Start your first morning in Seoul with a relaxed stroll through Bukchon Hanok Village, winding between traditional hanok homes and pausing for photos of the tiled roofs and city views; pop into a small tea house for a soothing cup and a brief intro to Korean ceramics. From there, wander down to Insadong to browse antique shops and craft galleries, sample a couple of street-side treats like hotteok or tteok, and step into a cozy gallery or tea salon to ease into the day before heavier sightseeing later.
After a relaxed morning in Bukchon and Insadong, head for a lively foodie adventure at Gwangjang Market, sampling bindaetteok (mung-bean pancakes) and mayak kimbap from bustling stalls; weave through the textile alleys and grab a cup of makgeolli at a small market stall for an authentic local vibe. As dusk approaches, stroll toward Myeongdong, where neon-lit streets brim with street food vendors and skincare shops-pop into Myeongdong Kyoja for a comforting bowl of kalguksu if you want a sit-down meal before evening plans.
As night falls, take a short taxi or bus up to Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower) for panoramic city lights-ride the cable car or walk the illuminated Namsan trails and attach a love lock at the observation deck for a classic Seoul moment. Afterward descend toward Myeongdong Cathedral area and duck into a lively street-food alley to try tteokbokki and mandu from popular stalls, or settle into Myeongdong Kyoja for a warm bowl of kalguksu if you prefer a sit-down dinner before calling it an early night.
Begin with a crisp morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace, arriving for the grounds and the changing of the guard ceremony-take time to explore the Geunjeongjeon throne hall and the peaceful Gyeonghoeru Pavilion before the crowds build. From there stroll to the nearby Tosokchon Samgyetang for a restorative ginseng chicken soup, then wander the quieter lanes toward Jogyesa Temple to experience a moment of monastic calm amid colorful lanterns and a short tea offering at a temple café.
After a palace morning, dive into culinary and craft culture at Gwangjang Market, sampling bindaetteok from a sizzling stall and trying silky mayak kimbap while you watch vendors fold dough for hotteok; weave into the fabric alleyways to browse vintage hanbok and traditional textiles. From there, take a short walk to Insadong Ssamziegil to hunt for handmade stationery and pottery, stop at a street-side tea house for a tulip glass of omija tea, and enjoy people-watching as the late afternoon light softens the hanok rooftops.
As the sun sets, walk into the cozy theater district and catch a traditional performance or tasting dinner at Sanchon, where candlelit pansori and Buddhist-inspired dishes create an intimate cultural evening; reserve ahead for the multi-course temple-style meal. Afterward, meander down the lantern-lit alleys of Insadong to try artisanal tea at a specialty teahouse and finish with a leisurely dessert crawl-hotteok or modern Korean pastries-while stopping at a quiet craft gallery for late-night souvenir hunting.
Start your morning at the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)-wander the flowing architecture, visit rotating design exhibits, and snap photos on the LED rose garden terrace before the crowds arrive. From DDP stroll to nearby Dongdaemun Fabric Market to hunt for quirky textiles and K-fashion trims, then fuel up with coffee and a light Korean-style pastry at a trendy café in the Euljiro neighborhood while watching local designers load up their supplies for the day.
Head to the bustling retail labyrinth of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex to browse multi-story fashion wholesalers and hunt for trend-right pieces, then duck into the nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream for a relaxing riverside walk that connects modern design to everyday Seoul life. Finish the afternoon with a street-food deep dive at Myeongdong Street Food Alley, sampling spicy tteokbokki skewers, crispy hotteok, and cheesy dakgangjeong as you shop cosmetics and catch the neon energy building toward evening.
As neon takes over, head to Hongdae for youthful nightlife - wander the lively pedestrian streets, catch an impromptu busker show, and browse indie boutiques selling local designer goods. Afterward, move toward the nearby Common Ground container mall for rooftop drinks and pop-up food stalls, then finish the night sampling inventive Korean fusion at Tongin Market's modern food stalls or a late-night bingsu café for a refreshing sweet ending.
Begin with a refreshing hike up Namsan to the leafy trails of Namsan Park, pausing at the scenic Namsan Library viewpoint for a quiet skyline panorama before the crowds arrive; continue to the observation plazas around N Seoul Tower to enjoy early-morning light on the city and a coffee at the tower café. After descents, stroll through the charming, lesser-known lanes toward TTOENGJUNG - a local bakery-café near the base of Namsan - for pideong-style pastries, then take a short taxi to the Hangang side to rent a bicycle at the Yeouido Hangang Park rental station and pedal riverside paths while watching Seoul wake up.
After your Namsan morning, take a cable car or short taxi down to Itaewon for a multicultural lunch - hunt out a rooftop patio for views and try Korean-style fried chicken at a popular local spot. Then cross the river to Banpo Hangang Park to stroll along the riverside, watch the Banpo Bridge rainbow fountain (best as daylight softens), and rent a tandem bike near the Yeouido ferry pier to pedal the riverbank as the city shifts toward evening.
As dusk deepens, cross to the riverside for a relaxed evening picnic at Seoul Marina-grab Korean fried chicken and chilled makkoli from a nearby vendor and watch boats glide past under the lit bridges. Later, stroll or rent an electric scooter along the quieter section of the Yanghwa Hangang Park bike path, pausing at the riverside decks to catch the city lights reflected in the water before finishing with a nightcap at the cozy rooftop bar Floating Islands Café overlooking the Han River.
Ease into the day with a restorative bowl at Tosokchon Samgyetang, savoring the fragrant ginseng chicken broth before wandering the nearby alleys to discover charming tea rooms; stop at Cha Masineun Tteul for a quiet omija or citron tea and a moment of zen. From there, stroll toward Jogyesa Temple to catch morning chanting and view the colorful lanterns up close, then browse the little hanji (Korean paper) shops on the temple's edge for unique stationery souvenirs and slow-paced people-watching over a traditional Korean pancake at a nearby café.
Wander from Insadong Ssamziegil into its maze of craft shops and stop at O'sulloc Tea House for a delicate green tea latte and a matcha dessert while browsing contemporary ceramics; then head to nearby Tapgol Park to rest on a bench and watch locals play janggi (Korean chess) amid historic pagodas. Finish with a late-afternoon food crawl at Gwangjang Market, sampling chewy bindaetteok and warm mayak kimbap from famed stalls before returning to Jongno for a quiet teahouse pause at Cha Masineun Tteul's sister café to soak up the neighborhood's mellow atmosphere.
As evening settles, wander to Sanchon for a candlelit multi-course experience of temple-inspired vegetarian dishes accompanied by live pansori-reserve in advance for the intimate performance. After dinner, drift into Ikseon-dong Hanok Village to explore narrow alleys lined with atmospheric bars and dessert cafés, sip a craft tea cocktail at Cheongsudang or try modern Korean desserts at Onion Ikseon, then finish with a quiet riverside-style walk along the nearby Jongno-cheonggyecheon fringes, where soft lights and gentle water flow round out a calm, reflective night.