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Best One Day in Seoul Itineraries (+ Hour Breakdown)

ByRoseanne Ducut

Seoul is one of my favorite cities to visit as a solo traveler.

I’ve visited Seoul seven times so far and usually go to as many places as I could.

Here are my recommended sites and sample One Day in Seoul itineraries to help you make the best of your 24 hours in Seoul.

This includes the top places to go in Seoul, costs if any, and how many hours to spend at each place.

Plus, additional Seoul itineraries depending on your interest (shopping, history, kpop, kdramas).

If you’re new to South Korea, read my essential Korea travel tips.

Seoul Checklist: have you booked these yet?

▢ Local sim card or Korea eSIM card

▢ Ride from the airport: schedule a pickup | airport bus | AREX train

▢ Book discounted hotels in Seoul (what I use for Korea)

▢ Buy a pre-loaded T-money card to get around

▢ Book the most popular day tours in Seoul

Top 5 Must-Visit Places in Seoul

From all of the sites I’ve visited in Seoul, these are my favorite places to visit in Seoul and are popular for a reason!

Pick at least two of them for your One Day in Seoul Itinerary.

Cheonggyecheon Stream during summer night - Seoul, South Korea

1. Cheonggyecheon Stream (free): A 7-mile (12 km) public stream running through downtown Seoul, open 24/7 except during rain for safety.

Great for a daytime walk or nighttime stroll, or enjoy the light shows at night.

Royal guards in red traditional Korean clothing holding flags and doing the royal guard changing ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, best place to spend one day in Seoul

2. Gyeongbokgung Palace ($2.30 USD): This was the main palace during the Joseon dynasty, first built in 1395, and spans over 400,000 sq. meters.

A must for your one day in Seoul.

Cable car arriving at Namsan Tower station in Seoul, Korea, surrounded by autumn trees and overlooking the city.

3. Namsan Seoul Tower & Park (price varies): This is Seoul’s largest park, and at the top is the Observatory with the famous Namsan Tower and Locks of Love, where thousands of locks are placed.

You’ll see amazing views of the city.

Visiting is free, but if you want to enter the Namsan Tower, you can prebook your ticket online to save time ($14 USD).

A picturesque view of a narrow, uphill street in Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul, South Korea. The street is lined with traditional Korean hanok houses, featuring wooden eaves and stone walls with intricate patterns. The architecture reflects Korea's rich cultural heritage, and the alleyway is peaceful and empty, with just a few people visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. The overall scene captures the serene and historic atmosphere of the village.

4. Bukchon Hanok Village (free): This village consists of traditional Korean houses designed with nature and weather in mind.

🔗 Book a Seoul tour that includes Hanok Village.

A long walking street surrounded by small shops and restaurants with tourists walking at Insadong Shopping Street, in top Seoul attractions

5. Insadong Shopping Street: This is located in the northern-central Jong district and is a long street of local shops and restaurants.

You can find a lot of traditional Korean souvenirs here.

Optional: One Day in Seoul Tours

Tourists in Hanboks at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea: This image captures a group of tourists dressed in vibrant traditional Korean hanboks, walking through an ornate wooden gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace. The intricate patterns on the gate's ceiling and pillars frame the view of the palace's main building in the background, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and architectural beauty of this historic site.

If you’re looking to make your 24 hours in Seoul or layover as convenient as possible with transportation provided, book a Seoul day tour.

Here are two top-rated tours that take you to popular sites in Seoul:

1. Best One Day in Seoul Itinerary (Mix of Everything)

This one day in Seoul itinerary is for: People who want to see the most popular places in Seoul with limited time.

Sample Itinerary #1:
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace / Namsan Seoul Tower
2. Insadong Shopping Street
3. Cheonggyecheon Stream
4. Myeongdong Street

Morning (2-3 hours)

Choose between Gyeongbokgung Palace OR Namsan Seoul Tower

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a large mahogany building with pillars on an artificial lake at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace

  • This is the most popular royal palace in Seoul, over 400,000 sq. meters in size.
  • Cost: $2.30 USD.
  • Catch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony daily at 10am (except on Tuesdays).
Locks of Love with view of Seoul buildings - Namsan Park, one of the top places to visit in Seoul

Namsan Seoul Tower

Noon (2 hours)

Eat at and visit Insadong Shopping Street, a long street of local shops and restaurants.

A long walking street surrounded by small shops and restaurants with tourists walking at Insadong Shopping Street, in top Seoul attractions

Things to see at Insadong Shopping Street:

  • Ssamzigil Mall is a four-story mall with more 70 shops selling mostly arts and crafts items, souvenirs, and traditional Korean fashion items.
  • Annyeong Insadong, a 6-story modern cultural shopping and entertainment complex.
A vertical interior view of the Annyeong Insadong shopping center in Seoul, Korea, showcasing its multi-floor architecture with shoppers on various levels. The building combines modern design with traditional elements, featuring a large cartoon mural, wooden balconies, and a vibrant marketplace atmosphere on the ground floor
A vertical view of the multi-level Ssamziegil Mall in Insadong, Seoul, bustling with activity. The mall's unique architecture features an open-air design with colorful decorations and a variety of shops, as visitors explore and enjoy the lively atmosphere

Afternoon (1-2 hours)

Cheonggyecheon Stream (free): One subway stop away from Insadong Shopping Street or a 20-minute walk.

Take a nice stroll or sit on the steps along Cheonggyecheon Stream (free wifi too).

Cheonggyecheon Stream during summer day - Seoul, South Korea

Evening (1-2 hours)

Myeongdong Street: the most popular area in Seoul for shopping and street food.

You can visit fashion, music, beauty, and souvenir shops and visit the street food stalls at night.

Myeongdong Shopping Street in Seoul with lots of colorful shops on the side

2. Best One Day in Seoul Itinerary for History Lovers

This Seoul Itinerary is for: Visitors who want to see the popular historical sites in Seoul during their layover in Seoul.

Sample Itinerary #2:
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
2. National Museum of Korea / Bukchon Hanok Village
3. Gwanghwamun Square
4. Downtown Seoul

Morning (2-3 hours)

Gyeongbokgung Palace ($2.30 USD): Most popular royal palace in Seoul, over 400,000 sq. meters.

Royal Guard Changing Ceremony - guards in red and blue traditional Korean clothing - Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide. Top Seoul attractions

Catch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony daily at 10am (except on Tuesdays).

Then eat at a nearby restaurant.

Noon (2-3 hours)

Choose between National Museum of Korea or Hanok Village:

A long gray pogoda in the middle of a museum hall at National Museum of Korea in Seoul

National Museum of Korea

  • This museum has three floors with lots of exhibits to explore.
  • Entrance is free.
  • Closes at 6pm.
A neighborhood of brown and red traditional Korean houses at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

Bukchon Hanok Village

  • This village consists of traditional Korean houses designed with nature and weather in mind.
  • Free to visit (neighborhood).

Evening (2 hours)

Gwanghwamun Square: a 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 another statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a celebrated naval commander.

Eat at a nearby restaurant after.

A bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin on a cement placer in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul at night

Downtown Seoul: From Gwanghwamun Square, take a walk to Cheonggyecheon Stream, a 7-mile (12 km) public stream running through downtown Seoul, then to Seoul City Hall, an incredible building and public plaza.

Seoul City Hall building - large ceramic dark green glass

📖 Want a Guided Tour? Book a History of Seoul Tour

3. Best One Day in Seoul Itinerary for Shopaholics

This Seoul Itinerary is for: People who want to buy as many things during their one day in Seoul while visiting popular sites.

Sample Itinerary #3:
1. Hongdae Street
2. Insadong Shopping Street
3. Ikseondong Hanok Village
4. Myeongdong Street

Morning (2-3 hours)

Hongdae Street: Known as the indie music and youth district of Seoul, Hongdae features streets filled with clothing stores, shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Eat at local restaurant in Hongdae while there.

Hongdae shops cafe during day with crowd - Seoul, South Korea

Noon (3-4 hours)

Insadong Shopping Street: a long street of local shops with lots of traditional souvenirs to buy.

  • Ssamzigil Mall is a four-story mall with more 70 shops selling mostly arts and crafts items, souvenirs, and traditional Korean fashion items.
  • Annyeong Insadong, a 6-story modern cultural shopping and entertainment complex.
A vertical interior view of the Annyeong Insadong shopping center in Seoul, Korea, showcasing its multi-floor architecture with shoppers on various levels. The building combines modern design with traditional elements, featuring a large cartoon mural, wooden balconies, and a vibrant marketplace atmosphere on the ground floor
A vertical view of the multi-level Ssamziegil Mall in Insadong, Seoul, bustling with activity. The mall's unique architecture features an open-air design with colorful decorations and a variety of shops, as visitors explore and enjoy the lively atmosphere

Ikseondong Hanok Village: A 10-minute walk away from Insadong, this area is a hidden gem of alleyways of traditional Korean houses converted into beautifully-decorated shops and cafes.

A charming alleyway in Ikseondong Hanok Village, Seoul, brought to life with a vibrant array of suspended umbrellas in a multitude of colors, as people with umbrellas walk below during a rainy evening, reflecting the area's blend of tradition and modernity

Evening (2 hours)

Myeongdong Street: The most popular area in Seoul for shopping and street food.

You can shop at fashion, music, beauty, and souvenir shops and visit the street food stalls.

There are a few Olive Young locations in Myeongdong as well.

Myeongdong Shopping Street with vendors Seoul

4. Best One Day in Seoul Itinerary for Kpop Fans

This Seoul Itinerary is for: Fellow kpop stans who want to visit the main kpop sites in Seoul and buy all the kpop albums.

Sample Itinerary #4:
1. Myeongdong
2. K-Star Road
3. Starfield COEX Mall
4. Hongdae

Morning (3 hours)

Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center: There are about 3-4 shops that sell kpop merch near exit 6 of the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center, including official albums, lightsticks and unofficial merch.

Inside Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center with lines of boutiques

Music Korea is located near the Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center. Just go up the stairs from exit 6 to the main Myeongdong shopping street.

Albums here are a few dollars more. Everything here is official merch. You can also get kdrama dvds, and they usually give free posters.

K-Star Road: K-Star Road is a long street in Gangnam that’s lined with bears representing different kpop groups from mostly 2nd and 3rd gen.

Large porcelain tiger statue with black sunglasses - K-Star Road in Gangnam Seoul

Noon: (3-4 hours)

Starfield COEX Mall is the largest underground mall in Asia. This is where you’ll find the famous Starfield Library.

Eat at COEX Mall while there.

A large mall ceiling-high bookshelf filled with books at COEX Mall. Tops places to visit in Seoul

Things to see at COEX Mall:

  • Gangnam style hands statue
  • Starfield Library
  • KTown4U’s main branch, with lots of kpop albums and merch.

Evening (2 hours)

Hongdae: Known as the indie music and youth district of Seoul, Hongdae features streets filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as live performances during the day and night.

Hongdae Street Performers and a large crowd watching at night in Seoul

Visit WithMuu, another popular kpop store located on the 2nd floor of the AK Plaza Mall. They have lots of lightsticks here.

For more kpop things to do in Seoul:

kpop tours
A dimly-green lit room with four fake laundry machines on the wall - HiKR Ground Kpop Ground Photo Op, part of Kpop tours in Seoul

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seoul Hallyu Kpop Tour

🏙 Visit top kpop sites in Seoul
🚌 Driver provided

BOOK IT

5. Best One Day in Seoul Itinerary for Kdrama Fans

This Seoul Itinerary is for: My fellow kdrama fans who want to see popular kdrama filming sites in Seoul.

Sample Itinerary #5:
1. Yonsei University
2. Han River
3. Starfield COEX Mall
4. Itaewon
5. Fortress Wall of Seoul / Namsan Tower

Optional: Take a tour of MBC Drama TV Studio

An old university building covered in fading autumn leaves - Yonsei University Seoul

Morning (2-3 hours)

Yonsei University: This is a beautiful open campus where lots of kdramas were filmed like True Beauty, Reply 1994, Extraordinary You, and lots more.

Read my post on how to get to the filming sites.

🎥 Fans of these shows?

Yonsei University in Summer Kdrama Site - Seoul South Korea: A lush summer view of Yonsei University, featuring a historic stone building covered in thick, green ivy. The building is surrounded by beautifully manicured hedges and topiary trees, which create a vibrant, green landscape. The bright summer foliage contrasts with the ivy-covered walls, giving the scene a fresh and lively atmosphere. This picturesque setting is a popular filming location for Korean dramas, showcasing the university's elegant and timeless charm.

Han River: You’ll see Han River in most kdramas. The Han River is along multiple parks that you can visit.

I Seoul You Sign Courtyard at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul

Noon (3 hours)

Starfield COEX Mall is the largest underground mall in Asia.

This is where you’ll find the famous Starfield Library where scenes from kdramas like Record of Youth and Lovestruck in the City were filmed.

Eat at COEX Mall while there.

A large mall ceiling-high bookshelf filled with books at COEX Mall. Tops places to visit in Seoul

Itaewon: Head to Itaewon next where the popular kdrama Itaewon Class and other kdramas were featured.

Itaewon Class (kdrama) Bar Sign on a large green bar in Itaewon

Evening (2-3 hours)

Visit the next sites depending on how much time you have left in your one day in Seoul.

Fortress Wall of Seoul is featured in a lot of kdramas. The trail is actually quite long.

The closest to Namsan Park is Baekbeom Square, which is beautifully lit up at night.

You can also go to Naksan Park, another fortress trail featured in kdramas.

Namsan Baekbeom Square at night - Seoul Fortress Wall where kdramas were filmed

Namsan Tower: Head to Namsan Park before or after to see the Namsan Seoul Tower and Locks of Love lit up at night.

So many kdramas were filmed here, but popular ones include: Boys Over Flowers, True Beauty, and My Love from the Star.

One of my favorite sites in Seoul, South Korea. 📍Namsan Park / Seoul Tower. Try the hike up or down!

Cheonggyecheon Stream: If you have time left, head Cheonggyecheon Stream, a 7-mile (12 km) public stream running through downtown Seoul, open 24/7 except during rain for safety.

Lots of kdramas were filmed here, especially at night. More recent kdramas include See You in My 19th Life and Marry My Husband.

Cheonggyecheon Stream night view - Seoul, South Korea

Top K-Drama tours to join in Seoul:

🪂 K-Drama ‘Crash Landing on You’ Private Tour

🚌 Queen of Tears Mungyeong Filming Location Day Tour

🎫 From Seoul: Classic K-Drama Dae Jang Geum Park Tour

Things to Do at Night in Seoul

If you have more time in the late-night hours or are looking for things to add to your one day in Seoul itinerary at night:

Han River: The Han River runs along multiple parks that you can visit like Yeouido Hangang Park:

Yeouido Hangang Park Summer View - Seoul, South Korea

Itaewon is the most popular area for nightlife in Seoul, for both locals and foreigners. There’s restaurants, bars, and shops.

People are still partying til the early morning on weekdays.

Itaewon Class (kdrama) Bar Sign on a large green bar in Itaewon

Banpo Hangang Park & Bridge: This park and bridge are open 24 hours a day.

You can rent a bike, have a picnic, jog, and visit the outdoor market with food stalls.

Banpo Hangang Park at Night, Some Sevit, Seoul, South Korea: A vibrant night scene at Banpo Hangang Park featuring Some Sevit, an illuminated floating building with colorful light displays reflecting off the Han River. The walkway leading to the building is adorned with string lights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere as visitors stroll along the path. The modern architecture and lively colors contrast with the calm waters and darkening sky.

Book a Night Tour in Seoul:

The Best Way to Spend One Day in Seoul

Ultimately, how you spend your 24 hours in Seoul will depend on your interests, but the most popular sites in Seoul are the most visited for a reason!

With limited time, try to visit the sites that most interest you, but also enjoy your one day in Seoul without treating it like a checklist (like I often do).

Take your time and enjoy, and I hope you’ll be able to visit Seoul again!

Top Seoul tours to book:

🔹 Seoul royal palaces tours

🔹 Day trips from Seoul tours

🔹 Cultural experiences in Seoul

More Seoul Posts

ALL SEOUL GUIDES

🎥 Watch my Korea vlogs:

🇰🇷 28 Places to Visit in Seoul 2024 - Korea Travel Vlog - Top Seoul Attractions

Roseanne Ducut is a solo female traveler and Filipina from the Bay Area, California. She writes practical and culture-rich travel guides and lives a not-so-secret double life as a fangirl. A veghead for over 15 years, Roseanne also writes vegan guides to help others plan their trips.