3-Day Seoul Itinerary

Arrive and check in near Myeongdong

Land at Incheon, take the AREX express train into the city, and drop bags at a hotel in the Myeongdong or City Hall area.

Recover with coffee and hotteok

Grab a cinnamon-and-nut filled hotteok pancake from a street cart and a coffee to fight jet lag before exploring.

Wander Myeongdong's shopping lanes

Browse Korean skincare shops and clothing stores through Myeongdong's pedestrian streets, sampling tteokbokki and fish cakes along the way.

First Korean BBQ dinner

Sit down for samgyeopsal pork belly grilled tableside with soju at a no-frills Myeongdong barbecue joint.

Gyeongbokgung Palace and the guard ceremony

Catch the changing-of-the-guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate, then explore the palace's throne hall and Gyeonghoeru pavilion.

Hanbok rental and palace grounds

Rent a colorful hanbok for free palace entry and photos among the pavilions and stone bridges.

Bukchon Hanok Village alleys

Climb the sloped lanes of preserved hanok houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, pausing at scenic viewpoint number 8.

Dinner in Ikseondong's hanok cafes

Eat modern Korean fusion in a converted hanok in Ikseondong, a pocket of tiny courtyards turned bars and eateries.

Namsan cable car and N Seoul Tower

Ride the cable car up Namsan Mountain to N Seoul Tower for panoramic views over the Han River and skyline.

Locks of love and Namsan trail

Walk the padlock-covered fences near the tower before descending through pine-shaded Namsan Park trails.

Hongdae street style and indie shops

Browse vintage clothing racks and K-pop merch stores around Hongik University's main street.

Busking and bar-hopping in Hongdae

Watch street performers at Hongdae's Playground before hitting a hip pojangmacha tent bar for late-night snacks.