The Perfect 4 Day Itinerary in Seoul – The Birthplace of K-Pop

With this 4 day itinerary in Seoul, you will experience the neon-lit streets of Hongdae and Gangnam to the tranquil palaces of Gyeongbokgung and ancient hanok villages. Dynamic, modern, and steeped in tradition, Seoul invites you to dive headfirst into the heart of South Korea, where past and present are blended seamlessly.. Feast on sizzling Korean BBQ, explore bustling markets like Myeongdong, and hike to panoramic viewpoints above the skyline. Sherry and I spent 4 amazing days in Seoul and can’t wait to go back (to shop at Olive Young). In this guide, we’ll share our 4 day itinerary of must-see sights, secret gems, and insider tips that transform a trip to Seoul from ordinary to unforgettable.

PSA 🍹: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we might earn a small commission—just enough to fund our next soju (or two). No extra cost to you, just good vibes and better drinks. Cheers to that! 🍸💃

• Get an eSIM to avoid costly data roaming charges. As we were travelling through Shanghai, Japan and Seoul, we went with Nomad. They offer a China, Japan and South Korea multi country eSIM which suited our needs perfectly. In China and Seoul particularly, eSIM was helpful to access social media accounts and Google services.
• Purchase a T-Money card at a convenience store (GS25, 7/11 etc) and load up money to use on buses, subway, and taxis. If you have any remaining balance, you can use them at convenience stores as well.
• No beverages are allowed on the bus. We had bought an iced latte and were refused on the bus, with the bus driver animatedly pointing at it. So we had to quickly chug it, thankfully we nearly finished it already otherwise would have been such a waste!
• Download Naver Maps or KakaoMap to navigate around Seoul. Due to restrictions, Google Maps does not have turn by turn navigation or public transport info. Allow extra time to navigate the bus and public transport system without Google Maps, especially if you have a pre-booked appointment!

We had KRW100,000 spending money in cash for street markets. For a rough idea on spending:

• Breakfast/Lunch at restaurants – KRW30,000
• Food Markets – KRW9,000 per item
• Hotteok – KRW2,500
• BBQ – KRW80,000
• Facial – KRW396,000 (for 70 mins) which was paid by card

We touched down in Seoul at 4 PM, eager to begin our four-day adventure. At stop 5B1, we joined a long line for the Airport Limousine Bus — a popular choice among new arrivals. Despite buses arriving every five minutes, the crowd moved very slowly. We waited over an hour (yes!) before boarding, a delay explained by the no-standing policy onboard. Still, once seated, the ride proved comfortable and smooth, with generous legroom that lived up to the “Limousine” name. Though if we were to do it again, we would have taken the AREX express train from Incheon Airport Station to Seoul Station, then take the metro from there to our hotel.

We hopped off at the Namdaemun Market stop and walked to Fraser Place Namdaemun to check in. Centrally located and just a short walk from Seoul’s key attractions, the hotel impressed us with its spacious rooms and is one we recommend — a refreshing change after our time in Japan. As dusk settled over the city, hunger called, and we answered with a short walk to Myeongdong Night Market. It is one of Seoul’s liveliest evening food destinations, the streets buzzed with energy.

Dozens of food stalls lined the way, sizzling with the aroma of tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), eomukguk (fish cake skewers), kimchi-wrapped samgyeopsal (pork belly), and haemul pajeon (seafood pancake). Prices ran slightly higher than in local restaurants, but the electric atmosphere and variety made it well worth it. Just a tip: Seoul’s streets rarely offer trash bins—dispose of rubbish with the vendors to keep things tidy.

Bellies full, we strolled over to Cheonggyecheon Stream. We passed through Seoul Plaza, and noticed rows of beanbags and books inviting visitors to unwind. As part of the city’s initiative to celebrate Han Kang’s 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, this plaza serves as one of Seoul’s three Outdoor Libraries, encouraging people to pause and read under the city lights.

At the stream’s edge, we found the second library installation. Soft background music filled the air while couples lounged on chairs near the water. We joined them, soaking in the peaceful vibe. A mother duck and her ducklings floated quietly along the stream, adding a touch of serenity to the evening. It was a magical start to our journey in Seoul—an evening of great food, cultural charm, and local life.

We started Day 2 with a pampering appointment at Areuke Spa for a facial scan and massage. But first, we fuelled up with a delicious breakfast at Namdaemun Market — a bustling area famed for its Kalguksu Alley. Here, a row of vendors call out “Same, same!” as you walk past. Each of the stalls offer the same menu of soup noodle, yet with their own secret broths and sauces. We chose a stall that felt inviting and watched as bowls of steaming noodles came to life before us. Pleasantly, the broth was light, delicate, and deeply satisfying.

After breakfast, we spotted a hotteok stand and treated ourselves to one of Seoul’s best street snacks. Biting into a hotteok is like unwrapping a secret the city has whispered for generations. Its crisp, golden surface gives way to a soft, doughy interior oozing with a rich, cinnamon-sugar filling. It’s more than a snack — it’s a moment, a nostalgic bite that captures the heart and soul of Seoul.

With a satisfied palate, we stopped by Von Coffee for a very good iced latte. Afterwards, we headed to a nearby convenience store to pick up a T-Money Card. Additionally, the card can be topped up with cash and used for purchases at convenience stores — a must-have for seamless travel across Seoul by bus, subway, and taxi.

We made our way to the bus stop for our spa appointment, only to be waved off by the bus driver for boarding with drinks. Quickly finishing our iced latte, we hopped on but the bus route didn’t match Naver Maps as expected. Frustratingly, we had to make a quick dash for a connecting bus and arrived 30 minutes late for our treatment. A lesson learned — always allow extra time when navigating Seoul!

At Areuke Spa, we started with a quick skin scan that classified our skin across four metrics: Oily vs Dry, Resistant vs Sensitive, Non-Pigmented vs Pigmented, and Tight vs Wrinkled. The ideal profile, we learned, trends towards the first category in each metric. Subsequently, my skin was classified as DRNT, while Sherry’s was DRNW, making it easy to find skincare products that suited us.

Although we arrived late, the staff efficiently tailored treatments to our profiles and led us to a serene massage room. As soft music played, our faces were replenished with rich serums and oils. The massage was so soothing that I found myself snoring quietly, completely immersed in the experience. We left feeling refreshed, revitalized, and glowing — one of the absolute highlights of our trip.

They provided three days’ worth of skincare products and received personalised recommendations, focusing on ingredients like cica, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and collagen — ideal for nurturing dry or sensitive skin. We were especially impressed that the staff offered genuine, helpful advice, free from any sales pressure.

With freshly moisturized faces, it was time to refuel. Therefore, we headed to Myeongdong for a delicious lunch of Korean BBQ, ordering a savoury bibimbap, a seafood pajeon and an ice-cold beers. To complete the experience, we added a bottle of soju. Upon tasting it, Sherry decided the traditional version wasn’t for her, leaving the rest for me. I drank enough to savour the moment before switching to beer, knowing we had hair appointments to follow.

We arrived at Juno Hair for a final pampering treat. Our stylist started with a scalp assessment, using an iPad to display a view of our roots and scalp condition. However, we skipped the scalp treatment and opted for just haircuts instead. We were treated to a wash in a massage chair and a revitalising eucalyptus oil massage for the neck. The precision and care taken by the stylist made the experience feel truly special. We left Juno Hair with fresh, sharp styles and a spring in our step.

From there, we made our way to Namsan Mountain for a memorable evening. Purchasing return tickets for the gondola, we arrived at the viewing deck, greeted by a beautiful panorama of the city. Walking by the wall of love locks and heading for N Seoul Tower, we stopped at scenic spots to capture the Seoul skyline. We opted to skip going up the tower itself, content with the captivating sights from the deck. Also skipping the gondola down, we walked down the paved pathway back to the city. We passed by several viewpoints to capture one last look at the Seoul skyline.

As the evening progressed, we returned to Myeongdong for one more adventure — a visit to the expansive Olive Young skincare shop. Armed with our skin profiles, we trawled the aisles for products rich in cica, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and collagen, making the most of their tax-free discounts and special offers. We spent hours selecting moisturizers, serums, and eye creams, filling our baskets until we were nearly at our baggage limit. Thankfully, a quick check confirmed we had enough luggage allowance for the treasures we’d found.

Exhausted but happy, we ended the night with a celebratory dinner at Oppadak. This is a cozy spot specialising in oven-baked Korean fried chicken which was recommended to us by our Korean hair stylist! Sherry tried a soju bomb (or somaek in Korean 😉) for the first time — a shot of soju dropped into a glass of beer. When the food came out, the crispy, golden chicken was remarkably light and flavourful. Oh wow we really hadn’t tasted any fried chicken that amazing. Life was so wonderful. The lively atmosphere and delicious food made for a perfect end to an unforgettable day of pampering, adventure, and culinary delights in Seoul.

We woke to an overcast morning — the ideal weather for a warm, comforting bowl of gamjatang (spicy pork stew). Thankfully, we found a cozy spot nearby and ordered a medium-sized pot, along with a side of hangover soup. But when the owner came out to kindly advise that it was too much food, suggesting we skip the soup and stick with a smaller pot, we were grateful for their thoughtfulness. Ultimately, they were absolutely right — the smaller portion was more than enough for 2 of us and an absolute delight.

With satisfied bellies, we wandered towards Namdaemun Market for a quick treat. We picked up another hotteok, this time filled with red bean and cheese. The unique flavour was intriguing, but we still preferred the classic honey-sesame version from the day before.

To walk it off, we strolled 25 minutes to the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace. The best time to visit is just before one of its daily changing of the guard ceremonies, which occur at 10AM and 2PM. The KRW3000 entry fee is waived if you’re dressed in a traditional hanbok. Around the palace grounds, countless visitors floated about in beautiful hanbok attire, so it felt like stepping into another era.

Afterwards, we walked towards the picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighbourhood nestled between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces. Bukchon means “northern village,” and its narrow alleyways brim with traditional hanok houses that have been meticulously preserved from the 14th–19th century. We wandered its quaint streets, exploring its serene beauty and timeless charm. This is a residential area so please keep your voice down and be mindful of the people living there.

From there, we stopped at Onion, a popular bakery café, for a quick iced latte. The baked goods looked tempting, though the flavours didn’t quite live up to their beautiful presentation. It is a nice setting though which is a traditional public house converted into a cafe.

Next, we hopped on the subway to Gangnam, making a quick stop to visit the iconic Psy Gangnam Style statue. The catchy music video plays on a continuous loop as visitors line up to snap photos and reenact the famous dance. Just steps away lies Starfield COEX Mall, where we discovered the spectacular Starfield Library — a mesmerizing space with towering bookshelves that rise towards the ceiling, creating an awe-inspiring backdrop for book lovers and shoppers alike.

As the sun began to set, we made our way to Zoo Sindang, a chic speakeasy-style bar specializing in Zodiac-inspired cocktails. Each drink is crafted based on one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Sherry chose the Hen, which arrived adorned with delicate egg white foam, while I opted for the Horse — a playful rendition of an Old Fashioned, served on a spinning coaster that mimicked a carousel. The attention to detail made every sip a memorable experience. As a result, we’d love to go back to try the remaining cocktails!

We wrapped up the night with a satisfying Korean BBQ feast at a nearby self-serve spot. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, making it a fitting end to our final evening in Seoul. We hopped on the bus — this time with no mishaps — and returned to our hotel with happy hearts and full stomachs, grateful for an adventure-filled three days in this captivating city.

We were all set to take the subway to Incheon Airport, but before leaving, we longed for one last bite of hotteok. So, with suitcases in tow, we made our way to the bustling market to pick up this delicious Korean treat one last time. This time, we got a savoury hotteok filled with japchae – arguably the best of the lot!

As I lined up for a freshly crisped hotteok, a taxi driver named Paul noticed Sherry with the suitcases. He gave a quick beep and waved, offering a ride to the airport for KRW 50,000 – 27GBP! (which is normally KRW 80,000). Since he had a scheduled pick-up at the airport at 10 AM, he offered us a discount — making the ride a win-win. We paid in a mix of cash and the leftover balances on our T‑Money cards, making it a seamless end to our trip. Paul was amazing and we had such a lovely chat the whole way. We’d totally recommend booking his service if you need airport transfer in Seoul!

Check-in at Incheon Airport was smooth, and we discovered a small Olive Young shop tucked away on the basement floor before the immigration gates. We quickly stopped to pick up a few more skincare and beauty essentials — a perfect way to spend those leftover won — and then headed past security. For those making larger tax refund claims, there’s a dedicated booth before security, while smaller tax refunds can be claimed after security. Either way, the process is quick and efficient — a nice bonus for those indulging in a little retail therapy throughout their Seoul adventure.

With the hum of the terminal in the background and a heart full of memories, we waved a final goodbye to this captivating city. From its bustling markets and savory bites to its serene palaces and neon-lit streets, Seoul offered an adventure like no other — one that will linger long after the wheels have left the runway.

As we bid farewell to Seoul, it’s hard not to reflect on just how much this captivating city can give you in only four days. From the timeless beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the traditional charm of Bukchon Hanok Village, to the neon-lit energy of Myeongdong and the sleek skyline of Gangnam, every corner of this sprawling metropolis tells a story.

If you’re planning your own trip, trust that every step you take in this captivating capital will lead to a moment worth remembering. So pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready for an adventure that will stay with you long after the wheels have left the runway. Seoul is more than a destination — it’s an experience and one we’re looking forward to reliving soon!