5-Day Practical South Korea Itinerary: Seoul Highlights, DMZ Day Trip & Busan Fast-Track

Day 1: Seoul Arrival

Seoul, South Korea on August 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Isaac Toast (Myeongdong)

Grab a popular Korean toast sandwich and coffee to fuel your first day; Isaac outlets open early and are ideal for a quick, local breakfast. Check local branch hours, many open by 7:00am.
KRW4000, 0h30m

9:00am

Walk Cheonggyecheon Stream

A peaceful restored urban stream in downtown Seoul great for a gentle introduction to the city; open 24 hours so it's flexible with arrival times.
KRW0, 1h0m

10:30am

Bukchon Hanok Village stroll

Explore a living neighborhood of traditional hanok houses and picture-perfect alleys; the area is always accessible though individual museums/houses have set hours.
KRW0, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — Myeongdong street food or Myeongdong Kyoja

Sample grilled skewers, tteokbokki and more from street vendors, or enjoy comforting knife-cut noodle soup at Myeongdong Kyoja (open ~10:30am–9:30pm).
KRW9000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Shop & explore Myeongdong

Shopping district with cosmetics, fashion and more; stores usually open by 10:30am and many stay open late (to 10pm+).
KRW0, 2h0m

5:00pm

N Seoul Tower (Namsan) visit

Take the cable car or walk up to N Seoul Tower for city views and sunset; tower observatory typically open 10:00am–11:00pm (check seasonal hours).
KRW13000, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Korean BBQ (Maple Tree House / local BBQ)

Enjoy grilled samgyeopsal or premium cuts at a well-known BBQ spot in Myeongdong or nearby; many BBQ restaurants open from late morning to late evening (11:30am–22:30pm).
KRW25000, 1h30m

Day 2: DMZ Tour

Seoul → DMZ (Paju) → Seoul, South Korea on August 20, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Quick grab (hotel or convenience store)

A light on-the-go breakfast (gimbap, sandwich, coffee) is easiest because DMZ tours start early; convenience stores are open 24/7 in Seoul.
KRW3000, 0h30m

7:30am

DMZ / JSA guided tour (pre-book required)

Full guided tour to the DMZ/JSA includes observatories, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel (if included) and security briefings — tours run in the morning and finish mid-afternoon; bring your passport and confirm tour operator hours and identity requirements when booking.
KRW70000, 6h0m

2:30pm

Lunch — Gwangjang Market

Return to Seoul for classic comfort foods: bindaetteok (mung pancake), mayak gimbap, and jeon — market vendors generally open from about 9:00am into the evening.
KRW10000, 1h0m

4:00pm

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) visit

Explore the iconic architecture, rotating exhibitions, and outdoor spaces; the plaza itself is free to walk around, exhibitions often run 10:00am–7:00pm (check specific exhibit times).
KRW0, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Dongdaemun night food/shopping

Try late-night street-food stalls and first-floor shopping complexes open late into the night in Dongdaemun; the area is famous for evening shopping and food until past midnight.
KRW10000, 1h30m

Day 3: Palaces & Neighborhoods

Seoul, South Korea on August 21, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Cafe Onion Anguk

Enjoy a relaxed Korean-cafe breakfast with pastries and coffee in a hanok-converted cafe in Anguk; many specialty cafes open by 8:00am — confirm current open hours.
KRW8000, 1h0m

10:00am

Gyeongbokgung Palace (main palace)

Visit Seoul’s largest royal palace and the National Palace Museum grounds; typically open 9:00am–6:00pm (hours vary seasonally), and it’s closed on certain weekdays—today is scheduled on an open day, but double-check seasonal hours.
KRW3000, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Insadong bibimbap or traditional set

Enjoy classic bibimbap or a hanjeongsik set in Insadong, where many traditional restaurants operate roughly 10:00am–9:00pm; Insadong is also ideal for souvenir shopping.
KRW12000, 1h0m

2:00pm

Jogyesa Temple & Insadong galleries

A short cultural visit to a central Buddhist temple and nearby craft shops and tea houses; temples and galleries typically open mid-morning to early evening.
KRW0, 1h0m

3:30pm

Hongdae — street art, cafes and shops

Explore youthful Hongdae for street performers, specialty shops and themed cafes; area businesses often operate from mid-morning until late night.
KRW0, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Korean fried chicken & beer (Kyochon or local chain)

Try Korea’s beloved fried chicken with a beer (chimaek) in Hongdae or nearby; many chicken restaurants stay open until late (22:00–24:00).
KRW18000, 1h30m

Day 4: Seoul → Busan

Seoul to Busan, South Korea on August 22, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Hotel or Seoul Station cafe

Quick breakfast near Seoul Station before catching the KTX; station cafes open early and are convenient for day-train travel.
KRW5000, 0h30m

8:20am

KTX Seoul → Busan

Take the high-speed KTX from Seoul Station to Busan — typical journey ~2h50m; book seats in advance for best prices and times.
KRW59000, 2h50m

11:30am

Haeundae Beach walk

Arrive in Busan and relax at Haeundae Beach, a famous urban beach area open 24 hours for strolling (facilities and rentals operate daytime hours).
KRW0, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — Haeundae seafood or local specialties

Enjoy fresh seafood or Busan specialties near the beach; many seaside restaurants operate from late morning through evening.
KRW15000, 1h0m

3:00pm

Gamcheon Culture Village

Colorful hillside village with murals, viewpoints and small galleries; open daytime (roughly 9:00am–6:00pm) — some attractions charge small entry fees.
KRW2000, 2h0m

5:30pm

Jagalchi Market stroll

Visit Korea’s largest seafood market and see fresh catches; the market is lively into the evening with restaurants serving seafood dishes (open from early morning into evening).
KRW0, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner — Jagalchi Market seafood restaurant

Pick a stall/restaurant to have sashimi, grilled fish or a seafood hotpot — many vendors serve until around 9:00–10:00pm but confirm individual stall hours.
KRW25000, 1h30m

Day 5: Busan Morning

Busan, South Korea on August 23, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Local cafe near Haeundae

Relaxed cafe breakfast with coffee and pastries before a full morning of sightseeing; many cafes open 8:00am or earlier in tourist areas.
KRW7000, 0h45m

9:30am

Taejongdae Park or Oryukdo Skywalk

Coastal cliffs, dramatic sea views and the cliffside observatory at Taejongdae (park open 24 hours; some services like the mini-train operate during daytime) or visit the Oryukdo Skywalk for panoramic ocean views (open daytime).
KRW0, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch — Dwaeji Gukbap or Millak Raw Fish Town

Try Busan’s famous pork and rice soup (dwaeji gukbap) or a raw fish set at Millak area; many eateries open from late morning to evening.
KRW10000, 1h0m

2:30pm

Return travel (KTX) or airport transfer

Catch an afternoon KTX back to Seoul (~2h50m) or transfer to Busan airport depending on onward travel plans; book tickets and transfers ahead to secure preferred times.
KRW59000, 2h50m

5:30pm

Evening — Final shopping or departure

If returning to Seoul, arrive in the early evening with time to relax; if departing from Busan, allow extra time for airport check-in and international flight procedures.
KRW0, 0h0m
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