
How to Spend 3 Days in Seoul, South Korea? So you’ve heard the news that Seoul is an exciting place to visit, booked your flights, but now you’re not sure where to start? 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 quite overwhelming. But don’t worry — I’ve got you covered!
This 3-day Seoul itinerary will take you through the city’s must-visit attractions, hidden gems, and the best places to eat. Whether you’re into history, shopping, K-pop, or just soaking in the atmosphere, this guide will help you make the most of your time.
Read on for my epic itinerary on how to spend 3 days in Seoul. I’ve also added some practical guidance below for accommodation, transport and managing money in South Korea. Read on for the perfect way to experience Seoul in just three days!
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3-day Itinerary for Seoul, South Korea
Day 1 in Seoul
Breakfast
If you’re going to be spending a busy day in Seoul then I definitely recommend starting off with a good breakfast. Do note however 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 was Eggdrop in Hongdae. These grab and go toasted sandwiches are yummy, filling and practical.



Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the perfect way to start off your visit to Seoul. You’ll 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 comfortable 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. Read my detailed post about visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace here.
Book a guided tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace.


Visit Some Quirky Cafes
Seoul is famous for its quirky (and sometimes 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.



Starfield Library
Starfield Library is one of the most impressive modern libraries around. As an avid reader (Check out my book recommendations – themed by countries around the world.) I do love to visit libraries when I’m overseas. 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! Found 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.


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 a social meal in Korea, so you need to be in a group of at least 3-4 people as otherwise restaurants may not let you in. (Although there do seem to be more catering to smaller groups / people on their own now). Solo traveler? Don’t fret – you can book yourself onto a group Korean BBQ experience and meet like-minded travelers.
Book an Immersive Korean BBQ, Market, and Secret Pub Experience in Seoul.
Nightlife
Seoul comes alive at night. Many shops are open until 10pm and districts like Hongdae will be more busy at nighttime than during the day. Karaoke is popular and the streets have almost a fairground-like vibe. One thing that I noticed is there are photobooths on every corner where you can get some fun passport-style snaps – they have props like hats and headbands.


Day 2 in Seoul
Bukchon Hanok Historical Village
Be prepared to get up early as the best time to visit Bukchon Hanok Village is first thing in the morning. Bukchon Hanok Village can get very crowded during the day, but it’s more peaceful in the morning. Especially important if you’re prioritising photography! This 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. 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. The famous street with views over the rooftops is called Bukchon-ro 11ga-gil.


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’ve become Insta-famous for their Italian-style pandoro topped with a mountain of powdered sugar. There are some normal tables, but the best are is where you can sit cross-legged on cushions on the floor with more traditional low tables. In these areas you’ll need to remove your shoes.



Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple is set right in the middle of Insadong district. It is an important temple of Korean Buddhism and dates back to the 14th century. It’s a beautiful building with colourful lattice work. It’s free to visit.
The Blue House
South Korea’s former presidential palace is a traditional-style building famous for its blue tiles. It is located in the royal gardens of the Joseon Dynasty. There is a museum attached. To get there on the subway, take Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station and leave via Exit 5.
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. 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 in Seoul
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 here.


Practical Guidance for Seoul, South Korea
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.
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, we recommend getting health insurance.
SafetyWing offer Nomad Insurance with globally mobile individuals in mind. Whether you’re a short-term backpacker or a longer-term remote worker, they have something for everyone. 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 here.
Read my other posts about South Korea here.
Read my recommendations for books set in South Korea here.

Useful Travel Resource Links:
🌞 Useful Travel Resources & Essentials 🌞
By using the following links, you can support Call of the World at no additional cost to yourself
HEALTH & INSURANCE
🚨 TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE: To ensure peace of mind while travelling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing offer Nomad Insurance with globally mobile individuals in mind. Find out more here.
🏥 TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with Heymondo, your trusted travel companion. They offer single-trip, annual and long-stay travel insurance. App with 24-hour medical support. (Call of the World readers get 5% off your travel insurance policy using my link)
BANKING & CURRENCY EXCHANGE
💶 FOREIGN CURRENCY CARD: To pay by card and withdraw cash at the best rates, get a WISE card before your trip. This allows you to convert money into any other currency at the best rates and withdraw cash 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).
FLIGHTS & TRANSPORT
✈️ FLIGHTS: I always use SKYSCANNER to book my flights. It shows you the best deals and allows you to be flexible with dates. Feeling adventurous? Try out the “explore everywhere” feature.
🚂 BUS, TRAIN & FERRY TICKETS: Book your bus, train and ferry transportation in advance online using 12Go.
🚘 AIRPORT PICKUPS: Ensure peace of mind by booking your airport pickup with Welcome Pickups. Highly recommended if arriving late at night in an unfamiliar location.
TOURS & ACTIVITIES
🗺️ DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Book your tours and activities with Viator. Viator partner with local guides and businesses to offer you the very best travel experiences available. Browse tours here.
🌏 ETHICAL GROUP TOURS: If you fancy joining a group tour, I can highly recommend G Adventures. Not only do G Adventures offer amazing group tours all over the world, but they really put the effort in to do good in the communities they visit. Browse tours here.
STAYING CONNECTED
📳 eSIM: AIRALO: Sort out an eSIM before your arrival with Airalo. Having an eSIM allows you to connect to local network data as soon as you arrive – super useful for Google Maps and rideshare apps!
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💻 NordVPN: Remote worker and need a secure network? Or do you simply want to keep up-to-date with your favourite tv show from home? Having a VPN like NordVPN allows you to access the internet securely via an encrypted connection, making the use of public wifi spots much safer.
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thank you for this thoughtful and concise post that spells out what you did – it is helping we plan my trip out, much appreciated!
Glad you found the post useful! Hope you enjoy your trip – Seoul is an incredible city!