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Korea Travel Atlas

3-Day Ultimate Seoul First-Timer Itinerary

A 3-day route through Seoul: 12 stops, 8 of them with their own page on this site, with how to get from each stop to the next.

The stop notes of this route have not been translated yet, so they are shown in English.

3-Day Ultimate Seoul First-Timer Itinerary

Day 1: Historic Dynastic Core & Royal Palaces

Getting around (route notes): Subway Line 3 & Line 5

Map of Day 1: 4 stops in order, joined by straight lines1234
The numbers follow the order of the stops. Lines are straight, not routes.

  1. 1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Start 09:30 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included

    Admire Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall and watch Royal Guard Changing ceremony

    Line 3 Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5

    Place page: Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Gyeongbokgung Palace

  2. From Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Walk: 670 m in a straight line, about 12 min on foot (estimate).

    2. Bukchon Hanok Village

    Start 12:00 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included

    Scenic Gahoe-dong alley walk and traditional tea house lunch

    Place page: Bukchon Hanok Village

    Bukchon Hanok Village

  3. From Bukchon Hanok Village

    Subway: Anguk안국 to Jongno 5(o)-ga종로5가, 2 stops, about 25 min including the walk to and from the stations (estimate).

    1. Line 3Anguk안국 to Jongno 3(sam)-ga종로3가, 1 stop

    2. Change at Jongno 3(sam)-ga종로3가

      Line 1Jongno 3(sam)-ga종로3가 to Jongno 5(o)-ga종로5가, 1 stop

    Nearest stations: Anguk안국, 650 m from the previous stop; Jongno 5(o)-ga종로5가, 80 m from this stop (straight line).

    3. Gwangjang Market

    Start 14:30 · About 4 h until the next stop, travel included

    Savor freshly fried mung bean bindaetteok and mayak gimbap

    Subway Line 1 Jongno 5-ga Station

    Place page: Gwangjang Market

    Gwangjang Market

  4. From Gwangjang Market

    2,3 km in a straight line from the previous stop; no computed subway or train connection.

    4. N Seoul Tower (Namsan)

    Start 18:30

    Take Namsan Cable Car for sunset skyline views over Seoul

    Subway Line 4 Myeongdong Station to Cable Car

    Place page: N Seoul Tower (Namsan)

    N Seoul Tower (Namsan)

Day 2: Modern Culture, Fashion & Digital Design

Getting around (route notes): Subway Line 2 & Line 4

Map of Day 2: 3 stops in order, joined by straight lines123
The numbers follow the order of the stops. Lines are straight, not routes.

  1. 1. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

    Start 10:00 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included

    Tour Zaha Hadid futuristic undulating architecture and design shops

    Line 2/4/5 Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station

    Place page: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

    Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

  2. From Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

    Subway: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (DDP)동대문역사문화공원 to Seongsu성수, 6 stops, about 20 min including the walk to and from the stations (estimate).

    1. Line 2Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (DDP)동대문역사문화공원 to Seongsu성수, 6 stops

    Nearest stations: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (DDP)동대문역사문화공원, 80 m from the previous stop; Seongsu성수, 90 m from this stop (straight line).

    2. Seongsu-dong Cafe Street

    Start 13:00 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included

    Explore converted industrial brick warehouses, artisan roasteries, and pop-ups

    Line 2 Seongsu Station Exit 3

    Place page: Seongsu-dong Cafe Street

    Seongsu-dong Cafe Street

  3. From Seongsu-dong Cafe Street

    Subway: Seongsu성수 to Ichon이촌, 8 stops, about 34 min including the walk to and from the stations (estimate).

    1. Line 2Seongsu성수 to Wangsimni왕십리, 3 stops

    2. Change at Wangsimni왕십리

      Gyeongui–Jungang LineWangsimni왕십리 to Ichon이촌, 5 stops

    Nearest stations: Seongsu성수, 90 m from the previous stop; Ichon이촌, 460 m from this stop (straight line).

    3. National Museum of Korea

    Start 16:00 · About 3 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included

    View the Pensive Bodhisattva Room of Quiet Contemplation

    Line 4 Ichon Station direct underground link

    Place page: National Museum of Korea

    National Museum of Korea

  4. 4. Hangang Banpo Moonlight Fountain

    Start 19:30

    Han River picnic with fried chicken and illuminated rainbow bridge fountain

    Express Bus Terminal Station Exit 8-1

Day 3: UNESCO Secret Garden & Artistic Insa-dong

Getting around (route notes): Subway Line 3 & Walking

  1. 1. Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

    Start 10:00 · About 3 h until the next stop, travel included

    Guided walk through secluded royal Huwon pavilions and lotus ponds

    Subway Line 3 Anguk Station Exit 3

    Place page: Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

    Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

  2. 2. Insa-dong Ssamziegil

    Start 13:00 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included

    Browse traditional calligraphy, handcrafted ceramic shops, and royal tea

    5-minute walk south from Anguk

  3. 3. Jogyesa Temple

    Start 15:30 · About 2 h 30 min until the next stop, travel included

    Contemplate under ancient scholar trees and colorful hanging lotus lanterns

    Near Insa-dong main spine

  4. 4. Myeongdong Night Food Market

    Start 18:00

    Sample diverse street cuisine and shop for Korean skincare

    Subway Line 4 Myeongdong Station

Ride times are estimates: 2 minutes per station and 5 minutes per change of line, plus walking time worked out from the straight-line distance. Distances are straight lines, not walking routes. Train and bus times come from the official timetable on the intercity route pages.

About this route

The route and its stop notes are written by this site’s editors; the start times are suggestions. Prices and opening hours are not given here because they change: check each place page, which shows them only from dated official records.

Cover photo: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI 4.0), KOGL Type 1.

Written city guides with a day-by-day plan

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