Seoul is a city where a 15th-century palace peeks over the shoulder of a neon skyline. Founded in 1394 as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, it’s now a hub of K‑pop, design, and high-speed convenience—yet you can still hear wooden temple bells in the morning and sizzling BBQ at night. This 7-day itinerary stitches together royal history, neighborhood cafés, markets, and river life with enough downtime to actually savor it.

Expect a culinary playground: smoky bulgogi and galbi, market classics like bindaetteok and mayak gimbap, and new-wave desserts in hanok cafés. Transit is swift and intuitive; a T‑money card will whisk you from palaces to parks for under a couple of dollars a ride. Pack comfortable shoes—Seoul rewards walkers—and a small tote for spontaneous market hauls.

Practical notes: Bring your passport for the DMZ. Many museums and palaces observe Tuesday closures (schedules shift seasonally), and cash is handy at traditional markets though cards are widely accepted. Spring and fall are mild; summers are humid; winters are crisp and clear—each season casts its own mood on the city’s hanok roofs and river banks.

Seoul

Seoul dazzles with contrasts: Gyeongbokgung Palace and the presidential Blue House grounds, cutting-edge COEX and the Starfield Library, indie lanes in Yeonnam/Hongdae, designer flagships in Cheongdam, and the calm sweep of the Han River. By night, the city hums—from Namsan’s lookout to lively food alleys in Euljiro.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Bongeunsa, Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World Tower/Seoul Sky, Cheonggyecheon, Seoullo 7017, Han River parks.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Insadong and Ikseon‑dong (teahouses and hanok cafés), Hongdae/Yeonnam (street art, brunch), Seongsu (industrial-chic cafés, craft beer), Gangnam/Cheongdam (shopping, temples), Seochon (galleries and bars).
• Food to hunt down: Korean BBQ (beef galbi, pork belly), samgyetang, naengmyeon, tteokbokki, bindaetteok, ganjang gejang (soy-marinated crab), and sugary hotteok from street carts.

Where to stay: Base yourself near a subway hub. Myeongdong/City Hall (great for first-timers), Insadong/Bukchon (hanok vibes), Hongdae (young and lively), or Gangnam (sleek and connected). Browse stays on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com. Names to consider: The Shilla Seoul (classic service), Four Seasons Seoul (design-forward, stellar bar), Signiel Seoul (sky-high views), Lotte Hotel Seoul (central), Ryse Autograph Collection (Hongdae), Hotel28 Myeongdong (boutique), Nine Tree Myeongdong (value).

How to get there & around: Compare flights to Seoul on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Incheon Airport, take the AREX All-Stop train (56 min, ~₩4,150) or Express (43 min, ~₩9,500) to Seoul Station. In-city rides are ₩1,400–₩1,650 with a T‑money card. For intercity rails or day-trip trains in Korea, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Myeongdong Flavors, and Namsan Night Views

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a short walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream. Coffee break at Fritz Coffee (City Hall branch) for a butter-scented croissant and a balanced house blend—local favorite for a reason.

Evening: Dive into dinner at Myeongdong Kyoja—order kalguksu (hand-cut chicken broth noodles) and plump mandu (dumplings). Snack your way through Myeongdong’s street stalls (griddled hotteok, skewered fish cake, tornado potatoes), then ride the cable car up to N Seoul Tower for glittering views.

Night: Cap the night with a refined cocktail at Charles H. (inside Four Seasons): Korean-inflected classics in a speakeasy setting. If you’d rather keep it casual, try a convenience-store chimaek (fried chicken + beer) back by the stream—pure Seoul.

Day 2: Royal Seoul, Hanok Alleys, and Tea

Morning: Head to Gyeongbokgung for the changing of the guard (typically 10:00 and 14:00; arrive 20 minutes early). Renting a hanbok nearby grants free palace entry and photogenic moments. Coffee at Café Onion Anguk, a hanok café serving nutty scones and excellent pour-overs.

Afternoon: Wander Bukchon Hanok Village, detouring into artisan workshops. Continue to Jogyesa Temple to admire its ancient ginkgo. Tea time in Insadong at O’sulloc Tea House (green tea roll cake) or Shin Old Tea House (floor cushions, rustic cups).

Evening: For dinner, try Tosokchon Samgyetang (near Gyeongbokgung)—ginseng chicken soup with sticky rice and jujubes. Alternatively, hop to Dongdaemun for Jinokhwa Halmae Dakhanmari, a whole-chicken hotpot you customize with chili, garlic, and soy; finish with noodles in the broth. End with a night stroll past Dongdaemun Design Plaza’s curves.

Day 3: Temples and Design in Gangnam

Morning: Start at Bongeunsa Temple, a serene pocket amid skyscrapers. Cross to COEX for the photogenic Starfield Library and a quick espresso. If you’re hungry, grab an egg sandwich from Egg Drop to-go.

Afternoon: Lunch on buckwheat noodles and grilled short ribs at Bongpiyang (their Pyeongyang naengmyeon is clean and addictive). Walk the Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, then browse Garosu-gil boutiques. Doughnut dessert at Café Knotted (the vanilla bean is a city classic).

Evening: Choose your feast: a modern Korean tasting at Mingles or Jungsik (reserve ahead), or sizzling BBQ at Maple Tree House (good marbling, efficient ventilation). Sip whimsical, polished cocktails underground at Alice Cheongdam.

Day 4: Yeonnam Brunch, Hongdae Energy, and Seongsu After Dark

Morning: Stroll the leafy Gyeongui Line Forest Park. Brunch at Thanks, Oat (granola bowls, yogurt, and seasonal fruit) and a serious espresso at Coffee Libre Yeonnam (single-origin stalwart of the Seoul scene).

Afternoon: Explore Hongdae: indie shops, buskers, and street art. Duck into Mangwon Market for a casual lunch—try bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake), crispy croquettes, and sticky-sweet yakgwa. Pick up cute ceramics or stationery in Yeonnam’s design stores.

Evening: Hop to Seongsu, the “Brooklyn of Seoul.” Sunset coffee at Café Onion Seongsu inside a retro factory. Dinner at Hanam Pig House (Seongsu) grilling thick-cut pork belly, then flights at Amazing Brewing Company Seongsu—Korean craft beer from pils to IPA.

Day 5: DMZ Morning, Han River Afternoon, Seafood Night

Morning: Join a guided DMZ half-day tour (typical pickup ~07:30–08:00; ~5–6 hours, ~US$55–75). Stops often include Imjingak Park, the Dora Observatory, and the Third Infiltration Tunnel. Bring your passport; itineraries vary with military advisories.

Afternoon: Back in the city, rent bikes at Yeouido Hangang Park (₩3,000–₩5,000/hr). Locals picnic with convenience-store ramyeon cooked on-site and kimbap; do the same and watch the skyline flare into gold.

Evening: Feast at Noryangjin Fish Market: pick live seafood (king crab, clams, halibut), then take it to an upstairs restaurant for steaming, sashimi, or chili stir-fries (prep/cooking fee ~₩10,000–₩20,000 per person). If time allows, board an evening Han River cruise from Yeouido for city lights on the water.

Day 6: Markets, Modern Boulevards, and Retro Alleys

Morning: Start at Gwangjang Market for breakfast: mayak gimbap (addictive mini seaweed rolls) and crackly bindaetteok fried to order. Coffee at Coffee Hanyakbang in Euljiro, a cozy, old-apothecary-style café with skillful hand-drip.

Afternoon: Walk Cheonggyecheon east to west, then climb onto Seoullo 7017, the elevated garden linking neighborhoods around Seoul Station. Lunch near City Hall at Hadongkwan, a 1930s institution serving rich, clear beef soup (gukbap) with rice.

Evening: Crave something bold? Head to Jangchung-dong Jokbal Alley for glossy soy-braised pig’s trotters—look for long lines and warm garlic aromas (try Jinju Jokbal or a busy neighbor). Finish with a cold beer in Euljiro Nogari Alley, snacking on dried pollack grilled tableside.

Day 7: Bukhansan Peaks, Spa Time, and a Grand BBQ Farewell

Morning: Hike Bukhansan National Park to Baegundae Peak (plan 3–5 hours round-trip; moderate effort, granite scrambles near the top). Bring water and snacks—grab kimbap from a local Gimbap Cheonguk on the way. Buses or subway + short taxi reach trailheads in ~45–60 minutes from central Seoul.

Afternoon: Reward yourself with a jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse) session—hot/cold baths, saunas, and nap rooms. Options include Siloam Sauna near Seoul Station (popular, mixed-gender common areas with separate baths) or Spa Lei in Sinsa (women only). Etiquette: shower before soaking; tubs are nude in gendered areas.

Evening: Farewell dinner at Daedo Sikdang (Euljiro), legendary for marbled sirloin grilled over charcoal and finished with beef-tallow fried rice in the pan. Alternatives: Woo Lae Oak for pristine Pyeongyang-style cold noodles. Raise a final glass at Bar Cham in Seochon—Korean ingredients, intimate mood, and bartenders who love a conversation.

Getting between activities: Most days are built around one or two neighborhoods to minimize transit. Subways run every 3–6 minutes; typical rides are 10–25 minutes and under ₩1,650. Taxis are plentiful and affordable off-peak (card-friendly; late-night surcharges apply).

Book transport and stays: Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, trains on Trip.com Trains, and stays via VRBO or Hotels.com.

Seven days in Seoul reveals a city that respects its roots while sprinting toward the future—palace gates by day, river breezes at dusk, and neon reflections by night. With this itinerary’s balance of history, food, and neighborhood wandering, you’ll leave knowing not just where Seoul is—but how it feels.