Seoul is a city where a 14th‑century palace meets a K‑pop billboard—and both feel perfectly at home. Once the heart of the Joseon Dynasty, the capital has reinvented itself into a fast-moving, design-savvy metropolis that still keeps tradition close: royal palaces, hanok lanes, and temple cuisine thrive alongside indie music, concept stores, and futurist architecture.

Expect days that swing from quiet courtyards and tea houses to late-night street food and neon-lit viewpoints. Top sights include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, and COEX, while neighborhoods like Ikseon-dong, Seongsu, and Hongdae deliver cafes, galleries, and nightlife. Food is a headline act: smoky Korean BBQ, market classics at Gwangjang, and seasonal temple fare are all on the menu.

Practical notes: the subway is clean, safe, and intuitive; pick up a T-money card at the airport. Spring and autumn are ideal (cherry blossoms and golden ginkgo), summer is humid, and winter is crisp with clear skies. Check palace closure days (e.g., Gyeongbokgung is usually closed Tuesdays) and whether you need K‑ETA or a visa before you fly.

Seoul

Seoul’s rhythm is addictive. Morning hikers crest mountains, office workers power-lunch on bubbling stews, and friends picnic at the Han River by sunset. It’s a place of contrasts: hanbok silhouettes in palace courtyards, next-gen tech stores in Gangnam, and artisan roasters tucked into hanok alleys.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsan Park & N Seoul Tower, Bongeunsa Temple, COEX Starfield Library.
• Neighborhoods to know: Insadong for crafts and tea, Ikseon-dong for hanok dining, Seongsu for cafes and concept shops, Hongdae/Yeonnam for indie vibes.
• What to eat: Galbi and samgyeopsal (BBQ), mandu and kalguksu, bindaetteok and mayak gimbap, samgyetang, tteokbokki, and seasonal temple cuisine.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Shilla Seoul (classic service, heritage-meets-modernity): Book on Hotels.com
• Lotte Hotel World (family-friendly, Jamsil/Lotte World Tower access): Book on Hotels.com
• Hostel Haru (clean, social, central Jongno): Book on Hotels.com
• Hotel 8 Hours (value stay near City Hall/Myeongdong): Book on Hotels.com
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Seoul | VRBO Seoul

Getting there & around:

• Compare flights to Incheon (ICN) or Gimpo (GMP): Trip.com flights | Kiwi.com flights (typical nonstops: 11–14 hrs from the US West Coast, 13–16 hrs from the East Coast with 1 stop; fares vary by season).
• Coming from or to Europe? Cross-check deals on Omio flights.
• Trains within Korea (e.g., ITX/KTX if you extend to Suwon/Busan later): Trip.com trains.
• Airport to city: AREX Express to Seoul Station (~43 min) or All-Stop train (~55 min); taxis take ~60–80 min depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Cheonggyecheon Stroll, and Namsan Night View

Afternoon: Land in Seoul and check into your hotel. Shake off the flight with a gentle walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream, the restored urban waterway threading under footbridges and lanterns. Grab a sweet taiyaki (bungeoppang) or hodu-gwaja (walnut cakes) from a street cart as you go.

Evening: Head to Myeongdong for a first taste of Seoul: slurp knife-cut noodles and bite into chive dumplings at Myeongdong Kyoja, then snack your way through night stalls—griddled tteokbokki, skewered fish cakes, and torched lobster tails are crowd favorites. Ride the cable car up Namsan for the N Seoul Tower night panorama; time it for blue hour to watch the city light up.

Day 2: Royal Seoul, Hanbok Moments, and Tea Houses

Morning: Join a private city highlights experience to cover the essentials efficiently and with context.

Full-day Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour

This flexible tour typically weaves through Gyeongbokgung Palace (don’t miss the guard-changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate), Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong. Rent a hanbok for photos—wearing one often grants free palace entry.

Afternoon: Settle into a slow lunch of temple cuisine at Balwoo Gongyang near Jogyesa (reserve ahead; delicate seasonal banchan showcases Buddhist culinary traditions). Sip post-lunch matcha at a hanok cafe like Onion Anguk with its photogenic pandoro pastry.

Evening: Wander Ikseon-dong’s lantern-lit alleys. For dinner, try charcoal-grilled bulgogi at a cozy hanok spot or head to Nakwon-dong for hearty stews. Cap the night with a traditional tea flight at O’sulloc Tea House Insadong or a craft cocktail at the speakeasy-style Le Chamber in Cheongdam if you want something swish.

Day 3: DMZ Context and Hongdae Indie Night

Morning: Delve into modern history at the border.

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

With hotel pickup, you’ll typically see the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Imjingak, and learn the human stories behind the headlines. Most morning tours return early afternoon.

Afternoon: Back in the city, reflect at the War Memorial of Korea (excellent galleries and outdoor exhibits). Coffee in Yeonnam-dong at Anthracite or Fritz Coffee (buttery croissants, top-tier beans).

Evening: Explore Hongdae: start with smoky pork belly at Maple Tree House or Baekjeong, then browse buskers and indie shops along the walking streets. For craft beer, drop into Mikkeller Seoul or a local taproom; for live music, look for small venues around Hongdae Playground.

Day 4: Seongsu’s Cool Cafes, Seoul Forest, and Gangnam Icons

Morning: Head to Seongsu-dong, Seoul’s “Brooklyn.” Brunch at Cafe Onion Seongsu inside a former factory; nearby concept stores and sneaker ateliers show off Seoul’s design scene. Stroll Seoul Forest for a breath of green.

Afternoon: Subway to COEX: wander the photogenic Starfield Library and cross to serene Bongeunsa Temple—a quiet counterpoint to the mall’s buzz. If you’re into aquariums, COEX Aquarium is one of the city’s largest.

Evening: Dinner in Gangnam: book a table at Michelin-starred Mingles for modern Korean tasting menus, or opt for Yang Good (popular halal BBQ). Nightcap at whimsical Alice Cheongdam or classic hotel bar Charles H. (Four Seasons)—both among Asia’s top cocktail spots.

Day 5: Mountain Trails, Jjimjilbang, and Market Feast

Morning: Hike an accessible trail in Bukhansan National Park (Baegundae is the highest, but even shorter routes deliver granite peaks and city views). Pack layers and start early; trails are well-marked and popular with locals.

Afternoon: Recover at a Korean bathhouse. Dragon Hill Spa in Yongsan offers multiple saunas, hot/cold pools, and jjimjilbang rooms—perfect for a post-hike soak. Refuel with market snacks or a simple gomtang (beef soup) nearby.

Evening: Dive into Gwangjang Market: try crispy bindaetteok (mung-bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, and knife-cut kalguksu noodles at storied stalls. Or join a guided tasting to find the best vendors and stories.

Night Market Food Tour in Seoul

Day 6: Secret Garden, Crafts, and a Hanok Cooking Class

Morning: Tour Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden (Huwon)—a masterpiece of Joseon landscaping with pavilions, lotus ponds, and maple groves. Tickets for the garden are timed; book ahead if possible.

Afternoon: Browse Insadong for calligraphy supplies, ceramics, and hanji paper. Lunch on samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) at Tosokchon near Gyeongbokgung, or sample vegan temple bowls if you missed Balwoo earlier.

Evening: Learn to cook in a century-old hanok—an intimate way to bring Seoul’s flavors home.

Royal Seoul Cooking Class in a 100-Year-Old Hanok

Expect hands-on prep of staples like japchae or bulgogi, insights into pantry ingredients, and a communal meal. It’s cultural immersion you can taste.

Day 7: Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm (Day Trip)

Morning: Take the ITX‑Cheongchun from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni to Gapyeong Station (~60–75 min; bookable via Trip.com trains). Hop the Gapyeong tourist shuttle to Nami Island (ferry every few minutes). Stroll tree-lined avenues and riverside art installations; in fall, ginkgoes glow gold.

Afternoon: Continue to the Garden of Morning Calm (~20–30 min by shuttle). Meander themed gardens and photogenic footbridges; in winter, evening lights transform the grounds into a fairytale. If time allows, ride the Gangchon Rail Park rail bikes (book ahead; fun for couples and families).

Evening: Return to Seoul for dinner near Jamsil: sample soy-marinated crab (ganjang gejang) with warm rice, or tuck into dakgalbi—Chuncheon’s spicy stir-fried chicken—as a thematic finish to the day. Consider a quick spin up Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower if you still crave a night view.

Day 8: Last Sips and Souvenirs

Morning: Brunch in Yeonnam or Hapjeong—try Anthracite for smoky, single-origin pours and a bakery case that merits seconds. Pick up final gifts: Jeju green tea, artisanal gochujang, pretty chopsticks, or ceramic cups.

Afternoon: Quick sweep through Namdaemun Market for kitchenware and snacks, then transfer to the airport. If you’re flying later, snack on bingsu (shaved ice) or a last bowl of jjajangmyeon before you go—Seoul loves a proper send-off.

Optional Add-Ons and Smart Swaps

• Swap in a river day: Rent bikes at Yeouido Hangang Park; sunset picnics are a local ritual. Fried chicken delivery to the park is a fun novelty.
• If palaces are closed on your Day 2 or 6, visit Deoksugung and its stone-wall road, then the excellent Seoul Museum of Art nearby.
• Shop-savvy: Beauty hauls in Myeongdong, fashion in Hongdae, design goods in Seongsu, crafts in Insadong.

Another Great Tour Option (if you want a one-and-done city overview)

Best Seoul City Tour (Gyeongbokgung Palace,Insadong,Namsan Tower)

If your schedule shifts, this guided day hits the classics efficiently; consider it a flexible swap for Day 2. Note: If you book this, you can explore Bukchon/Ikseon independently later the same evening.

Estimated daily costs (per person, excluding flights): Transit $6–10, coffee/snacks $8–15, lunch $10–25, dinner $15–40 (BBQ more), attractions/tours vary (DMZ ~$50–80; cooking class ~$60–120; observation decks ~$10–20).

Booking quick links for this itinerary:

• Hotels: Hotels.com Seoul | VRBO Seoul
• Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com | From/to Europe: Omio
• Trains (ITX/KTX within Korea): Trip.com trains

Viator experiences featured:

• Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour
• Best DMZ Tour from Seoul
• Night Market Food Tour in Seoul
• Royal Seoul Cooking Class in a Hanok

In eight days, you’ll trace Seoul’s arc from royal courts to K‑culture capital, taste your way through time-honored markets, and meet locals over grills, tea, and shared tables. Expect to leave with a camera roll of cityscapes and a head full of flavors—and plans to return for the corners you didn’t get to this time.