The Ultimate 4-5 Days Seoul Itinerary

If you’re looking to plan your Seoul itinerary, look no further. I just returned from spending a week exploring all that Seoul has to offer. From memorable historical sights to fun cafes and neighborhoods, I’ve put together my ultimate 4-5 days Seoul itinerary.

I had been talking about visiting Seoul for almost two years. It was one of the last major cities in Asia I had not been to yet, and I had kept hearing all about it. The expansive city and capital of South Korea, Seoul felt like an absolute playground for those who love food, culture, and happening neighborhoods.

The time finally came, and I hit the ground running with 5 nights and six days exploring the city from sunrise to way past sunset. My take? What a thrill to the senses. My biggest joy was discovering an entirely new-to-me cuisine found mostly at the decades-old markets and longstanding food institutions.

The trendy cafes and futuristic coffee shops were fun, often otherworldly. But nothing beat slurping down piping hot noodles from a family-owned enterprise that had been in business since 1966 and specialized in just four dishes. The concept of only really doing a few dishes for almost 60 years (and the incredible food) blew my mind.

So that is what this Seoul itinerary is. Dipping into the pleasures of Seoul’s incredible modern society but not skipping its roots that make the city what it is today. Like Anthony Bourdain said, “The past, the present, the future—in Korea, they all bleed together. If you’re there for the whole ride, one explains the other. Drop in, in the middle, and it makes no sense at all.”

Short on Time? Here is the Ultimate Seoul Itinerary (5 Days) at a Glance:

Where to Stay

The most central area to stay for access is Myeongdong. Second to that, staying in the Bukchon Hanok Village was lovely as it was a touch quieter, close to popular sights, and within walking distance to a few neighborhoods. If I had to choose my favorite hotels to stay at in Seoul, they would be:

Where I Stayed

1. L’Escape Hotel ($$, Myeongdong), for the best location
2. Rakkojae Hanok Hotel ($$, Bukchon Hanok Village), for the best local stay

Myeongdong Hotel Options

1. LOTTE Hotel Seoul ($$), for the best-priced luxury hotel
2. THE PLAZE Seoul ($$), for the best luxury hotel
3. LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong ($$), for the best 4-star hotel
4. L7 Myeongdong ($$), for the best elevated hotel near Myeongdong Station
5. Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong ($$), for the best modern hotel

Bukchon Village Private Hanok Homes Options

1. Pine Residence ($$$), this one is spectacular in design
2. Stay Onyou ($$), another incredible property

Best Airbnbs in Seoul

1. 2 Bedroom Design-Forward Apartment, for the best modern apartment stay
2. 1 Bedroom Serviced Apartment, for the best compact apartment stay
3. 3 Bedroom Spacious Apartment, for the best apartment for groups

Day 1: Arriving in Seoul and Bukchon Hanok Village Stroll

• Afternoon: Arrive, settle in, and stroll Bukchon Hanok Village. Grab coffee at Nuldam Space and snap photos at Bukchon Yukgyeong
• Evening: Head to Samcheong for Samcheong Bingsu’s shaved ice, then dine at Samcheongdong Sujebi for hearty sujebi soup and potato pancakes (Michelin-listed)

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, and Night Food Market

• Morning: Breakfast at Cafe Onion Anguk for pastries, then explore Gyeongbokgung Palace’s stunning Joseon-era architecture
• Afternoon: Taxi to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village for shabu-shabu at Oncheonjip (reserve ahead), then matcha dessert at Cheongsudang Bakery
• Evening: Join the Gwangjang Market Night Market Food Tour for local bites like noodles and dumplings.

Day 3: Changdeokgung, Naksan Park, Ihwa-dong Mural Village, and Myeongdong

• Morning: Breakfast at Isaac Toast, then visit Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO site) and its Secret Garden (extra ticket)
• Afternoon: Lunch at Myeongdong Kyoja Main Restaurant for noodle soup and dumplings, followed by coffee at Coffee Hanyakbang and a stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream
• Evening: Dinner at Jongno 24 Hours Ramen Convenience Store, then try a 15-step scalp treatment at ParkJunBeautyLab MyeongDong (message on Instagram to book)

Day 4: Namdaemun Market, Itaewon, and Namsan Sunset

• Morning: Explore Namdaemun Market for fried hotteok at Hotteok Namdaemun and vegetable dumplings at Gamekol Son Wangmandu
• Afternoon: Taxi to Itaewon for fried chicken at Kyochon Pilbang and art at Leeum Museum of Art
• Evening: Ride the Namsan Cable Car (2 hours before sunset) for sunset views and kimbap at Durumi Bunsik

Day 5: Gangnam, Seongsu, and Seoul Forest

• Morning: Visit Starfield Library in Gangnam for its book walls, then take a taxi to Seongsu for creative desserts at NUDAKE Seongsu
• Afternoon: Shop at Point of View (stationery) and Tamburins Seongsu (perfumery), then lunch at SEOUL BREWERY SEONGSU
• Evening: Check exhibits at D Museum, stroll Seoul Forest Park, and dine at Grandmother’s Recipe for cozy Korean mains and banchan

Things to Do

• Gwangjang Market Night Market Food Tour
• Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour
• Korean Cooking Class with Full-Course Meal & Local Market Tour
• Half-Day Secret Food Tour

Day Trips

DMZ Tour

• DMZ Tour: 3rd Tunnel, Option(Suspension Bridge, Boat) from Seoul, (large group tour)
• Small Group Tour to DMZ & Suspension Bridge with Hotel Pickup (small group tour)
• Private DMZ Peace Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Bridge (private group tour)

Nami Island

• Day Trip to Nami Island with Rail bike and The Garden of Morning Calm
• Day Trip to Nami Island with The Garden of Morning Calm
• Mount Seorak and Nami Island One Day Tour from Seoul
• Trip to Nami Island with Petite France & Italian Village, Garden of Morning Calm

Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip

Planning a trip to Seoul? Don’t miss my Seoul travel guide and guide to where to stay in Seoul! If you’re planning to explore more of South Korea, be sure to check out my Busan itinerary, for a gem of a city on the southern coast.

The Ultimate 4-5 Days Seoul Itinerary

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Seoul Travel Tips Before You Arrive

Download Important Apps for Transportation & Communication

• Google Maps — This will only work for public transportation. The app doesn’t work for walking or driving instructions. I used it to save all of the places I wanted to visit.
• Naver App — The best app that all locals in Korea use for navigating for walking, driving, and public transportation. Remember to download the English version. I preferred Naver over the Kakao App (another highly rated transportation app)
• Kakao Talk — lots of local businesses use this for communication, and you may need it if they use it for reservations.
• Papago & Google Translate — I tried both Google Translate and Papago, and Papago seemed to be more accurate for translation.
• Uber — Uber worked well for getting a taxi; I used it all over South Korea and just know the app transforms into a local version when you open it in South Korea.

Get an eSIM Card for Connectivity

You will need data coverage while traveling in Seoul; it’s a must for navigating the city. I recommend getting an unlimited data plan from Holafly, which I used while visiting. The connectivity was fast and reliable.

Make All of Your Reservations in Advance

Hotels, restaurants, trains, and big attractions need advance tickets. Don’t leave popular restaurants to the last minute, I highly recommend booking those ahead of time.

Travel Tip: Many restaurants and cafes use Catchtable, so make an account when you make your first reservation.

How Many Days in Seoul

Seoul is rather large, I recommend a minimum of four full days to see the city. With an extra day you can consider day trips or visit more neighborhoods and more sights.

How to Get Around Seoul

As a large city, you can either walk, take a taxi, or use the subway. To be truthful, I used Uber over the subway system pretty frequently. I was traveling with a friend, and splitting the cost was cheap for us to get across the city and, honestly, a nice break.

Using Seoul’s Subway

I used the subway to get down to Gangnam one day and pulled up the Naver App to get directions. It was very straightforward and the subway system is clean and efficient. I used a T Card (get one at the airport on arrival or in Seoul, a train station, or a 7-Eleven) for payment, which meant I could tap in and out for payment with ease.

Travel Tip: Purchase a T Card (a refillable transit pass) at a 7-Eleven Store or train station for easy tap-in and tap-out when at the subway station. To fill the T Card, you will need cash on hand, so be sure to have cash first.

Language and Money

Language

English is generally spoken in Seoul, but maybe not as frequently as you may think. This is why I recommend having a translation app and learning a few basic phrases.

Money

The local currency in South Korea is the won. For money, you will need won to make local purchases, fill up your T Card, and pay at some restaurants. So plan to withdraw money at a local bank on arrival. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at major places, attractions, and hotels.

How to Get From Incheon Airport to Seoul

• Uber/Taxi — This is what I did on arrival. We were staying quite far north in Bukchon Hanok Village. I called one when I secured my luggage, arrived in 5 minutes, and for the 60-minute drive cost $40.
• Subway — There is a non-stop 45-minute express train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station costing around $8 called the AREX Express Train. This is convenient if you’re staying near Seoul Station, or you may have a one-stop change.
• Pre-Arranged Private Transfer — I had considered booking this popular private transfer for on arrival. I truthfully didn’t get to it and opted with the Uber on arrival.
• Take an Airport Limousine Bus — This airport bus is very popular with visitors and has several drop-off points across the city. It costs around $11-13 a person, and the bus comes highly recommended from a few friends.

Don’t Forget These Things

• Plug Type F Adapter, for charging electronics (it is not the same outlet as the US)
• Travel Umbrella, the weather can be unpredictable with occasional, brief rain showers
• Face Masks, for bad air quality days (Seoul notoriously gets bad AQ days early in the year from the Mongolia desert sands that blow in)
• Expandable Bag, for shopping

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Where to Stay in Seoul, South Korea

I have an entire guide on where to stay in Seoul, South Korea, if you want to get a better understanding of the neighborhoods. But if I had to boil down the most central place to stay for access, it is Myeongdong. Second to that, staying in the Bukchon Hanok Village was very lovely as it was a touch quieter, close to popular sights, and walking distance to a few neighborhoods.

Where I Stayed

1. Best Location: L’Escape Hotel ($$, Myeongdong) — L’Escape was an absolute vibe, so much so that even Vogue Korea was hosting an event there. It felt young, was inspired by Parisian design, and had a great atmosphere. The base rooms are super spacious (yay to that), and you couldn’t beat the location. Right next to a major subway stop and a 7-minute drive from Seoul Station, within walking distance to Namdaemun Market, and adjacent to the Shinsegae Department Store. I did 2 nights here and would have gladly stayed here the entire week.
2. Best Local Stay: Rakkojae Hanok Hotel ($$, Bukchon Hanok Village) — Starting the trip in Seoul in a traditional hanok (traditional Korean house) felt very special. It was set off a quiet street, I felt like we were in the heart of old world Seoul. The rooms featured cozy floor beds, daily breakfast (which was amazing), and a quiet inner courtyard shared with just four rooms in total. This is a very local stay, there are also other private hanoks you could consider booking as well which I list below.

Myeongdong Hotels

1. LOTTE Hotel Seoul ($$), for the best-priced luxury hotel
2. THE PLAZA Seoul ($$), for the best luxury hotel
3. LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong ($$), for the best 4-star hotel
4. L7 Myeongdong ($$), for the best elevated hotel near Myeongdong Station
5. Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong ($$), for the best modern hotel

Bukchon Village Private Hanok Homes

1. Pine Residence ($$$, 3-5 guests), this one is spectacular in design
2. Stay Onyou ($$, 2-4 guests), another incredible property
3. Hanok J’Nor ($$$, up to 10 guests), very lovely hanok
4. Stay Nuri ($$$, up to 7 guests), a more modern hanok
5. Cottage Nest ($$$, 2 guests), for a private stay with a jacuzzi
6. Bukchon Hanok – ‘Yul Jae’ ($$, up to 10 guests), for a spacious stay
7. Warm Nest Retreat ($$, 2-3 guests), for a quiet stay with hot spring bath

Best Airbnbs in Seoul

1. 2 Bedroom Design-Forward Apartment, for the best modern apartment stay
2. 1 Bedroom Serviced Apartment, for the best compact apartment stay
3. 3 Bedroom Spacious Apartment, for the best apartment for groups

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Day 1: Arriving in Seoul and Scenic Bukchon Hanok Village Stroll

Incheon Airport

When you arrive at Incheon Airport, you’re likely landing mid-afternoon if you’ve traveled from the US. Get transportation to your hotel, consider pulling some Korean Won out on arrival, and get settled.

My number one tip for beating jetlag? Don’t go to bed before 9 pm local so you can ensure a full night’s sleep.

Afternoon: Bukchon Hanok Village

What better way to beat jetlag than by starting with a scenic stroll through the historic neighborhood of Bukchon Hanok Village? If you need a caffeine fill, consider going to Nuldam Space – Gyeongbok Palace branch first. This unique coffee shop allows you to write letters to your future self, which they will mail out on the date of your choosing — plus the drinks are delicious.

From there, make your way up into the scenic Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic village dating back to the 14th century. It’s good to know it’s only open to visitors from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm to keep it quiet for residents unless you’re staying in a hanok there.

There are a series of “Photo Spots” marked on Google Maps. My favorite view was from Bukchon Yukgyeong (Photo Spot #6), and it is one of the most popular.

Evening: Afternoon Treat and Dinner

After strolling through the village, make your way over to Samcheong, which is a small neighborhood adjacent to Bukchon. If you need a sweet treat, Samcheong Bingsu was one of my favorites in Seoul. Bingsu is like a light shaved ice, topped with a fresh flavor like mango or strawberry and with condensed milk.

For dinner, I highly suggest going to Samcheongdong Sujebi. This local Michelin Guide-listed restaurant is popular with locals for its homey Korean food. The signature dish? Sujebi is a hearty hand-pulled dough soup in the richest anchovy broth. Order the house potato pancakes and try the kimchi.

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Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Ikseon-dong Hanok Village,
and Night Food Market Tour

Morning: Breakfast and Gyeongbokgung Palace

You’ve likely woken up at the crack of dawn, so you’re in luck. Cafe Onion is one of the few cafes to open early and is in the heart of the Bukchon Village. Opening at 7 am Monday to Friday, head to the Cafe Onion Anguk location to try one of its famous pastries. It does get quite busy by 9 am, so consider an early start. Need more to eat? Stop by Dotori Garden Anguk around the corner for their custom yogurt bar set in a Studio Ghibli-inspired cafe (opens at 8 am and gets packed).

From there, stroll over to Gyeongbokgung Palace. It opens every day at 9 am (closed Tuesday) and is one of the most important historical sights in Seoul. Built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, it served as the main royal palace and was the seat of power for over 500 years. The palace is renowned for its stunning architecture, with elegant pavilions, sprawling courtyards, and beautiful gardens, all set against the backdrop of the picturesque Mount Bugak. Do stop by The National Folk Museum of Korea as well for more history.

As you stroll through, you’ll see several visitors dressed up in traditional hanbok, historically worn by Koreans for special occasions, and each element of the clothing has specific cultural significance. It’s very popular with tourists now, and you could consider booking this Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul if it’s something you’d like to experience.

Optional Itinerary Add-On: Daelim Museum and Scooper Gelato

If you’ve moved through the palace quickly, I would continue on over to the Daelim Musuem. It’s a contemporary art museum that features rotating exhibits set in a stunning space. From there, grab the famous match gelato affogato from Scooper Gelato, it’s one of the best drinks I had in Seoul.

Afternoon: Ikseon-dong Hanok Village

From the palace, I would taxi over to the Ikseon-dong Hanok Village for your afternoon. Make advanced reservations at Oncheonjip for a late lunch. It’s this incredible shabu-shabu restaurant tucked away in the alleys of Ikseon-dong. You’ll get to cook your own food and sit around a stunning inner courtyard.

Ikseon-dong is the home to all things trendy, with cafe after cafe, shops, and art galleries. You can stroll the hanok village, perusing it all for an hour or two. A few callouts worth seeking out are getting the famous matcha dessert at Cheongsudang Bakery (across from Oncheonjip) and trying the salt bread at Soha Salt Pond Ikseon-dong.

From there, if you have more time, stroll over Insa-dong Culture Street, one of the largest shopping streets in Seoul.

Optional Sunset at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

While you’ll be making your way to this side of town for a food tour later in the night, you can easily detour over for a sunset stroll through DDP. Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the DDP features flowing, organic curves and a sleek, modern exterior that stands in contrast to the traditional structures nearby. Come sunset, the lights turn out, and it’s just a beautiful architectural spot to check out before your food tour.

Evening: Gwangjang Market Night Market Food Tour

The single best tour booked on this trip was this Gwangjang Night Market Food Tour. It was worth every penny, and our knowledgable local guide took us through the market with ease. I cannot recommend this enough, it will take you through the very best of the market.

You’ll try foods you probably would never have picked out of the historic Gwangjang Market. There were about a dozen different bites along the way, and it lasted around 2.5 hours. This is also perfect for helping you stay awake the second night, if I might add!

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Day 3: Changdeokgung, Naksan Park, Ihwa-dong Mural Village,
and Myeongdong (+ Scalp Treatment)

Morning: Changdeokgung Palace

You’re starting the morning at Changdeokgung, but first, get breakfast at Isaac Toast. You can get a hearty breakfast sandwich here. I did Eggdrop, which is a similar style cafe, but there weren’t any locations near here open early enough.

Changdeokgung, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul, South Korea. Built in 1405, it is renowned for its exceptional blend of traditional Korean architecture and natural beauty, particularly its Secret Garden (Huwon), which is considered a masterpiece of Korean landscape design.

You’ll need separate tickets to get access to the Secret Garden, an uber-popular sight come spring and fall. Otherwise a stroll through the palace and its historic buildings are equally lovely.

Optional Itinerary Add-On: Naksan Park and the Ihwa-dong Mural Village

Again, depending on your pace, you may have an hour or two extra here. One thing I did in the morning was a walk through Naksan Park down a section of the Seoul City Wall. The views of Seoul from here are pretty spectacular. It’s also adjacent to the Ihwa Mural Village. It gets rated well, but honestly, I found it a bit underwhelming outside of seeing a handful of the art murals that remain.

Afternoon: Myeongdong Fun

For lunch, head over to Myeongdong, where all the action is. This is the jam-packed city center where every store you can think of is. Myeongdong Shopping Street is the main drag and is also home to the famous Myeongdong Kyoja Main Restaurant.

Myeongdong Kyoja Main Restaurant is a Michelin-listed restaurant known for two dishes: hand-cut noodle soup and dumplings. It’s packed, so packed, there are four floors that you will get directed to after placing and paying for your order at the entry kiosk. Kimchi is free as is the water, and it serves fast.

Coffee Break and Stroll Cheonggyecheon

For a lovely stroll, make your way to Coffee Hanyakbang, a tucked-away retro coffee shop near the Cheonggyecheon Stream Walk. This coffee shop is such a fun find hidden down an alley and has a wonderful coffee menu with its unique coffee beans. Afterwards, enjoy the early evening light in the urban park along Cheonggyecheon.

Evening: 24-Hour Ramen Dinner + Scalp Treatment

As you walk the Cheonggyecheon Stream, head towards the Jongno 24 Hours Ramen Convenience Store. This 24-hour, self-serve ramen restaurant was SO much fun. Not to mention it was under $10. This ramen store allows you to pick out your ramen (there are about 50 options) and make it with customizable toppings. It’s a cheap eat and just an easy win for dinner.

Now, for the famous Korean scalp treatments. If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen these. I had to try it, and honestly, I’d get on a plane just for one. My friend and I booked an appointment at ParkJunBeautyLab (MyeongDong location) and did the 15-step treatment, which took about 1.5 hours and cost USD 150. To book, send a message on Instagram.

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Day 4: Namdaemun Market, Itaewon, and Namsan Sunset

Morning: This Namdaemun Market Tour and Shopping

Start your morning with a stroll over to Namdaemun Market, one of the best local food markets in town, in my opinion. It felt less touristy, had some great vendors, and a whole lot to discover. The first stop is Hotteok Namdaemun Vegetable, where you have to try their famous fried hotteok stuffed with either sweet nuts/seeds or the vegetarian japchae (get both). It is SO good, and I could have gone twice.

Afterward, stroll through the market stalls. It is endless, and it’s where you’ll find everything from clothes, pantry items, kitchen essentials, and endless food. Your final stop, and my last call out is Gamekol Son Wangmandu. This small dumpling restaurant has a never-ending line for their kimchi, pork plus kimchi, and red bean stuffed dumplings. Make sure not to overeat, as I have a special lunch spot in store!

Travel Tip: Want to dive deeper into the market? This Namdaemun Market Tour led by a local is a great option for an in-depth experience and includes the hotteok stand.

Afternoon: Itaewon and More

For lunch, take a taxi just a bit south of you to Kyochon Pilbang, the famous fried chicken restaurant set inside a speakeasy-style restaurant. While they do recommend a reservation, you can probably show up at open midweek without one.

Order the platter which gets served with a few different kinds of fried chicken and various sauces to slather them in. It’s such a fun spot to eat lunch and a great introduction to this corner of the city. After lunch, stroll towards the Leeum Museum of Art.

The Itaewon neighborhood was in my top two favorites for Seoul — there is a lot to do here, local shops, coffee shops, and the famous Leeum Museum of Art. The Leeum Museum of Art is a must-see in my opinion with several floors of modern to historic art and the famous spiraled staircase.

Nearby, a few more spots to seek out:

• DAY ROW, for coffee
• Shop at AMUSE SHOWROOM 어뮤즈 한남, Mused(뮤제드 한남), Post Poetics, Atelier Nain, Mardi Mercredi, and Astier de Villatte.
• Sounds Hannam, for a high-end shopping retail area, featuring stores like Aesop and the stunning Maison Margiela Flagship store

Evening: Namsan Sunset

About two hours before sunset, make your way to the Namsan Cable Car. While it gets a bad rap for being busy, arriving a touch earlier can beat the hoards of crowds. So, arrive two hours before sunset, and you’ll be golden. It costs about $16 round trip, so ride it up and down and enjoy the views.

At the top, there is N Seoul Tower, a few walking trails, and a few restaurants and breweries. If you need a light dinner at this point before sunset, I had some bites at Durumi Bunsik, a modern Korean diner located inside N Seoul Tower, where we had some kimbap before sunset. I loved strolling around the park, enjoying the golden sunset, and then taking a near-empty tram ride down right at sunset.

Need another spot for dinner? My short list of nearby places is HILLS & EUROPA, Wild Duck Canteen, and Myeongdong Tonkatsu.

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Day 5: Gangnam, Seongsu, and Seoul Forest

Morning: Starfield Library in Gangnam and Seongsu

This futuristic library is all over social media, and chances are you spotted it too. I made the trek down to Gangnam just for the Starfield Library (check the address, there are two). My thoughts? It’s pretty, but I don’t know if I’d go out of my way for it unless you want to see it. It’s set inside a massive mall (where the aquarium is), and really, the highlight is a few tall walls of books. You can get a cup of coffee at % Arabica and could make a morning of it.

From there, take a quick taxi to Seongsu. Seongsu often gets labeled as the “Brooklyn of Seoul,” and it has that sort of hip meets retro vibe to it. It’s a pretty cool neighborhood, there is a lot to see so I would plan to spend most of the day in this side of town.

For coffee/sweets, start at NUDAKE Seongsu for their incredibly creative desserts. Their tomato dessert was in my top two for the trip. If you need more coffee, Grandpa Factory Cafe is also around the corner. I also tried to visit the Rain Report Cafe (a rain-themed cafe), but it is temporarily closed.

Afternoon: Shopping and Lunch in Seongsu

Where to begin in Seongsu with shops! There are so many, but these were a few highlights while exploring the neighborhood:

• Point of View, the most amazing stationery store
• AMORE Seongsu, a shopping mall with several shops
• Kinfolk Seongsu Flagship Store, for all things cosmetics
• Green Butter, a high-end clothing store (adjacent to NUDAKE)
• Tamburins Seongsu, a flagship perfumery store with beautiful architecture
• Monami Store Seongsu, a great smaller stationery store

For lunch, I stopped into SEOUL BREWERY SEONGSU, which had a small bites menu that was easygoing while exploring. The other restaurant I had eyed was Seongsu Darak.

Evening: Seoul Forest Neighborhood

To end your time in Seongsu, make your way to the Seoul Forest area of Seongsu. There is a whole small neighborhood adjacent to the park which is lovely. I’d start at the D Museum first and check the current exhibits. When I was there it was these styled apartments with incredible art and design furniture.

Afterward, go for a stroll through Seoul Forest Park, popular for cherry blossoms, and further in, there’s a deer park. Adjacent to it, head to the small neighborhood of Seongsu-dong where places like Lowide Coffee Bakery, a beautiful store called Narrative Object, and Object Seongsu are.

For your final dinner, walk into Grandmother’s Recipe, one of the coziest Korean restaurants on the trip. It served several protein mains, like grilled fish, accompanied by a range of seasonal banchan. The restaurant’s idea is to make you feel like you’re eating at your grandmother’s.

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Seoul Day Trips to Consider

There is a lot to do near Seoul. The truth was, I didn’t make the time for it this trip as I wanted to max out my time. That said, there are a few day trips that are certainly worth considering:

DMZ Tour

Probably the most popular day tour from Seoul is a visit to the DMZ. A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) tour from Seoul offers a unique and eye-opening experience, taking visitors to one of the most historically significant and tense regions in the world. Located just a short drive from the capital, the tour provides a rare opportunity to explore the border between North and South Korea, a symbol of the ongoing division since the Korean War. These are the highest-rated DMZ tours:

• DMZ Tour: 3rd Tunnel, Option(Suspension Bridge, Boat) from Seoul, (large group tour)
• Small Group Tour to DMZ & Suspension Bridge with Hotel Pickup (small group tour)
• Private DMZ Peace Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Bridge (private group tour)

Nami Island

Nami Island, located just a short trip from Seoul, is a beautiful and popular destination known for its stunning natural scenery and peaceful atmosphere. Famous for its tree-lined avenues, particularly the iconic Metasequoia Path, the island offers visitors a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is a great nature escape and popular for blossoms. Some tours to consider:

• Day Trip to Nami Island with Rail bike and The Garden of Morning Calm
• Day Trip to Nami Island with The Garden of Morning Calm
• Mount Seorak and Nami Island One Day Tour from Seoul
• Trip to Nami Island with Petite France & Italian Village, Garden of Morning Calm

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