Skip to content
GoesKorea
Themed trails
The First-Timer's Three Days

The First-Timer's Three Days

3 days · 15 stops

© 서울관광 아카이브 / KOGL Type 1

Never been? This is the no-regrets route: palaces and hanok lanes on day one, downtown shopping and the Namsan skyline on day two, and Gangnam into Hongdae on day three — each day clustered so you walk more and ride less.

Day 1

  1. 1
    Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Landmark · Gyeongbokgung

    Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Open at the grandest palace — time it for the 10:00 changing of the guard.

  2. 2
    Bukchon Hanok Village

    Culture · Bukchon

    Bukchon Hanok Village

    Wander the tiled-roof lanes uphill behind the palace for the city's postcard view.

  3. 3
    Changdeokgung & Huwon

    Culture · Anguk

    Changdeokgung & Huwon

    A short walk east to the UNESCO palace — book the Secret Garden tour ahead.

  4. 4
    Tosokchon Samgyetang

    Restaurant · Seochon

    Tosokchon Samgyetang

    Late lunch on Seoul's most famous ginseng chicken soup in a Seochon hanok.

  5. 5
    Insadong

    Culture · Insadong

    Insadong

    Browse antiques, brushes and tea houses on the craft street as the day cools.

  6. 6
    Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley

    Play · Jongno

    Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley

    Finish after dark in the 1920s hanok alleys, now full of cafés and bistros.

Day 2

  1. 1
    Deoksugung Palace

    Culture · Gwanghwamun

    Deoksugung Palace

    Start by City Hall at the palace where hanok meet Western stone, and walk its stone wall.

  2. 2
    Myeongdong Street

    Play · Myeongdong

    Myeongdong Street

    Dive into the cosmetics-and-fashion mecca — and its famous evening food carts.

  3. 3
    Myeongdong Gyoja

    Restaurant · Myeongdong

    Myeongdong Gyoja

    Queue for the legendary garlicky kalguksu and a plate of mandu nearby.

  4. 4
    N Seoul Tower

    Landmark · Namsan

    N Seoul Tower

    Ride the cable car up Namsan for a 360° sweep that's loveliest at sunset.

  5. 5
    Dongdaemun Design Plaza

    Landmark · Dongdaemun

    Dongdaemun Design Plaza

    End at Zaha Hadid's glowing DDP and the all-night fashion markets beside it.

Day 3

  1. 1
    Bongeunsa Temple

    Culture · Samseong

    Bongeunsa Temple

    Begin south of the river at a 1,200-year-old temple facing the COEX towers.

  2. 2
    Starfield Library (COEX)

    Landmark · Samseong

    Starfield Library (COEX)

    Cross to the soaring open library inside the giant COEX Mall for a browse.

  3. 3
    Garosu-gil

    Play · Sinsa

    Garosu-gil

    Hop to Sinsa's ginkgo-lined boulevard for boutiques and a concept-café break.

  4. 4
    Hongdae Street

    Play · Hongdae

    Hongdae Street

    Close the trip north of the river in Hongdae's buskers, clubs and late-night eats.