The Best 5 Days Seoul Itinerary for First Timers
Seoul has become one of my favorite cities that I always want to come back to.
I’ve done multiple 5-day trips to Seoul and each visit never gets old! There’s always something to do in Seoul.
Even the places I revisit numerous times don’t lose its charm.
If you’re visiting Seoul for the first time, 5 days is perfect.
Here’s the ideal Seoul itinerary for 5 days, including top places and tips for visiting.
If you’re new to South Korea, make sure to read my travel guide to South Korea for the basics.
Summary: Seoul Itinerary 5 days
Day 1: Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Myeongdong, Cheonggyecheon Stream
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Itaewon
Day 3: Day trips from Seoul options: Nami Island, DMZ, Everland, Jeonju
Day 4: Namsan Park, Starfield Library, Hongdae, Han River parks
Day 5: Downtown Seoul, Gwanghwamun Square, Deoksugung Palace
Seoul 5 Days Itinerary Tips
Here are Seoul travel tips to help you save time and make the most of your 5-day Seoul Itinerary:
- Visit popular attractions early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. But in general, start the day early.
- To beat jet lag, explore places at night in Seoul on your first day.
- Get the Discover Seoul Pass for access to 70+ Seoul attractions.
- Verify opening hours. For example, most palaces are closed on Mondays.
- Check the weather forecast and plan indoor activities for rainy days or pack an umbrella.
- Use the Citymapper app to navigate Seoul. Google Maps is not maximized for walking in Seoul.
- Bring good walking shoes and be prepared to walk a lot of stairs in subways!
🔗 Read more Seoul travel tips for first-time visitors.
Seoul Travel Essentials: book before you go
Seoul Checklist: have you booked these yet?
▢ Local sim card or Korea eSIM card
▢ Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer | airport bus | AREX train
▢ Book discounted hotels in Seoul (what I use)
▢ Buy a pre-loaded T-money card
▢ Browse through the most popular Seoul tours
Full Seoul Itinerary for 5 days
Day 1 of 5 Days Seoul Itinerary
On your first day in Seoul you want to take it easy. It also depends when you arrive in Seoul, so I mainly included sites that can be explored during the day and night to beat jet lag.
Day #1 Itinerary:
– Dongdaemun Design Plaza
– Myeongdong
– Cheonggyecheon Stream
DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) in Seoul is a top destination if you love modern design and architecture. You can explore around the exterior and art installations, or go inside for galleries, shops, and restaurants. DDP is especially beautiful at night and sometimes has light shows.
Myeongdong is probably the most popular area in Seoul for shopping and street food, packed with stores, beauty shops, and street food vendors. Even though it is a touristy area, it’s still fun to visit and is one of my favorite areas to come back to.
Cheonggyecheon Stream: Another favorite is this 7-mile (12 km) public stream running through downtown Seoul, open 24/7 except during rainy days for safety.
It has bridges, waterfalls, and seasonal art installations. You can sit by the stream or take a stroll during the day or nighttime with daily light shows.
Day 2 of 5 Days Seoul Itinerary
For day 2 you’ll visit some of the most popular places in Seoul. Expect lots of walking around these beautiful sites, then end the day exploring Itaewon at night.
Day #2 Itinerary:
– Gyeongbokgung Palace
– Insadong
– Bukchon Hanok Village
– Itaewon
Gyeongbokgung Palace: This is the most popular and grandest palace in Seoul. It was the main palace during the Joseon dynasty and spans over 400,000 sq. meters. Entrance is 3,000 won ($2.70 USD). The famous royal guard changing happens at 10am and 2pm.
Insadong Shopping Street: Insadong is a charming and traditional area in the northern-central Jong district. It has a long street of local shops and restaurants with multi-story malls like Annyoeng Insadong and Ssamzigil Mall.
You can find a lot of traditional Korean souvenirs here. A 10-minute walk away is a hidden gem, Ikseondong Hanok Village:
Bukchon Hanok Village: This neighborhood has over 900 hanok, or traditional Korean homes designed with nature and weather in mind. While it is residential, visitors can wander through the quiet streets (respectfully of course!)
Itaewon is the most popular area for nightlife in Seoul, for both locals and foreigners. There’s bars, trendy cafes, international restaurants, and boutique shops you can explore during the day and night.
Day 3 of 5 Days Seoul Itinerary
Day 3 will be to take a nearby day trip from Seoul. If you’d like to stay in Seoul, browse through my top Seoul attractions post for ideas.
Day #3 day trips from Seoul options:
– Nami Island
– DMZ
– Jeonju
Nami Island: The island is famous for its tree-lined paths, especially the Metasequoia Lane, which is most visited during autumn and winter. You can do cycling, picnicking, and explore art installations. Book a Nami Island tour.
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone): The DMZ marks the border and buffer zone between North and South Korea. Visitors to the DMZ can tour key sites like the Joint Security Area (JSA), observation points overlooking North Korea, and the Third Infiltration Tunnel. Book a DMZ tour.
Jeonju: Jeonju is known for its well-preserved Hanok Village with alleyways lined with over 800 well-preserved traditional houses. You can experience Korean culture through tea ceremonies, traditional crafts, and hanbok rentals. It’s also the birthplace of bibimbap. While it’s a farther day trip, it can be done in one day. Book a Jeonju day trip.
If you like theme parks, you can also do a day trip to Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park.
Day 4 of 5 Days Seoul Itinerary
You’ll continue exploring other popular sites in Seoul for your 4th day. These are some of my favorite.
Day #4 Itinerary:
– Namsan Park
– Starfield Library
– Hongdae
– Han River parks
Namsan Seoul Tower & Park: Namsan Tower is one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks, and its observatory offers panoramic views of the city during the day and night.
Visiting is free, but if you want to enter the Namsan Tower, you can prebook your ticket online to save time ($14 USD).
At the top is the observatory is also Locks of Love, where thousands of love locks are placed. The park itself is Seoul’s largest park.
You can hike up, take a taxi, ride the cable car, or take a city bus. I’ve done everything (minus the taxi) and each one is an adventure.
Starfield COEX Mall is the largest underground mall in Asia and where you’ll find the famous Starfield Library and Gangnam style hands statue.
Nearby locations if you want to explore more:
Hongdae: This popular area is known as the indie music and youth district of Seoul. There’s a main area as well as long shopping streets. There’s shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as live performances during the day and night.
Han River: There’s many parks along Han River that you can enjoy at night or ride a bike during the day. At night I recommend Banpo Hangang Park & Bridge, a park and bridge with daily light shows. You can also walk across the bridge for amazing views.
Day 5 of 5 Days Seoul Itinerary
On your last day in Seoul, explore sites in downtown Seoul, with lots of picturesque buildings & monuments. Each site won’t take too much time, leaving room for flexibility depending on when you leave Seoul. You can also use this day to shop for souvenirs.
Day #5 Itinerary:
– Downtown Seoul
– Gwanghwamun Square
– Deoksugung Palace
City Hall: City Hall is a big modern building in Seoul’s central district, and also a subway station stop. Inside there’s a library, exhibition halls, and cultural center.
Gwanghwamun Square: Gwanghwamun Square is a historic and public square located in the center of Seoul. It features a large statue of King Sejong the Great, who is credited to creating the Korean alphabet, and a statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a celebrated naval commander. Sometimes you’ll come across events and exhibitions.
Deoksugung Palace: If you have time, visit Deoksugung Palace, the smallest palace in Seoul and is in the heart of downtown.
The palace stands out for its fusion of traditional Korean architecture and Western influences. Entrance is 1,000 KRW ($0.90 USD).
Tours to Explore Seoul
Where to stay in Seoul
🔗 Read my full post on where to stay in Seoul. Here’s a summary:
| Traveler Type | Area in Seoul | Find a Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| First-Time Visitors | Myeongdong | Top Myeongdong Hotels |
| Solo Travelers | Hongdae/Itaewon | Top Hongdae Hotels Top Itaewon Hotels |
| Short Visits | Insadong | Top Insadong Hotels |
| Nature Lovers | Namsan Park | Top Namsan Hotels |
| Families | CBD | Top CBD Hotels |
| Kpop Fans | Multiple! | Top Hotels in Seoul |
Final Thoughts on Seoul 5 Days Itinerary
This Seoul itinerary provides a nice pace without travel burnout, but feel free to adjust according to your energy levels!
If you want to add more sites to your 5 days itinerary, read my top Seoul attractions post next.
I hope you have a great time in Seoul!
