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Seoul, first time
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Seoul, first time3 days · Seoul

Three days, one thread a day: the old royal core, the markets and late alleys downtown, then the creative west across the river. Built for a first visit: the Seoul everyone comes for, eaten like you live there.

✓Plan reviewed · July 5, 2026

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The shape of it

Day 1Old Seoul & a Namsan sunsetPalace → hanok lanes → sunset → night market Day 2Markets, makers & a late nightMarket food → crafts → Euljiro bars → the baths Day 3The creative westHongdae → café streets → the Han → chimaek
Day 1

Old Seoul & a Namsan sunset

Palaces and hanok lanes in the morning, golden hour on Namsan, barbecue-bright streets at night.

9:0020:30

5 stops · 55 min walking

09:00 GyeongbokgungCheck the day's guard-ceremony schedule, then continue to the quieter back pavilions. Current admission details are on the Place page. › 10:45 Bukchon Hanok VillageStraight up from the palace's north side. People live here; go quiet, go early. › 12:15 Lunch: Tosokchon samgyetangWalk-ins are standard; wait times vary, so keep lunch timing flexible. › 15:30 N Seoul TowerCheck the day's cable-car or shuttle operations, then stay for the changing light. › 18:30 MyeongdongAt dusk the food stalls take over: skewers, egg bread, hotteok. Graze. ›
Day 2

Markets, makers & a late night

Market food and old-town crafts by day; Euljiro's alley bars after dark, then the baths.

9:3023:00

5 stops · 50 min walking

09:30 Gwangjang MarketCome hungry. Bindaetteok first, then point at what the crowd's eating. › 11:15 InsadongCrafts and tea. Duck into Ssamzigil's spiral; Jogyesa temple is one step off the drag. › 14:00 Dongdaemun Design PlazaWalk Hadid's silver curves inside and out; check DDP's current exhibitions and outdoor installations before you go. ›
16:30 🛠️ EuljiroPrint shops by day, tiny bars by night. Dinner happens here without planning it.
21:00 ♨️ Late-night jjimjilbangChoose a bathhouse that fits your hours and admission rules. Facilities vary, so check before going.
Day 3

The creative west: Hongdae & the Han

Cross the river to where students and café owners live. Slower on purpose.

10:0020:00

4 stops · 60 min walking

10:00 HongdaeSkip the main drag; the murals and shops hide in the side streets. ›
12:00 🌿 Yeonnam-dongCafé-hop the old rail line locals call Yeontral Park. Sit by a window a while.
14:30 🌉 Han River at MapoConvenience-store ramyeon, cooked riverside: the local move. Rent a bike or don't. ›
18:00 🍜 Chimaek in HongdaeFried chicken, cold beer, the student way. Get the half-and-half.

Know before you go

🚇

T-money is a common transit option. Check current card retailers and top-up methods after arrival, and keep another payment method available.

💵

Carry a backup payment method for Day 2. Acceptance varies across market stalls and small late-night venues.

🌙

Day 2 runs late on purpose. The soju alley and the baths are the point, so Day 3 doesn't start till 10.

Make this mine — free

Step 1 of 3 · next: add your dates, then save · no account needed