South Korea
Palace mornings, neon nightlife and the best barbecue on earth.
Suggested length
5 days
Best for
Culture · Food · Shopping
Best time to visit
April–May and September–October
Seoul moves fast, but its palaces and mountain trails keep it grounded. Use the T-money card on metro and buses, eat barbecue at least once, and join a free palace tour in English.
Plan your trip with practical tips on where to stay, what to do and how to get around.
Seoul is a city where ancient palaces sit beneath glass skyscrapers, street food stalls line neon-lit avenues, and traditional tea houses hide in quiet alleyways. This Seoul travel guide will help you plan the best time to visit, where to stay, which palaces and neighbourhoods to explore and how to navigate the metro.
April to May brings cherry blossoms and mild weather, while September to October offers crisp autumn colours and clear skies. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold and dry — both have their own festivals and fewer crowds.
Myeongdong is the classic tourist hub, close to shopping and street food. Hongdae is youthful and energetic, with live music and nightlife. Insadong and Bukchon are ideal for traditional culture and quiet mornings. Gangnam is modern, upscale and great for shopping and dining.
Visit Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, wander Bukchon Hanok Village, shop in Myeongdong and explore Hongdae by night. Eat your way through Gwangjang Market, hike Namsan for city views and consider a DMZ day tour for a sobering history lesson.
Korean food is the highlight. Try Korean barbecue, bibimbap, tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken and street food at Gwangjang Market. Korean temple cuisine and royal court dishes are worth seeking out for a quieter meal. Soju and makgeolli are the classic drinks.
The Seoul Metro is extensive, clean, cheap and signs are in English. Buses cover areas the metro misses. T-money cards work on both and also in taxis. Taxis are affordable and useful late at night. Most central districts are walkable if you are comfortable with hills.
Day 1: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong. Day 2: Myeongdong shopping, Namsan Tower and Hongdae nightlife. Day 3: Changdeokgung Palace, Gwangjang Market and a Korean barbecue dinner. Day 4: Gangnam, COEX and a K-beauty experience. Day 5: DMZ day tour or a hike in Bukhansan National Park.
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Plan before you book
Get a day-by-day itinerary for Seoul — where to stay, how to get around and what to book ahead.
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