Explore Seoul in 4 days. This itinerary covers must-see landmarks, street food, and experiences that capture the essence of South Korea’s capital.
I’ll admit it: I was not too excited about the trip when I booked the flight to Seoul. I only decided to visit South Korea because I found a cheap flight, but I was wrong.
Even though I only spent four days in Seoul, I loved my time there and the contrast this country offers between traditional culture and modern innovation. The food scene is amazing and provides a nice mix of Far East Asian and Western flavors.
I hope to have the chance to visit other places in South Korea, but for now, I’ll write about what I explored: Seoul (서울). Here’s everything you need to know to spend three or four days there.
Quick Facts About Seoul:
- Location: Northwestern South Korea, bordered by the Han River and the Gyeonggi Province.
- Established: Seoul has been a political and cultural center for over 600 years, officially becoming the capital during the Joseon Dynasty in 1394.
- Population: A dynamic mix of Koreans and a growing international community, making it a global city.
- Main Attractions: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong, and Insadong. Don’t miss the trendy neighborhoods of Hongdae and Gangnam and the temples like Jogyesa and Bongeunsa.
Best Time to Visit
Like most places in Asia, I often tell people to avoid the Summer and Winter months. Summer in Asia is extremely hot and the constant heat and rain will make it very challenging to enjoy your trip. Winter is not as bad as summer if you don’t mind the cold, but it’s still not ideal. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons.
- Spring (March to May): This is one of the most popular times to visit Seoul, with mild temperatures (10°C to 20°C) and beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom, especially in places like Yeouido Park and Namsan Mountain.
- Autumn (September to November): Another peak season, autumn offers cool weather (10°C to 25°C) and amazing foliage across the city’s parks, temples, and mountains.
Useful Tips
Just a quick section about which apps you should download and use when visiting South Korea and how to use public transportation.
As soon as you land in Seoul, head to one of the many automatic machines where you can get the T-money card and add some money. You will use it to pay for the subway and local buses. You can also use it to pay in convenience stores and some taxi drivers.
Google Maps doesn’t work, and the local alternative is Kakao Map and Naver Map, which are particularly useful for determining which subway line to take.
As for the Taxi, I recommend using Kride. There is also another app called Kakao Taxi, but I couldn’t use it, maybe because I don’t have a Korean bank account. Connect your credit or debit card, and then you can call taxis directly using the app. It works pretty much like Uber.
Last tip: unless something changes, the immigration queues in all international airports in Korea, especially Seoul, are incredibly long. It took me one hour to go through. Keep this in mind if you have some domestic connecting flights.
Where to Stay
Similarly to Tokyo, Seoul is divided into different districts, each with its own landmarks and activities. The area where you want to stay depends on where you’ll spend most of your time. I recommend booking your hotel with Trip.com, which generally tends to be cheaper and offers more options in Asia than Booking.com. A good location is near Gyeongbokgung Palace and any nearby subway station, for example, this hotel.
What to see in Seoul in 4 days
Some people prefer to stay in Seoul for a shorter time and then head to places like Busan or Jeju Island. This section will give you a good idea of what you can do in Seoul in four days, and then you can decide what to skip if your time is limited.
Day One
On the first day, you can visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insa-dong, and Ikseon-dong.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces. Its amazing architecture offers a glimpse into Korea’s royal past. Originally built in 1395, it has been restored several times after multiple invasions. The nearest subway station is Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5, just a short walk from the main entrance.
If you rent a Hanbok, the traditional Korean attire, you don’t have to pay any entrance fee. There are many Hanbok rental stores all around the palace.
I like how, in Seoul, these historic monuments have been restored but still maintain an authentic feeling. Maybe it’s the light colors used in the decorations or the pebble floor, but unlike in China (for example, the Forbidden City), you never feel that they just finished rebuilding the whole thing yesterday.
Insa-dong
After visiting the palace, you can head to Insa-dong for lunch at one of the many local restaurants. Insa-dong is a nice district known for blending traditional and modern Korean art. You’ll find narrow streets lined with galleries, teahouses, and boutique shops, which make this area the perfect place to relax for a few hours and maybe find cool local souvenirs. Don’t miss the shopping center you see in the picture above, which is pretty popular.
Insa-dong is easily accessible from Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 6.
Ikseondong
You can then head to the Rooftop Bar Moxy for a nice cocktail and evening city views. After the cocktail, walk around the nearby Ikseondong. You’ll find plenty of nice restaurants inside the Korean hanok houses (built with natural materials and designed to harmonize with their surrounding environment).
After dinner, walk on the beautiful Cheonggyecheon, a revitalized urban stream. It used to be a neglected waterway; it was restored in 2005 as part of a major urban renewal project, transforming the area into a scenic public space. Stretching for nearly 11 kilometers, the stream is lined with walking paths, bridges, and art installations, creating a quiet environment. It honestly doesn’t even feel like you are in the city anymore.
Day Two
On your second day, you can visit the Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace with its Secret Garder, and then the Gwangjang Market.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village is a historic neighborhood in Seoul, known for its well-preserved traditional Korean houses, or hanok, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, and it’s located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Some people live in the hanoks, while others have been converted into guesthouses and coffee shops.
Bukchon’s elevated position provides nice views of both the old hanoks and the modern skyline of Seoul, and for this reason, it can get quite crowded during the day. If you want to have this place all to yourself, you’ll have to arrive early, possibly right around sunrise, as I did. If you arrive later, it will be full of tourists.
The closest subway stations to Bukchon Hanok Village are Anguk Station (Line 3) and Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1, 3, 5). From Anguk Station, take Exit 2 and walk for about 5-10 minutes to reach the village.
Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garder
Changdeokgung Palace is another of Seoul’s five grand palaces. Built during the Joseon Dynasty, it was the royal residence for many kings and queens. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The palace is okay but, in my opinion, not too interesting, especially if you have already visited Gyeongbokgung. What you shouldn’t miss is the Secret Garden, which is not accessible without a tour (which you can book separately at the park’s entrance). This tour sells out quickly due to the limited number of people allowed.
The Secret Garden was originally reserved for the royal family; it served as a private retreat where kings and queens could relax. The garden covers about 78 acres, and after a short introduction by the tour guide, you can decide to visit the area yourself.
The nearest subway station to Changdeokgung Palace is Anguk Station (Line 3). From Exit 3, it’s about a 5-10 minute walk to the palace entrance.
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market is one of Seoul’s oldest (established in 1905) and most interesting markets. You’ll find all the typical South Korean dishes like Bindae-tteok (mung bean pancakes), Mayak Kimbap (mini seaweed rice rolls), and Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). The market also sells textiles, hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), and household items. There are plenty of stalls where you can have dinner as you sit down alongside other people.
The nearest subway station to Gwangjang Market is Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1), with Exit 8 leading directly to the market entrance. Euljiro 4-ga Station (Lines 2 and 5) is also nearby.
Day Three
On your third day, you can visit the DMZ on the border with North Korea and, in the afternoon, around sunset, head to the Namsam Tower, one of Seoul’s landmarks.
DMZ Tour
There are many tours that offer a day trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone bordering South and North Korea), but they all follow the same itinerary. You’ll first head to a park to learn about the Korean War, and later, you can buy some North Korean banknotes. Then, some tours head to a suspension bridge (honestly, you can pick a tour that doesn’t include it: in my opinion, it’s a bit of a waste of time). The next stop is a viewpoint built to overlook the North Korean border.
The final stop is a tunnel (one of four) that North Korea dug in the 1970s to try to invade South Korea. You cannot bring a camera or phone into the tunnel, but luckily, our guide sent us an old picture after the tour.
If you are claustrophobic, I don’t recommend descending into the tunnel.
Until 2023, it was also possible to see another area where the South and North Korean soldiers would face each other, right on the border. After an American soldier tried to escape to North Korea to avoid getting deported back to the US, the area was closed.
Namsam Tower
Namsan Tower, also known as N Seoul Tower, is a popular landmark and observation point located atop Namsan Mountain. You can either hike all the way to the top of the mountain or take a quick cable car. The mountain offers panoramic views of the city, and I recommend it, especially at night when the city lights up.
The tower features multiple observation decks, a revolving restaurant, and various cultural exhibits. It’s also known for its “Locks of Love,” where couples leave padlocks as symbols of their love along the fences near the tower.
The nearest subway station to Namsan Tower is Myeong-dong Station (Line 4). From Exit 3, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Namsan Cable Car, which takes you up to the tower.
Myeong-dong
After enjoying the sunset view from the N Seoul Tower, you can hike down to Myeong-dong, one of Seoul’s shopping districts. I spent a lot of time in this area taking pictures of the street food vendors who really know how to put on a show to attract people. You can also find some of the best Korean BBQs in this area. I recommend the All-you-can-eat Mongvely. It was a bit tricky to find, but the food was amazing.
Myeong-dong is easily accessible via Myeong-dong Station (Line 4). From Exit 6, you are directly in the heart of the shopping area.
Day Four
On your fourth and last day in Seoul, you can visit the Ihwa Mural Village and the nearby Naksan Park, then head to the Gangnam district and Hongdae.
Ihwa Mural Village
Ihwa Mural Village is a neighborhood located on the slopes of Naksan Mountain. Once a declining area, it was revitalized in 2006 when local artists transformed its walls and alleyways with colorful murals and sculptures, creating an open-air gallery. It reminds me of a low-key version of the Rainbow Village in Malang, Indonesia.
Unfortunately, some murals have been removed because they attracted too many lousy tourists, and the people living there complained to the local government. However, it’s still a nice area to explore, especially if you have some spare time. It’s also convenient since you can visit it on your way to Naksan Park.
The nearest subway station to Ihwa Mural Village is Hyehwa Station (Line 4). From Exit 2, it’s about a 10-15 minute uphill walk to the village.
Naksan Park
Naksan Park is an urban park on Naksan Mountain that offers beautiful panoramic views of Seoul. The park’s highlight is the remnants of the ancient Seoul Fortress Wall, which once protected the city. As you walk alongside the walls, you can have nice views of the city skyline and the surrounding mountains.
Gangnam, Coex Mall
Gangnam district went viral in 2012 with the release of PSY’s song “Gangnam Style,” which portrayed the area’s lavish lifestyle. Gangnam is one of Seoul’s most affluent districts and is famous for its shopping malls, modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
The most famous is the COEX Mall. Inside, there is a really nice aquarium, which I recommend visiting before heading to the Lotte World Tower. Another famous location inside the mall is the Starfield Library, which is pretty popular for Instagram-style pictures.
Gangnam Station (Line 2, Shinbundang Line) is the nearest subway station.
Lotte World Tower
Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in South Korea and the sixth tallest in the world, standing at 555 meters (1,819 feet) with 123 floors. The observation decks are located from the 117th to 121st floors and offer amazing panoramic views of Seoul. The tower also features the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck. Lotte World Tower is adjacent to Lotte World Adventure, one of the largest indoor theme parks.
For a panoramic view of the tower, I recommend the Seoulism rooftop bar. The cocktails are expensive but really good, and the view is nice (the picture above and the first picture of the article were taken there).
Lotte World Tower is easily accessible from Jamsil Station (Lines 2 and 8), with Exit 2 leading directly to the tower.
Hongdae
You can spend your last evening in Seoul exploring Hongdae, a popular district famous for its street performances and indie art scene.
Hongdae is easily accessible via Hongik University Station (Line 2, Airport Railroad, Gyeongui-Jungang Line), with Exit 9 leading directly into the heart of the district.
Final Thoughts
As I stated at the beginning of the article, I knew little about Seoul and wasn’t really expecting to be blown away by this city. While researching more info to write this article, I found contrasting opinions about South Korea’s capital. Granted, everyone has different experiences, and maybe I was lucky since I had an overwhelmingly positive trip. Still, I think Seoul is really worth it, and I recommend visiting the city for a few days.
Here’s my travel guide to Jordan, and here are some more pictures I took in Seoul. If you are planning to visit China, don’t miss this useful article.
