South Korea in 10 days

Trip at a glance

Your first day

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

Day 1: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon and Changdeokgung

Two royal palaces and the hanok lanes between them, then pancakes at Gwangjang Market and an evening stroll by the stream.

Check the weekday. Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden is closed on Mondays.

1
9:00 AMGyeongbokgung PalaceArrive at opening to see the throne hall before the tour groups. Closed Tuesdays, so swap days if needed.About 1 hour 45 min here
Adult, 19 to 64: ₩3,000 (about $2) · Ticketed; closed Tuesdays
Official fees: Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Korea Heritage ServiceLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 15 min
2
11:00 AMBukchon Hanok VillageVisit residential lanes from 10 AM to 5 PM and skip Sunday, the rest day. Keep voices low and respect gates.About 1 hour here
Residential red zone: 10 AM to 5 PM; Sunday rest day
Walk about 15 min
3
12:15 PMInsadong restaurant lanesHave lunch in the side alleys off Insadong-gil, where small places serve set meals, noodles and stews.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 15 min
4
1:45 PMBook aheadChangdeokgung Palace and Secret GardenMatch this palace visit to your timed Secret Garden ticket; arrive before its slot. Normally closed Mondays.About 2 hours 30 min here
Palace, foreign adult 19 to 64: ₩3,000 (about $2) · Secret Garden extra, adult 19+: ₩5,000 (about $4) · Secret Garden needs a separate timed ticket
Official fees: Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Korea Heritage ServiceLast verified Nov 3, 2026
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Walk about 15 min
5
4:30 PMOptionalIkseon-dong hanok lanesWander the narrow hanok lanes for coffee or a pastry; it gets crowded at weekends.About 1 hour here
Free to visit
Walk about 15 min
6
5:45 PMGwangjang MarketSit at a stall for mung bean pancakes, gimbap and makgeolli; point at what looks good if menus are in Korean.About 1 hour here
Pay as you go
Walk along the stream, about 25 min
7
7:15 PMCheonggyecheon StreamFinish with a walk along the lit-up stream, ending at Cheonggye Plaza near City Hall subway.
Free to visit

Before you go

Book these aheadChangdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden (day 1), Haeundae Blueline Park, Cheongsapo (day 8): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Book KTX seats aheadTickets open about a month before travel on the Korail site and app; weekend and holiday trains sell out early.
Consider a Korail PassA pass covers standard-class KTX trains for international visitors, but not subways or SRT trains, so compare it with single tickets.
Get a T-money cardOne rechargeable transport card pays for subways and buses in Seoul, Busan and most other cities.
Carry some cashCards work almost everywhere, but small market stalls and night markets often prefer cash.
No tipping neededTipping is not expected in restaurants or taxis in Korea, and staff may hand back any extra.
Reorder around closure datesCheck palace holiday closures, museum maintenance days and Jagalchi Tuesdays. Skip Bukchon residential lanes on Sundays and check Gukje shop hours.

Where to stay for this plan

Base yourself in Jongno, Seoul, for four nights, a hanok guesthouse near Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju, and Nampo-dong in Busan near the station.

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Plan last checked Nov 3, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.