The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary To Seoul: See, Eat, and Explore It All!

This is the perfect 5-day solo itinerary to Seoul! A few years ago, I visited Seoul for the first time on a work trip. I was super excited because I had heard so many great stories about Seoul.

I immediately fell in love with the city, BTS, K-drama, and K-food! Seoul has good food, many shopping areas, fantastic hiking trails in the mountains, and an exciting culture that is so different from mine.

In September 2022, I planned my first solo trip to South Korea and visited Seoul and Busan. Are you planning a trip to Seoul? I’ve crafted the perfect 5-day itinerary to Seoul for you!

Don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide To Seoul or 21 Solo Things To Do In Seoul, which have more detailed tips and recommendations!

5-day itinerary to Seoul Overview

• Day 1: Bukchon Village, Gyeongbokgung and Hongdae
• Day 2: Korean War Museum and Myeongdong
• Day 3: Day trip to the DMZ or Nami Island
• Day 4: N Seoul Tower and Gangnam
• Day 5: Ihwa Mural Village and Cheongdam Stream

When to visit Seoul?

Seoul and South Korea, in general, have hot and humid summers and cold winters. I visited Seoul in August, and I was dying from the heat and humidity, which made sightseeing not much fun.

Mid-December was brutally cold and freezing with snow. I still feel it’s better to visit than in the summer because you can dress for the cold weather. I wore heat protection clothing (I love the thermo shirts from Uniqlo), proper snow boots and a thick, windproof winter jacket with a hood and gloves. You’ll need it!

The best time to visit Seoul is in the fall and spring. Seoul is famous for its fall foliage, and spring is famous for its cherry blossom season. It’s also the busiest time of the year.

Is 5 days enough in Seoul?

To fully experience Seoul, I recommend staying for at least five days. Five full days is the sweet spot.

You can explore all the highlights, visit museums, stroll through cool neighbourhoods, drink, eat street food, shop, bike along the Han River, hike up the mountains, take a cooking class and get a beauty treatment.

In five days, you can sneak in on a day trip to the DMZ border, Lotte World, or Alpaca Island. You’ll have more time to see all the highlights at an easier pace.

Is Seoul Expensive?

Seoul, like any major city, can be as budget-friendly or as expensive as you make it. While it won’t have the ultra-low prices of destinations like Thailand or Vietnam, it’s still possible to explore Seoul affordably if you know where to go.

High-end restaurants, upscale bars, and premium BBQ spots can add up quickly, but sticking to street food, casual eateries, local drinks (you have to try makgeolli, Korea’s delicious rice wine!), and the occasional convenience store meal can help keep costs down.

And speaking of convenience stores—South Korea’s are on another level. From fresh, tasty meals to budget-friendly drinks, they’re a game-changer for affordable travel. If you’ve seen those viral reels about Korean convenience store finds, you already know they’re worth checking out.

Accommodation will likely be your biggest expense. Outside of peak season, a simple double room with a private bathroom and air conditioning in Myeongdong averages around $120 per night.

That said, even for solo female travellers, Seoul can be an affordable destination with the right approach.

How to get around in Seoul?

Seoul’s public transport system is top-notch, making it ideal for solo travellers on a budget. The city’s buses and subways are efficient, affordable, and easy to navigate—all you need is a transportation card and a reliable public transport app.

KTX Bullet Train

Seoul’s train system is just as impressive, with seamless connections between the airport, the city, and beyond. I took the KTX bullet train from Seoul to Busan, and the journey was a breeze—just 2.5 hours from city to city.

While the KTX isn’t the cheapest option (I paid around $120 for a return ticket), booking in advance can help you find better deals. Plus, the experience is worth it. Sitting back, watching the landscape roll by, and avoiding airport hassle made for a relaxing ride.

AREX Incheon Airport Express

My favourite way to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station is the AREX express train. There are two versions, but the direct train is the fastest and most comfortable, making it worth the slightly higher price. Tickets are easy to buy at the airport via ticket machines or online in advance.

Airport Bus

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly way to get from the airport to the city, the Seoul Incheon Limousine Bus is a great option. While it takes longer due to multiple stops, it’s affordable and convenient if your accommodation is near one of the designated drop-offs.

For a deeper dive into Seoul’s transportation system, check out my guide on 12 Essential Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Seoul.

Kakao Taxi

For a long time, Uber didn’t work in Seoul, but to my surprise, it became available around the summer of 2023—likely due to the increase in tourism. That said, I still found that getting a taxi through Uber could take a while.

As a backup, I recommend downloading the Kakao Taxi app. At first, it might seem like you need a local credit card to book a ride, but there’s a workaround—simply select the ‘pay to driver’ option. This allows you to order a taxi just like you would with Uber and then pay with a credit card directly when you get in the taxi.

Where to stay in Seoul?

In my experience, there are a few neighbourhoods in Seoul where a solo female traveller can comfortably stay.

As a solo female traveller, if you rely on public transport, I would ensure your accommodation is well connected to a subway station. Safety is not a big issue in Seoul compared to other countries.

Myeongdong

Myeongdong is my favourite area because it’s practically in the middle of Seoul and has great connections to every other part of the city. Myeongdong is famous for its shopping streets, which have many shops, food carts, and beauty salons.

A great option in Myeongdong is L7 Myeongdong by Lotte! This hotel is located on the other side of Myeongdong, just a few minutes walk from Myeongdong Station.

The location is perfect if you want to stay in the shopping area and near Myeongdong Street. You’ll have all the buzz from this neighbourhood on your doorstep.

Gangnam

Gangnam is another more upscale part of Seoul, home to the rich and famous and plenty of luxury shopping malls. There are many good mid-range to high-end hotels.

My favourite area in Gangnam is Apguyeong.

A great affordable hotel option in Gangnam is Aiden by Best Western. The hotel has clean, simple rooms in a great location.

All rooms have breakfast included, so there is something less to worry about in the morning! The area is excellent for a visit to Apguyeong.

Hongdae

Stay in Hongdae if you like many bars, restaurants, clubs, and entertainment. Hongdae is also known as the student neighbourhood, and there’s always something to do in the evenings.

From going out for a drink to watching the street busking from the future BTS. Hongdae also has some fantastic restaurants and wine bars.

Check out L7 Hongdae by Lotte for an amazing stay!

Insadong and Ikseondong

Insadong is a fantastic neighbourhood to stay in, located just north of the city centre. It’s within walking distance of Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Myeongdong, making it a convenient base for exploring Seoul.

The area is known for its charming tea houses, cosy cafés, and traditional restaurants, offering a perfect blend of history and modern culture.

Nearby Ikseon-dong is another must-visit spot where alleys lined with beautifully preserved hanok houses create a unique vibe. This neighbourhood seamlessly blends the old and new of Seoul.

The best thing is the number of traditional Korean houses (hanoks) to stay in! It’s such a special way to immerse yourself in Seoul! Check out Nam Hyun Dang Hanok in Insadong.

>> Check out the best boutique hotels in Seoul for a unique stay!

The Perfect 5-day itinerary to Seoul

Day 1: Bukchon, Gyeongbokgung and Hongdae

Early in the morning, head to Bukchon Hanok Village. This residential area in Seoul resembles Seoul in the Joseon Dynasty with these beautiful traditional houses. It is a must-see in Seoul and is famous for its instagrammable streets.

Bukchon can be very busy, so it’s best to arrive early if you want to take photos without many people in them.

From Bukchon Hanok Village walk to Insadong. Insadong is a cute neighbourhood famous for its tea shops. Grab a tea somewhere, a coffee and lunch. For lunch, check out Insadong Maneul Bossam or Bukchon Son-mandu.

From Insadong, go straight to Gyeongbokgung Palace. The entrance to the palace is free if you wear a hanbok! However, even if you’re not, the entrance fee is only a few dollars.

The palace is amazing, and you can walk around all the areas for an hour or more. If you’re lucky, you can see the changing of the guards’ ceremony, which is held at 10 AM and 2 PM.

In the evening, head out to Hongdae. Hongdae is the student neighbourhood in Seoul! You’ll find shops, restaurants, bars, and many photo booths. Grab dinner in Hongdae. How about K-BBQ or KFC (Korean Fried Chicken)?

Famous Korean Chicken restaurants are Nene Chicken or check out Shin Mi Kyung for dakgalbi.

After dinner, walk around, grab a drink, and take cute photos with the crazy props at one of the photo booths. If you like clubbing or dancing, there are many places to try out too.

Book a hanbok photoshoot in Gyeongbokgung palace

If you’re looking for an awesome memory to take home, check out renting a hanbok and hiring a photographer for a professional shoot at Gyeonbokgung Palace! I’ve seen many people do this, and it looks incredible!

You can rent a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and wear it on the streets of Bukchon Hanok Village and to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Day 2: Korean War Memorial Museum and Myeongdong

The Korean War Memorial Museum is a must-see if you’d like to learn more about Korea’s history. Museums in Korea are free, so there’s no excuse!

Take a cooking class with the Seoul Cooking School in Myeongdong. If you take the class that starts at 1 PM, you will learn how to cook Korean food and tackle lunch in one.

Since you’re already in Myeongdong, stay there for some shopping!

Myeongdong comes to life at the end of the afternoon. That’s when most of the street food carts start rolling in, and the crowd gets bigger. There are so many shops, especially skincare shops. 

I love strolling around Myeongdong! Do some souvenir shopping, maybe get a beauty treatment, indulge in all the delicious Korean street food like teokkbokki, gimbap, heottok, and pork belly skewers, and do skincare shopping.

This Korean Beef BBQ restaurant is amazing if you’re looking for something more than street food.

Don’t forget to check out Olive Young, the famous skincare and beauty department store. Tip: Get the foot masks! They will make your feet soft like baby skin!

Day 3: Visit the DMZ, Nami Island or Lotte World

Take the morning and afternoon to take a day trip to a historical site like the DMZ border between North and South Korea. It’s the perfect tour to add history and culture to your itinerary.

Or maybe you’re looking for something beautiful and peaceful, like Nami Island and fluffy alpacas?

Or what about a visit to Lotte World if you’re into theme parks? Don’t forget to take up the quirky tradition of renting a high school uniform while walking around the theme park.

Lotte World is easily accessible by public transport, just outside Seoul centre. 

When you’re back in Seoul from your day trip, head to Itaewon for drinks and dinner. Grab dinner in one of the many restaurants! Itaewon is also known for its Western and foreign restaurants.

The area is nice and can get pretty crowded on weekends. If you’re in the mood for a simple, plain old hamburger, try out this amazing hamburger restaurant in Itaewon and then grab drinks at Off The Record or Prost!

Day 4: N Seoul Tower and Gangnam

Namsan Tower, or N Seoul Tower, is perfect early in the morning for a nice hike up to the tower and a pretty view of Seoul. You can choose to walk all the way (which is not that far from the bus stop) and walk down or take the cable car.

I choose to walk up and down, which is perfectly fine.

Gwangjang Market is a must-see if you’re visiting Seoul for the first time. This local market became famous because one specific stall was featured on the famous Netflix show “Street Food Asia”.

You’ll find lots of typical Korean food to try. Gwangjang Market can get extremely busy and is also very touristy now. Nevertheless, go see it and try some Korean food like mandu (dumplings), sundae, gimbap, fermented raw crab and kalguksu (hand-cut cold noodles).

After lunch, head over to Coex Mall in Gangnam. In Coex Mall, you’ll find the Starfield Library, famous for its instagrammable photos. You must have seen photos going around on Instagram of an escalator in front of a million books.

That’s Starfield Library!

Since we’re already in Gangnam, we might as well stay and enjoy the evening! Gangnam has many cool shopping malls, so if you like shopping, go nuts here! But a must is to head over to Apguyeong.

Apguyeong is a hip and trendy area with trendy bars, restaurants and shops. I love this neighbourhood; it has an entirely different vibe from Myeongdong or Hongdae.

After dinner, take a nice walk along the Han River. In the summer, the Banpo Bridge hosts a light show. You can grab an ice cream from one of the convenience stores around the Han River.

Korea has some unique ice cream flavours, like corn or tomato! Try it! The corn one is my favourite.

Day 5: Ihwa Mural Village and Cheongdam Stream

Ihwa Mural Village is a small neighbourhood in Seoul that is famous for its murals. It’s not very big, but I loved walking around there. On your last day in Seoul, grab a coffee, take a few photos, and have a slow morning.

The Nanta Theater Show is a must-see and a unique experience in Seoul. If you have a spare afternoon, I highly recommend this highly rated show! Don’t worry about not speaking Korean—you don’t have to for this show!

On your last night in Seoul, I suggest heading out to your favourite spot in the city. That’s what I always do on my last day! Maybe you forgot to buy someone a souvenir, or you don’t have enough skincare face masks, or what about a beauty treatment in Myeongdong?

If you still have time, check out Cheongdam Stream, which is not far from Myeongdong. It’s an area where you can chill, relax and walk along a stream. It can get pretty busy in the summer, but I feel it’s an excellent way to say goodbye to Seoul.

You can also grab a bowl of hot ramyeon from a nearby convenience store and eat it while chilling along Cheongdam Stream.

Is Seoul safe for Women travelling alone?

Seoul is great for solo travel! The best part about travelling solo to Seoul is the incredible sense of safety. South Korea is one of the safest countries for solo female travellers, similar to Singapore, Japan or Chiang Mai. From the moment I arrived, I never once felt uneasy.

The city offers so much for solo travellers, from fantastic coffee shops to trendy bakeries, to museums and many places to shop!

That’s it! Your perfect 5-day itinerary to Seoul! I hope you’ll love Seoul as much as I do!

Before your solo trip to Seoul, make sure to read up on customs and etiquette in South Korea. I’ve written a fantastic blog post on how to avoid mistakes when travelling to Seoul!

It’s always wise to check for any cool events happening in Seoul!

As always, let me know how you get on! I’m here if you need any help planning your trip to Seoul. The fastest way to reach out is by commenting on my latest Instagram post.