THREE DAYS IN South Korea
Spend three days in Seoul exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. The guide maps each day and points you to local places along the way.
MAKE THE TRIP YOURS
Choose a travel style and budget to tailor your itinerary.
Three days built around neighbourhoods, not lists.
Cafe Onion Anguk brings bakery and coffee culture into a restored hanok setting near Anguk’s traditional lanes. Its architecture makes the café part of the neighbourhood visit as well as a place to pause.
Booking recommended
Hours · 07:00–22:00 Mon–Fri; 09:00–22:00 Sat–Sun
Address · 5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Booking · walk-in; queues possible
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteGyeongbokgung Palace is one of Seoul’s defining sights, linking Joseon royal architecture and state history with the daily rhythm of Gwanghwamun.
Book ahead
Hours · 09:00–18:00 in Sep–Oct 2026; seasonal hours vary; closed Tuesdays
Booking · not normally required for general entry
Book / official websiteBukchon Hanok Village is one of Seoul’s defining sights, linking traditional hanok streets and residential heritage with the daily rhythm of Bukchon.
Booking recommended
Booking · none for streets
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteHwangsaengga Kalguksu represents the food culture around Bukchon, with an experience centred on hand-cut noodles and dumplings in Bukchon.
Hours · 11:00–21:30 daily
Address · 78 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Official websiteMMCA Seoul presents modern and contemporary Korean and international art in the Gwanghwamun area. Its changing exhibitions provide a focused cultural stop near the palace district.
Hours · 10:00–18:00; Wed/Sat to 21:00
Address · 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~24 min estimate
Walking route · 2.2 km · ~30 min · This is an estimation.
In Myeongdong, Myeongdong condenses an essential side of Seoul: street food, beauty retail and central-city energy.
Booking recommended
Hours · Public streets always accessible; individual shops vary
Booking · none
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~25 min estimate
Walking route · 2.9 km · ~39 min · This is an estimation.
Geumdwaeji Sikdang centres its menu on charcoal-grilled pork, served in a lively barbecue setting. It is a strong choice for a shared Korean barbecue meal.
Booking recommended
Hours · 11:30–23:00 daily
Address · 149 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Booking · queue/reservation conditions volatile
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~25 min estimate
Walking route · 2.9 km · ~39 min · This is an estimation.
In Namsan, N Seoul Tower condenses an essential side of Seoul: panoramic city views from Namsan.
Booking recommended
Hours · Observatory 10:00–22:30 weekdays, 10:00–23:00 weekends/holidays
Booking · optional advance ticket
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~29 min estimate
Walking route · 4.0 km · ~54 min · This is an estimation.
After dinner, Bar Cham gives the Seochon route a social finish centred on Korean-ingredient cocktails in a hanok-inspired bar.
Booking recommended
Hours · 18:00–01:00 Wed–Mon
Address · 34 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Booking · recommended
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteFritz Coffee Wonseo pairs specialty coffee with a quiet setting in the historic Wonseo-dong area, making it a useful pause between Anguk and Bukchon walks.
Hours · 09:00–19:30 daily
Address · 83 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Official websiteIn Anguk, Changdeokgung Palace condenses an essential side of Seoul: palace architecture, gardens and UNESCO heritage.
Book ahead
Hours · Current seasonal palace hours and Secret Garden tour times require date-specific check
Booking · Secret Garden timed tour recommended/required depending product
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSet in Anguk, Seoul Museum of Craft Art explores Korean craft traditions and contemporary making. Its exhibitions fit naturally into a walk through the nearby galleries and historic streets.
Hours · 10:00–18:00 Tue–Sun; Fri to 21:00
Address · 4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Official websiteNear Gyeongbokgung, Tosokchon is known for samgyetang, a whole young chicken simmered with ginseng and other ingredients. The hearty soup makes this a distinctive meal before or after the palace.
Booking recommended
Hours · 10:00–22:00 daily; last order 21:00
Address · 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Booking · walk-in; queues possible
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~26 min estimate
Walking route · 3.1 km · ~41 min · This is an estimation.
In Gwangjang, Gwangjang Market condenses an essential side of Seoul: historic market food and everyday commercial culture.
Booking recommended
Hours · Market and vendor hours vary; food activity extends into evening
Booking · none for market
Book / official websiteIn Dongdaemun, Dongdaemun Design Plaza condenses an essential side of Seoul: contemporary architecture, design and fashion culture.
Booking recommended
Hours · Public complex generally 10:00–20:00 for many facilities; event and exhibition hours vary
Booking · depends on exhibition
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~27 min estimate
Walking route · 2.9 km · ~39 min · This is an estimation.
Cheonggyecheon is a restored stream corridor running through central Seoul, with a pedestrian path below street level. Walk a section to see how the waterway links busy downtown neighbourhoods.
Hours · Public linear space; access varies by segment/events
Address · Central Seoul
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~23 min estimate
Walking route · 1.8 km · ~25 min · This is an estimation.
Woo Lae Oak is known for Pyongyang-style naengmyeon and Korean barbecue, bringing two classic dishes together in a long-running Euljiro restaurant.
Booking recommended
Hours · 11:30–21:00 Tue–Sun
Address · 62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Booking · recommended at busy periods
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~30 min estimate
Walking route · 4.4 km · ~59 min · This is an estimation.
All That Jazz is a long-running Itaewon venue for live jazz, with a music-focused alternative to the neighbourhood’s bars and clubs. Check the listings for performances.
Hours · Sun–Thu 18:00–24:00; Fri–Sat 18:00–01:00
Address · 2F, 216 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Official websiteLondon Bagel Museum Anguk is a bagel-focused bakery and café in the Anguk area. It makes a convenient breakfast or snack stop before exploring Bukchon and the nearby palace district.
Booking recommended
Hours · 07:00–18:00 daily
Address · 20 Bukchon-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Booking · walk-in/queue system subject to change
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~53 min estimate
Walking route · 11.5 km · ~154 min · This is an estimation.
Set in Samseong, Bongeunsa Temple is a strong cultural stop for understanding Buddhist practice beside the modern COEX district.
Address · 531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Official websiteIn Samseong, Starfield Library COEX condenses an essential side of Seoul: large-scale public library architecture and modern Gangnam.
Booking recommended
Suggested transport
public transit estimate · ~51 min estimate
Walking route · 10.7 km · ~143 min · This is an estimation.
Hadongkwan is a long-established Myeongdong restaurant specialising in gomtang, a clear beef-bone soup served with rice. Its focused menu offers a taste of Seoul’s traditional comfort food.
Booking recommended
Hours · 07:00–16:00 Mon–Sat; may close when sold out
Address · 12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Booking · walk-in
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~33 min estimate
Walking route · 6.5 km · ~88 min · This is an estimation.
In Yongsan, National Museum of Korea condenses an essential side of Seoul: Korean archaeology, art and national history. Allow enough time to absorb the setting, because the surrounding streets are part of the experience.
Booking recommended
Hours · Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun 09:30–17:30; Wed/Sat 09:30–21:00
Booking · some programmes/special exhibitions may require booking
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~30 min estimate
Walking route · 5.2 km · ~70 min · This is an estimation.
The purpose of Seoullo 7017 is experiential: in Namdaemun, visitors engage directly with elevated pedestrian route through central infrastructure.
Hours · Public pedestrian route
Address · Seoul Station–Namdaemun
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~29 min estimate
Walking route · 3.8 km · ~51 min · This is an estimation.
Jin Ok-Hwa Original Chicken represents the food culture around Dongdaemun, with an experience centred on dakhanmari chicken hotpot tradition.
Booking recommended
Hours · 10:30–01:00 daily
Address · 18 Jong-ro 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Booking · walk-in
Check opening hours and access before your visit.
Book / official websiteSuggested transport
public transit estimate · ~46 min estimate
Walking route · 8.1 km · ~108 min · This is an estimation.
Hongdae is one of Seoul’s defining sights, linking independent culture, music, street performance and nightlife with the daily rhythm of Hongdae.
Choose a category to see what to visit and experience.
Less-obvious places worth knowing about while you are in the city. Save the ones you like to your wishlist.
Baek In-je House Museum is a smaller-scale discovery in Bukchon, valued for restored urban hanok with early-modern detail. It offers a more intimate contrast to Seoul’s major landmarks and helps the itinerary feel locally textured rather than purely iconic. The stop is best used when the surrounding route already passes.
A quieter layer of Buam appears at Buam-dong Walk, where hillside cafés, museums and quiet residential scenery creates a distinctive local experience.
A quieter layer of Eunpyeong appears at Eunpyeong Hanok Village, where modern hanok quarter under Bukhansan creates a distinctive local experience. Its strength is specificity: atmosphere, detail and neighbourhood context.
Ihwa Mural Village is a smaller-scale discovery in Daehangno, valued for hillside alleys and community art. The stop is best used when the surrounding route already passes nearby, preserving.
Seongbukdong Simujang is a smaller-scale discovery in Seongbuk, valued for small historic house tied to poet Han Yong-un.
A quieter layer of Buam appears at Yun Dong-ju Literature Museum, where poetry, memory and converted water-tank architecture creates a distinctive local experience. This is not treated as a universal must-see, but as a high-value discovery for travellers whose route and interests align.
Suseongdong Valley is a smaller-scale discovery in Seochon, valued for historic valley landscape below Inwangsan.
A quieter layer of Mullae appears at Mullae Art Village, where metal workshops mixed with studios and cafés creates a distinctive local experience.
A quieter layer of Seochon appears at Seochon Alley Walk, where low-rise lanes, galleries and local shops creates a distinctive local experience. Its strength is specificity: atmosphere, detail and neighbourhood.
Oil Tank Culture Park Roof Walk is a smaller-scale discovery in Sangam, valued for unusual industrial landscape and city views. The stop is best used when the surrounding route.