2 Days in Seoul: A Full Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
Read on for the best places to visit over 2 days in the South Korean capital!
2 days in Seoul may sound not enough time to see and do everything that this great city has to offer, but you’ll be surprised at just how much you can cram into 48 hours!
I was absolutely blown away during my trip to Seoul; it has such an interesting balance between beautiful historical sites and awesome vibrant energy, not to mention the food!
I’ve put together this itinerary to show you all the must-see attractions, hidden gems, and mouth-watering delicacies, ensuring you make the most of your time in Seoul.
⌚ In a rush? My Tour Recommendations for Seoul:
✅ Bukchon Hanok Village Walking Tour
✅ Seoul Tasting Tour of Myeongdong
🏨 My Hotel Recommendations for Seoul:
⭐ Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
⭐ Hotel The Designers Hongdae
Day 1 Seoul Itinerary
Seoul has so much to offer that it’s challenging to know where to visit and what to see first.
I think it’s always a good idea learn about a city’s history at the start of a trip, so let’s see some of the cultural and historical highlights that Seoul has to offer:
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village
I started my own Seoul adventure with a trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace. This is arguably the most impressive palace in all of Seoul and a perfect way to start exploring the city.
👉 Pro Tip: Time your visit to the palace by seeing the changing of the guards ceremony, which takes place at the main gate, Gwanghwamun, at 10:00 AM.
It’s worth spending at least 1-2 hours at this palace, it’s the perfect spot to take several photos and to explore all of the vast palace grounds. The historical architecture on show is simply stunning!
After immersing yourself in all that Gyeongbokgung Palace has to offer, it’s relatively easy to walk on over to to the nearby Bukchon Hanok Village, which is only a few minutes walk away.
This is a charming neighbourhood that boasts a collection of traditional Korean hanoks (wooden houses) that have been preserved and restored.
Walking through this area made me feel like I had stepped back in time in this historic village, having just walked through the busy city streets of Seoul.
The village has lots of narrow alleys where you can take in the picturesque architecture and tranquil atmosphere, which is again in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.
I would advise spending at least 1-2 hours at the village, or more if you want to participate in one of the many activities available here.
➡️ Explore the beautiful Bukchon Hanok Village
Book a ticket for a Bukchon Hanok Village walking tour here
Insadong and Traditional Korean Cuisine
Insadong is a really good option for lunch. This is a vibrant street filled with galleries, tea houses, and souvenir shops.
You can find plenty of classic Korean dishes here like bibimbap (Korean rice bowl), bulgogi (grilled beef) or kimchi jjigae (a kimchi stew) at one of the many local restaurants.
To be honest, my favourite aspect about Seoul was the amount of excellent restaurants there is! And the food is so good, some of the best I’ve ever tried whilst travelling and it can be relatively inexpensive to eat out as well.
I’ll never forget how amazed I was at the sheer amount of side dishes that would fill my table at every restaurant I visited – it was foodie heaven!
National Museum of Korea
There are a lot of amazing museums to visit when in Seoul, but if you time for just one then I would recommend exploring the National Museum of Korea, one of the most extensive museums in the whole of Asia.
This museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts and exhibits spanning Korean history, art, and culture that you can spend at least a few hours exploring and appreciating.
N Seoul Tower
I also strongly recommend heading over to N Seoul Tower (also known as Namsan Tower), an iconic landmark offering breath taking views of Seoul.
This is one of the most must-visit places if you want to see an amazing panorama of this enthralling city.
You can reach the tower by a leisurely hike or take the cable car for a more relaxed experience. I chose to walk there which was slightly exhausting but it was worth it!
👉 Pro Tip: Time your visit to N Seoul Tower at sunset if you want a really spectacular viewing of the city. Watching the city’s lights come on as daylight fades is an unforgettable sight to witness.
Myeongdong Shopping Street and Street Food Delights
No visit to Seoul is complete without experiencing the bustling shopping district of Myeongdong.
As well as the numerous fashion boutiques, cosmetic shops, and trendy stores, it is also home to awesome street food which is definitely worth trying if you’re a foodie like me.
I spent a lovely evening here sampling as many food snacks as I could afford and loved every minute of it! Some of my favourite Korean foods that you can try here include:
- Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
- Hotteok (sweet pancakes – my favourite!)
- Odeng (fish cake skewers)
Some people are put off by Korean food (especially snacks at food stalls) because they look so different and frankly weird compared to what we’re used to in the West.
But you just have to be adventurous and give everything a try – I can’t promise you’ll like everything you taste but it’s better than not trying at all and missing out!
Street food is one of the best aspects when it comes to discovering Seoul, especially at Myeongdong as it’s relatively cheap here.
I was very tempted to spend all evening purchasing snacks from different vendors; it’s a good cheap alternative to eating at a restaurant.
➡️ Go on an amazing Seoul Tasting Tour of Myeongdong!
Book a ticket hassle free by clicking here
Day 2 Seoul Itinerary
Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its exquisite architecture and beautiful gardens is the perfect start to day 2 in Seoul.
It is possible to take a guided tour of the Secret Garden (Huwon), a serene oasis that showcases traditional Korean landscaping.
I was taken aback by the beauty and peacefulness of the buildings on show and the surrounding areas, and it is ideal to visit during a morning.
Tickets to the palace and gardens are super cheap, literally just a couple of dollars!
If you visit the secret gardens as well then this has to be done as part of a guided tour, which again is very cheap and a great way to learn all about this fascinating place.
Lunch: Korean Barbecue Experience
For an authentic culinary experience, you should most definitely experience a typical Korean barbecue meal. Korean barbecue is such a unique experience and is honestly different from most other international cuisines.
As a vegetarian I was a little worried about food options in Seoul prior to my trip, but had no issues at all (although at times I was a little limited with my options).
I loved the interactive and social aspect of sharing that Korean meals provide and it is a really fun, memorable experience.
Korean barbecue restaurants are everywhere in Seoul and are super popular! It’s possible to find a lot of cheap barbecue restaurants on the outskirts of major districts.
I visited both cheap restaurants and more expensive restaurants, which are common in areas such as Itaewon. To be honest I preferred the cheaper places which felt more authentic.
At a typical Korean barbecue restaurant the waiter/waitress will do most of the cooking in front of you. They place various meats, seafood or vegetables over the barbecue coals while you watch on, making it a really special dining experience!
Explore Gangnam District and COEX Mall
In the afternoon, head to Gangnam, the trendy and upscale district where you can explore glitzy boutiques, modern architecture, and chic cafes.
For shopping, I recommend visiting the COEX Mall, one of the largest underground shopping malls in Asia. I visited this mall and was blown away by its’ sheer size and scale!
Han River Cruise and Hongdae Nightlife
Another perfect spot to enjoy a Seoul sunset is the famous Han River. It’s popular to take a cruise on the river, which offers another unique perspective on Seoul’s modern skyline and bridges, especially as night falls.
And to conclude a 2 day trip to the capital, I would suggest a visit to the vibrant and lively Hongdae district. Known for its youthful energy, Hongdae is home to numerous clubs, bars, and live music venues.
Hongdae is one of the best neighbourhoods in Seoul to visit in my opinion. It is a very hip area full of young students as there are a couple of well known Universities in the area.
There are always a lot of street performers, singers and musicians on the streets of Hongdae who can draw large crowds, which makes for an electric atmosphere!
I spent my first night in Seoul in the Hongdae area and really loved it! There are so many cool bars and restaurants to choose from, and there was a lovely relaxed vibe about the place. It soon became one of my favourite areas of Seoul.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Street Market
Alternatively, as evening sets in you could visit Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), another impressive architectural wonder.
This landmark hosts various exhibitions and events and is an awesome sight to admire. Dongdaemun also features a lot of bustling street markets which are well worth visiting too.
Where To Stay In Seoul
There are a lot of options when it comes to accommodation in Seoul! Your choice may be limited by your budget as hotels can get quite pricey, so here are a couple of options that I wholly recommend considering:
⭐Budget recommendation: Hotel The Designers Hongdae – I stayed at this hotel during my stay in Seoul and it was very nice! Good location, nice friendly staff with an easy check in.
⭐Mid-range recommendation: Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae – I also stayed at this hotel and it was fantastic! Lovely room, great central location, great view of Hongdae and the breakfast buffet is a must!
Seoul FAQs
Still unsure about spending 2 days in Seoul? Let’s answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this fascinating city:
Is Seoul expensive?
Yes, Seoul can be relatively expensive as it is the capital of South Korea and is therefore costlier than other cities such as Busan.
In particular, hotel accommodation can be quite pricey and restaurants in certain areas of the city such as Gangnam and Itaewon are not cheap.
However, when it comes to food there’s a lot of places to eat out at which are cheap and popular with locals. Especially street food, where you can have a lot of delicious meals at inexpensive prices.
Is Seoul safe to visit?
Yes, Seoul and South Korea is recognised as a safe city and country to visit for all types of travellers, whether you’re male/female and/or solo travelling to the capital.
I felt completely safe walking the streets alone at night – most areas are super busy with lots of crowds – but of course crime does occur here just like anywhere else, so keep your wits about you!
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
That’s a great question and not easy to answer! I visited Seoul in June and weather wise it was perfect for me.
However, this is usually the start of the rainy season and June/July/August are usually the wettest months of the year.
Spring and autumn months are always good options as you’ll be travelling during the off peak season, and flight tickets and accommodation are likely to be lower in cost.
Winter however can be particularly cold, with sub zero temperatures a common occurrence in Seoul, so be sure to wrap up warm!
Conclusion: 2 Days in Seoul Itinerary
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my 2 day itinerary for one of the most interesting capital cities in the world!
I was so impressed with Seoul that it quickly became not only one of my favourite cities in Asia but the whole world to be absolutely honest with you.
From awe-inspiring palaces and picturesque hanok villages to vibrant food markets and more, Seoul undoubtedly left an indelible mark on my travel memories and I’m sure it will for you too!
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts on Seoul:
➡️ Seoul In One Day: The Ultimate Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
➡️ Seoul vs Busan: Which South Korean City Is Better For Tourists?
➡️ BEST Food Tour in Seoul, South Korea 2025: The Ultimate Foodie Guide!
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➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
