3 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 14 min walk1.1 km
5. 4
   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.

   

6. Dinner

   Korean barbecue

   Slices of pork or beef grilled at the table over charcoal or gas, wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, a dab of paste and side dishes. The streets north of the stream are full of places that serve it.

   Local tip Wrap a piece in a lettuce leaf and eat it in one bite. Tell the staff about any allergy before they bring the side dishes.

   

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

   Namdaemun Market

   A huge traditional market beside the old south gate, with lanes of clothing, kitchenware, gifts and food. Go in the morning, when the stalls are busy and the lanes are easy to walk.

   Go when Morning, when the lanes are busy and the stalls are open.

   Local tip Look for the lane of noodle shops and sit at a counter for lunch. Bargaining happens in some stalls, but food and fixed price shops do not.

   

   About 9 min by car or transit2.2 km
2. 2
   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.

   

   About 19 min walk1.5 km
3. 3
   MiddayWorth a short stop

   Myeong-dong

   The busiest shopping district in the city, full of cosmetics shops, fashion and street food, with a grand old cathedral on a side street. Loud and bright, and good for an hour of people watching.

   Go when Midday or early afternoon, as a break from the walking.

   Local tip Step into the quiet courtyard of the cathedral on a side street, which is a pause from the shopping lanes.

   

   About 10 min walk0.8 km
4. 4
   EveningA quiet walk

   Cheonggyecheon

   A stream that runs through the middle of the city, below street level, with stepping stones, bridges and benches along the water. It starts at a small plaza in the center, and walkers follow it for as long as they like.

   Go when Evening, as the city lights come on.

   Local tip Walk down to the water at the start of the stream and follow it for a while. Stop when you like and take the stairs back up.

   

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

1. Travel from CheonggyecheonAbout 14 min by car or transit5.0 km

   Where Day 2 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 21 min walk1.7 km
3. 2
   MiddayWorth the time

   Itaewon

   A mixed neighborhood of international restaurants, small shops and hilly side streets, the most varied place to eat in the city. A good place to eat something other than Korean food if you want a change.

   Go when Midday, for a walk and a meal.

   Local tip Walk the main street and then turn up a side lane, where the small shops and cafes sit on the hill.

   

4. Lunch

   A world lunch in Itaewon

   The neighborhood has kitchens from many countries, so it suits a change from Korean food: noodles, kebabs, burgers or a long brunch. Pick a place with a menu you can read.

   Local tip Walk one block off the main street, where the places are quieter and easier to get into.

   About 24 min walk1.9 km
5. 3
   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 16 min by car or transit5.7 km
6. 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.

   

7. 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.