Morning: Dive into Korean Heritage
Gyeongbokgung Palace (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
Gyeongbokgung Palace
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Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty's main palace. The Palace is free on the last Wednesday of each month because it's Culture Day and on some public holidays. Every day (except Tuesdays when the palace is closed) you can enjoy the Changing of the Guards at 10am and 2pm. If you rent a Hanbok (Korean traditional gown) you are also able to enter the palace for free.
Opening times:
November-February 09:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:00)
March-May & September-October 09:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:00)
June-August 09:00-18:30 (Last admission 17:30)
Fee
Adult ₩3,000
Closest Subway Station:
Anguk Station Exit 4
Details
Tour the most iconic royal palace in Korea. Witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony (10:00 AM). Stroll through the beautiful grounds, including Hyangwonjeong Pavilion. Gyeongbukgung is only one of the Five Grand Palaces, like Changdeokgung with it‘s secret garden.
Bukchon Hanok Village (11:15 AM – 12:30 PM)
Bukchon Hanok Village
@melissaschwedhelm
Wander through the traditional Korean houses of this historic neighborhood.
You can take Seoul Subway Line 3 to reach Anguk Station. Then, exit through exit number 3 and walk about 200 meters to the signboard indicating the way to Bukchon Hanok Village. Here, you'll cross the road and turn into a small alley on the left to reach the village.
You can visit the traditional Tea House and the streets are filled with fun little stores.
Opening times:
Weekdays & Saturdays 10:00-17:00 *This applies only to the road along Bukchon-ro 11-gil
Fee
Free
Closest Subway Station:
Anguk Station Exit 2/3
Details
Wander through this picturesque neighborhood of traditional Korean house. Visit small museums or artisan shops showcasing Korean crafts.
You can combine it with some of the following activities:
Jeong's Tea House
Visit this cute Traditional Tea House with an amazing view on top of Bukchon Hanok Village. I recommend getting the traditional tea ceremony for 12,000 Won.
Opening Times
Mon-Fri 11:00-18:00
Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00
Lunch: Authentic Korean Cuisine (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
Tosokchon Samgyetang
@melissaschwedhelm
This restaurant has one of the best Samgyetangs in Seoul. Must-try! It's located on the left side of Gyeongbukgung Palace in a beautifully renovated traditional Korean Hanok place.
Details
Try Tosokchon Samgyetang for traditional ginseng chicken soup, a must-try Korean dish.
Afternoon: Explore Modern Seoul
Insadong (1:45 PM – 3:00 PM)
Insadong Culture Street
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Experience the heart of Korean culture on Insadong Street. This bustling thoroughfare is a feast for the senses, brimming with art galleries, traditional restaurants, and charming teahouses.
Admire the beautiful Hangeul script adorning storefronts, a unique touch that sets Insadong apart. Unlike the more intimate Ikseon-dong, Insadong offers a wider, more open atmosphere.
In the evenings and weekends, the street comes alive with the sounds of street performers, creating an unforgettable experience.
Tip: Visit the Ssamjigil-Shopping Center located along the street. It hosts cute handmade souvenirs and on top is the popular Poop Cafe.
Opening times:
Depends on the stores along the street
Closest Subway Station:
Anguk Station Exit 6
Details
Explore this cultural street filled with shops selling traditional crafts, art, and snacks.
Visit Ssamziegil, a unique multi-level shopping and art space.
Ssamziegil
@melissaschwedhelm
Visit the Ssamjigil-Shopping Center located along the Insadong Culture Street. It hosts cute handmade souvenirs and on top is the popular Poop Cafe.
Opening Times:
10:30 - 20:30
Details
N Seoul Tower (3:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
N Seoul Tower
@melissaschwedhelm
Spring:
Combine blossoms with breathtaking views of the city at Namsan Park. Whether you hike up or take the cable car, the journey is filled with cherry trees. The view from N Seoul Tower is even more spectacular with pink blossoms in the foreground.
Why I Love It: The mix of nature and cityscapes makes every visit special, especially at sunset.
If you enjoy hiking, I recommend hiking up to the N Seoul Tower either from Myeongdong Station Exit 3 towards the left of 7-11 convenience store, going straight and walking towards the right of Pacific Hotel, and walking uphill past the Cable Car Station, which takes about an hour and is a moderate walk. Another option is the Cable Car, which is ₩15,000 for a round-trip or there are some shuttle bus options (No 01A and No 01B) up to the tower.
If you are budget travelling, there is already a great view on top of the mountain but if you want to up to the Observatory it will be ₩21,000.
Best time to go up is shortly before sunset, so you can watch the lights slowly turning on throughout the city.
Details
Take the cable car up to Namsan Mountain for panoramic city views. Add a love lock on the tower’s fence and visit the observatory.
Evening: Food and Shopping
Myeongdong Night Market (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
Myeongdong Night Market
@melissaschwedhelm
This place is always buzzing and has the trendiest street food items like lobster or strawberry mochi. These streets can get very full, so be aware of that. Prices are usually a bit higher than regular street food stands around subway stations. I recommend getting the unusual food items here and regular Korean street food items from regular street food stands.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 16:00-23:00
Sat-Sun 14:00-23:00
Closest Subway Station:
Myeongdong Station Exit 6
Details
Indulge in Korean street food like tteokbokki, hotteok, and spicy grilled squid. Shop for K-beauty products and souvenirs.
Optional Add-On for the Evening
If you have some more energy in the evening, include one of these:
• Han River Night Picnic: Rent a bike and ride along the Han River or get some food and drinks for a riverside picnic with chimaek (chicken and beer).
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP): Suggest a visit to its LED rose garden or late-night shopping malls.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
@melissaschwedhelm
A futuristic design plaza hosting various exhibitions and events. If you like to see unique architecture you will love this plaza. This is also where the seasonally organized fashion in Seoul takes place.
The surrounding area is cool to explore. There are many different shopping centers around since it the main fashion area with shops for fabrics, nail design accessories,s and cheap clothes as well as the Dongdaegu Market with used and antique items.
Pro Tip: Don't buy Korean Cosmetics from the shops and stick to Olive Young or the original brand shops. Even though the discounts might be enticing, it could be a fake.
Opening times:
10:00-20:00 (Outside is open 24/7) *Closed on local holidays
Fee
Free (fees depend on event and activity)
Closest Subway Station:
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Exit 1
Details
I hope this 1-day Seoul itinerary helps you make the most of your visit to this incredible city! If you found this guide helpful, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a tip to support more content like this and help me keep sharing the best travel advice with you.
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