Once a walled royal capital and now a 24-hour megacity, Seoul balances Joseon dynasty elegance with neon-lit energy. You’ll wander palace courtyards in the morning, then chase sizzling tteokbokki down alleys that glow until midnight. History is never far—nor is a perfect cup of coffee.

This 7-day Seoul itinerary mixes icons—Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower—with food adventures in Gwangjang Market, design at DDP, and a moving excursion to the DMZ. You’ll also explore trend-forward neighborhoods like Seongsu and Ikseon-dong, and hike Bukhansan for views that tie the whole city together.

Practical notes: tap your T-money transit card and you’re set for subways and buses. Street food is safe and delicious; palaces close Tuesdays (most), DMZ tours can be suspended on short notice. Pack layers, comfy shoes, and curiosity—Seoul rewards all three.

Seoul

Seoul’s story spans royal dynasties, war, and reinvention. Its neighborhoods read like chapters: tradition in Bukchon, indie art in Hongdae, café culture in Seongsu, high-fashion in Cheongdam, river breezes along Yeouido. Between them: markets, museums, and the hum of K-pop everywhere.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, COEX’s Starfield Library, the Han River.
• Can’t-miss bites: bindaetteok and mayak gimbap at Gwangjang Market, kalguksu at Myeongdong Kyoja, samgyetang at Tosokchon, soy-marinated crab, and classic Korean BBQ.
• Where to stay: base yourself near Myeongdong/City Hall for easy transit, in Insadong/Bukchon for heritage vibes, or Gangnam/Jamsil for shopping and family attractions.

How to arrive: Fly into Incheon (ICN) or Gimpo (GMP). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From ICN, ride AREX All-Stop Train (45–60 min; ~4,150 KRW) or the Express (43 min; ~9,500 KRW) to Seoul Station; taxis run 60–90 min depending on traffic.

Optional transfer: For door-to-door comfort, book a private airport transfer (up to 7 pax): Private Airport Transfer: Incheon ↔ Seoul.

Where to stay — quick picks

• Elegant classic: The Shilla Seoul — serene urban resort, excellent spa and dining. Check availability
• Family favorite: Lotte Hotel World (Jamsil) — indoor access to Lotte World Adventure and Seokchon Lake. Check availability
• Smart-budget: Hostel Haru (Jongno/Myeongdong) — clean, social, walkable. Check availability
• Value near City Hall: Hotel 8 Hours — comfortable and central. Check availability

Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Seoul | VRBO: Seoul

Day 1: Arrival, Streamside Strolls, and Market Night

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag along Cheonggyecheon Stream, a restored waterway threading through central Seoul. Pause at Gwanghwamun Square to see statues of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and King Sejong—two lodestars of Korean history.

Evening: Dive straight into street food at Gwangjang Market: line up for crisp bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), slurp knife-cut kalguksu, and try mayak gimbap (tiny, sesame-oil-perfumed rolls). If you want a guide and a table full of tastes, join this small-group feast:

Night Market Food Tour in Seoul

Post-tour, sip a nightcap in Euljiro’s industrial-chic alleys—try Caligari Brewing for local craft beer or a cozy kissaten-style coffee at Coffee Hanyakbang.

Day 2: Royal Seoul — Palaces, Hanok Lanes, and City Lights

Morning: Enter Gyeongbokgung when gates open to catch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate. Explore throne halls and lotus ponds, then pop into the National Folk Museum for context. Coffee break at Cafe Onion Anguk (set in a hanok; their sugar-dusted pandoro is insta-famous).

Afternoon: Walk Bukchon Hanok Village’s photogenic lanes toward Changdeokgung. If time allows, book the Huwon (Secret Garden) guided tour on-site for landscaped serenity. Lunch on ginseng chicken soup at Tosokchon Samgyetang—beloved for rich broth and tender bird.

Evening: Shop and snack in Myeongdong (sweet-hotteok, tornado potatoes, skewered chicken). Ride the Namsan cable car to N Seoul Tower for sunset views. Drinks after? Charles H. (at Four Seasons) pairs speakeasy swagger with polished cocktails—reservations advised.

Prefer a driver/guide? Swap today for this tailored, door-to-door experience that can include palace entrances and hanbok photos:

Full-day Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour

Day 3: The DMZ, Memory, and Modern Seoul

Morning: Join a DMZ excursion to learn how the peninsula remains divided. You’ll typically visit Imjingak, Dora Observatory, and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, with an optional suspension-bridge add-on. Bring your passport; tours can be adjusted or canceled for security reasons.

Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional)

Afternoon: Back in the city, reflect at the War Memorial of Korea (Yongsan)—a powerful, well-curated museum. Late lunch options nearby: Woo Lae Oak (Wooraeok) for classic Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon in a light beef broth, or a comforting bowl of soondubu stew at Bukchang-dong Soondubu.

Evening: Explore Itaewon and Hannam for global-meets-Korean flavors. Try Korean BBQ at Maple Tree House (aged beef, good ventilation) or late-night “7-minute” spicy pork at Saemaeul Sikdang. Craft beer fans: Amazing Brewing Company (Seongsu) runs a reliable tap list.

Day 4: Design, Markets, and Hidden Alleys

Morning: Start at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Zaha Hadid’s swooping landmark. Walk the old city walls from Heunginjimun Gate for skyline views, or browse fabrics and trims in Dongdaemun’s wholesale towers if you love DIY fashion.

Afternoon: Lunch on dakhanmari (one-pot whole chicken) at Jin Ok Hwa Halmae Dakhanmari—add noodles at the end to soak the broth. Wander Euljiro’s “Hipjiro” alleys of tool shops turned cafes and bars; peek into print shops that once fueled Seoul’s industrial boom.

Evening: Ikseon-dong Hanok Village comes alive with lanterns. Dine at a modern Korean spot (book ahead; many small hanok eateries), then end with a refined soju or tea-based cocktail at Bar Cham (Seochon)—a thoughtful ode to local flavors.

Day 5: Gangnam Day — Temples, Libraries, and Cooking Class

Morning: Cross the river to Bongeunsa Temple, an oasis amid Gangnam’s glass towers. Then step into COEX to see the Starfield Library’s soaring book “cathedral.” Coffee break at Fritz Coffee (Seolleung or City Hall) for butter bread and a nutty house roast.

Afternoon: Learn to cook Korean favorites—think japchae, bulgogi, kimchi pajeon—then sit down to feast on your creations.

Korean Cooking at Seoul Cooking Club

Evening: Splurge on BBQ at Daedo Sikdang (legendary beef fat rice is a must) or go for soy-marinated crab at Pro Soy Crab (Sinsa) for a briny, silky Seoul classic. Nightcap at Le Chamber (Cheongdam), a speakeasy with an award-studded menu.

Day 6: Bukhansan Hike and Jjimjilbang Reset

Morning: Lace up for Bukhansan National Park—Baegundae Peak is the classic summit (allow 4–5 hours roundtrip; moderate to strenuous). Bring water and snacks; pick up gimbap and fruit at a convenience store near the trailhead. Clear days deliver sweeping city-and-mountain panoramas.

Afternoon: Descend for a hearty late lunch: try gamjatang (pork backbone stew) at a neighborhood jeongsik house near the base, or kalguksu with perilla seeds at a mom-and-pop noodle spot. Gentle stretch and café stop in Seochon or Samcheong-dong afterward.

Evening: Soothe muscles at a jjimjilbang. Aquafield (Goyang, inside Starfield) offers themed saunas, rooftop foot baths, and family-friendly facilities. Finish with a simple dinner of jjajangmyeon or katsu at the mall’s food court.

Day 7: Last Sips and Souvenirs, Then Departure

Morning: Early run to Namdaemun Market for kitchenware, socks, and street snacks, or browse Insadong for quality crafts (hanji paper goods, ceramics, calligraphy brushes). Brunch at Myeongdong Kyoja—hand-cut noodles, dumplings, and a garlicky kimchi that’s famously addictive.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. From central Seoul, allow 1.5–2 hours door-to-gate. AREX trains run every 10–15 minutes; taxis can be faster off-peak. Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Prefer door-to-door? Book a private transfer.

Coffee, breakfast, and snack favorites (sprinkle through the week)

• Fritz Coffee Company (Seosomun): retro-kitsch bakery, stellar beans, butter bread.
• Cafe Onion (Anguk): hanok setting, excellent pastries—go early for seats.
• Terarosa (various): Korean roaster known for chocolatey espresso and pour-overs.
• Egg Drop (various): fluffy breakfast sandwiches for early starts.

Dinner ideas to rotate

• Jin Ok Hwa Halmae Dakhanmari (Dongdaemun): whole-chicken hotpot ritual with garlic-chili dip.
• Maple Tree House (Itaewon/Samcheong): reliable, well-marbled BBQ cuts.
• Wooraeok (Jongno): old-school naengmyeon and bulgogi, established 1946.
• Pro Soy Crab (Sinsa): ganjang gejang—silky, saline, unforgettable over hot rice.

Transit tips

• Get a T-money card at any convenience store; it works on subways, buses, and some taxis.
• Google Maps is improving, but Naver Map or KakaoMap often perform better for walking and buses.
• For trains in Korea (KTX and regionals), browse schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Safety & closures: Palaces usually close Tuesdays; some museums close Mondays. DMZ tours can change day-of due to military activity; carry your passport and dress modestly. Most markets are cash-and-card friendly; ATMs are plentiful.

Featured Viator activities you can book

• Night Market Food Tour in Seoul — evening tastings in the city’s most flavorful lanes.

  

• Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul — history and viewpoints on the border.

  

• Full-day Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour — tailor your perfect day.

  

• Korean Cooking at Seoul Cooking Club — hands-on culinary fun.

  

In one week, you’ll trace Seoul’s arc from palace stones to futuristic skylines, taste your way through markets and BBQ houses, and breathe mountain air above the city. Expect to leave with a camera full of sunsets and a head full of songs—Seoul has a way of sticking with you.