Seoul is a city of rhythm—ancient palaces and lantern-lit temples set against K‑pop billboards and food alleys that never sleep. Once the heart of the Joseon dynasty, it’s now a tech-forward capital where you’ll sip pour-over coffee inside century-old hanok and end the night with sizzling Korean BBQ.

Across five days, you’ll explore royal courts, wander the artisan lanes of Bukchon, and get a sobering look at modern history on a DMZ tour. Balance it with market tastings, a hands-on cooking class, and a day among riverside islands and gardens north of the city.

Practical notes: buy a T‑money transit card for subways/buses; Google Maps is limited—use Naver Map or KakaoMap. Tipping isn’t customary. Most venues are cashless-friendly. Gyeongbokgung is typically closed Tuesdays; palace guard ceremonies run most days. Dress modestly at temples; wear comfortable shoes for hilly hanok neighborhoods.

Seoul

Seoul’s greatest hits: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong’s craft arcades, the glowing DDP, and Namsan’s mountaintop views. Neighborhoods each bring a vibe—Myeongdong for shopping and noodles, Hongdae for indie culture, Seongsu for design-forward cafes, and Gangnam for sleek malls and temple calm.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung’s Huwon (“Secret Garden”), Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, Bongeunsa Temple, COEX Starfield Library, Cheonggyecheon stream, Lotte World Tower, Yeouido Hangang Park.
• Eat and drink: Gwangjang Market’s bindaetteok and mayak gimbap; kalguksu at Myeongdong Kyoja; samgyetang at Tosokchon; temple cuisine at Balwoo Gongyang; late-night chimaek (chicken + beer) by the Han River.
• Fun facts: Wear a hanbok and palace entry is free; the Hangang runs east–west through the city; Namsan’s beacon mounds once relayed messages across the kingdom.

Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO):

• The Shilla Seoul (classic luxury, spa and city views): Check rates
• Lotte Hotel World (family-friendly, direct mall/aquarium access in Jamsil): Check rates
• Hostel Haru (budget, clean design steps from Jonggak/Insadong): Check rates
• Hotel 8 Hours (value pick near City Hall/Namdaemun): Check rates
• Browse apartments and family stays on VRBO: VRBO Seoul or wider hotel options: Hotels.com Seoul

How to arrive and get around:

• Flights: Compare fares to Incheon (ICN) or Gimpo (GMP) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: AREX all-stop train to Hongik Univ./Seoul Station (45–60 min; ~4,150–9,500 KRW depending on service). Taxis take 60–80 min, ~55,000–75,000 KRW to central Seoul.
• Trains in Korea/AREX schedules: Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Streamside Stroll, and Night Market Feast

Morning: Fly into Seoul. If you arrive early, drop bags and grab a pick-me-up at Cafe Onion Anguk (hanok setting, cardamom buns and pour-over) or Fritz Coffee Wonhyo (butter pretzels, deep-roasted blends).

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs along Cheonggyecheon stream from Gwangtonggyo to Dongdaemun (flat, scenic 30–45 min). Pop up to Gwanghwamun Square for statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and King Sejong with views toward Gyeongbokgung.

Evening: Kick off with a guided street food crawl—tteokbokki, hotteok, soondae, and makgeolli tastings, all included: Night Market Food Tour in Seoul.

Prefer DIY? Try Gwangjang Market: crispy bindaetteok at a stone-griddle stall, knife-cut kalguksu noodles, and mayak gimbap bites. Finish with a late stroll through Myeongdong’s neon lanes for cosmetic shops and dessert churros.

Day 2: Palaces, Bukchon Hanok Lanes, and a Hands-on Cooking Class

Morning: Enter royal Seoul at Gyeongbokgung. Time your visit for the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate (usually late morning; check schedule; the palace is typically closed Tuesdays). Explore throne halls and lotus ponds, then walk to Bukchon Hanok Village for tiled roofs and artisans’ workshops.

Lunch: Refuel at Tosokchon Samgyetang (near Gyeongbokgung’s west gate): ginseng chicken soup served in hot stone bowls, or Bibimbap Jeonju-style at nearby Gogung if you prefer rice-and-veg comfort.

Afternoon: Learn to cook like an aristocrat in a century-old hanok: Royal Seoul Cooking Class in a 100-Year-Old Hanok.

Expect seasonal banchan, jang (ferments), and plating tips; you’ll feast on your creations in a serene courtyard.

Evening: Ride the Namsan cable car and circle the N Seoul Tower observatory for 360° views as the city lights up. Dinner picks nearby: Myeongdong Kyoja (since 1966; silky kalguksu noodles and mandu) or charcoal BBQ at Maple Tree House Samcheong (thick-cut marinated pork, leafy wraps). Nightcap along Cheonggyecheon—lanterns glow after dusk.

Day 3: DMZ History, Hongdae Vibes, and Han River Night

Morning: Join a top-rated DMZ excursion to understand the peninsula’s modern story: Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional).

Typical pickup 7:30–8:00 am; stops may include Imjingak Park, the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and the Dorasan Station platform. Expect to return early afternoon.

Afternoon: Head to Hongdae (AREX or Line 2; 15–20 min from Seoul Station). Explore buskers on Hongdae Walking Street, indie shops, and Yeonnam-dong’s Gyeongui Line Forest Park. Coffee and cake at Cafe Layered Yeonnam (British-style bakes, floral decor) or a sleek dessert at Cafe Knotted (cream-filled donuts, pastel branding).

Evening: Do a classic Seoul “chimaek” picnic at Yeouido Hangang Park (subway: Hongdae → Yeouinaru, ~20 min). Order fried chicken from BHC or BBQ Olive Chicken to the park, rent mats from kiosks, and watch cyclists glide by. From April–October, check the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain schedule; otherwise enjoy the skyline and convenience stores’ ramyeon machines.

Day 4: Day Trip—Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Railbiking

Escape to the countryside on a full-day small-group tour: Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Railbike Tour.

You’ll stroll tree-lined paths where K‑dramas were filmed, then wander manicured Korean gardens that glow during seasonal light festivals. The Gangchon railbike ride follows a disused railway through tunnels and riverside scenery—gentle pedaling, big views. Expect 9–11 hours door-to-door with morning pickup points and an early evening return to Seoul (bring a light jacket; weather shifts outside the city).

Back in town, find dinner in Ikseon-dong’s hanok alleys: try a modern bibimbap spot with tatami seating or classic hot stone bulgogi, then cap the night with matcha ice cream or traditional yakgwa cookies at Seoul Coffee Ikseon.

Day 5: Temple Calm, Craft Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Start in Insadong for last-minute gifts at Ssamziegil—handmade hanji paper, celadon ceramics, and calligraphy brushes. Pause at a traditional tea house (O’sulloc Insadong for Jeju green teas and roll cakes) or drop by nearby Jogyesa Temple to admire 500-year-old trees and lotus lanterns.

Early lunch: Savor temple cuisine at Balwoo Gongyang (seasonal, plant-forward courses that showcase fermentation and balance; reservations recommended). Alternatively, grab a quick bowl of seolleongtang beef soup at Hadongkwan near City Hall if you prefer a meaty classic.

Afternoon: Depart for Incheon. From City Hall/Jonggak, take Line 1 or a taxi to Seoul Station, then the AREX express (43 min) or all-stop service (56 min). Budget 2.5–3 hours pre-flight for traffic/security. Compare return flights or seat maps on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional upgrades and practical tips

• Want a curated overview instead of DIY palace-hopping? Consider a guided city highlights day (hotel pickup, palace, Namsan, craft alleys): Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour.

  

• Transit: a single subway ride is ~1,250–1,450 KRW with T‑money. Most attractions are within 20–40 minutes by metro.
• Hanbok rental near Gyeongbokgung runs ~15,000–25,000 KRW for 2–4 hours and grants free palace entry while worn.

Seoul rewards curiosity. In five days you’ll trace royal footsteps, taste your way through markets, pedal a country railbike, and watch city lights bloom from a mountaintop. Keep this guide handy—you’ll be back for another neighborhood (or three) next time.