How to Spend 2 days in Seoul: Stopover Itinerary

How to spend 2 days in Seoul. Even if you’re only visiting for a short time, you’re guaranteed to have a fabulous time in South Korea‘s capital city Seoul. This vibrant capital city blends modern skyscrapers, ancient palaces, bustling markets, and world-famous street food. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend break or making the most of a long layover, there’s so much to choose from. With an efficient metro system, getting around Seoul is a breeze. You can explore historic landmarks, shop in trendy districts, and dive into Korean culture—all within just 48 hours. Read on for my guide on how to spend 2 days in Seoul. It covers the best things to do, where to eat, and essential travel tips to maximize your time in this incredible city!

Remember to buy travel insurance for your trip. Receive a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance.

2-day Itinerary for Seoul, South Korea

Day 1 in Seoul

Morning: Bukchon Hanok Historical Village

Immerse yourself in traditional Korean culture at Bukchon Hanok Historical Village. This historical neighbourhood has become famous worldwide for its hanok: traditional wooden houses. These have been beautifully restored and give you a real idea of what life used to be like. Note that people still live here, so please be respectful. Bukchon Hanok Historical Village can get very busy during the day, so I recommend visiting first thing in the morning when it’s quieter – that way you will get the best views. The famous street with views over the rooftops is called Bukchon-ro 11ga-gil. The views here make a wonderful first stop on your visit to Seoul.

After visiting Bukchon Hanok Historical Village, fuel up on coffee and pastries at the nearby Cafe Onion Anguk, a Hanok-themed Cafe.

Afternoon: Starfield Library

One of my favourite spots in Seoul is the Starfield Library in the COEX shopping mall. If visiting a library in the middle of a giant shopping mall sounds odd to you, just hear me out! This place is really cool, and definitely worth seeing. Read my more detailed post about Starfield Library.

Check out my book recommendations – themed by countries around the world.

Evening: Hongdae Food and Nightlife

There are a lot of vibey neighbourhoods in Seoul, but my favourite for nightlife was hands-down Hongdae. You have everything there, from souvenir shops pumping out music, endless restaurants and eateries, bars, clubs and street art. Even if you don’t want a late night out, just wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere is fun. There are photobooths on almost every corner offering fun passport-style snaps with props like hats and headbands. I recommend joining a food tasting tour so that you can try the best of South Korean dishes in a short time. This is especially good for trying traditional Korean BBQ as those places often won’t allow solo diners to eat there.

Book an Immersive Korean BBQ, Market, and Secret Pub Experience in Seoul.

Day 2 in Seoul

Morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is an absolute must-do in Seoul and was the highlight of my time there. This colourful and ancient palace complex dates back to 1395, and has had a very interesting history throughout the years. It was even nearly destroyed completely during the Japanese colonisation of Korea. Nowadays it has been lovingly restored and is a pleasure to explore. One of the best things about visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is that you’re encouraged to rent a traditional Hanbok outfit to wear. This is clever as it means that all the other visitors become part of the attraction as they add to the atmosphere rather than taking away from it. Read my detailed post about visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace here.

Book a guided tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Afternoon: Quirky Cafes

No visit to Seoul would be complete without visiting some of their quirky, and at times quite frankly bizarre cafes! Notable mentions include:

• C.Through Cafe (you haven’t seen latte art until you’ve been here)
• Old Ferry Donut (fluffy and light donuts)
• Peach Grey (paint with watercolours while you sip your coffee and eat souffle pancakes)
• Ddong Café (poo-themed cafe. Yes you read that correctly.)
• Cafe Promenades D’été (cute doggy-themed cupcakes)

Note that cafes in Seoul open and close frequently (especially the quirky ones) so if you have a specific cafe in mind make sure to check on Google Maps if it’s still open.

Afternoon: Namdaemun Market

Alternatively, Namdaemun Market is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the heart and hustle of traditional Korean life. As the oldest and largest market in Seoul, it’s a vibrant maze of stalls selling everything from street food and kitchenware to vintage fashion and handmade crafts. Located near Seoul Station, it’s easy to reach and perfect for a morning or afternoon wander.

Don’t miss the chance to try local favourites like hotteok (sweet syrup-filled pancakes), mandu (dumplings), or freshly made gimbap. With its narrow alleys, friendly vendors, and colourful displays, Namdaemun is a feast for the senses—and a great place for candid, character-filled photography too. The easiest way to experience Namdaemun Market and try all the best foods is to book onto a food tour with a local foodie.

Evening: N Seoul Tower: Iconic Views from the Heart of Seoul

Rising above the city from the peak of Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower is one of South Korea’s most recognisable landmarks—and a must for anyone visiting the capital. Whether you’re here for the sweeping skyline views or the chance to witness Seoul transform from day to night, the tower offers a unique perspective on the city’s incredible sprawl.

You can visit year-round, with opening hours running from 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on weekends (last admission is typically one hour before closing). Timings may shift slightly depending on the season or weather, so it’s worth checking ahead before your visit.

As well as an observation deck, the tower is home to cafes, souvenir shops, and the famous love locks fence—perfect for a romantic photo op or just soaking in the moment. It’s especially atmospheric at sunset, when the city lights begin to flicker on and Seoul feels like something out of a dream.

Get N Seoul Tower tickets in advance.

Late evening: Myeongdong Night Market

Finish off your final evening in Seoul by visiting one of their famed night markets: Myeongdong Night Market. Here you’ll find all sorts of delicious street food snacks to sample. Eat away to your heart’s content – there’s plenty to try! From fried chicken to grilled squid, pork belly to baked cheese, you can find everything.

This area is also one of Seoul’s main shopping districts, and everything’s open late so you can browse some K-Pop merch after munching your way through the tasty food on offer. To get to Myeongdong Night Market take the subway to Euljiro 1-ga Station (Exits 5–7) or Myeongdong Station (Exits 5–8). Remember to bring cash.

Practical Guidance for Seoul, South Korea

Hopefully you have found this guide on how to spend 2 days in Seoul: stopover itinerary useful. I have also included some practical guidance below so that you can get the boring stuff sorted and make the most of your trip!

Read my other posts about South Korea.

Read my recommendations for books set in South Korea.

How to Get to Seoul & Where to Find Cheap Flights

Getting to Seoul is easier than ever, with direct international flights landing daily at Incheon International Airport (ICN)—a major hub in Asia known for its excellent facilities. From the airport, it’s a smooth 45-minute train or bus ride into the heart of the city.

To score the best deals on flights to South Korea, try searching on platforms like Skyscanner, and keep an eye out for flash sales or bundle deals. Flying mid-week or during shoulder seasons (like spring and autumn) can often save you a surprising amount—and you’ll get to experience Seoul at its most beautiful, too.

👉 Find cheap flights to Seoul here.

Where to Stay in Seoul?

In order to make the most of your trip I recommend picking a central district of Seoul that has some attractions in it so that you minimise travel time (see transport in Seoul below). Some good areas are:

• Hongdae (this is where I stayed and it’s a very cool neighbourhood)
• Myeongdong (good for shopping and near Gyeongbokgung Palace)
• Gangnam (a luxury area and near Starfield Library)
• Itaewon (near lots of good restaurants and cafes)
• Insadong (another good area for culture)

Transport in Seoul

Seoul is a very easy city to get around. I highly recommend using the metro / subway system as it’s clean and efficient. Most of the signs are in both Korean and English. The metro runs from 5:30am until midnight. You’re best off buying a transportation card that you can then top up as much as you need. Note that you will need physical cash (Korean Won). I purchased mine at the airport subway station before getting the train into the city. It is also possible to buy single journey tickets but this will end up more expensive and time consuming.

Withdrawing Cash in Seoul in Korean Won (KRW)

To withdraw cash at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Korean Won (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then withdraw cash in Korea without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).

Get your WISE card here.

Best Travel Insurance Providers for South Korea

As well as planning your How to Spend 2 days in Seoul: Stopover Itinerary, you should also make sure you have travel insurance for the duration of the trip. Here are two excellent travel insurance providers that I highly recommend for solo travelers or families visiting South Korea:

1. Heymondo Travel Insurance

I personally use Heymondo for all my trips, and it’s one of the easiest and most reliable travel insurance options I’ve found. Their app is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to access your policy, make claims, and contact support directly from your phone. Heymondo offers excellent coverage, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more. I highly recommend it for anyone planning to visit South Korea.

Why choose Heymondo?

• Comprehensive coverage: Offers medical, cancellation, and baggage coverage.
• User-friendly app: Manage your policy easily from anywhere.
• Global assistance: 24/7 emergency assistance available.

👉 Purchase Heymondo travel insurance.

2. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

For digital nomads, long-term travelers, or those planning an extended stay in South Korea, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is an excellent choice. It’s specifically designed for globally mobile individuals, and their flexible plans can be tailored to suit your travel style. SafetyWing covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip interruptions, and even COVID-19-related issues—making it ideal for travelers who need long-term protection.

Why choose SafetyWing?

• Flexible plans: Ideal for long-term travelers or digital nomads.
• COVID-19 coverage: Includes coverage for COVID-19-related disruptions.
• Affordable pricing: Competitive rates for extended travel coverage.

👉 Find Out More About SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Planning for South Korea: Useful Travel Resource Links

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