Start your first morning in Seoul with a relaxed stroll through Gwangjang Market, sampling bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap from bustling stalls, then wander to nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream for a peaceful riverside walk that helps shake off jet lag. Continue to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) to admire its futuristic architecture and pop-up exhibitions, and drop into a local café for a Korean-style brunch - try a dalgona coffee and a savory Korean omelette to fuel an afternoon of shopping in Myeongdong.
Spend the afternoon exploring the bustling streets of Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center and hunt for Korean beauty deals and trendy streetwear, then pop into Lotte Young Plaza for youth fashion and cool concept stores. After shopping, take a leisurely climb or cable car up to Namsan Park-stroll its scenic trails, visit the Namsan Seoul Tower Plaza for panoramic city views, and pause at the iconic Locks of Love fence as golden-hour light settles over the skyline.
As night falls, head to Myeongdong Cathedral Plaza for lively street performances and then duck into nearby alleys to sample sizzling tteokbokki and skewered treats from popular street vendors. Finish the evening with a relaxed dessert crawl - try artisanal gelato at Remicone Myeongdong and a rooftop cocktail at The Griffin Bar for skyline views that complement the earlier visit to Namsan.
Begin your morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace, arriving for the serene Changing of the Guard ceremony and then exploring the throne hall and painted pavilions while renting a hanbok nearby for photos. From there, stroll through the picturesque lanes to National Folk Museum of Korea for a quick cultural primer, then wander into Samcheong-dong to browse art galleries, artisanal tea houses and try a traditional Korean tea and a sweet rice cake at a cozy teahouse.
After a morning at Gyeongbokgung and Samcheong-dong, wander into the atmospheric alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village to admire traditional hanok architecture and pop into small craft shops for handmade ceramics and fans. Continue downhill to Insadong Ssamziegil for antique shops and contemporary craft boutiques, stop for a savory bowl of jeon at a local banchan café, then finish the afternoon with a mindful tea tasting at O'sulloc Tea House to sample premium Korean green tea before evening plans.
As the sun sets, wander to Jongmyo Shrine for a peaceful twilight stroll through its shaded courtyards, then head to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village to explore narrow alleys lined with boutique shops and stylish fusion restaurants. Cap the night with a cozy meal and makgeolli tasting at Tteuran (a modern hanok tavern) followed by live indie music at the intimate Daehangno Marronnier Park area to keep the cultural rhythm going after a day of palaces and traditional streets.
Start your morning in trendy Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil, wandering its tree-lined avenue for boutique fashion, indie cafes and a leisurely brunch at Cafe Mamas or a specialty dessert at Layered; the stylish atmosphere is a seamless evolution from Bukchon's traditional charm to contemporary Seoul. From there, head to the ultra-modern COEX Mall to explore the stunning Starfield Library, pop into the COEX Aquarium for an immersive marine walk, and grab a quick k-pop merch hunt at the mall's specialty shops before lunchtime.
Wander through the flashy streets of Gangnam Station area to shop trendy Korean labels and hunt for limited-edition K-pop goods at specialist stores like G-Dragon's Peaceminusone pop-up or independent idol merch stalls, then refuel with spicy, cheesy dakgalbi at a bustling local eatery. After lunch, head to SMTOWN Museum for interactive K-pop exhibits and VR performances, then catch a live dance practice or impromptu street performance around Apgujeong Rodeo Street as the neighborhood's glossy boutiques give way to behind-the-scenes K-pop energy.
As night falls, dive into Gangnam's neon energy with dinner at Janguhjin for charcoal-grilled eel or head to Samwon Garden for a classic Korean BBQ in an elegant setting, then stroll to Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs for a quiet moonlit walk that contrasts the daytime bustle. Finish with cocktails and live DJ sets at Octagon or a themed rooftop bar like Floating for skyline views and late-night K-pop radio-style singalongs at cozy karaoke rooms in Nonhyeon-dong to keep the modern Seoul vibe humming into the night.
Wake up to a creative buzz in Hongdae Free Market (weekend) or browse independent stalls along Hongdae Playground for handmade crafts and live street performances, then refuel with a specialty pour-over and signature waffles at Tailor Coffee. From there, stroll to the nearby Yeonnam-dong Gyeongui Line Forest Park for a peaceful riverside-style walk past cafes and concept shops, stopping at Thanks Nature Cafe to meet the resident sheep and enjoy a relaxed brunch before an afternoon in Itaewon.
After a relaxed Hongdae morning, take the subway to nearby Mangwon Market to sample street-food snacks like hotteok and freshly grilled eomuk, then stroll along the leafy Mangwon Hangang Park waterfront where you can rent a tandem bike or join locals for a riverside picnic. Continue into Itaewon's creative side with a visit to Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art for contemporary Korean works, then browse concept shops and vinyl at Gyeongnidan-gil before an early evening refreshment at a cozy craft beer pub like The Booth to refuel for your river cruise.
As twilight falls, board the scenic Banpo Hangang River Cruise for swept-away city views and the illuminated Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, sipping a seasonal cocktail on deck while passing under Seoul's glowing skyline. After the cruise, wander the lively waterside plaza to sample craft soju cocktails at Magpie Brewery annex pop-up stalls and finish with a chilled late-night dessert at Banpo Jamsu-gil's riverside cafés, where live acoustic sets sometimes accompany the night air.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gwangjang Market (street food: bindaetteok, mayak gimbap) | ₩8,000 |
| Cheonggyecheon Stream (riverside walk) | Free |
| Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) admission / exhibitions | ₩10,000 |
| Cafe brunch (dalgona coffee + omelette) in Myeongdong | ₩15,000 |
| Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center (shopping - per person casual budget) | ₩30,000 |
| Lotte Young Plaza (shopping - per person casual budget) | ₩20,000 |
| Namsan cable car (round-trip) | ₩10,000 |
| N Seoul Tower (observation deck) | ₩12,000 |
| Locks of Love (Namsan fence) | Free |
| Remicone Myeongdong (artisanal gelato dessert) | ₩8,000 |
| The Griffin Bar (rooftop cocktail) | ₩20,000 |
| Gyeongbokgung Palace (admission) | ₩3,000 |
| Changing of the Guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung | Free |
| Hanbok rental (half-day) | ₩25,000 |
| National Folk Museum of Korea (admission) | ₩1,500 |
| Tea & sweet rice cake at Samcheong-dong teahouse | ₩12,000 |
| Bukchon Hanok Village (self-guided walk) | Free |
| Insadong Ssamziegil (shopping / light snack) | ₩10,000 |
| O'sulloc Tea House (tea tasting) | ₩8,000 |
| Jongmyo Shrine (admission, evening visit may be limited) | ₩1,000 |
| Tteuran (makgeolli tasting + meal) | ₩25,000 |
| Daehangno live music (small venue cover) | ₩10,000 |
| Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil (brunch at Cafe Mamas or dessert at Layered) | ₩15,000 |
| COEX Mall (Starfield Library free / COEX Aquarium admission) | ₩30,000 |
| K-pop merch shopping (mall specialty shops) | ₩20,000 |
| SMTOWN Museum (admission) | ₩30,000 |
| Dakgalbi lunch (spicy, cheesy) | ₩12,000 |
| Charcoal-grilled eel dinner at Janguhjin | ₩35,000 |
| Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs (admission) | ₩1,000 |
| Club entry (Octagon) or rooftop bar cover | ₩30,000 |
| Hongdae Free Market / street stalls (weekend) / Tailor Coffee brunch | ₩12,000 |
| Yeonnam-dong Gyeongui Line Forest Park (walk) | Free |
| Thanks Nature Cafe (dessert & drink) | ₩12,000 |
| Mangwon Market snacks (hotteok, eomuk) | ₩8,000 |
| Mangwon Hangang Park (tandem bike rental) | ₩10,000 |
| Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art (admission) | ₩10,000 |
| The Booth (craft beer pub) - one beer | ₩8,000 |
| Banpo Hangang River Cruise (evening, per person) | ₩18,000 |
| Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain viewing (from cruise / riverside) | Free |
| Magpie Brewery (craft soju/cocktail at annex pop-up) | ₩12,000 |
| Banpo riverside dessert cafe | ₩8,000 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₩546,500 |