4 days in Seoul

The 4-day plan, day by day

1. 1

   Day 1 · Wednesday — Palaces, hanok lanes and market food

   Historic Seoul highlights with traditional streets and an easy first evening market walk

   4 stops€54 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Local transfer into central Seoul

      Make your way into the central city and settle into the historic core before starting the day's sightseeing.

      €5 per person

      TIPA reloadable T-money transit card makes subway and bus rides much easier.

   2. 10:152

      Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds

      Seoul's grand Joseon-era palace complex opens the trip with broad courtyards, ceremonial gates and mountain-backed views that immediately set the scene for the city. Even at a relaxed pace, it gives a strong sense of royal Seoul and pairs well with the traditional neighborhoods around it.

      €2 per person

      TIPArrive before late morning for lighter crowds and broad courtyard photos.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:453

      Bukchon Hanok Village lanes

      The narrow hillside lanes of Bukchon are lined with traditional hanok houses, stone walls and small viewpoints over surrounding rooftops. It works best as a slow wander, noticing the contrast between old residential architecture and the modern city beyond.

      Free

      TIPKeep voices low because parts of the area are still residential.

   2. 14:304

      Insadong-gil tea houses and craft street

      Insadong-gil is one of the easiest places to browse traditional crafts, stationery, ceramics and souvenir shops in a lively pedestrian-friendly setting. It is also a good stop for a calm tea break and a glimpse of Seoul's more old-fashioned retail culture.

      €8 per person

      TIPSide alleys often have the most interesting craft shops and quieter tea rooms.

   Evening

   1. 17:005

      Gwangjang Market dinner wander

      This long-running covered market is one of Seoul's most atmospheric places for a casual first-night meal, with packed food alleys, sizzling griddles and constant movement. It is ideal for trying several classic snacks while soaking up the energy of a busy local market.

      €12 per person

      TIPGo earlier in the evening for the best choice of stalls and easier seating.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Thursday — Palace quarter and old-city viewpoints

   A deeper look at old Seoul with palace architecture, city walls and a classic evening street

   5 stops€84 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Changdeokgung outer palace visit

      Changdeokgung is prized for its graceful layout and elegant buildings, with a more intimate feel than the grand ceremonial scale of other palace sites. Walking the courtyards and gateways reveals a refined side of royal architecture that sits beautifully against the surrounding hills.

      €2 per person

      TIPThis palace is closed on Mondays, so a weekday visit fits well here.

   2. 11:002

      Ikseon-dong Hanok Village lanes

      Ikseon-dong mixes compact hanok alleys with small shops, bakeries and cafes in one of the city's most walkable old neighborhoods. The charm here comes from simply wandering the narrow grid and spotting how traditional building forms have been adapted for modern city life.

      €10 per person

      TIPAim for late morning before the narrow lanes get busier in the afternoon.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:003

      Samcheong-dong lunch and neighborhood stroll

      Samcheong-dong's sloping streets connect palace walls, galleries and low-rise shopfronts in a polished but relaxed part of the old city. It is a pleasant place to pause for lunch and continue on foot through one of Seoul's most atmospheric central neighborhoods.

      €15 per person

      TIPThe uphill side streets are quieter and give better views back toward the center.

   2. 15:154

      Naksan Park and Seoul City Wall walk

      The old fortification line along Naksan offers one of the clearest ways to understand Seoul's historic geography, tracing the edge of the inner city over ridges and viewpoints. The walk is gentle, scenic and especially rewarding for layered views of dense neighborhoods and distant hills.

      Free

      TIPWear comfortable shoes because some sections include steady inclines and stairs.

   Evening

   1. 18:005

      Myeongdong evening street food and shopping

      Myeongdong's bright commercial streets are packed with cosmetics shops, snack stands and constant foot traffic, making it an easy classic Seoul evening. The district is less about one sight than about taking in the fast-moving retail energy and sampling a few popular street foods as you go.

      €15 per person

      TIPStreet food stalls are liveliest from late afternoon into the evening.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Friday — Modern Seoul, river views and a skyline night

   Contemporary neighborhoods, design-led shopping and a classic Seoul panorama after dark

   5 stops€82 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:301

      Hongdae street culture walk

      Hongdae is one of Seoul's best districts for seeing youthful city energy expressed through side-street shopping, murals, buskers and cafe-lined lanes. A morning walk shows the neighborhood waking up and leaves room to browse without the heavier evening crowds.

      Free

      TIPExplore one or two side streets off the main road for smaller independent shops.

   2. 11:452

      Yeonnam-dong lunch and neighborhood browse

      Just beyond Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong feels a little calmer, with low-rise streets full of small eateries, cafes and boutiques. It is a good place for a relaxed lunch and an easy wander through one of western Seoul's most pleasant everyday neighborhoods.

      €16 per person

      TIPPick a place a street or two back from the busiest strip for a more relaxed stop.

   Afternoon

   1. 14:003

      Seongsu-dong warehouse district walk

      Seongsu-dong blends former industrial streets with design shops, coffee roasters and fashion spaces in a district that shows a different side of Seoul's rapid reinvention. The appeal is in the texture of the area itself: broad blocks, converted buildings and plenty to browse on foot.

      €10 per person

      TIPMany shops and cafes open closer to midday than early morning.

   Evening

   1. 17:004

      Banpo Hangang Park riverside walk

      The Han River opens up the city with long paths, bridges and broad views that feel very different from the dense central districts. A riverside pause here gives the day a slower stretch before the evening skyline stop, with plenty of space for a walk and city views at dusk.

      Free

      TIPBring an extra layer because the riverfront can feel cooler after sunset.

   2. 19:305

      Namsan Seoul Tower area at night

      The slopes and viewpoints around Namsan deliver one of Seoul's signature night panoramas, with the city spreading out in every direction under layers of lights. Whether you go up the tower or stay around the surrounding terraces, it is a memorable way to see the scale of the capital after dark.

      €15 per person

      TIPIf you want the tower observatory, buy a timed entry online earlier the same day.

4. 4

   Day 4 · Saturday — Riverfront Seoul and Gangnam finale

   A polished final day with green space, upscale shopping streets and an easy city send-off

   4 stops€66 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Cheonggyecheon stream walk

      This restored urban stream cuts a calm linear path through the city center, with stepping stones, bridges and pockets of greenery below street level. It is an easy, low-effort way to start the day while seeing how Seoul weaves public space into its dense downtown fabric.

      Free

      TIPStart in the morning for a quieter walk and softer light between the buildings.

   2. 10:452

      COEX area and Starfield mall district

      The COEX area gives a polished view of contemporary Seoul, where offices, transit, retail and entertainment all meet in one large urban complex. It works well as a flexible browse-and-lunch stop, with broad indoor space and plenty of people-watching.

      €10 per person

      TIPThis is a convenient indoor stop if the weather turns cold or wet.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:303

      Garosu-gil lunch and design shops

      Garosu-gil is a well-known Gangnam street for tree-lined sidewalks, fashion boutiques and cafes, offering a more polished shopping and dining atmosphere. The pleasure here is simply strolling, dipping into side streets and seeing another layer of Seoul's neighborhood character.

      €18 per person

      TIPCheck the side lanes off the main avenue for smaller fashion and lifestyle stores.

   2. 15:304

      Apgujeong and Dosan Park area wander

      This part of southern Seoul is known for broad streets, luxury retail frontage and quieter residential blocks that make for an easy final stroll. It shows a more refined side of the city and gives the afternoon a relaxed pace before departure.

      Free

      TIPThe walk is most enjoyable if you alternate the main boulevards with the smaller interior streets.

   Evening

   1. 18:005

      Transfer to onward departure point

      Leave central Seoul with enough buffer for station or airport formalities and evening traffic.

      €5 per person

      TIPAllow extra time on Saturday evening when roads and trains can be busier.