with chess pieces surrounded by mirrors, making you part of the chessboard; a two-color room with white chairs and blue walls and many other rooms that play with colors and light. I enjoyed my visit to this museum very much and if the next exhibitions are as interesting as this one, then I definitely recommend a visit. And that’s something, coming from someone who doesn’t go to museums often.
Daelim Museum is also in the middle of Seochon Hanok Village. When exploring the narrow streets you come across many more museums, traditional houses and art galleries you can visit. Keep in mind that many museums and galleries are closed on Mondays.
I originally planned to go to Solgaheon Cafe for a herbal tea and a footbath but because it was closed I ended up at another Traditional Tea House (놋그릇가지런히) which turned out to be a very good choice: the Jujube Latte I had beats many other drinks I had during the trip and the grilled rice cake side dish is something I’m going to try to make at home.
For lunch, if you’re still hungry after drinking tea with side dishes, you can head to Tongin Market for a light meal.
The next stop is Seosomun Shrine History Museum and Seosomun Park. This museum is interesting because of the interaction between the artworks, the sculptures and the building itself. The architecture of the museum on its own is enough to warrant a visit. There is a lot to see and because of the size of many of the artworks, you feel like you’re one with the art. Seosomun Park, the park on top of Seosomun Shrine History Museum, has many nooks and paths to explore with sculptures of its own.
Walk south from the park to get to Seoul Station and the nearby Lotte Outlets Store and Lotte Mart to do some clothes and food shopping. Follow the Seoul Station Pedestrian Overpass, decorated with plants and seating areas for a good view of Seoul Station and a nice, relaxing walk. At night you can explore Namdaemun Market and find a place to eat in the area.
Practical information
Time your Seoul visit well
This Seoul trip is possible year-round, though you might want to avoid the hot summer. Keep in mind that many places like museums are closed on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. Avoid public holidays unless you specifically want to join in the celebrations.
I did this trip over Christmas, visiting concerts, Sinchon Christmas Market and watching the big lit tree in front of City Hall.
Transport and navigation
Navigating in South-Korea is easy. You can use Naver map (Android / iOS) to find optimal walking routes and either Naver or Google maps to calculate optimal public transport routes. It is possible to go by car, but it is not necessary as public transport is really convenient.
Estimated costs
The costs depend on your personal budget. If you choose to use a mid-range hotel your stay will be more expensive than when you stay in hostels. Eating out in South-Korea is not expensive, but certain meals are, like when you want to eat prime quality abalone or samgyeopsal (pork belly).
The costs listed below are based on comfort, but not too luxurious. By choosing a cheaper hotel or hostel you can adjust the costs as you like and still keep low affordable costs per night average.
Transport
- Retour flight from your hometown to Seoul and back: depends on where you live
- Public transport: buying a public transport card and loading it with fare: around 45 euro (50 USD) if you stay within Seoul. It can be more expensive if you do day trips.
Food
- Around 30 euro (33 USD) daily per person for 7 days: 210 euro (230 USD) per person
Accommodation
- Around 40 euro (44 USD) daily per person for 7 days based on a mid-range hotel: 280 (308 USD) euro per person
Wifi
- 15 euro (16 USD) for 7 days. I always order via Klook.com as they offer the cheapest pocket wifi in can find for many Asian countries.
Even though you can often grab free public wifi, as this trip relies heavily on navigating your way around town it is very convenient to stay connected wherever you are.
Souvenirs
- As much or as little as you want
Keep in mind that this is just an estimation (based on my trip in December 2017). Find out more about Planning a trip to South Korea.
Where to stay in Seoul
Seoul has many hotels. You can stay in any of the neighborhoods and explore the city from there. When depending on public transport I always look for hotels situated near important subway stations or bus hubs so I can explore the whole city with ease.
For first time visitors, I recommend staying near City Hall, as it has two important subway lines nearby and Seoul Train Station is within walking distance. At night you can explore the vibrant area of Myeongdong for entertainment.
My recommendation is Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall: a very good location near City Hall, not expensive and clean and big enough rooms. There is a spa in the hotel, but it is for men only. I stayed in this hotel for one week over Christmas and I would stay here again if I was looking for a hotel near City Hall.
For my second visit, I stayed in Gangnam to experience another neighborhood. I chose to stay in Gangnam this time because it is in the southeastern part of the city and I wanted to drive east after picking up my rental car. Plus I was looking for a hotel at walking distance from one of the car rental offices for easy pick-up.
If you want to stay in Gangnam I recommend Best Western Premier Hotel Gangnam. It is at a walking distance from two useful subway lines connecting you to the northern part of the city: Sinnonhyeon subway station (also a very useful bus hub) and Gangnam subway station, which makes it a very good starting location for exploring the city. The hotel service is good, the rooms are big enough and affordable.
More about South Korea
Have you seen Seoul already? Great! Time to venture beyond the capital and see other Highlights of South Korea or the Lesser-known South and West.
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