Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Seoul and Suwon · South Korea

Four days in Seoul

Royal palaces and hanok lanes, food markets and night views from Namsan, a walk on the fortress walls of Suwon and an evening by the Han River. Four days in Korea’s capital.

4 days
$$ Mid-range
Easy
Good with kids
Solo
Friends
Families
City
Food
Culture

Copy this trip into Andamos See the plan

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

Day 1
Palaces and hanok
1. 09:00
  Gyeongbokgung Palace
  Activity
  The largest of Seoul’s royal palaces; catch the changing of the guard at the main gate. Visitors wearing hanbok enter free.
2. 11:30
  Bukchon Hanok Village
  Activity
  Hillside lanes of traditional tiled-roof houses. People live here, so keep your voice down.
3. 13:00
  Lunch: bibimbap in Insadong
  Food & drink
  Rice with vegetables, egg and chili paste, then a pot of tea in a traditional teahouse.
4. 15:00
  Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
  Activity
  A palace set into the hills, with a wooded rear garden you can visit only on a guided tour. Book ahead.
5. 18:00
  Dinner at Gwangjang Market
  Food & drink
  Mung bean pancakes fried to order and small rolls of gimbap at long counters.
Day 2
Markets and Namsan
1. 09:00
  Namdaemun Market
  Activity
  Seoul’s oldest and biggest traditional market, a maze of stalls selling almost everything.
2. 11:00
  Deoksugung Palace
  Activity
  A small palace where traditional halls stand beside early Western-style buildings; walk the stone-wall road outside.
3. 13:00
  Lunch: kalguksu in Myeongdong
  Food & drink
  Hand-cut noodles in a warm broth, served with sharp kimchi.
4. 16:00
  Namsan and N Seoul Tower
  Activity
  Take the cable car or walk up the wooded hill; stay for the city lights after dark.
5. 19:30
  Street food in Myeongdong
  Food & drink
  Evening stalls with tteokbokki, skewers and egg bread.
Day 3
Suwon fortress and the Han River
1. 08:30
  Train to Suwon
  Getting around
  About an hour south on subway Line 1, or faster by train from Seoul Station.
2. 10:00
  Hwaseong Fortress wall walk
  Activity
  An 18th-century wall loops around the old city, with gates, towers and pavilions along the way.
3. 13:00
  Lunch: Suwon galbi
  Food & drink
  Suwon is known across Korea for its grilled marinated beef ribs.
4. 14:30
  Hwaseong Haenggung
  Activity
  The temporary palace the king used on visits, restored inside the fortress.
5. 19:00
  Chimaek at Yeouido Hangang Park
  Food & drink
  Fried chicken and beer on the riverbank, a favorite Seoul evening.
Day 4
Streams, alleys and Hongdae
1. 09:30
  Cheonggyecheon Stream
  Activity
  A restored stream with walking paths below street level through the city center.
2. 11:00
  Ikseon-dong
  Activity
  A tight cluster of old hanok turned into small cafés and shops.
3. 12:30
  Lunch: naengmyeon
  Food & drink
  Cold buckwheat noodles in an icy broth, refreshing on a warm day.
4. 14:30
  Dongdaemun Design Plaza
  Activity
  A huge curving building by Zaha Hadid, beside the old city wall and night markets.
5. 18:30
  Korean barbecue in Hongdae
  Food & drink
  Grill pork belly at the table, then watch the street performers in the university district.

Good to know

Tips

Getting around

A rechargeable T-money card works on the subway, buses and in convenience stores. Local map apps such as Naver Map or KakaoMap give better directions than international ones.

Seasons

Spring blossoms and autumn leaves are the best times. Summer is hot, humid and rainy in July; winter is dry but very cold.

Palace closing days

Each palace closes one day a week, and not all on the same day. Check before you plan, and book the Secret Garden tour early.

Eating out

Many barbecue places expect at least two portions per table, so solo diners may do better at markets and noodle shops. Side dishes are refilled for free.

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