Seoul itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Seoul, day by day: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and the Jongmyo shrine first, then Deoksugung and Gwanghwamun Plaza, Namsan and N Seoul Tower, the National Museum, Seodaemun Prison and the old city gates and walls as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Seoul in 1 day
Day 1
Jongmyo
The Confucian shrine holding the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Changdeokgung
A Joseon royal palace set into the hillside, a UNESCO site, with the Secret Garden seen on guided tours.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
Seoul in 2 days
Day 1
Deoksugung
A walled palace in the city centre mixing traditional Korean halls with Western-style stone buildings.
Gyeonghuigung
A Joseon palace, partly reconstructed, next to the Seoul Museum of History.
Gwanghwamun
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung, rebuilt in 2010, where the changing of the guard takes place.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
Day 2
Yoido Full Gospel Church
A Pentecostal megachurch on Yeouido, one of the largest congregations in the world.
National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum, in Yongsan, with art and archaeology from prehistory to the Joseon era.
Namsan
A wooded mountain in central Seoul with walking trails, a cable car and N Seoul Tower on top.
N Seoul Tower
A broadcasting tower on top of Namsan with observation decks and fences covered in love locks.
Seoul in 3 days
Day 1
Sejong Center
Seoul's largest performing arts complex, on Gwanghwamun Plaza, with concerts, theatre and exhibitions.
Gwanghwamun Plaza
The broad square on Sejong-daero with statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Gwanghwamun
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung, rebuilt in 2010, where the changing of the guard takes place.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
Day 2
Namdaemun
Sungnyemun, the Great South Gate of the old city wall, rebuilt after a 2008 arson fire, by Namdaemun Market.
Seoul Museum of Art
The city's art museum, in the former Supreme Court building near Deoksugung, with modern and contemporary art.
Deoksugung
A walled palace in the city centre mixing traditional Korean halls with Western-style stone buildings.
Gyeonghuigung
A Joseon palace, partly reconstructed, next to the Seoul Museum of History.
Day 3
Heunginjimun
Dongdaemun, the Great East Gate of the old city wall, next to the Dongdaemun markets.
Changgyeonggung
A Joseon palace next to Changdeokgung, with a lake and an early 20th-century glass greenhouse.
Jongmyo
The Confucian shrine holding the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
National Folk Museum of Korea
A museum of traditional Korean daily life inside the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.
Seoul in 4 days
Day 1
Jongmyo
The Confucian shrine holding the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gwanghwamun
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung, rebuilt in 2010, where the changing of the guard takes place.
Gwanghwamun Plaza
The broad square on Sejong-daero with statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
National Folk Museum of Korea
A museum of traditional Korean daily life inside the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.
Day 2
Deoksugung
A walled palace in the city centre mixing traditional Korean halls with Western-style stone buildings.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
Seodaemun Prison
A former prison where Japanese colonial authorities held Korean independence activists, now a museum.
Gyeonghuigung
A Joseon palace, partly reconstructed, next to the Seoul Museum of History.
Sejong Center
Seoul's largest performing arts complex, on Gwanghwamun Plaza, with concerts, theatre and exhibitions.
Day 3
Yoido Full Gospel Church
A Pentecostal megachurch on Yeouido, one of the largest congregations in the world.
National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum, in Yongsan, with art and archaeology from prehistory to the Joseon era.
Namdaemun
Sungnyemun, the Great South Gate of the old city wall, rebuilt after a 2008 arson fire, by Namdaemun Market.
Namsan
A wooded mountain in central Seoul with walking trails, a cable car and N Seoul Tower on top.
Day 4
Seoul Museum of Art
The city's art museum, in the former Supreme Court building near Deoksugung, with modern and contemporary art.
War Memorial of Korea
A large museum of Korea's military history and the Korean War, with tanks and aircraft outside.
Myeong-dong
Seoul's busiest shopping area for cosmetics and fashion, with street food stalls in the evening.
Seoul in 5 days
Day 1
Unhyeongung
The residence of the Heungseon Daewongun, father of King Gojong, where Gojong grew up.
Gwanghwamun
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung, rebuilt in 2010, where the changing of the guard takes place.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
National Folk Museum of Korea
A museum of traditional Korean daily life inside the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.
Day 2
Independence Gate
A stone arch built in 1897 to mark independence from Chinese influence, near Seodaemun Prison.
Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery
The burial ground of foreign missionaries and others who worked in Korea, above the Han River in Mapo.
Yoido Full Gospel Church
A Pentecostal megachurch on Yeouido, one of the largest congregations in the world.
63 Building
A gold-glass skyscraper on Yeouido island with an aquarium, an art gallery and views over the Han River.
Deoksugung
A walled palace in the city centre mixing traditional Korean halls with Western-style stone buildings.
Day 3
Dongmyo
A Joseon-era shrine to the Chinese general Guan Yu, next to a busy flea market.
Heunginjimun
Dongdaemun, the Great East Gate of the old city wall, next to the Dongdaemun markets.
Gwanghuimun
The south-east gate of the old city wall, restored in the 1970s.
Jongmyo
The Confucian shrine holding the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seoul Museum of Art
The city's art museum, in the former Supreme Court building near Deoksugung, with modern and contemporary art.
Day 4
Sejong Center
Seoul's largest performing arts complex, on Gwanghwamun Plaza, with concerts, theatre and exhibitions.
Wongudan
The site of the altar for sacrifices to Heaven; its three-storey Hwanggungu shrine survives beside a hotel.
Bosingak
A bell pavilion on Jongno whose great bell is rung at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Insa-dong
A lane of tea houses, galleries and craft shops selling hanji paper, pottery and calligraphy brushes.
Day 5
Gwanghwamun Plaza
The broad square on Sejong-daero with statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Gyeonghuigung
A Joseon palace, partly reconstructed, next to the Seoul Museum of History.
World Cup Fountain
A fountain in the Han River near the Seoul World Cup Stadium, built for the 2002 World Cup.
Seodaemun Prison
A former prison where Japanese colonial authorities held Korean independence activists, now a museum.
Seoul in 6 days
Day 1
Unhyeongung
The residence of the Heungseon Daewongun, father of King Gojong, where Gojong grew up.
Seoul Museum of Art
The city's art museum, in the former Supreme Court building near Deoksugung, with modern and contemporary art.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
National Folk Museum of Korea
A museum of traditional Korean daily life inside the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.
Day 2
Namdaemun
Sungnyemun, the Great South Gate of the old city wall, rebuilt after a 2008 arson fire, by Namdaemun Market.
Sejong Center
Seoul's largest performing arts complex, on Gwanghwamun Plaza, with concerts, theatre and exhibitions.
Gwanghwamun Plaza
The broad square on Sejong-daero with statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Wongudan
The site of the altar for sacrifices to Heaven; its three-storey Hwanggungu shrine survives beside a hotel.
Day 3
Dongmyo
A Joseon-era shrine to the Chinese general Guan Yu, next to a busy flea market.
Heunginjimun
Dongdaemun, the Great East Gate of the old city wall, next to the Dongdaemun markets.
Gwanghuimun
The south-east gate of the old city wall, restored in the 1970s.
Tteok Museum
A small museum of Korean rice cakes, with the tools and customs around making them.
Deoksugung
A walled palace in the city centre mixing traditional Korean halls with Western-style stone buildings.
Day 4
Gwanghwamun
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung, rebuilt in 2010, where the changing of the guard takes place.
Gyeonghuigung
A Joseon palace, partly reconstructed, next to the Seoul Museum of History.
Independence Gate
A stone arch built in 1897 to mark independence from Chinese influence, near Seodaemun Prison.
Seodaemun Prison
A former prison where Japanese colonial authorities held Korean independence activists, now a museum.
Day 5
Bosingak
A bell pavilion on Jongno whose great bell is rung at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Insa-dong
A lane of tea houses, galleries and craft shops selling hanji paper, pottery and calligraphy brushes.
Jongmyo
The Confucian shrine holding the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hyehwamun
The north-east gate of the old city wall, rebuilt in the 1990s.
Day 6
Yoido Full Gospel Church
A Pentecostal megachurch on Yeouido, one of the largest congregations in the world.
National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum, in Yongsan, with art and archaeology from prehistory to the Joseon era.
War Memorial of Korea
A large museum of Korea's military history and the Korean War, with tanks and aircraft outside.
Namsan
A wooded mountain in central Seoul with walking trails, a cable car and N Seoul Tower on top.
Seoul in 7 days
Day 1
Unhyeongung
The residence of the Heungseon Daewongun, father of King Gojong, where Gojong grew up.
Gwanghwamun
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung, rebuilt in 2010, where the changing of the guard takes place.
Gyeongbokgung
The largest of Seoul's five Joseon palaces, founded in 1395, with throne halls and a pavilion on a lotus pond.
National Folk Museum of Korea
A museum of traditional Korean daily life inside the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.
Day 2
Bosingak
A bell pavilion on Jongno whose great bell is rung at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Seoul Museum of Art
The city's art museum, in the former Supreme Court building near Deoksugung, with modern and contemporary art.
Deoksugung
A walled palace in the city centre mixing traditional Korean halls with Western-style stone buildings.
Wongudan
The site of the altar for sacrifices to Heaven; its three-storey Hwanggungu shrine survives beside a hotel.
Day 3
Dongmyo
A Joseon-era shrine to the Chinese general Guan Yu, next to a busy flea market.
Heunginjimun
Dongdaemun, the Great East Gate of the old city wall, next to the Dongdaemun markets.
Gwanghuimun
The south-east gate of the old city wall, restored in the 1970s.
Jongmyo
The Confucian shrine holding the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gwanghwamun Plaza
The broad square on Sejong-daero with statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Day 4
Sejong Center
Seoul's largest performing arts complex, on Gwanghwamun Plaza, with concerts, theatre and exhibitions.
Gyeonghuigung
A Joseon palace, partly reconstructed, next to the Seoul Museum of History.
Independence Gate
A stone arch built in 1897 to mark independence from Chinese influence, near Seodaemun Prison.
Seodaemun Prison
A former prison where Japanese colonial authorities held Korean independence activists, now a museum.
Day 5
Namdaemun
Sungnyemun, the Great South Gate of the old city wall, rebuilt after a 2008 arson fire, by Namdaemun Market.
Insa-dong
A lane of tea houses, galleries and craft shops selling hanji paper, pottery and calligraphy brushes.
Tteok Museum
A small museum of Korean rice cakes, with the tools and customs around making them.
Hyehwamun
The north-east gate of the old city wall, rebuilt in the 1990s.
Day 6
Yoido Full Gospel Church
A Pentecostal megachurch on Yeouido, one of the largest congregations in the world.
National Museum of Korea
Korea's largest museum, in Yongsan, with art and archaeology from prehistory to the Joseon era.
War Memorial of Korea
A large museum of Korea's military history and the Korean War, with tanks and aircraft outside.
Namsan
A wooded mountain in central Seoul with walking trails, a cable car and N Seoul Tower on top.
Day 7
Changuimun
The north-west gate of the old city wall, the start of a trail along the wall over Bugaksan.
Sukjeongmun
The north gate of the old city wall, high on Bugaksan, reached along the wall trail.
Fortress Wall of Seoul
The wall built around Joseon-era Seoul from 1396, about 18 km long, with trails along its ridges.
Watch: Seoul in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
Tours in Seoul
When to go to Seoul
April to May and September to November are the best months in Seoul, with mild weather; cherry blossoms usually bloom in early April and autumn leaves peak in late October. July and August are hot and humid, with the monsoon rains of late June to July. Winter is very cold and dry, and Chuseok and Lunar New Year close many shops.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Seoul on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Seoul on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Seoul on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Seoul with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for South Korea from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Seoul with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo close on Tuesdays; the other palaces close on Mondays.
- Visitors wearing hanbok get into the royal palaces free; rental shops cluster around Gyeongbokgung.
- A T-money card works on the subway and buses, and in taxis and convenience stores.
- On most weekdays Jongmyo can only be seen on a guided tour; check the tour times before you go.
- Watch the changing of the guard at Gwanghwamun or at Deoksugung's Daehanmun gate.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- 63 Building: Ox1997cow, CC-BY-SA-3.0
- Bosingak: Steve46814 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Changdeokgung: Unknown author Unknown author, CC BY 2.0 kr
- Changgyeonggung: 서울시, CC BY 2.0 kr
- Changuimun: Mark Froelich, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Deoksugung: http2007 (a flickr user), CC BY 2.0
- Dongmyo: Steve46814, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fortress Wall of Seoul: KO BYUNGSUK, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gwanghuimun: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han), CC BY-SA 2.0
- Gwanghwamun: The original uploader was ProhibitOnions at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gwanghwamun Plaza: *Youngjin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gyeongbokgung: LEESUNGWOO, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Gyeonghuigung: Adbar, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Heunginjimun: 문화재청 (공공누리 제1유형), KOGL Type 1
- Hyehwamun: Mark Froelich, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Independence Gate: 문화재청, KOGL Type 1
- Insa-dong: Vanbasten 23, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Jongmyo: Oskar Alexanderson, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Myeong-dong: 서울연구데이터서비스, KOGL Type 1
- N Seoul Tower: Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea, CC-BY-SA-2.0
- Namdaemun: DoulosCore, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Namsan: EasyKL, CC-BY-SA-3.0
- National Folk Museum of Korea: Fujiiy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- National Museum of Korea: Ian Muttoo from Mississauga, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sejong Center: unknown author, PD
- Seodaemun Prison: Helenakfronczak, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Seoul Museum of Art: Ollie Palmer, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sukjeongmun: Mark Froelich, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Tteok Museum: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Unhyeongung: Steve46814, CC BY-SA 3.0
- War Memorial of Korea: d. FUKA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wongudan: Cornell University Library, No restrictions
- World Cup Fountain: 서울특별시 소방재난본부, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery: Matthew smith 254, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Yoido Full Gospel Church: Jhcbs1019, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
