Seoul trip ideas

Trips planned for Seoul run 3 to 4 days. These are the places they keep coming back to, and the trips themselves, day by day.

  • 2 trips
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 12 places

How many days do you need in Seoul?

2 trips planned for Seoul run 3 to 4 days.

A 3-day planA 4-day plan
Map of the most-visited places in Seoul

What to see in Seoul

The places Seoul trips keep coming back to, most often first.

  1. 1

    Gyeongbokgung

    Palace in Seoul, South Korea.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  2. 2

    Blue House

    Former official residence of the president of South Korea.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  3. 3

    Cheonggyecheon

    Stream in Seoul, South Korea.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  4. 4

    Namdaemun

    Main gate of Seoul fortress; one of The Four Great Gates (cardinal) as one of The Eight Gates of Seoul as part of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  5. 5

    National Museum of Korea

    Museum located in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  6. 6

    Changdeokgung

    Palace in Seoul, South Korea.

    In 2 of 2 trips
  7. 7

    Independence Gate

    Memorial gate in Seoul celebrating independence from Qing China.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  8. 8

    National Palace Museum of Korea

    National museum.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  9. 9

    Seoul Museum of History

    History museum in Seoul, South Korea.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  10. 10

    Gwanghwamun Plaza

    Public open space in Downtown Seoul.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  11. 11

    Seoul Plaza

    Square in Seoul, South Korea.

    In 1 of 2 trips
  12. 12

    Myeongdong Cathedral

    Cathedral in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

    In 1 of 2 trips

Trips to Seoul

Sample trip4 Days in Seoul: Palaces, Gates and the City's MemoryPalaces and gates of the old capital · the restored Cheonggyecheon · museums on foot4 days · May · a solo trip · 16 stopsSample trip3 Days in Seoul: All Five Grand Palaces, at a Couple's PaceOctober · five palaces, two gates, three museums · a moderate pace3 days · October · a couple's trip · 12 stops

Good to know

Is the Blue House open to the public?

It is, as a guided tour of the former presidential residence. Tours run at set times, so book ahead and bring photo ID; the site sits right behind Gyeongbokgung and makes a natural end to a palace morning.

Can you visit Changdeokgung's secret garden?

Only on a guided tour, separate from the main palace ticket. Ask at the ticket window on arrival so the hour and a half divides cleanly between the halls and the garden.

What should I wear for the palaces in May?

Comfortable shoes above all. The palace courtyards are gravel and fully open to the sun, so a hat and water help; May is warm enough to leave heavy layers behind but light enough for a long walk.

How long is the Cheonggyecheon walk?

Longer than it looks, since the stream runs for many blocks below street level. Spend the allotted time on one easy section and sit, rather than trying for the whole route.

Which Seoul palace is least crowded?

Gyeonghuigung, the smallest of the Five Grand Palaces. It gets a fraction of the visitors who queue at Gyeongbokgung one street away, which is why this route starts there.

Do you need ID to visit the Blue House?

Yes. Entry is by timed guided tour and the tour checks a passport or state ID, so keep one in your pocket for day one.

Plan your own Seoul trip

Tell Triptic your dates and who is going, and get the days, real flights and a place to stay.

Plan a Seoul trip