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Seoul in 5 Days: Coffee, Palaces, and Hanok Villages

Karoline Takahashi

12 Mar 2024

0

Embark on a thrilling journey through the vibrant streets of Seoul. Immerse yourself in the rich history of palaces, savor aromatic coffee, and wander through traditional hanok villages. Discover the hidden gems of this dynamic city!

Trip to Seoul

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Royal Delights and Artistic Cafes

+

$15

·

$ 3

Coffee and Cigarettes (커피앤시가렛)

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$6

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Deoksugung Palace

Historic palace in the heart of Seoul offering a popular Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Myeongdong Cathedral

Brick-built, 19th-century, Gothic-style Catholic cathedral with a 45m-high bell tower.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Cafe Gondry (카페공드리)

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$5

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Changdeokgung

Tours are offered of this large Joseon dynasty palace & its surrounding gardens.

3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

•

Free

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

Onion (어니언)

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$4

Day 2Market Hopping and Cultural Treasures

+

$21

·

$ 4

Starbucks Reserve (스타벅스 리저브)

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$5

9 - 14 min

~

Directions

Tongin Traditional Market

Longtime marketplace providing shops, sit-down counters & stalls with traditional Korean grub.

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Sejong Center

Major theater with a state-of-the-art 3,000-seat main arena & the largest pipe organ in Asia.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Wood & Brick (우드앤브릭)

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

•

$6

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Bukchon Hanok Village

Village dating to the 14th century filled with narrow streets lined with restored traditional homes.

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Gwangjang Market

Bustling shopping area offering a wide array of traditional food items, plus clothing & souvenirs.

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

•

Free

1 - 2 min

~

Directions

부촌육회

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

•

$10

Day 3Baking Delights and Architectural Wonders

+

$26

·

$ 2

Seoul Baking Company (서울베이킹컴퍼니)

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$4

6 - 9 min

~

Directions

DDP │ Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Architectural-landmark events venue with futuristic design, a design market & food vendors.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

온지음

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$8

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Free guided tours are offered of this large 14th-century royal palace with a museum & gardens.

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

•

$3

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

CAFE ROSSO (로쏘)

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$11

Day 4Gastronomic Adventures and Traditional Markets

+

$27

·

$ 3

Grand Deli (그랜드 델리)

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$7

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Starfield Coex Mall

Massive underground shopping mall & convention center with a theater, aquarium & restaurants.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

19 - 23 min

~

Directions

필동면옥

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

$10

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Namsangol Hanok Village

Tours & cultural programs inside a recreated Korean village with 5 restored hanoks, built 1392–1910.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

26 - 32 min

~

Directions

Mangwon Market

Spacious indoor market offering local produce, plus stalls selling spicy snacks & cooked dishes.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

•

Free

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Hungo Ringo Bread (훈고링고브레드)

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

•

$10

Day 5Historical Insights and Riverside Serenity

+

$18

·

$ 3

대성집

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

•

$4

11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Prison museum in former jail, opened in 1908, used to house Korean patriots during the colonial era.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

진주집

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

$6

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Namdaemun Market

Opened in 1964, this large area of stalls offers clothes, household goods & local items.

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

War Memorial of Korea

Museum charting Korea's conflicts, with exhibition rooms, monuments & an outdoor vehicle display.

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

•

Free

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

한강집생태

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM

•

$8

Budget breakdown: $118 In total

Activities & Food:$107

Transport:$11