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Writer's pictureYour Korea Friend
Jan 146 min read

Seoul 5 Day Itinerary (Spring)

Updated: Jan 27




📌 Find information in the archive post: https://www.yourkoreafriend.com/post/korea-travel-where-to-start


Hello, everyone!


Many people have been asking me about an itinerary for Seoul travel. So, I've prepared a 5-day itinerary for Seoul. You can add more or take some out from this itinerary that suits your need.


The schedule I've prepared this time is a mix of tourist attractions and local experiences. It's a plan where you can enjoy Korean history and landmarks while immersing yourself in local life. Itineraries can vary slightly according to the season. This time I'll introduce you to a Seoul spring 5 days travel itinerary.


 

Day 1


First, start at Gwanghwamun Square and head up to explore Gyeongbokgung Palace. Taking a leisurely stroll here will take about 2 hours. If you also visit The National Folk Museum of Korea, then it will take about 3 hours in total. After exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, head straight to Bukchon Hanok Village. Enjoy a meal and coffee while looking at the traditional Hanok houses. Next is the optional Ikseondong Hanok Street. While Bukchon Hanok Village focuses more on residential purposes, Ikseondong Hanok Street has more to offer in terms of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Moving on, visit Jongmyo Shrine, the royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon Dynasty kings and queens. It takes about 1-2 hours to explore. Afterward, head to Gwangjang Market, Seoul's representative traditional market, where you can enjoy Korean market foods. Look around and have dinner here. If you still have energy after dinner, I recommend checking out the night admission at Changgyeonggung Palace. It's the only palace that opens at night, providing a unique experience. It may take around 1 and half hours.


 

Day 2

The second day is all about Gangnam. Unless you're staying in Gangnam, I recommend not to allocate more than a day for Gangnam in a 5-day itinerary due to its distance from other attractions. Let's start with an optional attraction. If you're an early riser, consider visiting Olympic Park while you're in Jamsil. Then, move to Seokchon Lake, Lotte Tower, and the outer area of Magic Castle in Jamsil. Next, visit COEX and Bongeunsa Temple. COEX doesn't have much to offer besides the Starfield Library, but there are plenty of restaurants here. Have lunch, explore the library, and then visit Bongeunsa Temple located next to COEX. Following that, there's the cherry blossom option at Yangjaecheon Stream. If you're visiting during cherry blossom season, take the time to enjoy the cherry blossoms at Yangjaecheon, which is one of the famous places to see cherry blossoms. If it's not cherry blossom season, you might want to skip here because the route is little off. Next is another option, the real Gangnam. On the map, this whole area is Gangnam, but famous Gangnam that people talk about is around Gangnam Station. This area is more for shopping, dining, or drinking rather than attractions for tourists. However, if you want to say you've been to Gangnam, then take a stroll along this street to enjoy the local vibe. Following that, you have the option of going to either Express Bus Terminal (known as Goto) or Sinsa. Goto has the Goto Mall and numerous shopping stores, restaurants, and more gathered indoor. If you plan to dine and shop, go here. Sinsa, on the other hand, has brand shopping, trendy restaurants, and wine cafes lined up in the streets. It's a trendy and stylish area, so if you're into trends, give it a visit. You can visit both, but since the directions are different, I rather choose one.


 

Day 3

The third day begins at Seoul Plaza, which is located just across from Deoksugung Palace, take a short time visiting Seoul Plaza and then proceed to Deoksugung Palace, which is one of the five grand palaces in Seoul. Although Deoksugung Palace is relatively small and can be seen quickly, if you decide to visit the special exhibition inside, then it will take around 2-3 hours to look around. Afterward, stroll along the stonewall path surrounding Deoksugung Palace. This picturesque path is a popular spot, and you can continue until here or just this part. Next, there's an optional place, Jeongdong Observation Deck, which provides a panoramic view of Deoksugung Palace. Have lunch around city hall staion, then head towards Namsan. It’s a walkable distance so walk toward Namsan to pass Sungnyemun Gate, a national treasure of Korea. Also, on the way to Namsan Tower, you'll pass by Baekbeom Square, where the fortress walls and nature blend beautifully. Continue walking for about 30 minutes, and you'll reach Namsan Tower. If you don’t want to walk, you can take the cable car here. After visiting Namsan Tower, you can do an optional visit to Namsangol Hanok Village, a beautiful small Hanok village. I putted as an optional visit because to get there, you'll need to take a detoured route, which might take around 30 minute walk to get there. However, during spring, the path is adorned with cherry blossoms. After that, head to Myeongdong for dinner and shopping. I prefer visiting Myeongdong at night because there are food stands at night, which makes Myeongdong more enjoyable. If you have some time in the evening, consider strolling along Cheonggyecheon Stream.


 

Day 4


The fourth day is filled with local experiences that are popular during spring. Head to Yeouido. Lately, pop-up stores are a trend in Korea, and The Hyundai Seoul Department Store is at the forefront of this trend. The basement floor is filled with various food and international brand pop-up stores. On the upper floors, you'll find a space inspired by nature within the city. Next is the cherry blossom option, Yoonjung-ro Cherry Blossom Street. It's an incredibly famous spot during cherry blossom season. If you visit during the season, be sure to visit here. Next to this street is Yeouido Han River Park. In spring, many Koreans go on picnics along the Han River, and this park is particularly well-known. You can rent or buy a mat at the park, purchase some take out food from The Hyundai Seoul basement floor while you are there or buy food in the park. Then, enjoy a picnic by the Han River. Bicycle rentals are also available, so you might want to give it a try. Please note that there are chigger in the grass field in Asia, so people generally don't lie and sit down directly on the grass. Be sure to use a mat. Afterwards, head to Yongsan. There's the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, and the admission is free. It's a famous spot that many travelers go, and it might take about 3 hours to explore whole place. Next, go near Yongsan Station. This area is popular among locals for its great restaurants, shopping, and cafes. So you can enjoy a meal and go shopping here like a local. I'll soon upload a video related to Yongsan.


 

Day 5

Last day is in the Hongdae area. I've chosen activities that locals often enjoy. Before heading to Hongdae, let's start by visiting Hongjecheon. This place, where an artificial waterfall was recently created, has become a popular spot attracting many visitors. The artificial waterfall is impressive, and behind it, a small hill is covered with numerous blooming flowers, making it a great place to enjoy spring blossoms. After that, we'll move on to Mangwon Market. Here, you can enjoy some local snacks or have lunch at one of the many small restaurants in Mangwon-dong. After lunch, we'll proceed to Yeonnamdong, located near Hongdae. Yeonnamdong, adjacent to Hongdae, is filled with trendy restaurants and cafes. Don't miss walking along Gyeongui Line Forest Park. When you pass Hongdae Station, there's a charming railway track. Next, we'll stroll along Hongdae Street. In the afternoon, there are less crowds, making it a perfect time for cafe hopping or visiting street fashion stores for some shopping. Moving on to Hapjeong, which is known as a local gathering place with plenty of delicious restaurants and cafes. I recommend having dinner here. After that, for those visiting during cherry blossom season, there's a cherry blossom option. In the Mangwon area, there is a street adorned with cherry blossoms. It's beautiful during the day, but the evening lighting adds an extra charm, making it more enchanting at night. Following that, another optional visit you can do is walk on Hongdae Street in the evening. Although you walked through Hongdae Street in the afternoon, the atmosphere changes in the evening. Many people come out for busking, street food stalls emerge, and the place becomes li vli er. If you have the energy, consider walking all the way to Hongdae Station.


 

Okay, today I have shared a 5-day itinerary for a spring trip in Seoul. I hope this itinerary helps you plan your own trip. You can find related videos on my channel where I've already introduced many of these places in more detail.


Thank you!


📌 Find information in the archive post: https://www.yourkoreafriend.com/post/korea-travel-where-to-start

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