5 Day Seoul Itinerary: Best Things To Do (2024)

Planning a 5 day Seoul Itinerary? We’ve got you covered! In this guide, you’ll find out the best places to visit in Seoul for 5 days or more. You can explore the beautiful hanok villages, enjoy tasty bibimbap and wander through amazing royal palaces all in the capital city of South Korea.

Read on to find out what to do in Seoul and how to plan your trip (where to stay in Seoul & best places to eat)!

Seoul is South Korea’s highrise capital city nestled between the mountains. It’s the perfect place to explore for any type of traveller with many great things to do in Seoul and see around the city.

Home to well-preserved palaces and Buddhist temples, it’s also a very cultural city with many museums to learn more about South Korea’s history. Other than the beautiful palaces, Seoul is extremely modern with great public transport!

Don’t forget the amazing food options all throughout the city. Have you ever tried Korean cuisine before? It’s so good! You won’t have trouble eating here if you enjoy Korean food. Find out how to plan your Seoul 5 day itinerary!

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What to do in Seoul (5 Day Seoul Itinerary)

• Hiking – There are mountains surrounding Seoul, if you’re into hiking you’ll find amazing options! There’s even Namsan Park to explore for non-hikers!
• Royal Palaces – Some of the most beautiful palaces in South Korea are right in Seoul and right in the heart of the city.
• Shopping – Seoul is home to some big malls and shopping can be done everywhere.
• Eating – Discover Korean Cuisine in style and try some of the best restaurants, street food and even convenience store snacks!
• Day Trips – Day Trips are easy from Seoul with great public transport. Explore places such as Nami Island, Sokcho and Jeonju or try out Seoul’s theme parks for a day.

How to get around Seoul

Seoul has an amazing public transport system. It’s easy to use for foreigners and you can use the Naver Maps app to guide you to your next location. There are metros or buses running almost everywhere in Seoul, so there’s never a worry about how to get to your next destination. You can also use taxi’s on the street.

If you’re travelling to other destinations in South Korea, check if a Korea Rail Pass can save you money on your transport!

T-Money Card – This card is your easy way to get around all of South Korea, especially Seoul. You can buy them and top them up in convenience stores and you just swipe them whenever you use transport. For both buses and metros, you have to swipe when you enter and exit!

TIP: Our biggest tip is to definitely bring some Korean Won with you to South Korea, even if it’s a small amount. Within your 5 day Seoul itinerary, you’ll need cash to buy a ticket on any public transport in Seoul including to top up your T-Money card.

If you don’t have time to get any, you can use the ATMs at the airport although they will charge a small fee for an international card.

How to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul

Once you’ve arrived at the airport, head for the signs to the Airport Rail Road to catch the AREX line. You’ll need to either buy a ticket or a T-money card with credit before getting on the train to Seoul. All the machines have an English option, so it’s very easy to purchase your ticket.

You can buy T-Money cards at the convenience stores at the airport or vending machines next to the train station. Make sure to top up your card, 10,000 won should be good for the first couple of days in Seoul.

Alternatively, you can buy your AREX Incheon Airport Express Train tickets in advance with Klook and this will take you direct to Seoul Station. Buy your tickets in advance on Klook!

Once arrived at Seoul Station, you can head to your accommodation using the metro or buses. Use Naver Maps to guide you there!

Where to stay in Seoul

Seoul is a massive city – really big! You’ll be exploring different areas each day but it’s good to have a well-located base. Here are some of the best neighbourhoods to stay in for first-time visits to Seoul:

Best area to stay in Seoul: Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Itaewon & Gangnam

We highly recommend staying in the Insadong area on your 5 day Seoul itinerary as it’s close to main attractions and great transport to other neighbourhoods.

Hostel Tommy $-$$ – The perfect location in Seoul for a first-time visit. It’s close to the royal palaces, hanok villages, great cafes, restaurants and places to shop. Located minutes away from a metro station to take you anywhere in the city. Find the link to Booking.com here – Hostel Tommy Booking.com

Tommy is one of the nicest hosts we’ve ever had whilst travelling, he’s so friendly and welcoming and it really feels like he cares about his guests. We cannot recommend staying here enough for 5 days in Seoul!

There are dorm rooms and private rooms for anyone travelling on a budget. The rooms also come with free Netflix which is a bonus in the evenings! Also, check out our 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024).

Quick Tips for 5 Days in Seoul

• Currency – Korean Won (compare the currency here)
• Cuisine – Korean Cusine (Kimchi, Bibimbap, Fried Chicken, Bulgogi & Rice Cakes)
• Wifi/Sim Cards – Buy prepaid sim, Esim or portable Wifi
• Apps – Naver Maps (GoogleMaps) & KakaoTalk (or GoogleTranslate)
• Korea Power Voltage – Plugs C & F (220 V)
• Airport Transfer – AREX Incheon Airport Express Train tickets
• Seoul Activity Pass – Klook Pass Seoul – Find out more here!
• Transport – Check to see if you’ll save money using a Korea Rail Pass!

Simcard options for South Korea

E-Sim – Very easy to purchase online, install using your phone settings and then you are good to go! Here’s a 12 Day E-Sim. (£9.50 for 12 days)

Prepaid Sim -This may be preferred if you also want a Korean number as well as data. Price changes depending on the length you want the sim. Find a sim card on Klook here! (£15 for 10 days) Pick up at the airport.

Portable Wifi – A wifi to carry around with you, great for laptops too! Find a portable Wifi on Klook here! (£20 for 10 days) Pick up at the airport.

Klook.com

5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Places to Visit

You may be starting your 5 days in Seoul at any point on your first day depending on when you arrive. We’ve prepared a full but slower day of things to do to kickstart your first day in Seoul.

Day 1 – Insadong, Ikseon-dong & Myeong Dong

Have a look at our ‘How to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul’ section above! Most accommodations won’t let you check in till at least 3 pm, so first head to your accommodation to drop your bags off.

Explore Insadong

Insasong should definitely be on your 5 days in Seoul itinerary. It’s a great area to visit on your first day as it shows off so much of Seoul on one street.

Have lunch or dinner at Osegye Hyang (location), a traditional Korean restaurant or Maru (location), a smaller street-food style restaurant as they’re both in the beautiful streets of Insadong.

Wander through Ikseon-dong

Ikseon-dong is also a must-visit area on your 5 days in Seoul. This hanok village is full of trendy cafes, cute shops and photo booths everywhere! It’s a beautiful area to explore on your first day in Seoul.

Head to Myeong Dong for shopping & nightlife

On your way to Myeong Dong, pass by Cheonggyecheon. It’s a stream in the middle of the city with nature around, it’s a very peaceful walk that you can do at any time of day! Find the location here – Cheonggyecheon Location!

There are many things to do in Myeong Dong, but the main things are shopping and dining! The Myeong Dong Walking Street (location) is the main strip and you’ll find street vendors around this area too! It’s a great option for dinner or you can find one of the many restaurants in the area.

Love theme parks? Take a visit to Lotte World in Seoul! We haven’t included it in this 5 day Seoul itinerary, but you can make time on Day 5 if you want to feel the adrenaline! Buy tickets in advance on Klook.

Day 2 – Palaces, Hanok Villages & Hongdae

If you’re looking for breakfast, Seoul has many amazing cafes that serve coffee, tea and bakery items. But if you’d like to eat in Korean style, try one of the many ramens from a convenience store! Our hostel (Hostel Tommy) offered free breakfast, and it was literally a noodle pot!

There are five Royal Palaces in Seoul – Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Gyeonghuigung Palace. On Day 2 of your Seoul 5 day itinerary, you’re going to visit two of these beautiful palaces.

Visit Changdeokgung

If you’re wondering what to do in Seoul in 5 days, the palaces are a great option! Changdeokgung served as the principal palace of multiple Joseon kings for over 250 years. It’s also the most-preserved palace out of the five

The entry for Changdeokgung is 3000 won, which is extremely affordable. You can spend over an hour here browsing the gardens and architecture of the buildings. Find the location here – Changdeokgung Location.

Check out these 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips whilst planning your Seoul 5 day itinerary!

Wander through Secret Garden

At the back of Changdeokgung Palace is the Secret Garden. It’s an extremely pretty area full of nature and was used by members of the royal family. The entry fee for Secret Garden is 3000 won. There are also free guided tours you can take here.

Take a look at Changgyeonggung

Changgyeonggung Palace was built in 1483 by King Seongjong. During the war, parts of the palace were destroyed so was rebuilt in 1987 back to its original form. It’s still an amazing palace to explore and the grounds are lovely to walk around. The entry fee for Changgyeonggung is 1000 won.

Check out Cafe Onion Anguk or London Bagel Museum if you’re feeling hungry. Or if you’re feeling like a hotpot experience, check out Onmaeul to enjoy a full lunch!

Get lost in Bukchon Village

Visiting Bukchon Hanok Village is a must on your Seoul itinerary 5 days. It’s a Korean traditional village filled with cosy alleys and over 900 preserved homes. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy South Korean culture. Here’s the location for the area – Bukchon Village Location

Inside the village, there are cultural centres, museums and viewpoints. It’s a unique way to share the history of the village and the hosts in the cultural centres are extremely friendly!

If you’d like a view from above the traditional houses in the village you can check out the Bukchon Observatory. It’s 3000 won to enter and you get a complimentary drink included in the price. Here’s the location for the Observatory!

We use our Joby GorillaPod to take great photos of ourselves when there’s no one else around. It’s so lightweight and can fit in your day bag. There’s also a Joby Phone Tripod to capture beautiful videos of your 5 days in Seoul itinerary!

Browse around Hongdae & enjoy the nightlife

Hongdae is a very cool area in Seoul, you’ll find themed cafes such as Harry Potter (location)and many trendy clothes shops. It’s a great place to be in the evening on your 5 day Seoul itinerary and you’ll find some good restaurants here too. It’s a popular spot for nightlife too if you want to stay out later!

If you arrive in the late afternoon check out Sinchon, the neighbourhood just next to Hongdae. We really love Bread Blue (a vegan bakery – location) nearby.

In the evening head out on a Seoul Eland Hangang River Cruise -it’s absolutely incredible seeing Seoul lit up from the water. Find tickets on Klook here!

Day 3 – N Seoul Tower & Itaewon

Admire the views from Namsan Park

You may have seen the famous Seoul Tower from around Seoul already. Well, today you’re going to the top of the mountain and the tower! It’s a must on your 5 day Seoul itinerary.

There are a few ways you can start your hike up to the top, but we started on the north side – here’s the location! It takes around 30 minutes, but will definitely take longer if you stop at all the viewpoints.

Once you’re at the top the view is amazing! There are also restaurants, shops and loads of locks! You can’t miss them!

Go up Seoul Tower

Even though you already have great views from the mountain, it’s really interesting to see Seoul from even higher above. Tickets are really affordable on Klook – so make sure you buy your ticket in advance for Seoul Tower! They don’t sell out and it’s an open ticket.

Browse the streets of Itaewon

Itaewon is known to be a ‘foreigner’ area in Seoul with many international restaurants, indie shops, bookstores and hair salons! If you’re missing home comforts it could be a great place to be and you don’t miss out on the Seoul vibe here too. We recommend Plant Cafe Seoul (location) for lunch or an afternoon chill.

There are so many lovely vegan spots in the Itaewon area. Check out our Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)!

Some of the best nightlife in Seoul is right in Itaweson, with casual beer bars and dance clubs around the area you’ll find a spot anywhere to spend the night. It’s another reason why locals love living here.

The War Memorial of Korea museum is right around the corner and here you can learn a lot about the history and war of Korea (location). The entry is free, and you can find more information here on their website!

Check out the Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do!

Day 4 – Palace & Hanbok Rental, Market & Naksan Park

Rent a Hanbok & visit Gyeongbokgung

Gyeongbokgung is one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul. It was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty and was built in 1395. To make your visit even more special, you can rent and wear hanbok for a few hours. There are many rental shops around the area of the palace. We found a great rental shop on Klook and it worked out more affordable than in the shop.

What is a hanbok? – The term “hanbok” literally means “Korean clothing”

Our experience renting a Hanbok in Seoul

Before visiting Seoul, we heard that this was a popular thing to do. We booked our rental on Klook with Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store and there was so much choice! We arrived at 9:30 am and were the first ones of the day to wear hanbok.

There were a few other people in the palace wearing hanboks and taking photos so we didn’t stand out too much anyway. Koreans are really welcoming to foreigners wearing hanbok and a woman even helped me tie my bow again when it came undone.

Find the link on Klook here – Hanbok Rental Klook

Eat the best street food at Gwangjang Market

Visiting the Gwangjang Market has to be on your 5 days in Seoul itinerary! It was one of our favourite spots to eat and we came back three times. It’s one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea with over 20,000 employees and 5000 shops. Find the location here – Gwangjang Market!

Best foods to try: Mungbean Pancake, Bibimbap, Kimchi Dumplings & Tteok-bokki

Have you ever seen the Netflix programme Street Food: Asia? The Seoul episode was filmed right here at Gwangjang Market. You can find the vendors by looking out the Netflix signs on their stalls! It’s open both day and night.

Explore Naksan Park & the Mural Village

Naksan Park doesn’t usually make it onto a 5 day Seoul itinerary, however, we think it’s a lovely local park with more great views of the city. The views are beautiful day or night, so depending on your energy you can take a rest and come back later! Gwangjang Market is also good at night.

Ihwa Mural Village

Ihwa Mural Village is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. It’s nestled in a residential area just next to Naksan Park and of course, you can find many types of artwork. The murals were created here to make the area bright and attractive again. It’s important to lower your voice in these areas to avoid disrupting the locals that live here.

If you have some time left at the end of your day, stop by Namdaemun Market (location) and Overte (location) for some shopping and doughnut snacks! It’s in the Myeong Dong area and you may want to find some dinner there too!

Day 5 – Seoul Forest and Gangnam or Day Trip

We’re using this day to relax a little after a busy few days in Seoul already. Check the section below if you want any alternative ideas for your last day in Seoul (Such as theme parks, tours or day trips).

Here’s a few Seoul day trip tickets to book in advance:

• Nami Island – Visit Nami Island’s world-famous tree-lined landscape – Find tickets here!
• DMZ Tour – Book tickets with Klook here!
• Lotte World – Find tickets on Klook here!

Relax in Seoul Forest

Head to a local convenience store, and grab some snacks for a picnic at Seoul Forest. On your 5 day Seoul itinerary, maybe you’d like to feel like a local for a morning! Find the location to Seoul Forest here!

The park is big and you can spend a while here admiring the flowers and nature. Taking a fresh breath away from the city for a busy afternoon of exploring.

On a budget in South Korea? Here’s 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)!

Wander through Gangnam

You must have heard the famous song Gangnam Style! Did you know it’s actually a real place, right here in Seoul!? Gangnam means south of the river, which is exactly where it’s located in the city. It’s known as one of the richest and wealthiest districts in South Korea. Definitely worth a visit on your Seoul 5 day itinerary.

Gangnam Shopping Street

When visiting the shopping street in Gangnam you’ll find many kinds of trendy shops including the flagship store of Kakao Friends (very popular in South Korea). You’ll also find 8 Seconds, Uniqlo, Zara and many cosmetics shops too! Here’s the location of the main street in Gangnam – Gangnam Shopping Street Location

COEX Mall & Starfield Library

A short bus ride away is COEX Mall, home to Starfield library and the Gangnam Style statue. You may have seen photos of this beautiful library in Seoul! Here’s the location – Starfield Library Location. The mall itself is filled with restaurants, cafes and more trendy shops.

It’s also another amazing place to visit at night to watch all the signs brighten up the streets. It’s kind of the same everywhere in Seoul, as it’s all so beautiful!

5 Day Seoul Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1 – Insadong, Ikseon-dong & Myeong Dong / Day 2 – Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Bukchon Village & Hongdae / Day 3 – N Seoul Tower & Itaewon / Day 4 – Gyeongbokgung, Hanbok, Naksan Park & Gwangjang Market / Day 5 – Seoul Forest & Gangnam

Where to stay in Seoul: Hostel Tommy – Find on Booking.com here!

Alternative Ideas for 5 days in Seoul

If you would rather have an extra day to do a day trip from Seoul, then cut out Seoul Forest and add Gangnam to Day 3. You will then have Day 5 completely free to do another activity of your choosing!

• DMZ Tour – This is highly recommended when spending 5 days in Seoul – learn about the history of the Korean war and visit the Demilitarized Zone of Korea with a view of North Korea. You can Book tickets with Klook here!
• Lotte World – Take a day to visit the Disneyland of Korea. Tickets are quite affordable and there’s something for everyone at this theme park! Find tickets on Klook here!
• Nami Island – A short ferry away from Seoul, is the beautiful Nami Island. It’s a great way to escape the city and you can even take a zip line onto the island – Find out more here!
• Deoksugung (one of the five Royal Palaces) Find the location here – Deoksugung Palace Location!
• Something unique to do in Seoul – Handmade Stamp Engraving!
• Seoul Eland Hangang River Cruise – Find tickets on Klook here!

If you’re ever buying tickets in Seoul, South Korea or a lot of places in Asia – Klook is one of the best websites to find discounts. We’ve used it several times, including the Seoul Tower and Disneyland tickets in Japan. It’s super easy and you can save so much!

Klook.com

Do you have more time in South Korea? - Plan your 2 week South Korea Itinerary here!

Best Restaurants in Seoul

We have great recommendations of places to eat for 5 days in Seoul, however, we eat plant-based. You can find Korean food everywhere in Seoul, so it’s not too hard if you don’t eat meat. If you’re vegan travellers like us, there’s a bit more research that needs to be done. Here are our favourite spots in Seoul:

• Osegye Hyang – Traditional Korean vegan restaurant (location)
• Maru – Vegan street food (location)
• Gwangjang Market (Stall A11) – Vegan options at the famous market (location)
• Plant Cafe Seoul – International vegan cuisine in Seoul (location) (website)
• By Tofu – International vegan cuisine, sandwiches! (location)

Are you looking for vegan food & restaurants in Seoul? Here’s our Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)!

Best Time to Visit Seoul

Ultimately you can visit Seoul all year round. South Korea experiences all 4 seasons which means you can see different sides of Seoul if you come in different months.

However, the best time to visit Seoul is March to May and September to November when the weather isn’t too hot or too cold. These months may also be off-peak apart from the famous cherry blossom season in April.

For your Seoul 5 day itinerary, we recommend visiting in these months to enjoy a variety of what the city has to offer!

Korean Phrases to Know in Seoul

• An-nyeong-ha-se-yo – Hello
• Kam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you
• Ju-se-yo – Please

Dong – neighbourhood (You may notice a lot of places to visit end with dong).

Budget for 5 days in Seoul

When planning our 5 day Seoul itinerary, we wanted to stick to a budget. We kept track of our expenses and have shared a full guide here on The Sunrise Dreamers.

For 5 days in Seoul estimate at least £70 a day per person, not including flights. Public transport around Seoul is very affordable!

Here are a few examples of our costs in Seoul:

• Accommodation – 52,000₩ (£34.20) per night / 26,000₩ (£17.10) per person
• Hanbok Rental – 24,000₩ (£15.80)
• Bukchon Observatory with free drinks – 6,000₩ (£4)
• Lunch at a Traditional Korean Restaurant – 27,000₩ (£17.80)
• Lunch at a Hot Pot Restaurant – 26,000₩ (£17.15)
• Lunch at 7-Eleven – 83,00₩ (£5.50)
• KTX (Fast Train) Seoul to Gyeongju – 2 hours – 49,000₩ (£32)

Also, check out our in-depth 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024) with a breakdown of all our travel costs in Seoul and more South Korea.

What to pack for 5 days in Seoul

• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – The best lightweight tripod to catch amazing photos if there’s no one around you. We use a camera on our Joby GorillaPod and there’s also a Joby Phone Tripod to capture beautiful videos of your 5 day Seoul itinerary.
• Sony A6400 + Sony 18-135mm Lens – The perfect compact combo for great on-the-go photography. Seoul is a beautiful city to capture behind a lens.
• GoPro Hero 12 with all of the essentials – We use a GoPro to capture action shots on our travels.
• Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Always carry a reusable water bottle with you in South Korea.
• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – Packing cubes are one of our favourite travel essentials, they make life easier!
• Anker Power Bank – A portable charger is another great must-have travel essential.
• Rain Mac in a Bag – A lightweight raincoat to help with any rain on your 5 days in Seoul.
• Osprey Farpoint 40l Backpack – A great backpack is always essential. Ranging from weekend getaways to months of backpacking, the Farpoint 40l is perfect.

Portable Wifi – A great option if you want to connect your phone and laptop! Find a portable Wifi on Klook here! (£2 a day) Pick up from Seoul or Busan airport.

Where to visit after Seoul

Are you spending more time in South Korea after your 5 Day Seoul Itinerary? If so we have some suggestions!

• Gyeongju – Wander around the tombs of South Korea and admire the nature Gyeongju has to offer.
• Busan – Catch a train to Busan and explore the second-biggest city in South Korea.
• Jeonju – Home to the bibimbap is, Jeonju. Spend a night in a Hanok home and explore the traditional village.
• Seoraksan National Park – only a 2-3 hour bus ride away from Seoul is a beautiful national park to hike, camp and enjoy.

Want to switch to sustainble travel products before visiting Seoul? Check out our 18 Great Eco Friendly Travel Products You Need to Swap in 2024 guide!

More South Korea guides:

• Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
• Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
• 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
• 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)
• 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know
• Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do
• Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)
• 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)
• All our South Korea posts!

That’s the end of our 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)! Have an amazing time in Seoul exploring the capital of South Korea and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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