Seoul is a city of layers—royal capitals and neon skylines, Buddhist temples and K‑pop billboards, tea houses and cutting‑edge cafes. Founded as the Joseon Dynasty’s seat in 1394, it flourished around its Five Grand Palaces, now lovingly restored. Today, the Han River divides historic north from contemporary south, while neighborhoods like Bukchon, Ikseon‑dong, and Seongsu reveal a living gallery of past-meets-present.

Expect a feast for the senses. Steam curls from market stalls selling bindaetteok (mung-bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap; barbecue smoke perfumes alleys after dark; coffee culture rivals any global capital. The subway is clean and efficient, museums are world-class, and late-night energy hums seven days a week.

Practical notes: pick up a T‑money transit card, carry some cash (KRW) for markets, and pack for microclimates—winters are crisp, summers humid. DMZ tours can change with short notice; bring your passport and watch advisories. For flights to Seoul, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; if you’ll ride intercity trains, check Trip.com Trains.

Seoul

Seoul is a powerhouse of culture: Gyeongbokgung’s changing of the guard, the hanok lanes of Bukchon, contemporary icons like Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and the glow of N Seoul Tower atop Namsan. Cross the Han to Gangnam’s glossy malls, COEX’s Starfield Library, and Bongeunsa’s calm temple grounds.

Food is half the journey. Slurp kalguksu at Myeongdong Kyoja, sip matcha at Insadong’s traditional teahouses, then savor smoky galbi at Samwon Garden. Market-hop from Gwangjang’s savory pancakes to Namdaemun’s noodle alley, and end with bingsoo shaved ice or craft cocktails at “Asia’s 50 Best Bars” alumni like Charles H. or Le Chamber.

• Stay: Compare stays on Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO.
• Top picks (Seoul): The Shilla Seoul (heritage luxury and spa), Lotte Hotel World (family-friendly, attached to Lotte World), Hotel 8 Hours (value near City Hall), Hostel Haru (clean, social vibes by Jonggak).
• Getting in: From Incheon (ICN) to the city, budget ~45–75 minutes: AREX all-stop subway (~₩4,150), AREX Express (~₩9,500), or taxi (~₩55,000–₩75,000 + toll). Book flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Cheonggyecheon Stroll, and Namsan Views

Morning: Fly into Seoul. Compare fares and arrival times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; aim for an early afternoon touchdown at ICN.

Afternoon: Check in and reset. Grab a first coffee at Fritz Coffee Company (buttery croissants and nutty house roasts) or Terarosa (Korean specialty roaster). Stretch your legs along Cheonggyecheon Stream—lanterns glow at dusk and the gentle waterway slices through downtown.

Evening: Eat your way through Myeongdong street stalls: tornado potatoes, hotteok, and skewers. For a sit-down, Myeongdong Kyoja’s hand-cut kalguksu and mandu are legendary (since the 1960s). Ride the Namsan Cable Car and take in panoramic city lights from N Seoul Tower; time your visit for blue hour.

Day 2: Palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, and an Insider Walk

Morning: Start at Cafe Onion Anguk (a photogenic hanok bakery) before the palace crowds. Enter Gyeongbokgung for throne rooms, lotus ponds, and the changing-of-the-guard ceremony (check current times). Walk to the National Folk Museum, then amble north to Bukchon’s tiled-roof lanes.

Afternoon: Lunch on ginseng chicken soup at Tosokchon (rich, restorative) or a modern set at Hanok-style eateries in Samcheong-dong. Then meet a local for a custom city walk—perfect for hidden alleys, tiny galleries, and snack stops.

Seoul Highlights & Hidden Gems Tours by Locals: Private + Custom

Evening: Explore Ikseon‑dong’s lantern-lit alleys. Dine on dak hanmari (whole chicken hotpot) near Dongdaemun at Jinokhwa Halmae—garlicky broth, hand-torn noodles, and dipping sauces. Nightcap at Charles H. (Four Seasons; speakeasy classics) or Bar Cham (Korean ingredients in refined cocktails; reservations recommended).

Day 3: The DMZ—History on the Edge (Half‑Day Tour)

Join a morning excursion to the Korean Demilitarized Zone to understand the peninsula’s modern history. Expect Imjingak Park, Dora Observatory, and (when open) the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel; bring your passport and wear comfortable shoes. Most tours include hotel pickup and last ~6 hours, returning early afternoon—leaving time to decompress in the city.

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

Back in Seoul, treat yourself to market comfort food at Gwangjang Market—try crispy bindaetteok with makgeolli, soondae (blood sausage), and mayak gimbap. For dinner, consider Hanilkwan (old-school Korean cuisine) or barbecue at Baekjeong (buzzy, great marinated cuts).

Day 4: Gangnam Day—COEX, Bongeunsa, and Stylish Eats

Morning: Coffee at Blue Bottle Samseong or a fresh-pressed juice at Cafe Mamas. Wander Starfield Library’s soaring bookshelves inside COEX, then cross to Bongeunsa Temple—wooden pavilions and a serene statue amid skyscrapers.

Afternoon: Shop K‑beauty and fashion in Sinsa’s Garosu‑gil. Lunch at Woo Lae Oak (naengmyeon specialists) or noodle bowls at Myeongdong Gyoja’s Gangnam branch if you missed it. If you’re traveling with kids, pop into the COEX Aquarium.

Evening: Feast on premium galbi at Samwon Garden (since 1976; leafy courtyard) or go chef‑driven at Jungsik (modern Korean; book far ahead). Finish with cocktails at Le Chamber (bookcase door; creative classics) or live jazz at All That Jazz in Itaewon.

Day 5: Day Trip—Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and Rail Bike

Trade the city for forests and rivers. This full-day outing pairs tree‑lined Nami Island with the flower paths of the Garden of Morning Calm, plus a breezy pedal on the Gangchon Rail Bike along an old railway. Expect ~9–11 hours with early departure and evening return to Seoul.

Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Railbike Tour

Back in town, go casual with jokbal (braised pork hock) at Jangchung‑dong Jokbal Street or comforting dakgalbi at Chuncheonjip in Hongdae. Dessert: milk soft‑serve at Baekmidang or a towering bingsoo at Sulbing.

Day 6: Yeonnam–Hongdae Vibes, Han River, and Night Market Feast

Morning: Start in Yeonnam‑dong with coffee and scones at Cafe Layered or a pour‑over at Anthracite. Stroll the Gyeongui Line Forest Park (“Yeontral Park”) and browse KT&G Sangsangmadang’s indie design shops in Hongdae.

Afternoon: Build a lunchbox at Tongin Market: swap old‑style yeopjeon coins for bites of japchae, jeon, and kimchi, then eat in the communal hall. Rent a Ddareungi public bike and follow the Han River paths from Yeouido for skyline views and convenience-store picnic culture.

Evening: Dive into a guided tasting of Seoul’s best night bites—tteokbokki, hotteok, soondae, and more, with stories behind each stall.

Night Market Food Tour in Seoul

After the tour, sip something refined at Le Chamber if you’re near Cheongdam, or keep it casual with local craft beer at The Booth (pizza + pints) around Hongdae.

Day 7: Markets, Design, and Farewell

Morning: Head to Namdaemun Market. Start with knife‑cut noodles in “Kalguksu Alley” (vendors call out warmly) or try gomtang at Hadongkwan—clear, rich beef broth perfected over decades. Pick up last‑minute souvenirs and Korean kitchenware.

Afternoon: Swing by Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) for Zaha Hadid’s flowing lines and design shops, then return to your hotel to collect bags. Transfer to the airport via AREX or taxi; budget extra time for traffic and security.

Evening: In the air—or, if you’ve got an extra night, celebrate with a final barbecue at Maple Tree House (expertly trimmed cuts) and a stroll along Cheonggyecheon’s illuminated paths.

Where to Stay (Bookable Links)

• The Shilla Seoul — refined rooms, acclaimed spa, central for palaces and shopping.
• Lotte Hotel World — ideal for families, direct mall/park access in Jamsil.
• Hotel 8 Hours — minimalist, value-forward near City Hall and Deoksugung.
• Hostel Haru — friendly hub near Jongno; easy subway connections.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Seoul | VRBO: Seoul

Optional Add‑Ons (Swap Into Any Day)

• Full-day Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour

  

• Korean Cooking at Seoul Cooking Club

  

Seoul rewards curiosity: palaces and hanok lanes by day, sizzling grills and softly lit streams by night. With this 7‑day itinerary, you’ll taste, stroll, learn, and look back at city lights from Namsan and the Han—already plotting your return.