Seoul 3-Day Itinerary: Perfect Weekend Plan for First-Time Visitors
Explore Seoul in 3 days with this 2025 itinerary: historical sites, street food, shopping, and vibrant neighborhoods. Ideal for first-time visitors.
📌 Quick Guide to Your 3-Day Seoul Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village
Morning
- 09:00 – Arrive in Seoul / Hotel check-in or luggage drop-off
- 10:00 – Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Rent a hanbok for free palace entry
- Watch the guard-changing ceremony (10:00 AM)
- 11:30 – Walk through Bukchon Hanok Village
- Enjoy traditional hanok homes & photo spots
Afternoon
- 13:00 – Lunch at Tosokchon Samgyetang (famous for ginseng chicken soup)
- 14:00 – Stroll Insadong
- Try traditional snacks, browse crafts and tea houses
- 16:00 – Visit Jogyesa Temple for a quiet cultural break
Evening
- 18:00 – Dinner in Ikseon-dong
- A hip hanok alley with fusion restaurants & dessert cafés
- 20:00 – Explore Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
- Take night photos, shop at late-night malls nearby
- Optional: Gay nightlife in Jongno (for mature crowd) or Itaewon
Day 2: Discover Hongdae, Gangnam, and Seou Sky
Morning
- 08:30 – Breakfast at a café in Hongdae
- 09:30 – Explore Hongdae: street art, shops, arcade games
- 11:00 – Visit Yeonnam-dong Gyeongui Line Forest Park
- Peaceful walk with indie cafés and photo ops
Afternoon
- 13:00 – Lunch: Korean fried chicken or jjimdak (braised chicken)
- 14:30 – Head to Gangnam
- Visit COEX Mall: shopping, Starfield Library, and aquarium
- 16:30 – Chill at Seokchon Lake (if spring/fall) or Bongeunsa Temple nearby
Evening
- 18:30 – Dinner at a Gangnam BBQ restaurant
- 20:00 – Go up Lotte World Tower (Seoul Sky)
- 123rd-floor observatory for the best skyline views
Day 3: Experience Namdaemun Market and Myeongdong Shopping
Morning
- 09:00 – Breakfast near your stay
- 10:00 – Explore Namdaemun or Gwangjang Market
- Try street food: hotteok, bindaetteok, mayak gimbap
- 11:30 – Visit Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower) via cable car
- Lock a love padlock, enjoy city views
Afternoon
- 13:00 – Lunch at Myeongdong Kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodles)
- 14:00 – Last-minute shopping in Myeongdong: skincare, fashion, souvenirs
- 15:30 – Head to hotel, collect luggage
- 16:00+ – Depart to the airport
🧠Travel Notes:
- Use T-money for subway/bus
- Download Naver Map or KakaoMap for navigation
- Book Namsan Tower or Lotte Tower tickets online for discounts
- Most shops open around 10–11 AM and close late (esp. in shopping zones)
