Seoul in 3 days: a first-timer's walking itinerary (2026)
This is the route we would hand a friend visiting Seoul for the first time. Each day is eight stops in walking order, timed so the busy places come before the tour groups and the viewpoints land near sunset. Prices were checked in November 2026; where a price is older or not published, we say so.
Open the interactive 3D route →Day 1 · Palaces & old Seoul: Palace gate to Cheonggyecheon by night
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.
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.
Day 2 · Namsan & Myeongdong: Deoksugung to N Seoul Tower at sunset
The 11am guard ceremony at Deoksugung, the stonewall road, Sungnyemun and Namdaemun Market for lunch, the cable car up Namsan to watch the city light up from N Seoul Tower, then Myeongdong's cathedral and street food.
Deoksugung & guard ceremony
The guards change right on the pavement in front of Daehanmun, then you walk in to Joseon halls next to the stone Seokjojeon.
Price: ₩1,000 · Hours: Palace 9am–9pm · closed Mondays · guard ceremony 11am & 2pm at Daehanmun
Tip: Stand slightly left of the gate (City Hall side) to see the guards march in and out.
Deoksugung Stonewall Road
A curving walk along the palace wall, golden with ginkgo leaves in November.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Turn back at Jeongdong First Methodist Church and head south to Sungnyemun.
Sungnyemun Gate
The 14th-century south gate of the city wall, rebuilt after the 2008 fire.
Price: Free · Hours: Viewing area by day · closed Mondays (check)
Tip: Cross at the north side to the small lawn for the best view.
Namdaemun Market · lunch
Lunch in kalguksu alley, where a noodle soup comes with free extras, then a hotteok on the way out.
Price: Free entry · pay per dish · Hours: Most shops early morning to late afternoon · many closed Sundays
Tip: Kalguksu alley is near Gate 5; follow the queue for the hotteok.
Namsan Cable Car
A short ride up the mountain with the city spreading out behind you.
Price: ₩15,000 adult round trip · ₩12,000 one way · Hours: About 10am–11pm
Tip: Use the free Namsan Oreumi incline lift to skip the steep walk to the lower station. Keep the return ticket.
N Seoul Tower at sunset
Watch the sun set (around 5:20pm in November) and the whole city switch on from the top of Namsan.
Price: Observatory ₩29,000 adult (2026 price · check on site) · terraces and locks free · Hours: Observatory until about 10:30pm weekdays, 11pm weekends (check)
Tip: Go up to the observatory before sunset; the love-lock terraces are free and best right after dark.
Myeongdong Cathedral
The red-brick Gothic cathedral from 1898, lit up at the top of Myeongdong.
Price: Free · Hours: Open daily outside services
Tip: Be quiet inside during Mass; the plaza in front is fine for photos.
Myeongdong street food
Egg bread, grilled cheese lobster, tteokbokki and skewers down the middle of the shopping streets.
Price: Free · pay per snack · Hours: Stalls from late afternoon into the evening
Tip: Prices are tourist prices; pick two or three snacks and finish in a cosmetics store.
Day 3 · Gangnam & Jamsil: Temple, library and the view from 500m
A quiet temple facing the Gangnam towers, Starfield Library and the aquarium under COEX, the subway to Jamsil, Seokchon Lake, sunset from Seoul Sky and dinner in Songridan-gil, ending with the tower reflected in the lake.
Bongeunsa Temple
A temple founded in the 8th century, with a 23m standing Buddha and the COEX towers rising behind the roofs.
Price: Free · Hours: Grounds open daily from early morning
Tip: Morning chanting makes it quieter and calmer than later in the day. Be respectful in the halls.
Starfield Library
13m bookshelves under a skylight in the middle of the mall; sit anywhere and read.
Price: Free · Hours: Daily 10am–10pm
Tip: Photos look best from the upper-level railing before noon.
COEX Aquarium
Themed tanks, a shark tunnel and the jellyfish room, an easy indoor stop before lunch.
Price: ₩35,000 adult (2025 price · check on site) · online often cheaper · Hours: Daily 10am–8pm (check)
Tip: Skip it to save money or time; the rest of the day works without it.
Seokchon Lake
An easy loop around the lake with Lotte World's castle on one side and the tower above you.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Walk the east lake first; come back to the north shore tonight for the reflection.
Lotte World Mall
A warm coffee break and a look at the outdoor plaza at the foot of the tower.
Price: Free · Hours: Daily about 10:30am–10pm
Tip: The Seoul Sky ticket office and entrance are on the basement level of the tower.
Seoul Sky at sunset
From about 500m up, the sun sets over the Han River and the city switches on below the glass floor.
Price: ₩31,000 adult · Hours: Daily · last entry before closing (check)
Tip: Book a slot about 30 minutes before sunset (around 5:20pm in November).
Songridan-gil · dinner
Small restaurants and bars in the side streets east of the lake.
Price: Free · pay per dish · Hours: Most places open for dinner
Tip: Register on the waiting list at the door, then walk around while you wait.
Seokchon Lake by night
The tower and the lit castle reflected in still water, the classic Jamsil night photo.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Jamsil station is about 10 minutes' walk from the north shore.
Top 10 places for a first visit
| # | Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gyeongbokgung Palace The main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395, with Bugaksan mountain behind the throne hall. | Jongno | ₩3,000 adult · free in hanbok |
| 2 | Bukchon Hanok Village Hillside lanes of lived-in hanok houses between two palaces. | Jongno | Free |
| 3 | N Seoul Tower Seoul's tower on Namsan, about 480m above sea level, with the love-lock terraces below. | Namsan | Observatory ₩29,000 adult (2026 price · check on site) |
| 4 | Myeongdong Cosmetics, fashion and an evening street-food market in one grid of streets. | Jung-gu | Free |
| 5 | Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden A UNESCO-listed palace that follows the hills, with the royal Secret Garden (Huwon) behind it. | Jongno | ₩3,000 · Secret Garden tour +₩5,000 |
| 6 | Gwangjang Market Seoul's best-known food market: mung bean pancakes, yukhoe and mayak gimbap at the counters. | Jongno | Free entry · pay per dish |
| 7 | Insadong Galleries, tea houses and craft shops along one main street. | Jongno | Free |
| 8 | Lotte World Tower · Seoul Sky Observation floors near the top of Korea's tallest building, about 500m up, with a glass floor. | Jamsil | ₩31,000 adult |
| 9 | Cheonggyecheon Stream A restored stream that runs below street level through the old city centre. | Jongno | Free |
| 10 | Starfield Library Two-storey bookshelves in the middle of COEX Mall, free to sit and read. | Gangnam | Free |
Before you go
Entry
- K-ETA: Waived until 31 December 2026 for eligible visa-free nationalities, including Singapore. You can still apply on the official site if you want, but don't pay a look-alike agency for one you don't need.
- e-Arrival Card (required): Since 1 January 2026 visitors submit a free digital arrival card within 3 days before landing, at e-arrivalcard.go.kr only. Travellers who hold an approved K-ETA are exempt.
- Korean citizens: Korean passport holders don't need either; use the automated gates.
SIM & eSIM
- At the airport: Korean telecom counters in the Incheon arrival hall sell tourist SIMs and rent pocket Wi-Fi; bring your passport.
- eSIM before you fly: A data eSIM installed at home works on landing for maps and taxis. Compare days and data, not just price.
- Why data matters here: Google Maps gives limited walking directions in Korea. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap, which both have English menus.
Getting around
- T-money card: Buy at convenience stores or station machines and top up with cash. It works on the subway, buses and many taxis, with a transfer discount between them.
- Climate Card (unlimited pass): Seoul's unlimited public-transport pass has short-term versions for visitors; check current prices and where to buy on Visit Seoul.
- Taxis: Install Kakao T and register a card before you fly. Regular taxis are orange or silver; a late-night surcharge applies.
- Airport to city: AREX express from Incheon to Seoul Station, or the all-stop train that connects to the subway; airport limousine buses go to most hotel areas.
- Walking: These routes are mostly on foot; Seoul is hilly around Bukchon and Namsan, so wear comfortable shoes.
Palaces
- Closing days: Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo close on Tuesdays. Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung close on Mondays.
- Hanbok = free entry: Wear hanbok and you enter the palaces free. Rental shops around Gyeongbokgung rent by the hour.
- Guard ceremonies: Gyeongbokgung (Gwanghwamun gate): 10am and 2pm, not on Tuesdays. Deoksugung (Daehanmun gate): 11am and 2pm, not on Mondays.
- Secret Garden: Changdeokgung's Huwon is by guided tour only; online booking opens about 6 days ahead and sells out.
Bukchon visiting hours
- Red zone: In the core of Bukchon (Bukchon-ro 11-gil) visitors may walk only from 10am to 5pm. Outside those hours a fine can apply.
- Manners: People live in these houses: keep voices low, don't open gates, sit on doorsteps or photograph through windows.
Money
- Cards: Cards and mobile pay work almost everywhere; keep some cash for markets, street food and T-money top-ups.
- Tax-free shopping: Look for 'Tax Free' stickers. Many stores refund on the spot when you show your passport; otherwise use the kiosks at the airport.
- Exchanging money: Licensed money changers in Myeongdong usually give better rates than the airport.
Weather in November
- Cool and dry: Expect cool days and cold evenings; bring layers and a warm jacket for Namsan and the river at night.
- Sunset: Around 5:20pm in November, so the day routes put the viewpoints just before dark.
Sources
- Gyeongbokgung Palace — official site (hours, fees, closed Tuesdays)
- Seoul Royal Guard Changing Ceremony — official site
- MCST — Deoksugung guard ceremony 11:00 & 14:00, closed Mondays (2026)
- Deoksugung Palace — official site
- Changdeokgung Palace — official site (Secret Garden tours)
- National Folk Museum of Korea
- Jongno-gu — Bukchon special management zone (visiting hours)
- Gwangjang Market — official site
- Seoul Facilities Corporation — Cheonggyecheon
- Namsan night spots — fees & hours from Korea Tourism Organization data (checked 14 Oct 2026)
- N Seoul Tower — official site
- Namsan Cable Car — official site
- Namdaemun Market — official site
- Myeongdong Cathedral
- Bongeunsa Temple — official site
- Starfield COEX Mall — Starfield Library
- COEX Aquarium — official site
- Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky — official site
- Lotte World Mall
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization)
- Visit Seoul — official Seoul tourism site
- Korea e-Arrival Card — official portal (free)
- K-ETA — official portal (temporary exemption to 31 Dec 2026)
- Illustrated draft map by 3DAYS · real-data 3D map in preparation
Prices are for adults and can change; always 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 and routes are not paid placements.