How to Spend THREE to FIVE Days in Seoul, South Korea: 3 to 5 Day Itinerary

Planning a trip to Seoul? Get ready for one of Asia’s most exciting cities!

South Korea’s capital is packed with amazing things to do, from exploring ancient palaces to eating street food and shopping at quirky fashion boutiques. But with so much on offer, planning your trip can be overwhelming! 

After spending a lot of time wandering, tasting, and temple-hopping in Seoul, we’ve put together the ideal 3-day itinerary, with two extra days of optional activities if you’re lucky enough to stay for longer. So grab the Naver app (trust us, Google Maps won’t cut it here), and let’s dive into everything you need to experience in Seoul!

Itinerary Overview

Seoul is a huge city, but thankfully, it’s very easy to get around once you know the basics. The subway system is clean, efficient, and will get you almost everywhere in this itinerary, so most of the time you’ll be hopping between stations and walking from there.

This itinerary is designed to cover Seoul’s biggest highlights in the first three days, making it perfect if you have limited time in the city. But if you’re able to stay longer, we’ve also included two extra days of activities. Trust me, there’s more than enough to keep you busy for five days in Seoul. 

Before you go, you’ll want to know some Korea-specific apps and travel hacks:

• For navigation, download Naver Maps, as Google Maps doesn’t work very well.
• For longer distances, you can use K.Ride or Uber. We preferred Uber, personally. 
• You will need a T-Money card to ride the metro. You can purchase it at any convenience store (7/11 or CU Mart). To top up, you can pay 5,000 or 10,000 KRW at any convenience store or at the stations.

Here’s what you can expect from your 5-day Seoul itinerary:

Day 1: Start your trip with a private, customizable walking tour to get oriented and see some of Seoul’s most famous sights like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village. Later, explore Insadong’s shops and temples before eating your way through Seoul’s lively night markets on a food tour.

Day 2: Head out on a fascinating full-day tour to the DMZ, one of the most unique experiences you can have near Seoul. Back in the city, explore Myeongdong Shopping Street and grab rooftop cocktails, before ending the night with Korean BBQ in Myeongdong.

Day 3: Begin the day with a Korean cooking class that includes a market visit so you can learn how to make some of your favorite dishes. In the afternoon, take the cable car up Namsam Mountain before finishing with a fun (and slightly spooky) ghost tour.

Day 4: Hop on an e-bike tour to see a huge portion of the city efficiently while learning more about Seoul’s history and neighborhoods. Later, visit the National Museum of Korea and spend the evening exploring Hongdae’s restaurants and nightlife.

Day 5: Take a full-day trip outside the city to Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gangchon Railbike. Return to Seoul for one last comforting meal of Korean fried chicken before wrapping up your trip.

Day 1

Morning – Explore Seoul on a private, customizable tour

This morning, get your bearings in Seoul on this private walking tour! It was certainly one of the highlights of our first trip here, and we’re sure it will be the same for you. 

We loved that this tour was totally customizable, but that the guide knows the highlights to hit. I told her we liked history and local culture, and she came up with the “big hitters” itinerary, including four major stops (and a ton of little stops in between). We recommend booking the 4-hour option for 9 am. I must say, our guide moved fast, and we did a TON of walking, so if you move a little slower or have mobility issues, I’d highly recommend booking a shorter tour or requesting just two or three major sites. 

We met GJ outside the train station closest to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was our first stop. She led us around, giving us the history of the Joseon Dynasty and the kings who lived there. She timed it perfectly so we could see the Royal Changing of the Guard – which was a cultural treat. 

Stop number two was the Jogysae Temple, which dates back to the 14th century. We got a special look at the temple because we were in town to celebrate Buddha’s birthday in May! So the temple was packed, with drums and singing, and special colorful lanterns overhead. It was one of those authentic cultural moments that make me love traveling. 

GJ then led us to Buckhon Hanok Village, home to 900 traditional houses. She gave us a lot of historical and cultural information! Apparently, this neighborhood is famous for K-Dramas, which we knew nothing about, but she was very excited to have us recreate photo shoots from the shows. 

Lastly, we made our way to Insadong and Ikseon-dong, with lots of shopping and food options. We were moving very quickly at this point of the tour, so we didn’t have time to stop (don’t worry, you will this afternoon!). She left us near the stunning Cheonggyecheon Stream, where the first settlement was that became Seoul, the perfect place to rest after clocking a few thousand steps!

Lunch – Jadam Fried Chicken

Did you know Korea is famous for its fried chicken? After a busy morning exploring, we were ready for a hearty lunch. Luckily, Jadam Fried Chicken was on our route to Insadong, so it was the perfect pit stop!

Now, it’s important to note that these plates are made for sharing, so just order one! If you’re a solo traveler, try to get a half order – trust me, these portions were huge. And it’s customary to have beer with your fried chicken, so we couldn’t say no! We got the green onion chicken, but the garlic chicken is famous. Enjoy!

Afternoon – Explore Insa-dong

Insadong is one of Seoul’s most charming neighborhoods, known for its blend of tradition and creativity. The area is full of narrow streets lined with hanok-style buildings, old tea houses, and unique shops. While we buzzed through here on our walking tour, we came back so we could shop and browse at our own pace.

The Insadong Culture Street is the heart of the district. It’s a lively stretch packed with art shops, calligraphy stores, handmade crafts, and street food vendors. The souvenirs here are way more special than your average trinkets, and there are plenty of cafes where you can grab coffee and sweet treats if you need a break between browsing.

This area is pretty large, so depending on time and your energy level, you can just stay here. But if you’re good on both and want some more history, take the 15-minute walk to Changgyeonggung Palace. It’s one of Seoul’s lesser-known royal sites, but it’s absolutely worth visiting for its beautiful grounds and peaceful atmosphere.

Evening – Taste your way around Seoul’s night market

Seoul has some incredible food markets, so I can’t think of a better way to spend your first evening here than on this night market food tour! Korean food can be a little intimidating, so this was a great way to try a lot of dishes and learn the proper way to eat and drink (yes, there’s a proper way to drink soju!)

You can choose a 6 or 7 pm start time, and it lasts about 2.5 hours. Either head back to your hotel to freshen up before the tour, or head straight here after your afternoon. 

The tour is a deep dive into Gwangjang Market, and what we love about it is that it’s part cultural discovery and part fun night out. In fact, we even ended up playing some drinking games with our guide!

Speaking of whom, Yoon was absolutely incredible! He was passionate about Korean food and culture and was very personable, so he made sure we had a great night. He shared the history of the Gwangjang Market and took us to his favorite stalls, where we got to try everything from common street food and sides to crispy pancakes and kimchi dumplings (my personal favorite!)

After walking around the market, we settled into a cozy restaurant, where we got a little more adventurous and tried raw beef tartare and live octopus! Don’t worry – it was all washed down with makgeolli (rice wine), soju, and local beer. Here, Yoon taught us some Korean drinking games, which had everyone in hysterics by the end! 

This is one of the best street food tours we’ve ever done, and we can’t say enough good things about it! But don’t just take our word for it – read over 1,500 5-star reviews here.

Day 2

Full day – Visit the DMZ

If you only do one thing in Seoul, it should probably be visiting the Korean Demilitarized War Zone (DMZ), so that’s where we’re headed today. It’s the most heavily guarded border in the world, so you can only visit with a guided tour. We booked this one and learned a ton with the help of our guide, Hana (which also means #1 in Korean!). 

Our tour departed at 9 am, and we met at one of the three main meeting points around Seoul. Plan on this taking the full day, we got back to Seoul around 6 pm. 

The DMZ is about one hour from Seoul, and Hana spent most of the drive giving us the history of the Korean Peninsula and a local’s insight into North Korea. As someone who loves history, I found this to be very insightful. 

Our first stop was the Dora Observatory in the Demilitarized Zone, where we could actually look into North Korea! We weren’t able to take photos, so you’ll just have to go and see it for yourself! We also visited the Peace Park, which is a memorial site to families who have been separated and is dedicated to the reunification of the two Koreas. Both sites were very powerful!

The DMZ has seen some very tense moments between North and South Korea over the years. We were fascinated to visit the Third Tunnel, one of the incursion tunnels built by North Korea as part of an attempted invasion, although they officially claimed they were mining for coal! Walking 73 meters (240 feet) underground to peer into North Korea’s abandoned tunnel was eerily apocalyptic, and honestly, the coolest part of the day. 

Things slowed down when we visited the Red Suspension Bridge on Gamaksan Mountain. This mountain is lush and stunning, and a historical site from the Korean War. Walking along the tree-lined paths and crossing the canyon on the iconic bridge was the perfect way to finish the day. 

It’s important to know that the Third Tunnel and Gamaksan Mountain were quite physical, so if mobility is an issue, you’ll want to sit these parts out.

Visiting the DMZ is a must while you’re in Seoul, and this tour is the top-rated option out there, with an incredible 45,000+ 5-star reviews! It doesn’t run on Mondays, though, so if your second day in Seoul falls on a Monday, then I suggest switching days 2 and 3 around.

Related Read: For even more epic tour options, see the five best DMZ tours from Seoul here!

Evening – Grab rooftop cocktails and explore Myeong-dong

We stayed in Myeongdong, so exploring this lively neighborhood was easy after a full day out. It’s best known for the iconic Myeong-dong Shopping Street, which feels like a mini Shibuya. You’ll find everything from Korean skincare brands to local fashion and quirky accessories, but there’s also a beautiful old church and lots of local hidden gems. It was pretty packed while we were there, so we spent a bit of time wandering and found a cozy spot for drinks.

Sunset drinks at The Roof

If you want some sweeping views of Seoul and Namsam Mountain, head to The Roof, right in the heart of Myeongdong. We love a rooftop bar, and this one was eclectic, trendy, and made a mean cocktail.

We were pretty tired from our DMZ tour, so this was the ideal way to wind down and watch the sunset over Seoul.

Dinner – Seoul City Hall Korean BBQ

There are tons of restaurants in Myeongdong, but in all honesty, we felt that most around the shopping street were over-touristed. However, Myeongdong is a sprawling area, so we wandered about 10 minutes closer to our hotel and found multiple hidden alleyways packed with restaurants.

Seoul City Hall Korean BBQ caught our eye, and it was a winner! Korean BBQ is one of our favorite parts of Korea. Thick cuts of local beef or pork, grilled on the spot, with dozens of yummy sides – what more could you want?

We loved this place because it’s one of the few where the staff cooks the meat for you. As first-timers, we were thankful for that because it’s a little intimidating if you don’t know what you’re doing!

Day 3

Morning – Learn how to cook Korean food

For me, the best part of a trip to Seoul is eating as much Korean food as you can! But this morning, we’re going one better than that and learning how to actually cook it. So book this cooking tour for 10 am and get ready to make (and eat) some Korean staples.

The day kicks off with a visit to Mangwon Market, which is about a 15-minute train ride from Myeongdong. Our teacher, Jomin, led us through the market, explaining all about the ingredients we would use and stopping to let us purchase a few snacks that looked too good to pass up.

Then we headed to her cooking studio, conveniently right at the end of the market. Our group was pretty small, and this class was a great balance of hands-on cooking and hanging out to eat, drink, and be merry. 

Jomin gave super clear instructions, so it was easy to follow along as we gutted prawns and made seafood kimchi stew from scratch! She had alternative ingredients for the vegetarians in our class as well. After our soup appetizer, we regrouped in the kitchen to prepare bulgogi and bibimbap – classic Korean dishes! 

Once the cooking was done, we sat down together as a group to enjoy the meal, which was delicious. We also got some makgeolli, which is a lightly sparkling, thick, milky rice wine. Don’t worry, it tastes a lot better than it sounds!

We left this class with big smiles on our faces, and a recipe book so that we could recreate the dishes we made at home, which we’ve done several times since! It wraps up at around 2 pm, ready for you to digest all of that food as you explore Myeong-dong.

Afternoon – Namsan Park, cable car, and N Seoul Tower

After your cooking class, you can hop on the train and head to Namsan Mountain Park. Now, this sounds ambitious, but it’s actually a very relaxed afternoon activity thanks to the cable car that takes you straight to the top. 

Riding the cable car to the top is an iconic Seoul activity because it offers sweeping views of the city below. We had only a short wait before boarding, and it was a quick 3-minute ride to the top! Once you’re there, you’ll see the N Seoul Tower, standing above. You can go even higher and check out the views from the tower, but we didn’t think it was necessary, as the views from the park were pretty great. 

There were lots of viewpoints, a few restaurants, and even a few shops! One of the highlights is purchasing a “love lock” and adding yours to the collection on the fence. There are thousands! After exploring for a bit, we grabbed a locally brewed beer, named after the mountain itself, to sit and enjoy the views. 

You can walk back down the hill, but we were feeling a bit tired, so we took the cable car instead! Return tickets are 15,000 RKW (about $10 USD), and you can plan on spending about 1.5-2 hours here in total.

Dinner – Wangbijib Myeongdong Central

By the time you wrap up at Namsam Mountain, it will be getting close to dinner! From the cable car base, it is just a 10-minute walk to Wangbijib Myeongdong Central for some local food. This restaurant is right on the edge of Myeongdong Shopping Street, so it’s easy to find, without having to navigate the busy crowds. 

We recommend trying the gingsing chicken soup, because ginseng is incredibly good for you (and this dish was really tasty). If you’re tired of Korean food, they also serve pizza, which is always a welcome break!

Evening – Learn about Seoul’s dark history on a nighttime ghost tour

Ghost tours always give you a totally different perspective on the city than the guidebooks do, so take this opportunity to dive deep into the dark side of Seoul! This ghost tour is an absolute blast, and it starts at 8 pm, so head there after dinner. 

The meeting point varies by day, so be sure to double-check it after you book, and leave enough time to get there. You’ll probably have to take a short subway ride from The Sic-ddang. 

You can book a 1.5 or 2.5-hour version of this tour. We did the latter, and we’re so glad that we did because we absolutely loved having an extra hour of chilling ghost stories.

The first stop of the tour was at Gyeonghuigung Palace, which is the most haunted place in Seoul. We loved hearing tales about the ghostly inhabitants and how they came to be there.

Then, we went to Pimatgol Alley, which is a shady street (in both senses of the word) that’s known for its motels and cheap restaurants, so you’d better believe that there’s plenty of chilling crime lore around these parts! 

This tour was a blast, and we really felt like we got to see a side of the city that most tourists miss. One thing to note is that this tour doesn’t run on Mondays or Wednesdays, so if that’s when your third day falls, you may have to swap the days around to make it work. 

If you have extra time… 

Day 4 

Morning – Take an e-bike ride through Seoul

By this point, we’ve covered a lot of ground in Seoul on foot, so we were ready to see it from a different perspective – on an e-bike! 

Now, I normally wouldn’t say a bike tour is easier than a walking tour, but given Seoul’s hilly terrain and the ease of electric bikes, it was honestly a much easier way to see the city. This bike tour covered some of the same sites as our walking tour on day one, but honestly, we didn’t mind. It was an entirely different experience!

After testing out our e-bikes, we started exploring the city, passing by the Cheonggyecheon Stream, heading to Gyeongbokgung Palace to watch the changing of the guard, and stopping at Tongin Market for snacks. After a short rest, we were back in the saddle, cruising around Bukchon Village, passing by the Blue House (where the president lives), and finishing off at the Jogyesa Temple. 

We loved how relaxed and intimate our tour was. We were even “lucky” enough to catch it on a rainy day, which made it all the more laughable and a great travel memory! Even in the rain, our guide was really good about taking breaks so we could dry off for a few minutes before continuing on. The e-bikes were so easy to ride, too, so this tour is an ideal way to get around the city – it’s a blast for anyone, and such a fun way to explore Seoul! 

The tour promptly stuck to its schedule, taking off at 9:30 am and returning right at 12:30 pm!

Lunch – Korean Traditional Restaurant

After a few hours out in the cold rain, we were eager to warm up! Luckily, lunch is a really convenient stop today. The bike tour is based in a large commercial building full of restaurants. We asked our guide for a recommendation, and he pointed us to the Korean Traditional Restaurant, right on the same level as the bike shop. 

This place isn’t on Google Maps, and there are so many yummy-looking restaurants right in the area, so go wherever your nose takes you. But this place hit the spot with warm kimchi stew and plenty of sides to go around. It was very local, which we loved! That does mean the menu is only in Korean, so I recommend having Google Translate ready to go.

Afternoon – National Museum of Korea

This afternoon, you can decide if you want to dive into Korea’s fascinating history or simply relax at your hotel! Either option works, but plan on swinging by and changing out of your bike clothes before heading to the museum. 

Honestly, I wouldn’t call myself a museum lover, but I found this one absolutely fascinating. It’s well laid out and has lots of interactive exhibits, so if you don’t know much about the country’s background, it’s like taking a Korea 101 class! I especially loved seeing the prehistoric Korean artifacts and learning about the Joseon dynasty. 

After checking out the museum, I also recommend taking a walk through the peaceful grounds to see the pond and sculpture garden. General admission is free, and all of the exhibits have English descriptions, so there’s no need to worry about the language barrier!

The National Museum of Korea is located south of Myeong-dong, so plan on taking about 20-30 minutes to get there. 

Evening – Check out Hongdae’s nightlife

Hongdae is known as one of the best nightlife spots in Seoul. If you’re looking for a few good drinks or a lively evening, this is the place to go! 

Hongdae Shopping Street is a good place to start. If it’s a little early, you can do some shopping and browsing in this area. But once it gets a little later, this becomes the main bar-hopping spot! This is one of those places that is best experienced by wandering and seeing what you can find.

Stop for dinner at Hongdae Restaurant Salt Noodle Lab, which puts a unique spin on classic Japanese ramen. It’s located in the central part of Hongdae, so it fits well as you’re exploring. 

If you want something a little more craft or off the beaten path, check out Turtle Taps for craft beer or Life of 20th Century, a retro store/bar with a cool vibe. We enjoyed Maja for some upscale cocktails, just out of the main area. 

Day 5

Full-day – Spend a day exploring Nami Island, the Garden of Morning Calm, and the Gangchon Railbike

By the time you reach your fifth day in Seoul, you might just be ready to trade the hustle and bustle of the city for some scenic and underrated attractions. So this full-day tour is the perfect getaway, and a great way to cap off your time in the city.

The tour departs from Seoul at 7:45 am and returns at around 6 pm. It’s a pretty long day, but it’s very relaxing and you’ll see a lot in that time.

We started the day with a fun ride on the Gangchon Railbike, which involved pedaling along a scenic track surrounded by beautiful, tranquil landscapes. It was such a cute experience, and we think it’s perfect for families to enjoy together.

Then, we went to Nami Island, a nature reserve with postcard-perfect scenery and plenty of tree-lined paths. We were really glad that we got some free time here since it’s famous for being the location of a famous Korean TV show, Winter Sonata. We even got to see one of the places where a scene was filmed!

The last stop of the day was the Garden of Morning Calm, which was pretty magical. It has 22 themed sections, and we loved checking them all out. The vibrant displays and artfully landscaped gardens were a true feast for the eyes, and we loved exploring. Again, we had free time here, so we could take it at our own pace. 

All in all, this tour was a fun, relaxing, and super scenic day trip from Seoul. As a couple, we had a pretty romantic day out, but we would also highly recommend this tour for families. Kids will love running around in the gardens and riding on the Gangchon Railbike! 

Evening/dinner – Kkanbu Chicken Bukchangdong

After a full day tour, I always want something easy and hearty for dinner. Kkanbu Chicken is located in Myeong-dong, right around the corner from our hotel, which made it simple and tasty – exactly what we needed.

Fried chicken and beer are the perfect way to cap off a fantastic five days in Seoul if you ask me! This area is full of restaurants, though, so if you’d rather try something new or grab one last Korean BBQ, you can find it there!

Related Read: Find yourself with extra time? Here are the best things to do in Seoul to add to this itinerary!

Where to Stay in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a sprawling city, and where you stay really matters! This itinerary is based in Myeong-dong, where we stayed. We’d highly recommend staying in this neighborhood, as it’s about as central as you can be, and everything was about a 15-minute metro ride away. Here are our top recommendations for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay in Myeong-dong.

Luxury – $$$

Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong is everything you want from a high-end city stay. This five-star gem puts you steps from Myeongdong’s buzzing streets and just a quick stroll to the closest metro station.

Inside, it’s all polished marble, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plush city-view rooms that feel equal parts cozy and refined. The hotel’s standout perks include a serene indoor pool, a fully equipped gym, and multiple restaurants with seriously impressive breakfast spreads. 

Expect rates to range from around $300 to $600+ USD per night, depending on the room type and season. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Tucked right off the main street, Solaria Nishitetsu is an excellent bang-for-your-buck stay in Myeong-dong. Recently renovated, the room was surprisingly spacious for the area and had all the extras for a comfortable stay. We also really appreciated the self-serve laundry and filtered water stations, which made a longer stay way more convenient.

We stayed on one of the higher floors and loved waking up to city views. Rates typically range from $150 to $350 USD per night. Book your stay here on Booking.com!

Budget – $

If you’re looking for a comfortable stay with a fantastic location, we highly recommend Hotel Firststay Myeongdong! We stayed here, and it was convenient to access the train, great restaurants, and the staff was super helpful and friendly.

Rooms here are pretty basic, but spottlessly clean. The beds were extra comfortable, ideal to fall into after a full day out exploring! We loved the rooftop terrace, surrounded by skyscrapers but still a breath of fresh air. You are just about a 5-minute walk to the closest metro station, which is a real win in my book.

Prices sit between $100 and $140 USD per night and can be reserved on Booking.com.

For even more options, check out all the hotels in Seoul here!

Related Read: For an in-depth look at all of Seoul’s best areas and hotels, have a look at our Where to Stay in Seoul guide here!

Thanks for reading!

Whether you have three or five days to explore Seoul, you will never be bored! We fell in love with this megacity and can see why it’s high on many travelers’ bucket lists. This itinerary includes the highlights and a few of our personal favorite activities. Follow along, and you’ll see the best of Seoul!

If you need help planning more of your travels, check out our other Asia blogs! We have guides whether you want to explore a city, enjoy the outdoors, or find somewhere off the beaten path. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your next adventure – cheers!

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