7 Days in Seoul: Exploring the Best of South Korea

• Day 1: Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village - Start your trip by immersing yourself in the rich history of South Korea with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Then, wander around the traditional houses of Bukchon Hanok Village, located just a short walk away. Finish your day with some Korean street food at Gwangjang Market.
• Day 2: Namsan Tower and Myeongdong Shopping Street - Take a cable car ride up to the top of Namsan Tower for stunning views of the city. Then, head down to Myeongdong Shopping Street for some retail therapy and try some popular Korean beauty products.
• Day 3: DMZ Tour and Lotte Tower - Take a guided tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to learn about North Korea and South Korea's tense relationship. In the evening, head to the Lotte Tower for breathtaking views of Seoul from the 123rd floor.
• Day 4: Hongdae Street and Trick Eye Museum - Immerse yourself in Seoul's youth culture with a visit to the artsy Hongdae Street. Then, head to Trick Eye Museum for some fun photo opportunities.
• Day 5: Noryangjin Fish Market and COEX Mall - Start your day by observing the vibrant seafood trade at Noryangjin Fish Market. Then head to the COEX Mall for some shopping, dining and entertainment.
• Day 6: Jeongdong-gil and Namdaemun Market - Walk around the quaint Jeongdong-gil street that hosts many museums, galleries and cafes. Later, visit the lively Namdaemun Market to shop from a wide variety of stores selling clothes, souvenirs and traditional Korean items.
• Day 7: Seoul Forest and Garosu-gil - End your trip with a visit to the tranquil Seoul Forest, which houses various recreational facilities like playgrounds and outdoor stages. Then, head to the chic Garosu-gil area for some upscale dining and shopping.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (2 hours, ₩3,000)
• Bukchon Hanok Village (2 hours, free)
• Namsan Tower (2.5 hours, ₩13,000 round trip)
• DMZ Tour (8 hours, ₩118,000)
• Lotte Tower (2 hours, ₩27,000)
• Trick Eye Museum (1.5 hours, ₩15,000)
• Noryangjin Fish Market (2 hours, free entrance)
• COEX Mall (3 hours, varies)
• Jeongdong-gil (2 hours, free)
• Namdaemun Market (2 hours, varies)
• Seoul Forest (2 hours, free)
• Garosu-gil (2 hours, varies)
Total Estimated Costs: ₩176,000

Transportation

While Seoul offers various transportation options like taxis and buses, the most convenient way to get around is the subway. Travelers can purchase a rechargeable T-Money card that can be used for all public transportation. Taxis are also affordable and can be easily hailed on the streets. A one-way journey and back to the airport via train from Incheon International Airport to Seoul cost roughly ₩18,000 and takes about 43 minutes.

Useful Tips

For a more adventurous trip, consider visiting lesser-known places like Samcheong-dong or Ikseon-dong. For a more laid-back day, head to Banpo Hangang Park or Yeouido Hangang Park along the Han River. If you have more time, travel out of Seoul to visit other cities like Busan or Jeju Island.

Airports

The main airport in Seoul is Incheon International Airport (ICN), also one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located about 30 miles from Seoul city center, and can be reached by bus or subway. Other airports include Gimpo International Airport (GMP) which serves domestic flights and some international flights to nearby countries. Gimpo is located about 10 miles from Seoul city center and can be reached by train or bus.