South Korea marries ancient dynasties with hyper-modern cityscapes. In a week you can wander Joseon-era palaces, sample sizzling tteokbokki at bustling markets, and ride a high-speed train to beaches lit by the glow of Gwangan Bridge. This Seoul-and-Busan itinerary showcases the country’s culture, cuisine, and coastline at an easy, satisfying pace.

Seoul began as Hanyang in the 14th century and still centers on Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Bukchon hanok lanes. Busan, a storied port city, shelters temples on seaside cliffs and fish markets brimming with today’s catch. Expect orderly transit, excellent coffee, and a food scene that swings from classic barbecue to minimalist temple cuisine.

Practical notes: pick up a T-money transit card at convenience stores for subways/buses, and consider a local eSIM at the airport. Tipping isn’t customary; card payments are widely accepted. Spring and fall deliver mild weather, summers are humid, and winters are crisp but clear—ideal for palace photos and steaming bowls of dwaeji-gukbap.

Seoul

Korea’s capital is a kaleidoscope: royal guards at Gyeongbokgung by morning, indie boutiques in Hongdae by afternoon, and neon-lit food alleys by night. History buffs linger at the National Folk Museum; shoppers gravitate to Myeongdong and Garosu-gil; romantics stroll the lantern-lit Cheonggyecheon stream.

Where to stay: for first-timers, base in Myeongdong or Insadong for walkability; for nightlife and cafés, choose Hongdae; for sleek dining and shopping, pick Gangnam. Browse stays on VRBO Seoul or compare hotels on Hotels.com Seoul.

Getting in: fly into Incheon (ICN). Check fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From ICN, take the AREX express (~43 min to Seoul Station) or a taxi (60–90 min depending on traffic).

Day 1: Arrival, Insadong, and Namsan Views

Afternoon: Land in Seoul and check in. Ease into Korea at Insadong’s Ssamziegil complex—four spiraling floors of ceramics, hanji paper shops, and indie studios. Step into Jogyesa Temple to see ancient trees guarding the main hall, then follow the lanterns along Cheonggyecheon stream.

Evening: Dive into Gwangjang Market for dinner: queue at “Sunhee’s Bindaetteok” for crisp mung bean pancakes fried to order, snag a cone of “mayak gimbap” (bite-sized rolls) from stallholders near the central aisle, and finish with yukhoe (Korean steak tartare) at “Sister’s Yukhoe.” Cap the night with a cable car to N Seoul Tower for city panoramas, then a craft beer at Magpie Brewing in Gyeongnidan or a cocktail at Le Chamber (classic, award-winning speakeasy).

Day 2: Royal Seoul and Old-to-New City Highlights (Full-Day Tour)

Join a guided city immersion to see palace pageantry, historic temples, and skyline viewpoints without the logistics. Consider: Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up).

Expect Jogyesa Temple, the Blue House photo stop, Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun, a deep-dive at Gyeongbokgung and the National Folk Museum, Insadong arts lane, and Namsan Tower. For post-tour dinner, try Tosokchon Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup in a hanok) or Yuktongryeong for aged Korean beef barbecue near Sogong-dong; vegetarians will love temple-style set menus at Sanchon in Insadong.

Day 3: DMZ History, Itaewon Eats, and Night Market Bites

Morning: Explore the borderlands with the Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional) to see the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and the Unification Village area; guides unpack Cold War history and present-day context.

Afternoon: Back in the city, visit the War Memorial of Korea—its aircraft, ships, and galleries make modern history tangible. Brunch-late lunch options: Linus’ BBQ (southern-style but beloved locally), or Itaewon’s Jaha Sonmandu (handmade dumplings). Coffee at Anthracite Hannam—single origins in an industrial-chic roastery.

Evening: Join the Night Market Food Tour in Seoul for a guided graze through stalls pouring tteokbokki, hotteok, soondae, and makgeolli; it’s a flavorful primer on Korean street food culture.

Day 4: Nature Escape—Nami Island and The Garden of Morning Calm (Full-Day Tour)

Trade skyscrapers for forests on a countryside day trip combining rail bikes, tree-lined lanes, and floral pathways: Day Trip to Nami Island with Rail bike and The Garden of Morning Calm. Photographers love the Metasequoia Road; families enjoy gentle cycling via the rail bikes in Gangchon.

On return, eat near your hotel: Myeongdong Kyoja for knife-cut kalguksu noodles and mandu, or Baekjeong for upbeat barbecue where staff help grill your samgyeopsal and galbi. Dessert: bingsu at Sulbing (seasonal fruits piled high on shaved milk ice).

Seoul coffee and breakfast picks:

• Fritz Coffee Wonseo: butter-anchovy croissants and superb house roasts.
• Café Onion Anguk: hanok courtyard with layered pandoro and earthy lattes.
• Egg Drop (various): fluffy egg sandwiches for early starts.

Busan

Busan blends surf and city: Haeundae’s long strand, Gwangalli’s curving bay beneath the Gwangan Bridge, and a temple perched on a cliff at Haedong Yonggungsa. Color spills across Gamcheon Culture Village’s hillside lanes, while BIFF Square nods to Busan’s international film cred.

Stay near Haeundae for the beach and aquarium, Gwangalli for bridge views and bars, or Nampo for markets and maritime heritage. Search stays on VRBO Busan or compare on Hotels.com Busan.

Getting there from Seoul: take the KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station (~2 hr 30 min; ~KRW 59,800–83,700 depending on class). Check times and fares on Trip.com trains. Flying is ~1 hr but rarely faster door-to-door.

Day 5: KTX to Busan, Jagalchi Fish Market, and Gwangalli Night Lights

Morning: Board an early KTX for Busan; snack on gimbap and canned coffee from the station kiosks. Check in near Haeundae or Nampo.

Afternoon: Explore Jagalchi Fish Market—walk the wet market for live king crabs and flatfish, then head upstairs to a sashimi stall for hwe (flounder or rockfish) sliced to order, served with perilla leaves, gochujang-based chojang, and lettuce wraps. Swing by BIFF Square for ssiat-hotteok (seed-stuffed brown sugar pancakes) caramelized on griddles.

Evening: Catch sunset at Gwangalli Beach with the Gwangan Bridge lighting up on the hour. Dinner options: Millak Raw Fish Town (choose a vendor on the lower floors, then eat upstairs facing the bay), or Borim Galbi for marinated beef ribs. For drinks, try Gorilla Brewing’s taproom or a beachfront highball bar.

Day 6: Busan Icons with a Private Guide (Full-Day Tour)

Cover the greatest hits with a storyteller-driver: Busan Private Tour with licensed tour guide + private vehicle. Typical routes include Haedong Yonggungsa Temple’s cliffside shrine, Gamcheon Culture Village’s murals and stair alleys, Songdo Skywalk over the sea, and Oryukdo Skywalk’s glass platform. Guides tailor stops for seafood lunches, coffee viewpoints, or short hikes.

Evening eats: Busan’s soul food—dwaeji-gukbap (pork-and-rice soup). Try “Halmae Dwaeji-Gukbap” near Seomyeon for fragrant broth with chives, salted shrimp, and perilla on the side. Sweet finish: waffle-cream sandwiches at OPS Bakery Haeundae, a local institution.

Day 7: Beachy Morning and Departure

Morning: Stroll Haeundae Beach or ride the Haeundae Blueline Park Sky Capsule along the coast for elevated sea views. Coffee at Waveon (Gijang; striking architecture and ocean outlook) or Johwa (minimalist pour-overs near Centum City).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Shinsegae Centum City (world’s largest department store) or pick up fishcake gifts at Samjin Eomuk near Busan Station. Depart by KTX back to Seoul (~2 hr 30 min) or fly from Gimhae Airport; compare options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional Seoul add-ons if you extend:

• Full-day Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour for hanbok photos in palace courtyards.

Where to eat and drink—Seoul highlights to plug into your days:

• Gwangjang Market: bindaetteok, mayak gimbap, knife-cut kalguksu at “Yukgaejang Kalguksu” stalls.
• Ikseon-dong: Hanok-lined alleys with modern Korean at Tteuran and dessert cafés serving matcha roll cakes.
• Hongdae: Korean fried chicken at Kkanbu or BBQ at Mapo Galmaegi; live music bars on Hongik-ro.

Transit and money tips: Load a T-money card for subways and buses; taxis are affordable and ubiquitous. Most venues accept cards; keep small cash for street snacks. Subways run roughly 5:30am–midnight; the KTX is punctual and easy to navigate with English signage.

Summary: In a week you’ll trace Korea’s story from palace gates to the DMZ, then unwind by the sea in Busan. Expect a rewarding mix of heritage, markets, mountain-fringed coasts, and meals you’ll dream about long after you’re home.