Itinerary Seoul

Spring in Seoul (April) is one of the best times to visit: pleasant weather, cherry blossoms in bloom, lively festivals, and comfortable sightseeing conditions.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	2200 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1200 USD
🧳 Gear	150 USD
🗺️ On-site	400 USD
Total	3950 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇰🇷 Seoul - 5 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏯 Gyeongbokgung Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Seoul’s grandest royal palace; daily guard changing ceremony. Arrive early to beat crowds.

• [ ] 🏰 Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • UNESCO site famous for exquisite gardens. Pre-book Secret Garden tour.

• [ ] 🏞️ Bukchon Hanok Village ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Picturesque traditional houses, artisan shops. Quietest in early morning.

• [ ] 🛍️ Myeongdong Shopping Street ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic shopping district for cosmetics, K-fashion & street snacks.

• [ ] 🗺️ Insadong ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Artsy street for galleries, antiques, traditional tea houses.

• [ ] 🏙️ Namsan Seoul Tower (N-Seoul Tower) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Panoramic city views, accessible via cable car/hiking. Sunset recommended.

• [ ] 🏛️ National Museum of Korea ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Korea’s largest collection of historical treasures. Free entry.

• [ ] 🗼 Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Futuristic Zaha Hadid architecture, museums, nighttime LED rose garden.

• [ ] 🏘️ Itaewon ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Multicultural district for global food, independent boutiques, nightlife.

• [ ] 🛍️ Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Tree-lined street with upscale cafes, trendy local designers.

• [ ] 🏞️ Cheonggyecheon Stream ⭐ (~1h)

  • Urban oasis, especially beautiful at night. Cherry blossom views in April.

• [ ] 🚶 Samcheong-dong ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Leafy neighborhood for galleries, stylish shops, fusion eateries.

• [ ] 🛺 Gwangjang Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Famous for vintage clothing, street eats like bindaetteok (mung bean pancake).

• [ ] 🌳 Seokchon Lake Park ⭐ (~1h)

  • Cherry blossoms surround the tranquil lake; Lotte World views.

• [ ] 🎨 Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Contemporary & traditional Korean art in matching cutting-edge architecture.

• [ ] 🏛️ War Memorial of Korea ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Engaging and sobering history museum; impressive outdoor exhibits.

• [ ] 🌸 Yeouido Hangang Park ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Cherry blossom avenue and riverside walking/cycling.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Southside Parlor ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Lofty American-style lounge in Itaewon with creative cocktails, rooftop terrace.

• [ ] 🍸 Charles H. at Four Seasons ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Asia’s best speakeasy: luxe, opulent, 1920s-inspired. Reservations essential.

• [ ] 🌃 Lotte World Tower Observatory ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Korea’s tallest tower; sunset views and city lights.

• [ ] 🎶 Hongdae Nightlife ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Youthful area for indie gigs, clubs, nightlife energy.

• [ ] 🍷 Anthracite Coffee & Bar ⭐ (~1h)

  • Industrial-chic cafe and bar serving artisan drinks.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Gwangjang Market ⭐⭐⭐

  • Try mayak kimbap, bindaetteok, and spicy tteokbokki. Street food vibe. ($)

• [ ] 🍲 Tosokchon Samgyetang ⭐⭐

  • Famous ginseng chicken soup; popular with locals and tourists. ($$)

• [ ] 🥩 Maple Tree House ⭐⭐

  • Upscale Korean BBQ; premium cuts in refined atmosphere. ($$$)

• [ ] 🍚 Mingles ⭐⭐⭐

  • Michelin-starred innovative Korean fine dining; advance booking required. ($$$$)

• [ ] 🥟 Jinjujip ⭐

  • Iconic mandu (dumplings), simple and comforting. ($)

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Seodaemun Prison History Hall (~1h)

  • Important historical site; moving exhibits.

• [ ] 🏞️ Seoul Forest Park (~1h)

  • Modern urban park, deer enclosure, art installations.

• [ ] 🛕 Jogyesa Temple (~0.5h)

  • Central Buddhist temple, colorful lanterns.

• [ ] 🛒 Starfield COEX Mall & Bongeunsa Temple (~2h)

  • Ultra-modern mall plus serene ancient temple across the street.

• [ ] 🏰 Unhyeongung Palace (~1h)

  • Small, lesser-known royal palace.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇰🇷 Seoul

• [ ] 🎬 Parasite (2019) — ⭐ 8.5 — Academy Award-winning dark satire set in Seoul — Hulu
• [ ] 🎬 Oldboy (2003) — ⭐ 8.4 — Cult thriller, iconic shots of Seoul — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Itaewon Class (2020) — ⭐ 8.2 — Youth drama set in trendy Itaewon district — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 My Mister (2018) — ⭐ 9.1 — Moving Korean drama highlighting Seoul’s ordinary lives — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Crash Landing on You (2019) — ⭐ 8.7 — Blockbuster romance featuring city and countryside — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 The Man From Nowhere (2010) — ⭐ 7.7 — Action thriller in Seoul underworld — Netflix

🍜 Local specialties

🇰🇷 Seoul

• [ ] Kimchi (fermented vegetables)
• [ ] Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly)
• [ ] Bibimbap (mixed rice with veggies and beef)
• [ ] Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
• [ ] Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)
• [ ] Pajeon (savory pancake)
• [ ] Bingsu (shaved ice dessert)
• [ ] Mandu (Korean dumplings)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇰🇷 Seoul

1. 🌤️ Gyeongbokgung Palace
2. 🌤️ Bukchon Hanok Village
3. 🌤️ Myeongdong Shopping Street
4. 🌙 Charles H. at Four Seasons
5. 🛍️ The Hyundai Seoul (luxury shopping mall)
6. 🏨 Signiel Seoul (recommended 5-star hotel)
7. 🍽️ Mingles
8. 🍽️ Tosokchon Samgyetang
9. 🍽️ Gwangjang Market
10. 🌤️ Namsan Seoul Tower
11. 🌤️ Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Seoul (Incheon International Airport)
• [ ] ✈️ Seoul → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Seoul	5	Signiel Seoul (5*)	1200 USD
Total	5 nights		1200 USD