Itinerary
- Gyeongbokgung
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Insadong
- Changdeokgung
- Gwangjang Market
- DMZ
- N Seoul Tower
- Myeongdong
- Bukhansan
- Hongdae
- Banpo Hangang Park
Five days lets you do Seoul properly: the big sights, a day trip, a mountain, and enough evenings to find your own favorite neighborhood. Here is the full circuit, ordered to minimize backtracking.
Day One: Palace Quarter
Gyeongbokgung at opening, Bukchon by late morning, lunch at Tosokchon or in Insadong, then the Cheonggyecheon walk east to Dongdaemun. Easy first day, all on foot after one subway ride.
Day Two: The Second Palace and the Markets
Changdeokgung is the better palace — the Secret Garden tour (book the English slot online ahead) is the single best guided experience in the city. Afterward, walk south through Ikseon-dong's hanok alleys to Jongno, then east to Gwangjang Market for a late lunch. Evening in Euljiro's alley bars.
Day Three: DMZ Morning, Tower Evening
Book the half-day DMZ tour (7:00 pickup, back by 14:30). Rest, then take the Namsan cable car up to N Seoul Tower for sunset and walk down into Myeongdong for street food and shopping.
Day Four: Bukhansan
Seoul is ringed by real mountains. Take Line 3 to Gupabal, then a bus or taxi to the Bukhansanseong entrance, and hike to Baegundae peak (836 m) — about four hours round trip, steep granite at the top with railings to haul yourself up. The view over the whole city is the reward. Eat pajeon and makgeolli at one of the trailhead restaurants after; that is the tradition.
Day Five: River and a Last Night Out
Slow morning, then rent a bike at Yeouido and ride the Han River path to Banpo for the evening fountain show. Finish in Hongdae — dinner on the back streets, buskers on Eoulmadang-ro, and a live club if you have the energy. It is the right way to end a Seoul trip.