Seoul is a city of thrilling contrasts: a capital where 14th‑century palaces meet hyper-modern towers, and quiet hanok alleys taper into the glow of late-night markets. Once the heart of the Joseon dynasty, today’s Seoul is a cultural engine fueling K‑pop, street fashion, and boundary-pushing cuisine. In one week you can trace royal footpaths, feast like a local, and still slip away to rivers, gardens, and the storied DMZ.

Expect a city that stays up late. Breakfast blends into coffee culture, and dinner often unfolds as a barbecue feast with sizzling marinated meats and banchan that never seem to end. Subways are spotless and fast, tap-to-pay is ubiquitous, and convenience stores are miniature culinary adventures.

Practical notes: buy a T‑money card for transit, carry your passport for DMZ tours, and remember that palaces have weekly closures (Gyeongbokgung is typically closed Tuesdays). Tipping isn’t customary, but gratitude is. This 7-day Seoul itinerary balances headline sights with hidden local gems, plus two day trips that show a gentler side of Korea beyond the skyline.

Seoul

Seoul is best met on foot and by subway: start with royal Seoul in Jongno, pivot to fashion-forward Myeongdong, then cross the river for Gangnam’s glossy malls and Bongeunsa’s temple calm. Between palaces and pagodas, you’ll find markets teeming with gimbap, tteokbokki, and hotteok, and cafés that treat coffee like a ceremony.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple, Insadong’s craft lanes, N Seoul Tower, COEX & Starfield Library, Bongeunsa, Cheonggyecheon Stream.
• Food & nightlife: Gwangjang Market (bindaetteok, mayak gimbap), Myeongdong street food, Korean BBQ districts in Jongno/Mapo/Gangnam, cocktail temples like Charles H, and live music in Hongdae.
• Fun facts: Seoul’s Joseon palaces align on feng shui principles between mountain and river; the Han River parks are locals’ favorite sunset ritual, often paired with fried chicken and beer.

Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO):

• Luxury: The Shilla Seoul — a Seoul icon with a serene urban spa, impeccable service, and a central yet garden-like setting.
• Family-friendly: Lotte Hotel World — direct access to Lotte World Adventure and Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower.
• Stylish budget: Hostel Haru (Jongno) or Hotel 8 Hours (City Hall) for clean design and walkable sightseeing.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Seoul | VRBO – Seoul

How to get there and around:

• Flights: compare fares to Incheon (ICN) and Gimpo (GMP) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. AREX Express to Seoul Station takes ~43 minutes.
• Trains (within Korea): use Trip.com Trains for KTX/SRT if you extend to Busan, Gyeongju, or Daejeon.

Day 1 — First Tastes of Seoul: Hanok Alleys and Streamside Strolls

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk through Ikseon-dong, a warren of 1920s hanok reinvented as tiny dessert bars and indie boutiques. Grab a coffee at Café Onion Anguk and try the powdered-sugar “pandoro,” then browse pottery and stationery shops on nearby Insadong-gil.

Evening: Dinner in Jongno: book Maple Tree House Samcheong for marinated galbi and charcoal grill theatrics, or share the beloved Dongdaemun classic Jinokhwa Halmae Dakhanmari—a whole chicken hotpot with hand-cut noodles and garlic-chili dipping sauce. Finish with a stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream, then admire the Zaha Hadid–designed curves of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) glowing at night.

Day 2 — Royal Seoul: Palaces, Bukchon, and Skyline Sunsets

Morning: Enter the Joseon world at Gyeongbokgung Palace (check closures; usually closed Tuesdays). Time your visit for the royal guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate. Nearby, the National Folk Museum demystifies everyday life under the dynasty. Breakfast bites: Layered Bukchon for British-style scones and drip coffee.

Afternoon: Wander Bukchon Hanok Village’s scenic lanes toward Jogyesa Temple. Pause for a therapeutic tea at Tea Therapy Bukchon, where blends are tailored to how you feel. Shop for brushes, hanji paper, and ceramics in Insadong; this is the place to pick up artisan souvenirs.

Evening: Ride the cable car or hike to N Seoul Tower on Namsan for sunset over a sea of lights. Dine at modern-Korean standouts: Mingles (progressive tasting menu) or Onjium (heritage recipes refined to art—book far ahead). Casual alternative: Hwangsaengga Kalguksu for silky knife-cut noodles and mandu.

Optional guided experience: Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up)

Day 3 — River to Temple: COEX, Starfield Library, and Gangnam Flavors

Morning: Start in Samseong at the photogenic Starfield Library inside COEX—two stories of open stacks beneath a skylight. Cross the street to tranquil Bongeunsa Temple for towering buddhas and swishing prayer lanterns. Brunch at Café Mamas (COEX) for fresh ricotta salads and pressed panini.

Afternoon: Explore Gangnam’s beauty boutiques and K‑fashion around Sinsa and Apgujeong. Duck into Garosu-gil for design-forward cafés. For lunch, try 24-hour chain Saemaeul Sikdang—thin-cut pork neck and spicy “7-minute kimchi jjigae”—or the COEX branch of Yeontabal for marbled beef grilled over charcoal.

Evening: Reserve a counter at two‑star Jungsik (Cheongdam) for elegant “New Korean.” For cocktails, Charles H (Four Seasons) crafts award-winning classics with Korean inflections; in Cheongdam, Le Chamber hides behind a bookshelf door—both require smart dress and often a reservation.

Day 4 — The DMZ: History on the Edge, Hongdae After Dark

Morning–Afternoon: Join a guided DMZ excursion to learn how the peninsula remains divided and step into border history—bring your passport and follow attire rules. Typical stops include the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Imjingak. Tours run ~6–7 hours round-trip depending on security conditions.

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

Evening: Back in the city, head to Hongdae for street buskers, indie shops, and casual bites. Try Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong for lively table-grilled BBQ and excellent banchan, then wander the Gyeongui Line Forest Park through Yeonnam. Dessert: Thanks, Oat for yogurt bowls and granola, or a hand-drip at Coffee Libre Yeonnam.

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

All day: Trade the city for tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, and a breezy railbike. This classic trio pairs fairytale‑pretty Nami Island with the Garden of Morning Calm, plus the Gangchon Railbike ride along old tracks. It’s great in any season—spring blossoms, summer green, fiery autumn, or twinkling winter lights.

Recommended tour: Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Railbike Tour

Evening (back in Seoul): Refuel in Myeongdong with street snacks—crispy tornado potato, hotteok stuffed with brown sugar and nuts, cheese buldak skewers. Sit down at the original Myeongdong Kyoja for steaming kalguksu, mandu, and kimchi with a spicy kick.

Day 6 — Design, Markets, and a Night of Street Food

Morning: Revisit DDP by day to see its design shops and exhibitions, then hunt vintage lighting and tool-turned-art in Euljiro, Seoul’s “hipster industrial” quarter. Coffee at a roastery hidden in a hardware alley is part of the fun.

Afternoon: Graze through Gwangjang Market: watch mung beans ground to batter for sizzling bindaetteok, sample sesame-oil brushed mayak gimbap, and try hand-cut knife noodles at Gohyang Kalguksu. For a meaty detour, head to Manjok Ohyang Jokbal near City Hall—silky, aromatic braised pork hocks served with shrimp sauce and lettuce wraps.

Evening: Join a small-group night market crawl to learn the stories behind tteokbokki, soondae, and makgeolli. It’s a delicious way to unlock dishes you might miss on your own.

Recommended tour: Night Market Food Tour in Seoul

Day 7 — Han River Morning and Departure

Morning: Enjoy a relaxed finale along the Han River at Yeouido. Rent a bike, or picnic with fried chicken and “chimaek” vibes while locals jog and fly kites. Coffee at Terarosa Yeouido in IFC for caramel-nutty single origins, then a quick last-minute shop at The Hyundai Seoul’s airy atriums.

Afternoon (departure): Aim for Incheon 3 hours ahead of your flight. The AREX Express runs non-stop to ICN; taxis take 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. Compare flights or make changes on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional: One more culture-forward city day (swap for any day above)

Morning: Put on a rented hanbok near Gyeongbokgung (admission is free in hanbok) for photos among palace courtyards. Snack on hotteok and yakgwa at a traditional sweets stall.

Afternoon: Explore Seochon’s artsy galleries and hanok cafés. Try Tongin Market’s lunchbox “yeopjeon” system to build a tray of japchae, jeon, and kimchi—playful and filling.

Evening: Watch city lights from Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil; walk Seokchon Lake if you like reflections and calm. Dinner at Jamsil Saenaebang for comforting soups or head back north for charcoal-grilled dakgalbi.

Tours You Can Book (featured in this itinerary)

• Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional) — Half-day history and panoramas.

  

• Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Railbike Tour — A beloved nature escape.

  

• Night Market Food Tour in Seoul — Guided tastings in the city’s favorite arena: the street.

  

• Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up) — A comprehensive intro to historic Seoul.

  

Booking pointers: The DMZ sometimes restricts access due to military conditions; tours may reroute or reschedule on short notice. Palaces and museums can close on specific weekdays—check ahead and swap days as needed. For flexibility on flight changes, keep an eye on fares and schedules via Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com.

Where to base yourself by interest: For first-time visitors, Jongno/Insadong puts you steps from palaces and markets; Myeongdong offers shopping and easy airport bus/subway access; Gangnam is ideal for families near COEX and Bongeunsa. If you’ll spend a day at Lotte attractions, Jamsil is convenient with Lotte Hotel World.

In one week, you’ll have seen royal courts, savored markets, biked riverside rails, and stood at the edge of modern history. Seoul rewards curiosity—let its cafés, alleyways, and river sunsets set the rhythm, and you’ll leave already plotting a return.