Seoul In One Day: The Ultimate Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
Find out how to spend one day in Seoul with my ultimate itinerary!
Seoul, the dynamic South Korean capital is such an overwhelming place that it’s hard to know what to do when visiting – especially in just one day!
I’ve been fortunate enough to explore this sprawling, lively place and absolutely fell in love with it’s people, history and charm.
One day is never enough time to see all of what any city has to offer, but it is possible to discover bustling food markets, beautiful palaces and try exceptional cuisine in just one day in the South Korean capital.
So I’ve curated this post with what I believe to be the ultimate itinerary for 24 in Seoul, ensuring you get to see the best highlights in arguably the most memorable city in the whole of Asia.
⌚ In a rush? My Top Seoul Tour Recommendations:
✅ Bukchon Hanok Village Walking Tour
✅ Stand Up Paddle Board and Kayak Activities in Han River
🏨 My Hotel Recommendations for Seoul:
⭐ OPPA Hostel Sinchon-Hongdae
⭐ Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
⭐ Andaz Seoul Gangnam
One Day In Seoul Itinerary
So without further ado, let’s dive into my ultimate itinerary for spending just one day in the fabulous city of Seoul:
Morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace
If you have time to visit just one of Seoul’s many beautiful palaces then it should most definitely be its most famous one; Gyeongbokgung Palace.
This is the perfect place to start your one day itinerary in Seoul and it one of the most impressive sites in the whole city too.
Based in the central area of the Jongno District, this cultural landmark dates back to the 12th century and was home to royalty during the Joseon dynasty.
The palace and the surrounding grounds are very elegant and impressive and it’s likely you’ll see several visitors dressed up in traditional hanbok garments.
This was my first stop on my first day in Seoul and I loved the beauty and splendour of the place. I recommend spending at least an hour minimum here to fully appreciate the historical charm of the palace and the gardens.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Just a short 15-20 minute ride away on the metro system (take line 1 and exit at stop Chunchumun) from this palace is another of Seoul’s cultural highlights; Bukchon Hanok village.
This famous village is a traditional neighbourhood in the heart of modern Seoul and is unlike anywhere else in the city.
With around 900 ancient homes known as ‘hanoks’, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and it’s the perfect place to escape modern fast paced life for a while.
It’s such a contrast to the rest of Seoul and I found it to be a truly peaceful and fascinating place, with so many alleyways to explore and houses to admire.
I discovered this village on my own accord but it is possible to go on a walking tour with a guide to learn more about the history of Seoul’s most ancient and unique neighbourhood.
➡️ Go on a Walking Tour of Bukchon Hanok Village
Book your ticket easily by clicking here
Lunch: Gwangjang Market
I highly recommend visiting one of the several food markets in Seoul for lunch if you want to experience a truly authentic and memorable place to try some delicious local cuisine.
I visited Gwangjang Market which is Seoul’s most famous food market. It is the largest and one of the oldest food markets in the entire country, dating back to 1905.
There are so many food stalls here where you can try some local cuisine and its the perfect spot for lunch. Expect lots of crowds and an overwhelming assault on your senses – but you’ll love it, especially if you’re a big foodie like me!
👉 Pro Tip: To reach Gwangjang Market, your best option is to get there by Seoul’s reliable subway system.
You can catch either a subway on Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga station and take either exit 8 or 9. Or you can take a subway on Line 2 or 5 and get off at Euljiro 4-ga station – the market is a short 10-15 minute from there.
Afternoon: Chill out at Han River
Han River is the huge river that snakes throughout Seoul and it has become a must visit place for locals as well as tourists.
There are so many fun water sport activities you can do on the river itself, such as kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, which makes for an adventurous afternoon activity.
Even if you have no experience in these activities then you can be catered for with beginner lessons. Afterwards you can chill out on one of the many parks alongside Han River to relax, enjoy the views and soak up the atmosphere.
➡️ Go Paddle Boarding and Kayaking on Han River!
Click here to book your ticket easily
Afternoon/Evening: N Seoul Tower
After checking out Han River, I recommend seeing Seoul from up on high from the iconic N Seoul Tower.
Seoul is such a vast metropolis that it’s hard to really get a grasp of the sheer size of the place. But from the observation deck of N Seoul Tower you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of this entire massive city.
I found the views at N Seoul Tower to be absolutely breath taking and gave me a better appreciation for the city and its modern urbanization – this is an absolute must when in Seoul.
👉 Pro Tip: I recommend timing your visit to N Seoul Tower during sunset if at all possible, which will make your experience all the more incredible and unforgettable (and romantic, if you’re in Seoul with your partner).
Evening: Hongdae
For your evening dinner meal you are ridiculously spoilt for choice, but I suggest a visit to the popular thriving neighbourhood of Hongdae.
Seoul of course has plenty of trendy areas worth checking out, from the tourist hotspot of Itaewon to the luxury shopping area of Gangnam.
But in my opinion, Hongdae is the nicest and trendiest district in the entire city. Based next to Hongik University, the centre of the district really comes alive in the evening hours with trendy young hipsters everywhere you look.
It’s a great area for restaurants too, whether you’re looking for an authentic Korean barbecue house or even international cuisine.
Hongdae also has a fantastic live music scene too with plenty of singers and dancers performing on the streets each evening, which is really entertaining to see.
Night Time: Myeongdong Street Food
If you still have enough energy after this whistle-stop tour of Seoul in just a day then I have one more suggestion for you – Korean street food!
The best area to try some awesome Korean snacks is on Myeongdong street in the very centre of the city. This is a very popular shopping high street which is packed with food stalls everywhere you look.
I suggest visiting here during night time as the atmosphere is really cool. Its the perfect place to discover all the weird and wonderful snacks you can try in Korea, such as the following delicacies:
- Tteokbokki skewers – popular spicy rice cakes on a skewer, loved them!
- Gyeran-Ppang – this is an egg that has been baked in a piece of bread – I actually tried this when I visited Myeongdong and it was delish!
- Kimbap – this is Korea’s version of sushi but is more likely to contain vegetables or meat rather than fish. Very popular in Korea.
- Grilled cheese lobster – not really a Korean speciality but yummy all the same and a highlight of the Myeongdong street market.
- Tornado potato – a fried potato chip that is twirled on a skewer and is quite a unique sight to behold.
Other Places To Visit In Seoul
There are of course many other top places and tourist attractions to visit in Seoul. So if you want to pack more in to your one day visit, or you plan on staying longer, then here are my top 3 other places to visit recommendations:
📍 War Memorial of Korea
There are many top quality museums to visit in Seoul, but if you have time to go to just one then I would recommend the incredible War Memorial of Korea.
Dedicated to the military history of Korea and located in a truly magnificent building, this is a huge museum with several floors that takes you through all of the country’s many wars.
For a country that has such a complicated history with war, a visit here gives you a greater insight and understanding into its ancient and recent past – I can’t recommend it highly enough.
📍 Bukhansan National Park
If you fancy a day of hiking out in nature then there’s only one real choice in Seoul; the beautifully serene Bukhansan National Park.
Located just on the outskirts of the city in the north, this is the most well known hiking spot in all of South Korea. It’s a massive park with three main peaks and several trails which are mostly easy.
The most difficult trail is also the most popular one, which takes you to the top of Baegundae Peak.
The hike to this peak is 6km in total and will take several hours to complete, but the panoramic vistas of Seoul are simply astonishing and unmatchable.
I intended on reaching the peak during my visit to the park but gave up half way as I didn’t have enough time. I recommend visiting the park early in the morning and give yourself a full day to there if you want to reach the peak.
👉 Pro Tip: There are several different entrance ways to the park form the centre of Seoul. There is a direct bus from Seoul station that takes you to the entrance of Bukhansanseong Fortress Entrance and takes less than 40 minutes.
You can get there using the metro system but this is a rather complicate affair that requires changing lines on the way. You can of course drive directly to the park or take a taxi, which will take less than 20 minutes.
📍 Starfield Library
If you’re a bookworm then you simply have to visit the amazing Starfield Library when in Seoul!
This is an absolutely massive free public library space located in the middle of COEX mall. The library has a collection of 70,000 books sitting on 13 metre tall bookshelves, which is quite a site to behold.
Even if you’re not that interested in books, it’s an awesome futuristic looking place and one of the most popular sites to discover in Seoul.
Map of Seoul
Check out this interactive map of Seoul, featuring points of interest of all the places mentioned in this blog post:
Best Places To Stay In Seoul
Choosing a place to stay in Seoul is far from easy as there are so many top hotel options. Here are three accommodation choices to consider (including one hotel that I personally stayed at), at three different price ranges:
Budget Recommendation: OPPA Hostel Sinchon-Hongdae
If you’re planning to visit Seoul on a budget then your best option is to stay at OPPA Hostel Sinchon-Hongdae.
Based in the trendy neighbourhood of Hongdae, this friendly and welcoming hostel is just a short 5 minute walk from the nearest subway station and has plenty of restaurants and cafes close by.
The hostel also features a lot of great facilities, from an airport shuttle service to breakfast, laundry and a 24 hour front desk, and has single and double rooms at very competitive prices.
⭐ Check out Mathilde’s review of OPPA Hostel Sinchon-Hongdae:
“One of the best experiences at a hostel. Richard is super caring and helpful. Great location, close to subway and various restaurants.”
➡️ Book a room at OPPA Hostel Sinchon-Hongdae here
Mid-Range Recommendation: Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
This is a hotel that I can actually personally recommend, having stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Hongdae during my stay in Seoul.
This fantastic 4 star hotel is truly exceptional! It is located in the heart of Hongdae, the rooms here are fabulous – mine had a stunning view of the city that was simply breath-taking.
The hotel offers top class facilities, including a very good restaurant and a fitness centre – highly recommend!
➡️ Book a stay at Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae here
Luxury Recommendation: Andaz Seoul Gangnam
If you fancy a luxurious stay in Seoul then a top option is Andaz Seoul Gangnam. This is a 5 star hotel based in Gangnam and is considered to be one of the best hotels in the region.
With a concierge service available, Andaz Seoul Gangnam offers world class facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre and a total of 3 restaurants.
⭐ Check out this top review of Andaz Seoul Gangnam:
“Everything was perfect! Nice location, staff, room, swimming pool.
Breakfast had a varied menu and tasted wonderful. Highly recommended.”
➡️ Book a room at Andaz Seoul Gangnam here
Seoul In One Day FAQs
Still not sure about visiting Seoul for just one day. Allow me to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this unforgettable city:
Is one day enough for Seoul?
Honestly, you’re only going to scratch the surface when it comes to discovering Seoul if you’re only have one day here. Even a 2 day trip to Seoul is a bit of a rush to fully experience this wonderful city.
I would suggest visiting for at least 4 days or even a week to really get accustomed to this thriving city.
However, if you’re in Seoul for a stop over and have a day to see as many top tourist sites as possible, then I believe my ultimate itinerary has got you covered.
Is Seoul expensive?
Although its one of the most expensive cities in the world, Seoul is actually relatively cheap compared to other big Asian cities and it doesn’t have to be an expensive experience if you’re smart with your money.
There are plenty of cheap or free tourist places to visit, such as taking a walk through Bukchon Hanok village or simply enjoying a picnic at Han River.
You can also find relatively inexpensive restaurants as well if you venture outside the popular and fashionable districts such as Itaewon which in my opinion is not really all that authentic.
And it’s possible to find quite reasonably priced accommodation in Seoul too, as detailed earlier in this blog post.
Is a day trip from Seoul to Busan possible?
You can catch a KTX train from Seoul and reach Busan in 2 hours and 15 minutes. So yes, technically you can go on a day trip from the capital to Busan, which is arguably a better destination in South Korea than Seoul.
But to be honest you won’t have enough time to fully appreciate this beautiful coastal city. Instead, I would recommend at least a 3 days visit to Busan to see all that it has to offer.
Conclusion: Seoul In One Day
So that’s everything you need to know on what to do in just one day in Seoul. Just 24 hours in any major city is never enough time, but it is possible to see some of the city’s best attractions during a whistle-stop tour.
Whether you want to admire beautifully elegant palaces, chill out at Han River or try some awesome street food, you are totally spoilt for choice when it comes to options.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my ultimate one day itinerary for Seoul and that it has given you inspiration to discover what I believe to be one of the best capital cities in the whole world.
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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
