The Ultimate Seoul Itinerary: 3 Days in Seoul | 2023 Edition

Looking for a Seoul itinerary that ticks all the boxes? Look no further! 3 days in Seoul is a great amount of time to see the city and this Seoul itinerary will help you make the most out of every minute.

Rent a Korean Hanbok Dress

Even if you only spend 3 days in Seoul, you should definitely rent a hanbok! You get to choose between countless styles for both women and men and get to choose multiple different accessories to spice up your outfit. The bonus: you can enter palaces and temples free of charge when you wear hanbok! Check out Klook for the best hanbok rentals.

Wander Around Gyeongbokgung

A visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace has to be on every Seoul itinerary – and it’s free when wearing hanbok! It’s the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty and was built in 1395 and a beautiful architectural site that will take your breath away when walking through the many gates. If you’re into even more history, check out the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum within the premises of the complex.

Gyeongbokgung Information:

• Adults (ages 19-64) 3,000 won / Group 2,400 won (10 or more people)
• Youths (ages 7-18) 1,500 won / Group 1,200 won (10 or more people)
• Age 6 and under – FREE.
• March to October 09:00-18:00 / November to February 09:00-17:00. Closed on Tuesday
• How to get there: Subway Exit 5 – Gyeongbokgung Station Line 3

Walk Around Bukchon

Bukchon Hanok Village is a must-see attraction on every Seoul itinerary. Right around the corner from Gyeongbukgung, the beautiful Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional Korean houses (called ‘hanok’), which date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Many cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses are also located here and let you experience Korean culture at its finest. Event though it’s quite touristy, it’s a must to check out when in town.

Explore Jogyesa Temple

When spending 3 days in Seoul, a visit to one of the most famous temples in the city is a must. The impressive Jogyesa Temple sits right in the heart of Seoul and represents the core of the Jogye order of Korean Buddhism. Jogyesa is an extremely important place of spirituality for Koreans all over the country. Often, you will spot Buddhist monks chanting their prayers in one of the temple halls and – if you’re lucky – you might even visit just in time for one of the many festivals taking place here throughout the year.

Spend your Evening in Insadong

Only a short walk from Jogyesa, you will find Insadong, a place dedicated to unique, often hand-made, souvenirs and crafts. In short, the arts and crafts center of Insadong is going to make your heart beat faster. Among the many items you can purchase there are for example traditional clothing (hanbok), traditional paper (hanji), Korean teas, pottery, and folk crafts. A must-see is also the famous shipping mall Ssamziegil with a beautiful rooftop covered in hundreds of love locks hung up by local and visiting couples.

You’ll also find one of my two favorite restaurants here in Insadong:

• Sanchon Vegan Temple Food Restaurant
• Gaesung Mandu – Koong for North Korean style dumplings

Seoul Itinerary Day 2

Hike Around Seoul City Wall

There are 18.6 kilometers of Seoul City Wall trails around the city – which means a lot of smaller sections to choose from for all types of hikers! My favorite trail is the Heunginjimun Gate Trail, which is 1.8 kilometers long and takes around 1 hour to complete. This section is also on the lowest ground of the entire wall (which is probably why I like it…). The view from this trail is absolutely stunning and really showcases the vibe of Seoul – a mix of modern and tradition. For more information about Seoul City Wall Trails, check out their official website.

Have Lunch at Gwangjang Market

After your hike, you are probably going to be hungry! Get back onto the subway and head straight to Jongno-5-ga station. From there make your way on foot to Gwangjang Market, one of the largest markets in South Korea. Here, you can try an incredible selection of Korean specialties like Mung Bean Pancakes, Tteokbokki (Korean rice cake), and Gimbap (seaweed rice rolls). Also be sure to check out the Korean handmade noodles featured on Netflix’s “Street Food” by the wonderful Korean cook Cho Yonsoon.

 

 

Shop in Myeongdong

Myeongdong has to be part of your Seoul itinerary. It’s a major shopping district in Seoul and a place where you can find Korean knick-knacks and the latest skincare trends. It’s also a hub for delicious restaurants and street foods to try out! Life comes to this street after sunset when the lights are illuminating your way to the most Korean shopping experience.

Visit Namsan Tower

If you’re looking for a great spot to view the entire city from above, Seoul Tower is one of the best addresses to do so. There are a few gift shops and restaurants but the main selling point are the views. It’s a wonderful site to visit during the day as well as for sunset or at night. To reach the tower, you can either hike up along a neat trail or take a cable car.

Nightlife in Hongdae

This wouldn’t be the perfect Seoul itinerary without including some nightlife options! After exploring Namsan Hill, get on the metro and get to Hongik University station for a night out in one of Seoul’s most fun university neighborhoods.

Besides some great bars and restaurants, Hongdae also has a lot of cool shops and cafés catering mostly to the college students nearby. It’s a great place to be when the sun goes down.

Hongdae is the perfect place to do some bar-hopping until the early hours to try all of Korea’s unique alcoholic beverages, such as soju and makgeolli. If you are traveling alone or simply want to make some new friends, I recommend joining this cool bar crawl in Hongdae or Itaewon.

You will also find a lot of great places to grab authentic Korean BBQ (like this Charcoal Meat Restaurant!) or Korean Fried Chicken for dinner!

Seoul Itinerary Day 3

Explore Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa is one of my favorite temples in Seoul, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does it have a long history (it was founded in 794!) but it also features one of the largest standing Buddha statues in the country at 23 meters tall.

The temple offers a popular templestay program, allowing visitors to experience the life of a monk for a day or two. Moreover, the area around Bongeunsa has a large concentration of vegetarian and vegan restaurants.

Shop at COEX

The COEX complex contains various COnvention centers, EXhibition halls, a large mall and underground shopping areas. Covering an area of about 154,000 square meters, COEX is the largest underground shopping mall in the world.

Besides the hundreds of shops, the mall also houses two food courts, a MegaBox movie theater, COEX Aquarium and a large bookstore that is a popular photo spot for photographers and visitors.

Have Afternoon Tea

There are a lot of great places to have afternoon tea in Seoul but one of my favorite places is at the Park Hyatt in Gangnam. The afternoon tea lounge is located on the 24th floor with amazing views of Gangnam.

I especially love their seasonal strawberry themed afternoon tea. This unique tea set is available during strawberry season in Korea from January until the end of April.

Explore Garosugil

Garosugil is a trendy Seoul neighborhood in Gangnam and one of my favorite places to hang out. The lovely tree-lined street has countless side alleyways with lovely cafes, stores and interesting things to see, do and eat. If you have some time to spare, I’d definitely add it to your Seoul itinerary.

Check out my complete guide on the best things to do in Garosugil here.

WOW, 3 DAYS IN SEOUL GOES BY SO FAST!

With this itinerary, you will get a good scope of Seoul and its different areas and places to see.

If you are an efficient traveler and get through this itinerary quicker than my suggested itinerary, check out the experiences below for more things to do in Seoul.

Top Travel Experiences in South Korea

• Everland 1 Day Ticket (QR Code Direct Entry)
• DMZ Tour to the border of North Korea
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, & Gangchon Rail Bike Day Trip from Seoul
• AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
• Lotte World 1 Day Pass
• Korea Rail Pass: Discover South Korea by traveling on over 80 routes
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4 – 24 Hrs)

Recommended Hotels in Seoul

Best hotel in Seoul for families, groups and couples alike. The hotel has a fantastic location right next to the beautiful Heunginjimun Gate and within short walking distance to Dongdaemun. The rooftop bar offers breathtaking views of Dongdaemun and delicious cocktails in a sleek atmosphere. I also love the hotel’s amazing Strawberry Barbie Dessert Buffet! Book your room now on Booking.com.

Top location for first-timers in Seoul. The Pacific Hotel Myeongdong is literally a stone’s throw from the bustling shopping center of Myeongdong. if you are alooking for shopping, cute cafes, delicious eats and fun, this location is perfect.

Best for budget travelers. Having personally stayed here, I like Plan A Hostel‘s highly strategic location close to Dongdaemun Design Plaza and their affordable single hostel rooms. There are tons of affordable and authentic Korean restaurants and shops outside the hotel’s doorstep. If you plan to attend Seoul Fashion Week, this is also the perfect option because you can reach the venue within a 2-minute walk. Check rates on Booking.com.

Best place to stay in Seoul for luxury travelers. This 5-star hotel offers all of the luxurious amenities you can think of. The hotel also has an incredible afternoon tea experience and an even more fabulous weekend brunch. The indoor pool offers sweeping views of the surrounding Gangnam business district. Samseong subway station is right next door and COEX, a convention center that also houses an incredible shopping mall, is only a short walk from the hotel. Check rates in Booking.com.

Best for travelers who wish to experience Korean style accommodation in Seoul with all the modern comforts. Bonum 1957 is also located in a fantastic location in the heart of the famous Bukchon Hanok Village surrounded by traditional Korean houses and a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is the most memorable hotel in Seoul for me. Check rates on Booking.com.

Recommended Travel Guides for Korea

If you want to learn more about South Korea and have a handy travel guide in your pocket, check out these three options below:

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Seoul

This Top 10 Seoul guide is a great pocket guide that breaks down the best of Seoul into helpful lists of ten – from selected highlights to the best museums and galleries, and the most authentic restaurants, tearooms, bars, shops, and markets. I personally helped update the most recent version of this guide. Buy this book.

Lonely Planet Korea

You really can’t go wrong with a lonely planet guide in your hand luggage! I’m a huge fan of Lonely Planet and own this guide myself. What I love is the brand-new pull-out, passport-size ‘Just Landed’ card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info – all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel! Buy this book.

South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide

Calling all my solo female travel ladies out there – this guide is amazing! Part of the #1 Travel Guidebook Series for Women (and couples), this take on South Korea will help you avoid the scams, creeps, and tourist traps and skip ahead to the cities and adventures that are worth your time (and money)! Buy this book.

 Get your Free Seoul City Check List

This downloadable checklist for Seoul contains insider information on what to see, do, eat and where to shop and party in Seoul, South Korea.

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