Seoul in one day: a walking route with times and prices
Eight stops on foot. The guard ceremony at 10am, Gyeongbokgung before the tour buses peak, Bukchon's hanok lanes inside visiting hours, Insadong and Ikseon-dong in the afternoon, dinner at Gwangjang Market and a lit stream walk to finish. It is Day 1 of the full 3-day Seoul guide, and it works on its own if you only have one day.
Open the 3D route map →Gwanghwamun Square
Start at the statue of King Sejong, who created the Korean alphabet, with the palace gate and Bugaksan mountain straight ahead.
Price: Free · Hours: Open 24 hours
Tip: Walk north up the square so you reach the gate a few minutes before 10am.
Gyeongbokgung Palace & guard ceremony
Watch the changing of the guard at Gwanghwamun, then walk through the throne hall to the Gyeonghoeru pavilion on its pond.
Price: ₩3,000 adult · free in hanbok · Hours: Nov–Feb 9am–5pm (last entry 4pm) · closed Tuesdays · guard ceremony 10am & 2pm
Tip: Stand on the square side of the gate for the ceremony. Inside, go straight to Geunjeongjeon, then turn left for Gyeonghoeru.
National Folk Museum of Korea
A free look at everyday Korean life, and the outdoor street of old shops is a fun photo stop on the way out.
Price: Free · Hours: Daily · check the site for closing time
Tip: Leave by the east gate (Geonchunmun side) towards Samcheong-dong for lunch.
Bukchon Hanok Village
The lanes of tiled roofs looking down to the city are the classic Seoul photo, and people still live in these houses.
Price: Free · Hours: Red zone (Bukchon-ro 11-gil) open to visitors 10am–5pm only
Tip: Visit inside 10am–5pm; outside those hours visitors can be fined. Keep voices low and don't open gates or sit on doorsteps.
Insadong & Ssamziegil
Galleries, craft shops and traditional tea houses, with the spiral Ssamziegil building in the middle.
Price: Free · Hours: Shops roughly 10am–8pm
Tip: Take a tea break in a side-alley tea house; walk Ssamziegil's ramp to the roof.
Ikseon-dong
Tiny hanok alleys turned into cafés and bakeries; the lanterns come on around sunset.
Price: Free · Hours: Cafés roughly 11am–10pm
Tip: Sunset is around 5:20pm in November, so the alleys light up while you are here.
Gwangjang Market · dinner
Sit at a counter for mung bean pancakes fried in front of you, yukhoe (beef tartare) and mini mayak gimbap.
Price: Free entry · pay per dish · Hours: Food stalls open into the evening · some shops close Sundays
Tip: Share several small plates between two people. Pay at the stall when you leave.
Cheonggyecheon night walk
Walk west along the stream from the market under lit bridges, with the city noise above you.
Price: Free · Hours: Open 24 hours
Tip: Stairs from every bridge lead back to street level; Jonggak and Euljiro stations are a short walk.
Planning more days? Read the full 3-day Seoul guide.
Open the 3D route map →Prices are for adults and can change; check the official site on the day. Some ticket, hotel and eSIM links on 3DAYS are affiliate links: your price is the same and we may earn a commission. Rankings are not paid placements.