8-Day Itinerary for South Korea: Exploring the City

1. Day 1: Seoul Tower
   1 hour (6.4 km) from Incheon International Airport

   Enjoy panoramic views of the city from observation decks in the tower's main building.

2. Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace
   30 minutes (5 km) from Seoul Tower

   Ancient royal palace and cultural heritage of South Korea.

3. Day 3: Namsan Hanok Village
   15 minutes (3 km) from Gyeongbokgung Palace

   A traditional Korean village showcasing the lifestyle of people from the Joseon Dynasty.

4. Day 4: Gwanghwamun Square
   20 minutes (6 km) from Namsan Hanok Village

   A historic site and public space which houses the statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

5. Day 5: Seodaemun Prison History Museum
   20 minutes (5 km) from Gwanghwamun Square

   A museum showcasing the brutal history of Korean independence and democracy movements during the Japanese occupation.

6. Day 6: Myeong-dong Street
   20 minutes (4 km) from Seodaemun Prison History Museum

   A popular shopping destination and center for Korean cosmetics and fashion.

7. Day 7: COEX Mall
   30 minutes (11 km) from Myeong-dong Street

   The largest underground shopping mall and entertainment center in Asia with over 260 brands.

8. Day 8: Lotte World Tower
   1 hour (17 km) from COEX Mall

   The world's fifth tallest skyscraper and a popular tourist attraction, boasting a shopping mall and observation deck.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Seoul Tower (1 hour, $10)
• Gyeongbokgung Palace (2 hours, $3)
• Namsan Hanok Village (1.5 hours, free admission)
• Gwanghwamun Square (2 hours, free admission)
• Seodaemun Prison History Museum (2 hours, free admission)
• Myeong-dong Street (3 hours, depends on personal spending)
• COEX Mall (4 hours, depends on personal spending)
• Lotte World Tower (3 hours, $19)
Total Estimated Costs: $35+

Useful Tips

For those with less time, consider skipping COEX Mall. For those with more time, explore other museums such as the National Museum of Korea or Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.