Travel, Travel Itineraries, Asia, City Guides, 🇰🇷 South Korea
April 5, 2026
Updated April 30, 2026
Rowan Flora

How to Spend 3 Days in Seoul, South Korea: Epic Itinerary

Planning a trip to Seoul, South Korea, and want to know everything there is to do in this incredible city? In this 3-day itinerary I’ll cover off everything that I did during my trip to Seoul, including ancient palaces and hanok villages, the best night markets, and the awe-inspiring Starfield Library.

3-day Itinerary for Seoul, South Korea

With its blend of ancient palaces, futuristic cityscapes, vibrant street food and buzzing nightlife, there’s so much to do in Seoul that planning an itinerary can be overwhelming. This 3-day Seoul itinerary will take you through the city’s must-visit attractions, hidden gems and the best places to eat. I visited Seoul as a long stopover on my way from New Zealand to the UK, and managed to squeeze loads into just a few days. Read on for my favourite things to do in Seoul in 3 days:

Day 0 | Arrive in Seoul

Most visitors to Seoul will land at Incheon International Airport (ICN). From the airport, it’s an easy 45-minute train or bus ride into the heart of the city.

There are two airport trains, both leave from inside the airport building itself:

The AREX (Airport Railroad Express) is the fast train with no stops (45 minutes to Seoul Station), and costs around 13,000 KRW ($7-10 USD).
The slightly slower train stops at 14 stations (like Hongik Univ. for Hongdae) before also terminating at Seoul Station, and costs around 4,750 KRW ($3-4 USD).

Tickets are available online or at station ticket machines.

Alternatively, if you’re arriving late or simple want a hassle free journey to your accommodation, I recommend booking a pickup transfer in advance using Welcome Pickups.

Day 1 | Ancient Palaces, Quirky Cafes, and Starfield Library

Breakfast at Eggdrop, Hongdae

If you’re going to be spending a busy day in Seoul then I definitely recommend starting off with a good breakfast. Do note that Koreans are night owls, so the standard opening times for most businesses may be later than what you’re used to (e.g. most shops open 10am – late).

My favourite breakfast in Seoul was Eggdrop in Hongdae. These grab and go toasted sandwiches are yummy, filling and practical. The one pictured below is the “Avo Holic”. Self-described as ‘Premium Gourmet Egg Sandwiches’, they certainly hit the spot. Ordering from a machine is actually quite fun too, and suits Seoul’s whole futuristic city vibe.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

If I had to pick only one attraction to see in Seoul it would be this one! Gyeongbokgung Palace is the perfect way to start off day 1 of your visit to Seoul. You’ll get to completely immerse yourself in traditional Korean culture. This beautiful royal palace dates back to 1395 and covers a huge area complete with parks and lakes. I recommend wearing comfy shoes as you can spend hours walking around.

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. Don’t miss the the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony!

If you’d like someone to come with you to explain the history of what you’re seeing, you can book a guided tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s quite a large palace complex so I personally find it nice to have someone to help me understand what I’m looking at, and learning from locals is much more fun than just reading up on stuff.

Read my detailed post about visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Visit Some Quirky Cafes

After a morning of history (and lots of walking!) it’s time for a tea break. And Seoul is famous for its quirky (and sometimes honestly quite bizzare!) cafes. A few notable ones 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. I was stung a few times by this and wasted a fair bit of time trying to visit cafes that no longer existed!

Starfield Library

Starfield Library is one of the most impressive modern libraries around, and I was very excited to check it out during my visit to Seoul.

You may already actually recognise Starfield Library’s impressive 42 foot tall towering shelves and escalators as it seems to have become pretty Insta and TikTok famous. Located in the middle of the COEX shopping mall, Starfield Library (also known as Byeolmadang Library) is open to the public and free of charge. Read my more detailed post about visiting Starfield Library in Seoul.

Do you also like reading? Join me in some armchair travelling by reading books set in various different countries all around the world.

Dinner: Korean Barbecue

Korean barbecue is an absolute must when visiting Seoul. Restaurants can be found in all areas of the city. Note that this is traditionally a social meal in Korea, so it’s best to be in a group of at least 3-4 people as otherwise some restaurants may not let you in. (Although there do seem to be more now catering to smaller groups / people on their own).

Solo traveller? Don’t fret, you can book yourself onto a group Korean BBQ experience and meet like-minded travellers:

You can join a group for dinner by booking an Immersive Korean BBQ, Market, and Secret Pub Experience in Seoul.

Nightlife

Seoul comes alive at night. Many shops are open until 10pm or later and districts like Hongdae are even more busy at nighttime than during the day. My hotel (L7 Hongdae by Lotte) was in Hongdae and the streets were EMPTY when I set off in the morning, and absolutely buzzing when I got back in the evening!

Karaoke is popular and the streets have almost a fairground-like vibe. One thing that I noticed is there are photo booths on every corner where you can get some fun passport-style snaps. They have props like hats and headbands.

Day 2 | Hanok Village, Temples, and Night Markets

Bukchon Hanok Historical Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is home to traditional Korean houses (hanok) dating back over 600 years that have been lovingly restored, giving you an idea of what life was like in days gone by.

These are real houses where people still live, so please be respectful. The famous street with views over the rooftops is called Bukchon-ro 11ga-gil. From here you can see the N Seoul Tower (Namsan Seoul Tower) in the distance, a striking contrast between old and new.

There are some small stalls here where you can rent a Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) to wear, but note that they will open slightly later in the morning. You can pre-order online and then pick up.

Be prepared to get up early as the best time to visit Bukchon Hanok Village is first thing in the morning. It can get very crowded during the day, but it’s more peaceful first thing in the morning.

Tea and pastries at Cafe Onion Anguk: Hanok-themed Cafe

Fuel yourself up again with delicious pastries from Cafe Onion. This cafe is laid out like a traditional 14th century hanok with beautiful wooden beams and a sloped roof.

There is a huge selection of sweet treats to choose from. Just grab a tray and select what you like. They’re famous for their Italian-style pandoro topped with a mountain of powdered sugar.

There are some higher tables, but the best experience is to sit cross-legged on cushions on the floor with more traditional low tables. In these areas you’ll need to remove your shoes.

Insadong District

Insadong is the perfect area in Seoul to explore Korean culture, and there are a multitude of restaurants, traditional teahouses and cute shops packed into its narrow streets. You can taste tteok (rice cakes) and hotteok (sweet pancakes), or opt for some savoury Korean dumplings.

Jogyesa Temple is set right in the middle of Insadong district. It’s a beautiful building with colourful lattice work, and is an important temple of Korean Buddhism and dates back to the 14th century. Jogyesa temple is free to visit.

Dinner: Myeongdong Night Market

Myeongdong Night Market is one of the best places to go if you want to try out South Korean street food. From fried chicken to grilled squid, pork belly to baked cheese, you can find everything. Visit between 5pm and 10pm when all the stalls are set up. Popular dishes to try at Myeongdong Night Market are:

Pan-Fried Mandu: Crispy dumplings stuffed with pork, kimchi, or vegetables.
Tteokbokki & Eomuk: Spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki) and mild fish cake skewers (eomuk) in hot broth.
Grilled Lobster Tail: A premium street food item, often topped with cheese and grilled on the spot.
Hotteok: Korean pancakes filled with brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon.
Gyeran-ppang: Warm, fluffy egg bread, a savory-sweet snack.
Bungeo-ppang: Fish-shaped pastry filled with red bean paste or custard.

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.

Day 3 | Day Trip to the DMZ / or Nami Island

There are several fantastic day trips that you can take from Seoul. So, if you’re visiting for 3 days (or more), I recommend choosing one. Perhaps the most famous is the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), separating North and South Korea. Alternatively, you can visit Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm, which is a reference to a popular poetic name for Korea: the land of morning calm.

Option 1: Take a Day Tour to the DMZ

No trip to South Korea would be complete without a visit to the DMZ (the Demilitarized Zone). This is the strip of land cutting across the Korean peninsula acting as a border between North and South Korea. This is best visited as part of a group tour so that you can learn about the history of the Korean Civil War. Notable landmarks include the Bridge of Freedom, the Mangbaedan Altar and the Third Invasion Tunnel.

Book a full-day group tour to the DMZ.

I find modern Korean history absolutely fascinating, and I wish that I knew more about it. A nation being divided into two separate states is bewildering (apparently it was originally only meant to be temporary!), especially as North and South are now so completely different. I found reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee really helpful in understanding some of the nuances of Korea’s history from a human perspective, and also the relationship between Korea and neighbouring Japan.

Option 2: Mt. Seorak and Nami Island/Garden of Morning Calm

If the DMZ is not your cup of tea, you can take a day tour to Mt. Seorak and Nami Island instead. There are plenty of tour operators who offer round-trip travel from Seoul, including air-conditioned mini buses and the ferry.

Nami Island is full of stunning trees, and its tree-lined paths have appeared in several K-dramas such as “Winter Sonata”. In springtime this is the perfect place for cherry blossom, and in autumn the leaves are all shades of red, orange and gold.

The Garden of Morning Calm is a famous arboretum full of different themed gardens, all set against the backdrop of the Chungnyeongsan Mountain.

Book a Full Day Tour to Mt. Seorak, Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm

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3 Days in Seoul | Conclusion & Practical Information

Seoul is one of the most unique and interesting cities in the world, with an effortless blend of history and cutting edge modernity. This 3 day itinerary will guide you through some of the key sites and attractions that Seoul has to offer. I’ve also added some practical guidance below for navigating this massive city.

Practical Guidance for Seoul, South Korea

Where to Stay in Seoul?

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)

See my separate post What Area of Seoul Should I Stay In? for a full comparison of the different neighbourhoods you can stay in.

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.

Plan Your Escape: Flight Deals to Anywhere

Withdrawing Cash in Seoul in Korean Won (KRW)

To withdraw cash in local currency 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.

SIM Card and Data for Seoul, South Korea

I highly recommend getting an eSIM with Airalo. You can set it up before you travel. The main advantages of purchasing an eSIM (enter the referral code ROWAN1271 for a discount) are:

You don’t need a physical SIM card, so you can keep your home SIM in your phone.
Get a multi-country eSIM instead of getting a new one each time you go to a new country.
Download the eSim before you leave home and you’ll have data immediately when you arrive.
Top up your data allowance via the Airalo app.

Get your Airalo eSIM here. Enter the referral code ROWAN1271 for a discount.

Travel Medical Insurance

Make sure that you have insurance to cover you for your trip. The type of insurance you need will depend on your personal circumstances and specific needs. To ensure peace of mind while travelling or living abroad, I recommend getting health insurance.

SafetyWing offer Nomad Insurance with backpackers and digital nomads in mind. SafetyWing‘s Nomad Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft.

Their Nomad Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. Find out more about SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance.

Discover More with Call of the World

Gyeong bokgung

L7 Hongdae

Bukchon Hanok

Starfield Library

Group Tours in South Korea

If you’d rather explore South Korea as part of a group, these small group tours with G Adventures are ideal. Designed for travellers who crave authentic, adventurous and culturally rich experiences.

Essential Korea

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Call of the World is proud to promote G Adventures: recognised for their “G for Good” ethos, ChildSafe certification for robust child-welfare protections, leadership in sustainable travel & climate action and ethical partnerships with community projects worldwide.

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Plan Your Trip to Seoul: Useful Travel Resources

Discover my favourite travel resources below that I use to make sure all my trips go smoothly, from the best currency exchange apps to travel insurance, my preferred eSIMs and the walking tours I use to explore new cities and meet other travellers and everything in between.

Hover over/press each icon to discover more.