THE ULTIMATE SEOUL ITINERARY DATE IN SEOUL
Are you looking for a fun itinerary that covers all your bases? This Seoul Itinerary for 3 Days is the perfect combination of activities, must-see sights, casual wandering, and delicious food stops.
Seoul is a city I have loved for three years, even after living and traveling all over Asia. This Seoul itinerary will show you how to maximize your time in the city.
About this Seoul Itinerary
Seoul is a large city. However, most of Seoul’s attractions will be in a smaller area. Walking is encouraged in this Seoul itinerary. Walking is often the quickest way to travel, and there are many beautiful streets between sights you want to take advantage of.
Seoul’s public transport system is an excellent option when traveling by public transport.
Seoul
Day 1 of the Seoul itinerary will take place in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Here you can walk between the major attractions.
You don’t have to use public transport if you stay in Bukchonhanok Village.
If you’re staying in a different Seoul neighborhood, Gyeongbokgung and Anguk are the best metro stops to see the following sights.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul’s palaces of royalty are among the most significant sights in the city. So where better to begin your three-day trip than Gyeongbokgung Palace? The current restoration of this palace is impressive. It was the main palace during the 200-year Joseon Dynasty reign.
Although 500 buildings were once spread across this vast complex, not all have survived. Gyeongbokgung can be very busy, and it is recommended to arrive early and stay until you feel hungry.
You can get a free tour of the university or high school students if you have traveled by metro to the Gyeongbukgung station.
Hyangwonjeong is my favorite area. It sits on an artificial lake to the rear of the palace. It is a tranquil spot where you can sit and dream about the lives of the Joseon Period’s Korean royals.
Bukchon Hanok Village
You can continue your day-long Seoul tour by going out of the Geonchunmun Gate at the Gyeongbokgung Pala towards the top Bukchon Hanok Village. Continue on Samcheong until you reach Bukchon ro. Here you will find many alleyways that lead to this charming neighborhood.
The traditional Hanok buildings and homes in Bukchon are stunning and will give you a glimpse of Seoul hundreds of years ago.
Bukchon Hanok, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, is a must-see in Seoul.
Remember that this is a residential neighborhood, so respect their privacy when taking photos.
Although most homes are private, you can still see inside some for a fee. Some have been converted into shops, galleries, and restaurants.
This is a time when you’ll probably be hungry. The streets surrounding Bukchon offer a great place to refuel with an old-world vibe.
Insadong
After a break for lunch, you can continue your walking tour of Jongno-gu and Insadong-Gil. This is Seoul’s center for the creative arts.
You’ll find art galleries, art shops, and many cute tea shops here.
It would make a great souvenir spot!
We always stayed at Insadong sans a box of Korean Honey String candy.
These street vendors selling unique candies and singing will be the first you’ll hear.
This royal dessert is made of water, sugar, maltose, and white vinegar, wrapped in thousands of hair-thin strips and surrounded by crushed peanuts.
A box can be purchased for $5.
Jogyesa Temple
This complex, located in the heart of the city’s center, is the heart of Jogye Korean Buddhism. It is an important place for spirituality for Koreans throughout the country.
You can visit the Information Centre for Foreigners to learn more about Jogyesa or the Jogye Buddhisms.
You can speak English with the monks who are here to educate visitors.
Jogyesa, often decorated for festivals and other events, is an excellent introduction to Korean temples’ intricate and colorful architecture. Make sure to bring your camera!
Gwanghwamun Square
Continue walking from Jogyesa Temple towards Gwanghwamun Square.
This pedestrian zone is long and vibrant and offers unbeatable views over Gyeongbukgung Palace to the north and Bukhansan National Park to the south. Sejong Performing Arts Centre and the US Embassy also flank it.
The square has two giant statues, one representing King Sejong and another representing Admiral Yi Sun Shin. These two men played an integral part in Korea’s history; one even invented the Korean alphabet!
You can visit the museum below the King Sejong statue to learn more about these great leaders.
Cheonggyecheon River
Sunset is likely approaching, so Gwanghwanmun Square or the nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream are great places to enjoy the sunset.
Both have wide open spaces and many foregrounds to capture epic sunset shots.
It is interesting to note that this stream used to flow naturally through Seoul before the Korean War. However, it was clogged up in Seoul when the transport demands grew too great. It was restored in 2005 for nearly a billion dollars.
Cheonggyecheon makes a great place to end your walking tour in the Jongno-gu district. If warm enough, you can remove your shoes and let your feet soak in the stream!
Many bars and restaurants in the streets run between Jonggak-ro and the stream, making this a great place to end your first day in Seoul.
Seoul
Your second day in Seoul is over. It’s time to explore Seoul’s most beautiful views from the Jongno-gu district.
Seoul is a great place to see from the sky!
Hike Inwangsan Mountain
One of the most accessible walks in Seoul is the Inwangsan Peak hike.
Follow the walls of Seoul’s old city to get a stunning view of the Jongno-gu area and the rest of Seoul.
After being at the heart of the action, seeing the royal palace from the top is fantastic.
Take the metro to Muakje station to get to the trailhead—exit at 2.
From there, you will find the wooden steps to Muakje Park and Inwangsan Peak.
Gwangjang Market
You will be hungry after your hike! Take the metro back to Jongno-5-ga Station. You can then walk to Gwangjang Market from there.
This great indoor food market offers various Korean dishes and is an excellent place for street food.
Korean food is delicious and very varied. I recommend following your nose to any fast food stall.
Gimbap and Mungbean pancakes (similar to Korean sushi) are delicious snacks that are easy to identify.