2 days in Seoul

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningWorth the time

   Gyeongbokgung

   The main palace of the Joseon dynasty, with a great gate, wide courtyards and a throne hall behind it. A pavilion stands on a pond at the back. Go early, before the courtyards fill, and check ahead for the weekly closed day.

   Go when Morning, as early as you can, before the courtyards fill.

   Local tip Walk the full line from the main gate to the throne hall and then on to the pond pavilion at the back. A guard ceremony is held at the gate on a schedule, so check ahead.

   

   About 18 min walk1.4 km
2. 2
   MorningCheck ahead for the garden

   Changdeokgung

   A World Heritage palace that follows the shape of the land, with halls and gardens spread across a gentle hill. The rear garden is visited on a guided walk, so check ahead whether a place is available.

   Go when Morning, with the garden walk first if you booked it.

   Local tip The rear garden is visited with a guide in groups, so check ahead whether it suits your day. The palace halls can be seen without it.

   

3. Lunch

   Mung bean pancakes at the market

   Bindaetteok, a crisp pancake of ground mung beans fried on a hot griddle, eaten with a soy dipping sauce. The market has rows of stalls that fry them, with small rolled snacks and noodles beside.

   Local tip Sit at a shared counter and order a few plates for the table. Ask the stallholder about any allergy first, since the dishes are cooked in the open.

   

   About 11 min walk0.9 km
4. 3
   MiddayWorth the time

   Bukchon Hanok Village

   A hillside neighborhood of traditional wooden houses between two palaces, with narrow lanes that look over the tiled roofs toward the city. People live here, so keep your voice low and check ahead for any visitor rules.

   Go when Late morning, when the lanes are calmer and the light is high.

   Local tip Keep your voice low and stay on the public lanes, because people live in these houses. Rules for visitors can change, so check ahead.

   

   About 25 min walk2.0 km
5. 4
   MiddayWorth the time

   Gwangjang Market

   One of the oldest markets in the city, with rows of food stalls under a roof, where people eat at shared counters. Look for pancakes, small rolled snacks and bowls of noodles.

   Go when Midday, when the stalls are busy and the food is fresh.

   Local tip Pick a counter, sit and share a few plates. If you have an allergy, ask the stallholder before you order, since the dishes are cooked in the open.

   

6. Dinner

   Fried chicken

   Korean fried chicken is twice fried so the skin stays crisp, then coated in a sweet and spicy sauce or served plain. Neighborhood places around Dongdaemun serve it, often with a cold beer or a soft drink.

   Local tip Order half and half, plain and sauced, to share. Pickled radish on the side cuts through the richness.

   

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Travel from Gwangjang MarketAbout 15 min by car or transit5.4 km

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   MorningPick your galleries

   National Museum of Korea

   A very large museum of Korean art and history, with gold crowns, ceramics, Buddhist sculpture and calm halls. Pick two or three galleries instead of trying to see all of it, and walk out into the grounds.

   Go when Morning, when the halls are calm.

   Local tip Choose the rooms of ceramics and gold from the old kingdoms, and leave time for the grounds outside. Two or three rooms beat a rush through all of them.

   

   About 11 min by car or transit3.1 km
3. 2
   AfternoonWorth the time

   Namsan Seoul Tower

   A tower on top of the mountain in the middle of the city, reached by a steep walk, a cable car or a bus. The paths through the trees are as good as the top, and the view depends on the haze.

   Go when Late afternoon, near sunset, on a clear day.

   Local tip Walk up through the trees or take the cable car, and plan to walk down again. The haze can hide the city, so pick a clear day.

   

   About 10 min by car or transit2.4 km
4. 3
   AfternoonWorth a short stop

   Insa-dong

   A long lane of galleries, craft shops, calligraphy supplies and tea houses, with small courtyards tucked behind the street. A good place to slow down and sit with a warm drink.

   Go when Afternoon, for a tea and a slow look at the shops.

   Local tip Step into the small courtyards behind the main street, where the tea houses and craft shops are quieter than on the lane itself.

   

   About 16 min by car or transit5.9 km
5. 4
   EveningWorth the time

   Hongdae

   The youth quarter around an art school, with street performers, small shops, music venues and late night food. It is at its liveliest after dark and it is easy to wander alone or with friends.

   Go when Evening, once the street performers and shops are in full swing.

   Local tip Walk the main street and then the lanes behind it, where the small shops and bars are. It is busy on weekend nights.

   

6. Dinner

   Scallion pancake and rice wine

   Pajeon, a thick pancake of scallions and seafood, goes with makgeolli, a milky rice drink, in the cozy old-style pubs of the neighborhood. A relaxed, shared evening meal.

   Local tip Order the pancake to share and the rice drink by the jug. A soft drink is a fine alternative.