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7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Seoul in December 2023

  1. Day 1: Gyeongbokgung Palace
    15 minutes (3.5 km) from hotel

    Morning: Watch the changing of the guards ceremony. Enjoy a guided tour of the palace to learn about the Joseon Dynasty.

    Afternoon: Explore the National Folk Museum of Korea. Head towards Bukchon Hanok Village to see traditional Korean houses.

    Evening: Visit the Gwangjang Market for street food and shopping.

  2. Day 2: Namsan Seoul Tower
    25 minutes (5.8 km) from Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Morning: Hike up the Namsan Mountain to reach the tower. Take the cable car down and visit the Namsan Hanok Village.

    Afternoon: Stroll around Myeongdong, a popular shopping district.

    Evening: Return to Namsan Seoul Tower to see the beautiful city lights of Seoul.

  3. Day 3: Lotte World
    35 minutes (10.2 km) from Namsan Seoul Tower

    Morning: Spend the day at Lotte World, an indoor and outdoor amusement park.

    Afternoon: Eat at the Lotte World Mall, which houses international and local brands.

    Evening: Catch a performance at Magic Island.

  4. Day 4: Changdeokgung Palace and Insa-dong
    30 minutes (8.6 km) from Lotte World

    Morning: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Changdeokgung Palace and its secret garden.

    Afternoon: Walk over to Insa-dong to explore its traditional markets.

    Evening: Head to Cheonggyecheon Stream for an evening stroll.

  5. Day 5: DMZ Tour
    1 hour 30 minutes (56.4 km) from Changdeokgung Palace

    Morning: Join a tour to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) to learn about the Korean War and the current situation between North and South Korea.

    Afternoon: Visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression and Dora Observatory.

    Evening: Return to Seoul for a well-deserved Korean BBQ dinner.

  6. Day 6: Hongdae and Gangnam
    30 minutes (10.2 km) from hotel

    Morning: Explore Hongdae, a trendy area known for its street performers and shopping.

    Afternoon: Take a stroll around Garosu-gil in Gangnam, another popular shopping district.

    Evening: Wind down at a Korean spa, such as Dragon Hill Spa or Siloam Spa.

  7. Day 7: Bukhansan National Park
    1 hour (16.4 km) from Hongdae

    Morning: Hike up to the peaks of Bukhansan National Park for a view of Seoul.

    Afternoon: Visit the Seoul Museum of Art and the Seoul Arts Center.

    Evening: End the day with a dinner cruise along the Han River.

Recommendations

If you have more time, consider visiting the Korean War Memorial, the Namsangol Hanok Village, and the National Museum of Korea. You can also take a day trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress or the UNESCO World Heritage Jeonju Hanok Village. To save money, take advantage of the extensive public transportation system in Seoul and purchase a T-Money card. Finally, be sure to try Korean street food, such as tteokbokki, hotteok, and kimbap.

To book hotels and flights at a great price, visit https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.

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