How To Spend One Day in Seoul: The Perfect Itinerary

Whether you’ve only got a short layover in Seoul or you’re planning to spend just one day in Seoul before heading off to another part of South Korea, you’ll be glad to know there’s plenty you can see and do in just 24 hours.

I spent around 8 days in Seoul – and honestly, I still feel like I barely scratched the surface of everything this capital city has to offer. To truly experience it, you’ll want to dedicate several days here. But if time isn’t on your side, don’t worry. With a bit of planning, you can still make the most of one day in Seoul.

There is so much to do and see in Seoul. Love culture and history? You’ll find palaces and traditional tea houses. Obsessed with K-beauty products? Shopping heaven awaits. Into K-pop or K-dramas? You can even hunt down filming locations. The options are endless here.

So, I’ve pulled together this one day in Seoul itinerary that blends a bit of everything: a palace visit for some culture, a splash of history and art, the city’s most popular shopping district, a night market, a theatre show and even a traditional tea house. And yes – it’s all perfectly doable in a single day!

Just one tip: make sure you’re well-rested from your flight the day before, because it’s going to be a busy (but brilliant) 24 hours in Seoul.

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The perfect 24 hours in Seoul

Before I give you the low-down, it’s important to note that Google Maps doesn’t really work in South Korea, so I recommend downloading Naver Map instead. It’s excellent once you get the hang of how to use it.

Here’s how to spend the perfect day in Seoul.

8:30am King Sejong Statue

Start your day early with a coffee at around 9am. Most cafés in Seoul don’t tend to open until 10 or even 11am, so if you need something to keep you going, I recommend grabbing a pastry or a quick bite from Paris Baguette on the way – this bakery chain all over the city opens early.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-stop on your one day in Seoul itinerary and en route, you will likely walk through Gwanghwamun Square, home to the impressive King Sejong statue. 

King Sejong is one of Korea’s most celebrated rulers, best known for creating the Hangul alphabet; a writing system that completely transformed Korean literacy.

If you take a closer look, you’ll find a small plaque beneath the statue that highlights his contributions to science, technology and governance. It’s a nice little introduction to Korean history, and also a perfect spot for an iconic Seoul photo – especially if you can frame Gyeongbokgung Palace in the background.

9:30am Gyeongbokgung Palace

The changing of the guards ceremony takes place at Gyeongbokgung Palace every day at 10am (and again at 2pm). We arrived around 9.30am which turned out to be perfect – not only did we beat the crowds, but we also caught the guards’ training ceremony at about 9:40am.

It’s a nice little bonus before the main event kicks off. 

The ceremony itself is free to watch, but if you want to explore inside the palace grounds, tickets cost just 3,000 Korean won per person (around £1.50). Better still, entry is completely free if you’re wearing a traditional hanbok.

There are plenty of shops in the surrounding areas of the palace where you can rent a Hanbok for the day. If you are worried about sizing – since Korean sizes tend to run incredibly small by Western standards – the highly-rated Daean Hanbok is a great option, especially as they’re known for offering a wide selection of plus-size hanbok styles.

And don’t worry about feeling out of place! Honestly, I’d say the split between those in hanbok and those in regular clothes is about 50/50. It’s all part of the experience, and it makes your palace photos look even more special.

11:00am Nuldam Space

From Gyeongbokgung Palace, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to Nuldam Space. This quirky café in Seoul offers a unique experience: you can write a letter to your future self. You pay for the card, envelope, wax seal and international postage, and the café will post it to you on the date of your choice.

Incidentally, this particular branch happens to be a vegan cafe and I highly recommend trying their black sesame latte. It’s nutty and indulgent without being overly sweet or heavy – and that’s saying something coming from me, because I’m usually strictly a flat white or americano kind of girl. No syrups for me, thank you very much.

If you are feeling peckish, try their vegan peanut butter croffle (a croissant shaped like a waffle). It is simply sublime!

The café itself is wonderfully calm and tranquil, with three floors where you can spread out, rest your feet, and reflect while writing your letter. Downstairs, sealing your envelope with wax is a surprisingly fun and satisfying experience.

Vegan or not, Nuldam Space is a truly unique stop in Seoul. It gives you a rare moment to pause, reflect on what you’ve achieved and think about what you hope to accomplish in the future – all while enjoying a delicious coffee.

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12:30pm National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA)

Just a few doors down from Nuldam Space is the MMCA, which is well worth a visit. Entry is free, although some of the special exhibitions require a ticket. We skipped those and spent our time exploring the free exhibits,  and still had a wonderful experience.

What I particularly loved were the learning sections on both floors. On the ground floor, you’re encouraged to reflect on the art you’ve seen and write down your thoughts. Downstairs, the focus shifts to discussion; there are small tables where you can chat about the art, little wooden huts to experiment with creating music, and thoughtfully spaced out chairs where you can sit quietly and think.

Both areas provide notebooks or sheets of paper so visitors can jot down their ideas to share with others. I’ve honestly never seen anything quite like it before, and it felt like such a personal and thoughtful touch. It’s not just a museum visit, it’s an experience that invites you to pause, reflect, and engage with art in a meaningful way.

2:00pm Lunch at Thanks, Oat

By around 2pm, we realised we hadn’t had a proper meal all day. We had originally planned to visit Thanks, Oat for breakfast, but it was a bit too far from the palace to make it back in time for the changing of the guards ceremony – so lunch it was.

The name is a little misleading; I assumed there would be more than two vegan options, given the word ‘oat’ in the title. In reality, the menu is limited to a salad and a smoothie bowl if you are indeed vegan.

We went for the green smoothie bowl, which was absolutely delicious, but I was a little disappointed that they couldn’t make me an açai bowl without the Greek yoghurt. We also shared a fig jam and cheese sandwich – which was fine – although the jalapeños inside were a very welcome surprise. Honestly, if it weren’t for the spicy kick, I might not have enjoyed it as much.

3:00pm Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is just a short 10-minute walk away, tucked slightly off the main road. In recent years, it’s become somewhat Insta-famous for its beautifully restored hanoks;  traditional houses dating back to the Joseon era. The houses are tightly packed along the side of a gentle hill, making it a serene spot to wander for 20 minutes or so.

Remember that people actually live here, so there are plenty of signs asking visitors to keep their voices down. It really is a calm oasis in the heart of bustling Seoul.

If you’re interested in getting hands-on, there are workshops you can book, like hanji (traditional Korean paper) making classes, which take place inside the hanoks. Otherwise, the main draw is simply strolling up and down the hill, weaving through the maze-like streets, and soaking in the atmosphere.

You probably only need to spend around 20 minutes here.

4:00pm Insadong Culture Street

Insadong is a vibrant area known for its traditional arts and crafts, as well as its late-night tea houses. The streets are lined with boutiques and souvenir shops, with cosy tea houses above them offering great window views – perfect for a little break and people-watching.

How long you spend here really depends on your plan for the evening, especially if Myeongdong is next on your itinerary. Honestly, you could spend an entire day in Myeongdong and still not see everything – especially if shopping is on your list of priorities in Korea. If you’re keen on experiencing Myeongdong’s nightlife and street food, you could consider skipping Insadong or just doing a quick stroll.

There are plenty of restaurants here to choose from in Insadong. During our time in Seoul, we tried two very different spots: one that was hilariously bad, and another so good we ended up going twice!

Osegye Hyang is a traditional, family-run vegan restaurant. It’s a no-frills, cheap-eats kind of place with one chef and a lady serving – neither speak English, but ordering is simple via an iPad. Be prepared for a wait: getting a table can take some time as there is often a queue, and the food isn’t instant either, as everything is freshly made to order.

It’s busy, slightly chaotic inside but it is absolutely worth it, though – every bite is delicious, and the wait only adds to the charm.

6:00pm Myeongdong

No Seoul itinerary would be complete without a visit to the bustling streets of Myeongdong, often described as the Times Square of Seoul. This area is a paradise for Korean beauty and skincare lovers, fashion fans and foodies alike, with street food stalls and shops around every corner.

The Myeongdong night food market is a bustling street food haven. You can indulge in everything from hotteok, tteokbokki, mochi, k-dogs, japchae – and so much more. I was pleasantly surprised by how many vegan and vegetarian options were available, which made the experience even better. We enjoyed dinner here a couple of times because it was just that good!

The night market stalls start setting up from around 3pm, so if you arrive early, you can soak in the lively atmosphere and maybe even grab a few treats along the way. Trust me,  your taste buds will thank you for this foodie adventure.

8:00pm NANTA Theatre

You must pre-book theatre tickets to a NANTA show online, in advance. While you are in Myeongdong, you can catch an 8pm showing – just make sure you book the correct location as there are 3 NANTA theatres in Seoul. 

This comedy cooking show is a brilliant mix of slapstick and physical humour, with almost no spoken dialogue – so it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand Korean – or even English, to be able to enjoy it. It is suitable for all ages, and we thought it was absolutely brilliant, with plenty of laugh out loud moments.

The show has been running worldwide in over 60 countries since 1997, so it’s easy to see why it’s so popular and often sells out in advance.

The Myeongdong NANTA Theatre is located on the third floor of the UNESCO building along Myeongdong Walking Street. Shows run several times a day, seven days a week, across the various NANTA theatres in Korea. However, if you only have one day in Seoul, you need to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

BOOK: Discounted Myeongdong NANTA Theatre tickets.

If you’ve had your fill of the bustling streets of Myeongdong, you can always head back to Insadong after the theatre and unwind at a traditional tea house. It’s a peaceful way to round off a busy day in the city.

Of course, if you have more than one day in Seoul, you can take your time and explore both Insadong and Myeongdong over two nights – there’s certainly enough to keep you entertained in each area.

Is one day in Seoul enough?

This question is a bit like asking “how long is a piece of string?” 

The short answer: one day in Seoul is simply not enough to explore everything this vibrant city has to offer. Sure, you could easily spend a week ticking off hundreds of must-see attractions and visit the DMZ, but 24 hours in Seoul still allows you to take in plenty of the city’s highlights –  assuming you don’t get completely sidetracked by shopping, beauty treatments or the irresistible aroma of tteokbokki!

Of course, some people aren’t big fans of cities, and that’s perfectly fine – I get that. To truly experience the culture of a country, you need to get outside of the big cities to experience it. If that’s your kind of thing, then one day in Seoul might be just right for you.

I’ll be honest – while I really enjoyed my time in South Korea, Seoul was my favourite city to visit – but I also felt it lacks soul. Compared with other cities I’ve been to in Asia, there’s little to no human interaction here.

Every restaurant or coffee shop, regardless of how small, is self-service via an iPad at your table or at the entrance. More often than not, your meals are delivered by robots and you’re expected to clear your own plates too. Metro stations have no staff, taxi drivers rarely speak English, and genuine opportunities to chat with locals are limited. I found it a little bizarre, and it made me wonder how lonely life must feel for some residents.

There are no staff at metro stations, taxi drivers don’t speak English and there are no real opportunities to engage with the locals, which I found really bizarre. It does make me wonder how lonely those living in Seoul must feel.

Outside the capital, though, things are very different. People are far friendlier and more chatty in Busan, and even more so on Jeju island. It’s a reminder that while Seoul dazzles with its energy and sights, it doesn’t always offer the warmth and connection you might expect from other cities in South Korea.

Where to stay in Seoul

When it comes to picking the perfect place to stay in Seoul, you can only narrow it down to Myeongdong and Insadong to be in a prime location.

Insadong is ideal if you want to be close to cultural sites and traditional attractions, while Myeongdong puts you right in the heart of the city’s bustling shopping, nightlife and dining scene. 

We stayed in two different parts of Myeongdong during our stay, and I preferred the former over the latter. The Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong II was a short walk away from all the action, yet tucked away enough to give us some peace when needed. Don’t confuse this with Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong I – that one is right in the thick of the bustle and has mixed reviews!

Our room was clean, spacious and well-equipped. We didn’t include breakfast in our stay, but we paid for it one morning because we had an early start for the DMZ tour we booked.

MY TOP HOTEL PICK

Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong II

• 4 star hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Prime location, but quiet
• Excellent value for money
• Convenient facilities including a self service laundry room, gym and convenience store

BOOK THIS HOTEL

I wouldn’t recommend breakfast here if you don’t eat meat or fish – there were very few options for me, and the staff weren’t willing to accommodate vegetarian requests, which is incredibly unusual for hotels in Asia, where guest satisfaction is usually a priority.

In fact, when I asked if the chef could make me vegetable noodles without bacon, the restaurant manager publicly told me off. Their solution was to simply pick the bacon out – not exactly what I’d call hospitality!

We also stayed at Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun Myeongdong which is ironically actually closer to Insadong than Myeongdong. I liked this hotel marginally less than the Nine Tree – the room was smaller and a bit tired, and the pillows were mostly full of air. 

While I didn’t get the best sleep because of the less-than-comfy pillows, the location was excellent. It’s close to multiple metro stations and bus stops, and far enough from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.