South Korea · 5-day itinerary
5 days in Seoul
Palaces, K-culture and barbecue at midnight. Here's a 5-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Seoul
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Seoul
Check in at your stay in Myeongdong / Jongno.
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. · Jongno
Bukchon Hanok Village
Traditional hanok houses on hillside lanes.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Korean barbecue (samgyeopsal)
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. · Jongno · ~$28
Gwangjang Market
Mung-bean pancakes and bibimbap at market stalls.
Day 2
Layers of history
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. · Jongno · ~$4
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The grand Joseon palace and changing of the guard.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Street food at Gwangjang Market
Day 3
Markets & makers
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. · Myeongdong · ~$21
Myeongdong shopping and street food
K-beauty and snacks.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. · Dongdaemun
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Zaha Hadid's futuristic landmark and night markets.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Fried chicken and beer (chimaek)
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. · Hongdae · ~$57
Hongdae nightlife
Buskers, clubs and noraebang (karaoke).
Day 4
Into the green
- 2:15 p.m. Lunch
- 8:45 p.m. Dinner · Bibimbap
10:15 p.m. – 1:15 a.m. · Yongsan · ~$21
Jjimjilbang spa
Korean bathhouse with saunas and hot pools.
Day 5
Farewell, Seoul
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Wander Seoul
Unscheduled time for cafés, rest, or the discovery you didn't plan.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Depart Seoul
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Hotteok sweet pancakes
Where to stay in Seoul
Shoestring
Hongdae
Youthful, cheap stays and endless nightlife.
Hotels in HongdaeComfort
Myeongdong / Jongno
Central for palaces, markets and transit.
Hotels in Myeongdong / JongnoLuxury
Gangnam
Sleek hotels, design stores and fine dining.
Hotels in Gangnam
What to eat in Seoul
Korean barbecue
Samgyeopsal pork belly grilled at your table.
Bibimbap
Rice bowl with vegetables, egg and gochujang.
Tteokbokki
Chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy sauce, the classic street food.
Samgyetang
Whole young chicken soup with ginseng, especially in summer.
Bindaetteok
Crispy mung-bean pancakes from Gwangjang Market.
Chimaek
Korean fried chicken with beer.
Where locals send visitors
Gwangjang Market $
Food market · Jongno · Best for lunch
Mung-bean pancakes, mayak gimbap and raw beef at century-old market stalls.
ReviewsTosokchon Samgyetang $$
Samgyetang · Seochon · Best for lunch
Ginseng chicken soup near Gyeongbokgung, famous enough for queues.
ReviewsMyeongdong Kyoja $
Kalguksu · Myeongdong · Best for lunch
Knife-cut noodle soup and dumplings since 1966.
ReviewsJinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari $
Dakhanmari · Dongdaemun · Best for dinner
Whole-chicken hotpot in 'Dakhanmari Alley'.
ReviewsNoryangjin Fish Market $$
Fish market · Dongjak · Best for dinner
Pick seafood downstairs and have it prepared at a restaurant upstairs.
ReviewsMingles $$$$
Modern Korean tasting menu · Gangnam · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
Chef Mingoo Kang's celebrated modern hansik.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Getting around: Use regular metered or app taxis. Unofficial drivers at the airport may overcharge, so use the official taxi stands.
- Local rules: Jaywalking and littering can be fined, and smoking is banned in many outdoor public areas.
- Safety: Seoul is very safe. The main hazard is fast delivery scooters on pavements.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go: Government of Canada travel advisories .
Good to know
- Naver Map and KakaoMap work far better than Google Maps here.
- A T-money card covers subway, buses and convenience stores.
- Wearing hanbok gets you free palace entry.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$94 |
| Comfort | ~$206 |
| Luxury | ~$605 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Seoul trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.