A two-day itinerary for Seoul, South Korea. Wander Korean palaces and Hanok villages, before heading over to the trendy Hongdae to go cafe-hopping and souviner hunting.

Seoul, South Korea

A Weekend in Seoul

Byulgungteo offers affordable rental options, and customers who reserve in advance can enjoy added time, plus hair styling, a bag, and a locker in-store for your valuables. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must visit for any Seoul first timer. With stunning architecture, and an endless array of beautiful buildings to explore and get lost in, the palace offers the perfect backdrop to outstanding photographs, while giving a glimpse into Korea's rich history. 

Tip: Visitors wearing Hanbok get into the Palace free of charge. There's even a 'Hanbok queue' for quick and easy entry into Palace grounds.

Start early in the morning to beat the crowds and the midday heat, especially in the summer months. The palace has little in the way of shade from the glaring sun, so it's best to go early, or come equipped with a hat, fan, or UV umbrella.

Insadong is full to the rafters with Korean restaurants and teahouses, with a whole host of stores selling traditional Korean wares. There is a mix of touristy memorabilia alongside truly unique and beautiful crafts. It's within walking distance of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and you'll definitely find your fair share of souviners here.

This mandu (Korean dumpling) restaurant has been on the Michelin guide for a number of years, and has been serving traditional Korean fare for three generations. They more than life up to the hype, and patrons can watch the dumplings being made by hand while they dine. There's sometimes a queue, so be prepared to wait, but trust me when I tell you it's worth it. 

Head for lunch at the famous Gaeseong Mandu Koong

Work off that heavenly lunch with a wander around Insadong

Spend the night in the iconic Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon is worth a visit even if you don't plan on staying here. It's located within walking distance of Gyongbokgung Palace, but is also on a number of bus routes. The winding streets are easy to get pleasantly lost in, and there's a seemingly endless amount of cafes, restaurants, and small craft stores to choose from. 

If you do want to get a taste of Hanok living, then check out Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse for a truly wonderful experience. The rooms are immaculately clean, and offer a host of amenities while staying true to its history.

The next day, head to Hongdae via Line3 from Gyeongbokgung Station to Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station. Switch into Line2 and get off at Hongik University Station. 

After wandering Bukchon, head back through Insadong to find your way to Ikseondong, another Hanok street in the heart of Seoul. 

Tip: Check out Flipper's for souffle pancakes and a quick coffee break.

Tip: Hongdae is known for it's endless themed cafes, with everything from Harry Potter to Studi Ghibli covered, there's something for everyone here.

Go to Hongdae with an open mind and a willingness to jump into whatever spot catches your eye. There's a lot to do here.

Check out one of Hongdae's limitless DIY cafes and bring home a souviner to remember. My bestie and I made matching friendship rings at Hongdae Ring Cafe,  but there's loads of unique and interesting DIY places to check out!

Hongdae Ring Cafe

The service is available in English, and reservations are recommended as this place gets pretty busy. We went for opening at 11am, and were able to collect our engraved rings 2 hours later!

Throw a 500 won coin in any direction and you're bound to hit more than one photostudio in Korea. They're an institution, a rite of passage, and one of the best ways to get one or two momentos from your trip. 

Most photostudios in Korea offer different booths, with a whole host of props to choose from. Headbands, sunglasses, hats, and even one with a rather memorible giant Stitch head. Dress yourself up and give your best finger heart to the camera.

You can only buy prints on even numbers, but it's common to leave behind the extra in the studio, grab some of the washi tape provided and find the perfect spot, and leave a little mark of your own on Korea!

PLAY IN THE BOX HONGDAE

Tip: Some studios will provide a QR code while your pictures are printing. Give it a scan, as it often includes a digital version of the pictures, or even a video of you and your friends getting ready to pose! 

Finish off your visit to Hongdae with a walk along Gyeongui Line Forest Park. It's an old trainline that's since been converted into a leafy parkway.

It offers a great way of seeing Hongdae in all its glory, with easy access to the multitude of sights, sounds, and smells in the area. 

Hongdae's nightlife is infamous, and if you're looking for somewhere to go partying whether in a pub or a club, this is the neighbourhood for you. Manmankokoro is open late, so you can settle here for the night, or use it as your starting off point — the choice is yours!

A Weekend in Seoul

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