Seoul 5-Day First Timer Itinerary: palaces, food, shopping, and nightlife

1일차 — Arrival + Myeongdong Orientation

Get from Incheon Airport to your hotel via AREX (₩11,000 to Seoul Station). Pick up a T-money card at the airport convenience store. Check into your accommodation and walk to Myeongdong for dinner — try a Korean BBQ restaurant to start your trip right. Walk through the Myeongdong street food stalls for dessert (egg bread, hotteok). End the night at N Seoul Tower — take the cable car up (₩12,000 round trip) for night views of the city.

2일차 — Palaces + Traditional Seoul

Morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace (₩3,000, free with hanbok). Watch the guard changing ceremony at 10 AM. Rent hanbok from shops outside Exit 5 (₩15,000-20,000 for 2 hours). Walk through Bukchon Hanok Village. Lunch at Tongin Market using the dosirak coin system (₩5,000). Afternoon walk through Insadong for traditional crafts and tea. Evening at Ikseondong for trendy cafes in hanok buildings.

3일차 — Hongdae + Youth Culture + Nightlife

Sleep in today. Late morning brunch at one of Hongdae's famous cafes. Afternoon exploring Hongdae — street performances (weekends), vintage shops, K-pop merch stores, and photo booths. Walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park to Yeonnam-dong for more cafes and boutiques. Dinner at a dakgalbi restaurant (₩12,000/person). Evening: bar crawl starting at Gyeongui Line bars, then to Hongdae clubs if you are feeling it.

4일차 — Seongsu + Gangnam + Modern Seoul

Morning at Seongsu-dong — browse pop-up stores along Yeonmujang-gil, visit Daerim Changgo cafe or Gentle Monster HAUS NOWHERE. Lunch at a Seongsu cafe restaurant. Afternoon: take Line 2 to COEX Mall — Starfield Library (free, great photos), SM Town museum for K-pop fans. Walk to Garosu-gil for boutique shopping and dessert cafes. Evening at Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (April-October) or dinner at Jamsil area.

5일차 — Markets + Local Life + Departure Prep

Morning at Gwangjang Market — eat mayak gimbap, bindaetteok, and yukhoe. Walk to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) for architecture photos. Head to Lotte Mart at Seoul Station for souvenir shopping (honey butter almonds, sheet masks, Korean snacks). If you have time, visit the War Memorial of Korea (free). Take AREX back to Incheon Airport (₩11,000).