How to spend 6 days in Seoul, South Korea

If you love K-pop, K-Drama, the world of cosmetics and the delicious Korean food, it is time to visit Seoul, South Korea’s capital, which won’t let you down.

Palaces and Gates

I absolutely adore Seoul’s Palaces and city’s gates. Rent and wear a hanbok traditional dress or suit and enjoy a trip to the past during the era of the Joseon Dynasty. Wander around the gorgeous and breathtaking Royal Palaces with their Pavilions, secret gardens, lakes and pagodas. The biggest ones are Changgyeonggung Palace and Geunjeongjeon Palace with its impressive Gwanghwamun Gate and a smaller one, but still beautiful is Deoksugung Palace next to City Hall. By walking around the city, you will also come across the Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun). The contrast between the old buildings within the developed capital is amazing.

City Hall, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square

Another example of this contrast is the company’s City Hall. Its building is composed of an old part (the old City Hall) and the new one, an impressive modern building with a glass exterior and unique design. Outside of the City Hall there is a large open garden where many performances take place from time to time (music events, book fairs etc).

Very close to the City hall is the marvelous Cheonggye Plaza from which begins the Cheonggyecheon Stream, a magic underground pedestrian street near to a little stream. You are under the impression that fairytales will appear. It is a calm path to walk by the greenery stream or just sit and observe the locals singing, talking, relaxing.

A little further from the Cheonggye Plaza is located the enormous but stunning Gwanghwamun Square (if you watch K-Drama appears in many Korean series). The statue of the King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin adorns the square and concludes to the Gwanghwamun Gate and Geunjeongjeon Palace.

Seoul Tower

A must visit when being in Seoul is its Tower. You can go up to the tower either by funicular or on foot if you cross the Namsan Mountain Park, or you can do both depending on your mood. Whichever way you choose the view from the top is amazing. Furthermore, you can lock your love by putting a locker with your name at its special full of lockers place.

Hanok Villages

There are plenty of hanok villages in Seoul. Little Neighborhoods with narrow traditional streets, buildings and stores. The most unique ones are the following:

• Bunchok Hanok Village. The village is full of traditional old residences and narrow streets and little shops. If you go to its top, the view of Seoul above the traditional old roofs of the houses during sunset is amazing.
• Namsangol Hanok Village: This looks more like a palace than a village. It is full of old buildings, like those that you can meet at the palaces but simpler and a nice park. You can also rent a hanbok costume and take nice pictures at this village as it is like living in another era.
• Ikseon Dong Hanok Village. This is my personal favorite. It is like a labyrinth, with extremely narrow pedestrian roads full of shops, cafes, bakeries, restaurants housed in old wooden buildings. If you want to have an iced tea or sweet while being at the hanok choose Hanok Langsom Ikseon and you won’t be disappointed.

Markets and commercial streets 

Seoul is a paradise of cosmetics and street food. So, you cannot miss Gwangjang Market, a huge market full of delicious street food. The whole market is flooded with food flavors that you cannot resist (I loved the freshly fried Korean pancakes – so yummy!).

Incredible street food you can also find at Myeongdong Night Market. The large caramelized Korean grapes are a must try. At the same neighborhood you can find literally innumerous shops of cosmetics. From cheap masks to expensive beauty products, in this area you can find any type of cosmetic you can imagine and at any budget (make sure to have enough space to your luggage because you will want to buy them all). Don’t miss the underground metro station shopping center at Myeongdong. You can find very cheap clothes, socks, bags, accessories.

Another famous shopping street full of brands for nonstop shopping is Gangnam-daero Street. There is also a huge underground shopping center at Gangnam metro station that will excite you. Finally, you can also find great little restaurants and bars if you wander around the little streets next to Gangnam-daero Avenue.

I couldn’t omit from my list Hongdae Shopping Street. You can find a lot of shops, bars, stores with electronics machines, even fortune tellers on this street. If you get hungry, you can have a typical Korean barbeque experience at Hansang Gadeuk Korean BBQ Restaurant.

Popular neighborhoods

• Gangnam. Gangnam is the wealthiest and more luxury neighborhood of Seoul. I am sure that all of you are aware of the popular song named Gangnam Style. Well, you have the opportunity to visit the golden statue of the famous Gangnam hands and dance under them to their rhythm. Opposite the hands statue is located a big mall with one of the most beautiful libraries, Starfield Library. Get lost in the world of books in this huge and tranquil library. At walking distance from the library, you may find a lovely Buddhist temple. It is better to visit it during evening time as the colors of the lights and the Buddha’s statues make the temple’s atmosphere more special.
• Ihwa-dong Mural Village is a different style neighborhood full of graffiti at its walls. You need to climb a few steps to reach the top of the area and to locate its different drawings, spread all over the narrow roads, as a hidden treasure. All of them are unique and gorgeous. When you reach the top the view of the city absolutely compensates your effort. There are cute little bars where you can have a drink, take a rest and enjoy the view.

• Itaewon. Itaewon during Fridays and Saturdays transforms into a vivid neighborhood full of clubs, bars, restaurants. A great option if you are in the mood for clubbing during your stay in Seoul and Itaewon class was one of your favorite k-dramas.

For more information or to help you plan your ideal trip within your budget, please contact us.