Ultimate Seoul 4 Day Itinerary: Tips And Hotel Review

Wondering how many days to spend in Seoul? If you’re a fast-paced traveller, 4 days is just the right amount of time to soak in the highlights and get a true taste of the city.

If you prefer slow travel, then tack an extra two nights on at the end of your trip.

For those who like to see it all in one hit, we packed all the best highlights into this ultimate Seoul 4 day itinerary below.

Let’s get stuck in!

Ultimate Seoul 4 Day Itinerary

Day 1

• Morning:
  • Start your day at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces. Don’t miss the changing of the guard ceremony at 10am and 2pm. Explore the cute little themed cafes nearby.
  • Stroll over to Bukchon Hanok Village, a charming neighbourhood of traditional Korean houses. It gets very busy here from 10am onwards. Head to the very top for views looking back over Seoul.
• Afternoon:
  • Head to Insadong for lunch. Try traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap or bulgogi. Or perhaps an Korean BBQ!
  • Explore Insadong’s shops for cute little coffee shops and tea houses
• Evening:
  • Wander through Myeongdong. Known for its street food stalls and K-beauty stores, you can spend all day here. In fact, you may want to come back another time.
  • End the night with panoramic city views from the N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain.

Day 2

• Morning:
  • Start your day early with a DMZ tour. Most tours take around 4-6 hours and will take you to key sites like the Dora Observatory, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and Panmunjom, where you can learn about Korea’s divided history.
• Afternoon:
  • Make your way to Namdaemun Market, Seoul’s largest traditional market, for some early shopping and snacks. The street food here is amazing so turn up hungry!
  • Head to Yeonnam-dong, a neighbourhood known for its trendy cafes and artsy vibe. Stop by Arari Ovene where the cakes look like a work of art.
• Evening:
  • Spend the evening at Mangwon Market near Hongdae. Another great spot filled with some of the most delicious street food imaginable.

Day 3

• Morning:
  • Begin your day in Hongdae, Seoul’s youth culture hub. Check out all the quirky shops, and street art.
  • Don’t miss a coffee break at one of Hongdae’s unique themed cafes. They’re a real treat! Thanks Nature Cafe is a popular choice!
  • After lunch, treat yourself to a relaxing spa or hair treatment at one of Itaewon’s trendy salons or spas. The Day’s Hair is a favourite.
• Afternoon:
  • Head to Itaewon for lunch. It has a great eclectic mix of boutique shops and international restaurants.
  • Stop off at C Through Café where the barista creates coffees that look like a true oil painting.
  • For a bit of time out, visit the Seoul Forest. A picturesque spot with walking trails, deer feeding areas, and art installations, it’s perfect for a peaceful afternoon.
• Evening:
  • Check out Itaewon’s lively nightlife scene with rooftop bars or trendy speakeasies. Head to Itaewon’s famous Gyeongnidan Street.

Day 4

• Morning:
  • Visit Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden. Entry is free if you wear a hanbok, the traditional Korean dress.
  • Take in Eunpyeong Hanok Village. A hidden gem with hanok houses surrounded by mountains, this is a great alternative to busy Bukchon Hanok Village.
• Afternoon:
  • Return to the city for lunch at Gwangjang Market, famous for local delicacies like bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).
• Evening:
  • Head to Gangnam for the evening. Visit Starfield Library, a stunning open-concept library in COEX Mall with towering bookshelves, it’s superb!
  • Afterward, pop into one of the restaurants for a Korean BBQ
  • If you feel up to it, hit Gangnam’s top-notch clubs for a night of dancing.

Popular Seoul Neighbourhoods

Finding the perfect location in Seoul can be confusing. You want to make sure you’re close to a subway station, near enough to a few of the top tourist destinations and in a hub that has great food.

Let’s chat about the top neighourhoods perfect for first timers to Seoul!

Myeongdong

Myeongdong has great shopping, as well as great skin care and beauty shops on every corner, plenty of vintage stores, amazing food, neon lights at night and the best street food market after dark.

Some might say that Myeongdong has it all, making it a very popular spot for first-time visitors to Seoul.

With plenty of Korean and international fashion brands to choose from and local favourites like pork cutlet and noodle soup galore, it also has reasonably priced accommodation options to choose from.

Insadong

This is a great neighbourhood to explore the idea of staying in a traditional hanok.

Known for it’s traditional Korean homes, it is one of the ideal, central and best places to stay in Seoul.

Insadong is the place to stay if you want to be close to temples, markets, endless cafes, and street food.

Accommodation in Insadong ranges from affordable to moderately priced.

Itaewon

If you like to party, then Itaewon is the place to be!

Known for its nightclubs and bars, it stays open well into the night.

But wait there’s more! With museums, delicious restaurants, and antique shops on every corner, it’s a great mix of culture and fun!

Close to the National Museum of Korea and not far from Myeongdong Station, it’s another great base for first timers to the city.

Top 5 Star Resort In Seoul: Our Honest Review

If you love unwinding in style after a full day of sightseeing, let us share our top pick for where to stay in Seoul.

We spent 2 nights at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. And when it comes to luxury, this 5 star hotel sets the bar high.

Nestled in the heart of Seoul’s Central Business District in Yeouido, this hotel is a great choice for business and leisure travellers.

It has stunning world-class amenities. We loved to unwind at the end of each day in the spa, work out in the cutting-edge fitness centre, then take a refreshing dip in the pool.

It was absolute bliss after a long day of sightseeing.

After dark, we headed to the rooftop restaurant and bar for a delicious cocktail. It was the ideal place to take in the stunning panoramic views of the city.

The culinary experience here also is unmatched, with expertly crafted dishes blending refined Korean cuisine and international flavours. Every single meal, including breakfast was delicious.

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul has the added convenience of being close to a lot of Seoul’s top destinations.

The Hyundai Seoul, a massive, state-of-the-art department store is right next door.

Yeouido Park is only a short walk away, the ideal spot for a picnic.

The popular neighbourhood of Itaewon, famous for its nightlife, is also a 10 minute subway ride away.

Whether you’re holidaying in Seoul or visiting for work, we highly recommend spending a few nights at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul.

Which Markets To Go To In Seoul?

Food is one of the top reasons a lot of people travel to South Korea.

And it would be remiss of us to write all about locations and leave out the most important topic, top food spots in Seoul!

Just in case you’re on the hunt for the best food markets in Seoul (of COURSE you are!), we’ve got them all in one place.

Seoul Markets

Seoul is home to a fantastic mix of markets spread throughout the city.

If you’re staying in the city center, three of the most popular and accessible ones are Myeongdong Night Market, Namdaemun Market, and Gwangjang Market.

Myeongdong Night Market

The neon glow of Myeongdong sets the stage for this lively street food market, where you can watch vendors whip up a mix of tasty sweet treats and savoury snacks. And these delicious meals are cheap as chips!

How To Get To Myeongdong Night Market

• Take Subway Line 4 (Blue Line) at Seoul Station. Ride for 2 stops and get off at Myeongdong Station.
• Exit at Exit 6. This will bring you right into the heart of Myeongdong, where the night market is.

Namdaemun Market

Just a short walk from Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market is the spot to go if you’re looking to snag a bargain.

You’ll find everything from toys and clothing to bags and accessories here, plus small eateries serving up delicious, authentic Korean dishes.

It’s a must-visit for any shopper or foodie.

How To Get To Namdaemun Market

• Exit Seoul Station and head towards Namdaemun (it’s only a short walk).
• Walk straight for about 5-10 minutes and you’ll arrive at Namdaemun Market. It’s located near Namdaemun Gate, a major landmark.
• Alternatively, you can take Subway Line 4 from Seoul Station and get off at Hoehyeon Station (1 stop). Exit 5 leads directly to the market.
• Travel Time: The journey takes around 10 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by subway.

Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is another food lover’s paradise. Grab a seat at one of the stalls and dive into some of South Korea’s most iconic dishes.

Wander through the bustling wet market to see exotic ingredients, or explore the maze of shops selling everything from traditional Korean clothing to fun little homewares.

How To Get To Gwangjang Market

• Take Subway Line 1 (Blue Line) at Seoul Station.
• Ride for 2 stops and get off at Jongno 5-ga Station.
• Exit 8 will bring you directly to Gwangjang Market.
• Travel time: Around 5 minutes by subway. It’s a quick and easy journey to one of Seoul’s most famous markets!

Is Seoul A Walkable City?

Yes, Seoul is a very walkable city. But you will need to take the bus or subway to visit all the touristy areas since they are quite spread out.

The easiest and quickest way to get around the city is by subway. Try to stay close to a main one and you’ll manage the city just fine.

The most popular card for riding the subway in Seoul is the T-money card.

It’s a prepaid card that can be used on a range of public transport, including the subway, buses, and taxis. 

It can also be used at a lot of convenience stores.

However, we chose to buy individual tickets. If you plan to do this too, remember to look for a deposit refund machine at you last stop.

After exiting the subway, scan your ticket at the turnstile and head to the refund machine to get your deposit back. It may only be 50 cents each, but it all adds up!

Wrap Up Of Your Ultimate Seoul 4 Day Itinerary

That wraps up your ultimate Seoul 4 day itinerary!

In less than a week, you’ll have managed to explore Seoul’s vibrant neighbourhoods, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems.

From sipping coffee at trendy cafes to wandering through bustling markets and relaxing in luxury at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, our ultimate Seoul four-day itinerary has you covered.

Are you searching for more hotel recommendations? We’ve stayed at a few of the top neighbourhoods and hotels around Seoul. We guide you in the right direction here.

Perhaps you’re searching for a complete guide to South Korea? We’ve put together the perfect one for first timers visiting the city.

We also have plenty of great recommendations for Japan, if you’re planning to combine the two countries in one trip.

Above all else, we hope you found this itinerary handy.

Have fun in Seoul!