3 Days in Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a bustling and tranquil city in South Korea, known for its Korean food, cafes, and shopping scene. You can find yourself lost in the streets of Myeongdong where you can find a plethora of street food and K-beauty shops. Or, wander around Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village for a peaceful stroll around traditional architecture and hanbok homes.
Read on for an itinerary of how to maximize 3 days in Seoul.
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3 Days in Seoul Itinerary
Day 1
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanbok Village
Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces constructed during the Joseon Dynasty. You can get a glimpse of traditional Korean architecture and learn more about the nation’s regal past. There are many different landmarks you can visit, including the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pavilion which are both surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds. The National Palace Museum of Korea is also located within the place grounds, where you can gain deeper insights into the royal family's life and Korean history. Next to the palace is The National Folk Museum of Korea, which showcases everyday life, customs, and traditions of Korean people throughout history. You can also witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the main gate, Gwanghwamun.
Bukchon Hanbok Village, nestled between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, is a historic neighborhood featuring hundreds of hanoks, or traditional Korean houses. Today, the village is a cultural hub where tourists can wander through narrow alleys, experience traditional tea houses, and participate in cultural workshops. You can even rent traditional hanbok clothing for a unique photo op!
Cheonggyeon Stream
Cheonggyecheon is a picturesque urban park in the heart of Seoul with a walkway along an 11-kilometer-long stream. As you stroll along the path, you'll encounter beautifully landscaped paths, artistic installations, and various historical markers that tell the story of Seoul's past.
The stream begins at Cheonggye Plaza and connects to several of Seoul's major attractions, such as Gwanghwamun Square and Dongdaemun Design Plaza, making it a perfect addition to any sightseeing itinerary.
Ikseon-dong Hanok Village
This hidden gem in Ikseon-dong features narrow alleys lined with beautifully preserved hanoks that have been renovated into boutique cafes, artisanal shops, and stylish restaurants. It has numerous themed cafes where you can enjoy everything from traditional Korean teas to contemporary pastries.
Day 2
Hongdae
Hongdae is one of Seoul’s most vibrant neighborhoods, known for its nightlife and unique trendy cafes. It’s well-liked by students and young adults and is the place to be if you are part of this crowd.
Make sure you check out 943 King's Cross, a Harry Potter-themed cafe with different themed drinks. There is also a Samoyed Cafe 'Winters Village' where you can pet and play with fluffy samoyed dogs.
At night, the neighborhood comes to life with bars/clubs and karaoke, and you’ll never go hungry with many delicious late-night eats available at all hours.
Myeongdong Street
Myeongdong is one of Seoul’s most vibrant shopping districts, perfect for those who love to shop and eat. There are trendy boutiques, international fashion brands, and endless beauty shops offering the latest in Korean skincare. You can also find a lot of different street food — tteokbokki, hotteok, and sweet fish-shaped pastries. If you are a fan of skincare and K-beauty, make sure you stop by Olive Young!
Day 3
Seoul Forest Park
Seoul Forest Park is an urban oasis featuring walking trails, serene ponds, and themed gardens. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers and families alike.
Seongsu-Dong
Located next to Seoul Forest Park is Seongsu-dong, which can be known as the "Brooklyn of Seoul." It is a hip neighborhood with an industrial-chic vibe, creative energy, and a vibrant arts scene. Once an area filled with factories, it has transformed into a trendy hotspot featuring stylish cafes, artisanal bakeries, indie boutiques, and art galleries.
Starfield Library
Starfield Library is located in the heart of COEX Mall in Seoul, which is in the Gangnam district. This is the instaworthy library with towering bookshelves and impressive architectural beauty.
Bongeunso Temple
Bongeunso Temple is a historic Buddhist temple featuring beautiful gardens, ornate statues, and tranquil prayer halls, providing visitors a peaceful escape and a glimpse into Korea's rich religious heritage. The temple is open year-round with free admission. Be sure to dress modestly and respect the temple's tranquil atmosphere during your visit.
Inwangsan Mountain
Inwangsan Mountain is a must-do for hikers and those who love the perfect blend of both nature and urban scenery. The full hike takes about 2.5 hours and is 3.1 km long. If you complete the full hike, you will pass the tunnel used in the famous film “Parasite.” There are multiple ways to enter or exit the hike, depending on which train station you depart from.
I started the hike from Dongnimmun Station (exit 3). You’ll walk about 10 minutes from the station up a slope until you see a 7-Eleven. The 7-Eleven is right across from the Inwangsan Park Entrance, where you will begin the hike. I referred to this article for more details on the entrance.
This was easily one of my favorite things I did in Seoul. The panoramic views of the city are incredible from Inwangsan Mountain, and if you time it correctly, you can see a beautiful sunset setting over the city skyline. Bonus points if you wait around until the night starts to come to life with the city lights.
Q&A
Where should I stay?
I stayed at hostels when I visited Seoul— Zzzip Guesthouse in Hongdae and Seoul Forest Stay. I highly recommend Zzzip Guesthouse for solo travelers who enjoy a bit of nightlife and are looking for a more social environment. This hostel is run by a Korean couple and is right in the heart of Hongdae, which is known for its bustling nightlife scene). The dorm I stayed in was not the most clean (mainly because of the guests rather than the hostel itself), but it had everything I needed.
Seoul Forest Stay was a lot quieter and I did not have any social interaction, but it was a lot cleaner and I slept so well here since everyone was so considerate. It is a bit further out from the nightlife, so it’s not ideal if you want to go out but don’t want to stay out until trains start back up at 5 AM.
How much should I budget for Seoul?
My hostels cost about $25/night and an average subway ride costs about 1350 KRW or $1. For meals, street food can range from 3,000 to 7,000 KRW (approximately $2.30 to $5.40). You can get full off of delicious tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), and odeng (fish cake skewers). A meal at a casual/local restaurant can cost between 7,000 and 15,000 KRW (about $5.40 to $11.50). For a more upscale restaurant, you can expect to pay between 15,000 and 30,000 KRW (approximately $11.50 to $23.00) per person. I paid about 20,000 KRW for a Korean BBQ meal.
It’s definitely possible to visit Seoul on a budget! If you have a higher budget and are looking to splurge a bit, you can get a decent hotel for 80,000 to 150,000 KRW per night (about $60 to $115).
If you include my accommodation, I spent about $93/day in Seoul. I spent some coin on makeup, jewelry, and clothing, so you can definitely travel on a tighter budget than me if needed.
How should I get around Seoul?
Download Naver Map for navigation! Google Maps will not work well in Seoul because of the country’s stricter regulations on mapping data. Naver Map is very user-friendly, even if you don’t know any Korean. You can bookmark or save the locations you plan to visit. Another local navigation app is Kakao Map, but I prefer Naver Map and all the locals use this one more.
The easiest way to get around the city is with the subway system or by walking. Many of the neighborhoods are far from each other, so it’s very likely that you would have to take public transportation. Go to any 7-Eleven when you arrive and purchase a T-money card. You can also get this at the airport when you arrive. The card typically costs around 2,000 KRW (about $1.50) and you can add credit in increments. You can add credit at convenience stores, subway stations, or using self-service kiosks.
It’s important to note that the trains run from 5:30 AM and continue until 11:30 PM - midnight. On weekdays (Monday to Friday), the trains typically run until 11:30 PM while on weekends some trains can run until midnight. This is good to keep in mind especially if you plan on staying out at night. The taxis are usually much more expensive (I’ve heard can be up to $100) and they typically charge a late-night fee if you order one after midnight.
