Are you planning to explore Seoul on a trip to South Korea? Or perhaps you are heading to Southeast Asia and are looking to break up that long-distance flight with a layover in Seoul? Either way, we have you covered with this Guide to Exploring Seoul, and making the most of your time in this Futuristic City!
Here’s what this solo travel guide to Seoul, South Korea covers:
- Best time to visit Seoul, South Korea
- Safety in Seoul, South Korea
- 3-day Seoul travel itinerary
- Top Things to Do near Seoul, South Korea
- What foods to try in Seoul
- How to get around Seoul
Best time to visit Seoul, South Korea
No doubt, if you have ever searched highlights of South Korea, you surely have seen images of the beautiful cherry blossoms. This spectacular natural event takes place in April, making April the best month to visit Seoul. But of course, this special occasion comes with many tourists flocking to the country, especially in June. If you like nature and don’t mind crowds, visiting Seoul in April is just for you!
Even without a beautiful cherry blossom season, springtime in Seoul is the best time of year to visit. From March through May, the temperatures are pleasantly warm, and you’ll be blessed with more sunny days than rainy ones. These springtime months also host famous festivals such as the Jeju Island Fire Festival and Lotus Lantern Festival.
Another great time of year to visit Seoul is during the autumn months of September and October, and even extending into the first week of November. However, December marks the onset of winter, where you will find warm daytime temperatures with the evenings and mornings providing chillier weather. But not that bitterly cold of Korea’s winter, simply adding a sweater or a light jacket to your packing list will do you justice.
Safety in Seoul, South Korea
Luckily, Seoul is one of the safest cities in the world. Violent crime is rare; even petty crimes like pickpocketing or street-level scams are uncommon in Seoul. In this bustling city, you'll rarely find yourself alone, even at night, so if safety is a top priority, Seoul is a great place to visit.
Here are some quick safety tips:
- Stay alert: Just like anywhere else, keep an eye on your surroundings.
- Travel smart: Use well-lit streets at night. Avoid dark alleys, even if your GPS says it’s a shortcut! Stay informed through social media for updates on safety tips.
- Public transport: Seoul has an efficient system. Buses and subways are not only safe but also a great way to get around.
3-day Seoul Itinerary
I spent a few days in Seoul and had such a blast! Obviously, a city of its size has many attractions and things to do on offer. It’s simply not possible to do it all. However, I was able to see and experience a variety of things and did so at an enjoyable pace. Though your time may be limited, be sure to take your time and enjoy the experience, and just don’t go about trying to check all the boxes before moving on!
For this itinerary, I’ll leave out the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is one of the top attractions in Seoul. If you have the time, definitely add it to your list, especially considering travel to nearby regions like China.
Day 1: Gyeongbokgung Palace & Myeongdong Market
- Start your Seoul explorations with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the country’s most iconic attraction and one that is representative of Korean history and culture.
- After visiting the palace, take a stroll through Gwanghwamun Square. Here you will find a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- During the afternoon, head over to either Ikseondong or Bukchon Hanok Village. These two villages will give you an insight into traditional Korean culture.
- In the evening, go on a food tour through Myeongdong Market. We suggest booking a guided food tour but feel free to wing it yourself if you don’t mind being adventurous.
Day 2: Gwangjang Market & Korean Baseball
- To keep the foodie alive in you, head over to Gwangjang Market. Here you will find a wide variety of foods on offer. This market is also a popular shopping destination for fabrics and textiles.
- Burn off all those calories you digested on a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream, a 7-mile-long public recreation space cutting through the downtown districts. Along the way, you can take breaks on public benches or sit on stones that dot the streamside.
- In the evening, if you are in Seoul during the baseball season, I highly recommend attending a Korean baseball game! Whether you are a fan of baseball or not, you will surely be entertained by Korea’s baseball fan culture.
Day 3: Noryangjin Market & Gahngam District
- Though it’s not for everyone, due to the aromas in the air, a visit to the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market is a must! If you aren't purchasing anything, simply observing 800 vendors selling fresh seafood is entertaining enough. However, if you are a seafood lover, you can purchase directly from the wholesalers and they will cook all the food for you in the restaurants located on the upper floor of the market.
- Make a visit to the National Museum of Korea, which is home to plenty of ancient Korean artifacts and pieces of history from the Korean Peninsula, as well as many beautiful artworks. Best of all, admission is free!
- No trip to Seoul would be complete without exploring either the Gangnam district, especially for first-time visitors., K-pop fans may want to pay a visit to the famous K-Star Road, located in the Apgujeong neighborhood of Gangnam.
Top things to do near Seoul:
Yes, we just laid out a pretty neat 3-day Seoul itinerary, but as I mentioned not all things can be covered in 3 days, and not all of my recommendations will fit your preferences. For those of you with more time to explore, here is a list of the top things to do near Seoul.
- Seokransan National Park: a 2-hour bus journey from Seoul, Seokransan National Park is home to Korea’s third tallest mountain and various scenic hiking trails.
- Nami Island: one of the most popular day trips from Seoul, home to a dense redwood forest and the idyllic-sounding Garden of Morning Calm.
- Elysian Gangchon Resort: accessible by subway just over 1 hour from Seoul, this mountain resort has slopes for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders.
- Hanyangdoseong City Walls: for those nature lovers, head over to this area and walk the one-hour Naksan Mountain Trail or traverse the entire 11-mile!
What foods to try in Seoul
Just in case you didn’t already know, let me remind you….Seoul is a foodie’s paradise!
A good majority of my time spent in Seoul was popping in and out of small eateries, walking through food markets, and tasting just about everything I saw. Of course, I didn’t always know what I was eating, but everything was enjoyable! Here are some top foods to try while during your stay in Seoul, and other regions of South Korea.
- Gimbap: one of South Korea's beloved foods, gimbap can be found in restaurants and tiny food stalls. Gimbap consists of a sheet of seaweed that’s filled with rice, a few pickled veggies, and a slice of egg.
- Pajeon: a crispy pancake often made of green onion or seafood. It’s pre-sliced into little squares and served with light soy sauce and a side of kimchi.
- Tteokbokki: a staple to the Korean street food scene and a common menu item in restaurants as well, these are just boiled rice cakes served in gochujang chili sauce
- Bulgogi: Bulgogi, meaning ‘fire meat,’ is made from thin slices of pork or beef marinated in a mixture of garlic, pepper, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. These slices are grilled on a charcoal barbecue and served in a stir fry with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Bibimbab: Traditionally, you'll find bibimbap made with sautéed and seasoned vegetables, a raw egg yolk, and thin slices of beef. Common veggies include cucumber, courgette, radish, mushrooms, soybeans, spinach, and cabbage.
How to get around in Seoul
Seoul has a very well-organized public metro system. Local buses, trains, and subways reach almost every part of the city like Busan, especially the main attractions. You can download the Korea Subway App before your trip.
It’s highly recommended to get a T-Money transportation card upon arrival. This is a debit card that you scan to get in and out of the subway stations. You can also use the T-Money card at certain minimarts and 7-11. During your stay in Seoul, you can “top-up” the card at kiosks located in the subway and train stations.
You can also download Kakao, which is the ride-share app most popular in South Korea, since Uber does not work as effectively.
Here is a quick breakdown of the methods of transportation available when visiting Seoul:
Subway:
Consisting of 22 lines in total, Seoul has one of the most extensive networks & convenient urban railway systems in the world. Lines operate as early as 4 am and as late as 1 am! Fares are relatively cheap starting at around 1,400 won (1 USD). Best of all, the trains are air-conditioned and have wireless internet connectivity.
Buses:
The public bus system in Seoul is well-developed, connecting every corner of Seoul with hundreds of routes running throughout the city, and like the subway, they start operating from the early hours of the morning until late at night. Buses are color-coded according to the area they serve.
Taxi:
Taxis are also cost-efficient and are a common mode of transportation. As mentioned above, be sure to download the Kakao app for ease of use. Uber is available, but very limited. Kakao is the way to go!
Bicycle:
Seoul Public Bike, also known as Ttareungi in Korean, is an unmanned bike rental system managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government that has more than 1,500 rental stations located throughout the city for people to use at their own convenience. Moreover, you can get a 1-day rental for just a mere 1,000 won (less than 1 USD). Services are provided in English, Chinese, and Japanese!
Interested in exploring Seoul with Under30Experiences? Check out our 9-day South Korea trip!
