Itineraries
Where to stay
Jongno and Insadong for the palaces and old Seoul, Myeongdong for shopping and central transport, Hongdae for nightlife and a younger crowd.
The areas: Jongno and Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae.
Where to stay in Seoul: areas and adviceHotels in SeoulPlaces to see
All things to do in South KoreaNeighborhoodBukchon Hanok VillageHillside lanes of traditional tiled hanok houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, still lived in today.Entry: Residential red zone: 10 AM to 5 PM; Sunday rest day
MuseumChangdeokgung Palace and Secret GardenA UNESCO-listed royal palace whose wooded rear garden of pavilions and ponds is seen on guided visits.Entry: Secret Garden needs a separate timed ticket
NatureCheonggyecheon StreamA restored stream with walking paths below street level, running east from Cheonggye Plaza through downtown.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumDeoksugung PalaceA compact palace in downtown Seoul that mixes Joseon halls with early 20th century stone buildings.Entry: Ticketed; closed Mondays
MarketGwangjang MarketOne of Seoul's oldest markets, famous for mung bean pancakes, gimbap and food stalls under one roof.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumGyeongbokgung PalaceThe main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, with throne halls, pavilions and ponds below Bugaksan.Entry: Ticketed; closed Tuesdays
NatureGyeongui Line Forest Park, Yeonnam sectionThe Yeonnam section of a former railway corridor, with lawns and paths beside neighborhood cafes.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodHongdaeThe streets around Hongik University, known for buskers, indie shops, clubs and late bars.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointHwahongmun Watergate, SuwonA seven-arched sluice gate where the fortress wall crosses the Suwoncheon stream.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumHwaseong Haenggung Palace, SuwonThe temporary royal palace King Jeongjo used on visits to Suwon, rebuilt below the fortress walls.Entry: Ticketed
NeighborhoodIkseon-dong hanok lanesA tight block of old hanok houses turned into cafes, bakeries and small shops near Jongno 3-ga.Entry: Free to visit
FoodInsadong restaurant lanesAlleys off Insadong-gil packed with Korean restaurants, tea houses and craft shops in central Seoul.Entry: Pay as you go
RuinsJanganmun Gate, SuwonThe large northern gate of Hwaseong Fortress, the formal entrance on the road from Seoul.Entry: Free to visit
MarketJidong Market, SuwonA traditional market inside the old walls, known for its alley of sundae and soup restaurants.Entry: Pay as you go
TempleJogyesa TempleThe head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, an active temple in the middle of Jongno.Entry: Free to visit
NatureMangwon Hangang ParkA riverside park on the Han River with cycling paths, lawns and views of the bridges.Entry: Free to visit
MarketMangwon MarketA neighborhood covered market in Mapo with cheap street snacks, fried chicken and side dishes.Entry: Pay as you go
ChurchMyeongdong CathedralA red brick Gothic Revival cathedral from the 1890s, the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul.Entry: Free to visit; respect services
FoodMyeongdong street foodFood carts line the shopping streets of Myeongdong in the evening, selling skewers, egg bread and tteokbokki.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointN Seoul TowerA communications tower on Namsan with an observatory and terraces looking over the whole city.Entry: Park free; observatory tickets sold at the tower
MarketNamdaemun MarketA huge traditional market beside Sungnyemun Gate, with food alleys selling noodles, hotteok and grilled fish.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumNational Museum of KoreaThe national collection of Korean art and history, from Silla gold crowns to celadon and Buddhist sculpture.Entry: Permanent galleries free; maintenance first Monday of Mar, Jun, Sep and Dec, with exceptions
RuinsPaldalmun Gate, SuwonThe southern gate of Suwon's 18th century Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Entry: Free to visit
FoodPaldalmun Market and Chicken Street, SuwonA market beside Paldalmun Gate and a nearby street of fried chicken restaurants that Suwon is known for.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointSeojangdae command post, SuwonThe western command post on top of Paldalsan, the highest point on the Hwaseong Fortress walls.Entry: Fortress walls free
TransportSeoul StationSeoul's main rail terminal, where KTX trains leave for Gyeongju and Busan.Entry: Train tickets extra
FoodYeonnam-dong dining streetsLow-rise streets beside the forest park, full of small restaurants, bars and cafes.Entry: Pay as you go