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Seoul — Five-Day K-Culture Itinerary

Seoul, South Korea

Updated Feb 22, 2026

• K-culture immersion: K-pop cafes, hanok alleys, street food, and 24/7 neon energy like locals live it
• Neighborhood deep dives: Hongdae street vibes, Myeongdong eats, Gangnam gloss, Insadong tradition
• Pacing with Korean rhythm: early markets, long lunches, noraebang breaks, late-night pojangmacha
• Transit hack: T-money card + subway/walk — skip taxis, embrace the underground pulse
• Eat like a Seoulite: mix-and-match street food, KBBQ shares, and bingsu resets

📍 Interactive Map

🏠 Where to Stay

Hongdae / Mapo

Youth energy, K-pop scene, late-night food; subway hub for everywhere.

Myeongdong / Namdaemun

Street food central, shopping, easy Line 4 access to palaces.

Gangnam / Sinsa

Trendy K-beauty/K-fashion, upscale BBQ, Line 2 circle line.

Insadong / Jongno

Traditional hanok vibe, palaces nearby, cultural core.

⏰ Daily Rhythm

Morning: Market breakfast + hanok wander (beat the crowds)
Lunch: Gukbap or kalguksu stall, then cafe sit (Korean 'long lunch')
Afternoon: One palace/museum + K-culture stop; subway hop
Evening: KBBQ or street eats + noraebang/karaoke wind-down

📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Insadong & Palaces: Traditional K-culture kickoff

Hanok alleys + royal history

1

Bukchon Hanok Village

neighborhood

Traditional houses where locals still live; quiet alleys.

⏱️ 09:00-10:30 (90 min) 🆓 Free

💡 Quiet hours best; no drones.

📍 View on Google Maps
2

Gyeongbokgung Palace

other

Largest Joseon palace; changing of guard ceremony.

⏱️ 10:45-12:30 (105 min) 💰 $ 3000 KRW

💡 Hanbok rental for free entry.

📍 View on Google Maps
3

Insadong Street Food

food

Traditional eats amid galleries.

⏱️ 13:00-14:00 (60 min) 💰 $ 10000 KRW
📍 View on Google Maps

🍽️ Local Food Hits

Bibimbap: Mixed rice bowl, customizable.
Hotteok: Sweet pancake street food.

✨ Local Life Moments

Hanok aunties chatting
Palace hanbok rentals blending tourists/locals

⚠️ Watch Outs

Palace closed Tuesdays
Steep hanok hills
🚶 ~6.5 km walking 🚇 Line 3 to Anguk Station; walk 10min.
Day 2

Myeongdong: Street food & K-beauty frenzy

Neon eats + shopping pulse

1

Gwangjang Market

market

Oldest market; local ajummas sling kalguksu.

⏱️ 09:00-10:30 (90 min) 💰 $ 8000 KRW

💡 2nd floor food best.

📍 View on Google Maps
2

Myeongdong Street Food

food

Neon chaos, egg bread to sundae.

⏱️ 11:30-13:00 (90 min) 💰 $ 12000 KRW
📍 View on Google Maps

🍽️ Local Food Hits

Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes.
Kalguksu: Hand-pulled noodle soup.

✨ Local Life Moments

Salarymen grabbing kimbap
Cosmetics samples everywhere

⚠️ Watch Outs

Crowd pickpockets
Overbuy sheet masks
🚶 ~5 km walking 🚇 Line 4 Myeongdong Station.
Day 3

Hongdae: K-pop & street performance energy

Youth culture 24/7

1

Hongdae Street Art

neighborhood

Mural alleys, indie vibe.

⏱️ 09:00-10:30 (90 min) 🆓 Free
📍 View on Google Maps

🍽️ Local Food Hits

Chimaek: Fried chicken + beer.
Bungeoppang: Fish-shaped pastry.

✨ Local Life Moments

Busking crowds cheering
University kids everywhere

⚠️ Watch Outs

Late clubs loud
Book noraebang ahead
🚶 ~7 km walking 🚇 Line 2 Hongik Univ Station.
Day 4

Gangnam: Glossy K-wave modern Seoul

K-drama glamour + BBQ

1

Gangnam K-Star Road

other

Idol handprints, K-pop history.

⏱️ 09:00-10:30 (90 min) 🆓 Free
📍 View on Google Maps

🍽️ Local Food Hits

Samgyeopsal: Pork belly BBQ.
Patbingsu: Red bean shaved ice.

✨ Local Life Moments

Fashionistas strutting
Star Ave selfies

⚠️ Watch Outs

Expensive cafes
Subway rush hour
🚶 ~6 km walking 🚇 Line 2 Gangnam Station.
Day 5

Itaewon & Han: Global fusion + riverside chill

International K-vibe finale

1

Itaewon Global Village

neighborhood

Fusion food, expat scene.

⏱️ 09:00-10:30 (90 min) 💰 $ 15000 KRW
📍 View on Google Maps
2

Han River Park

park

Picnics, bikes, chicken deliveries.

⏱️ 11:00-15:00 (240 min) 💰 $ 10000 KRW

💡 Rent bikes via app.

📍 View on Google Maps

🍽️ Local Food Hits

Budae jjigae: Army stew fusion.
Sundubu jjigae: Soft tofu stew.

✨ Local Life Moments

Expat mix
River couples biking

⚠️ Watch Outs

Itaewon hills
Rent bikes with helmet
🚶 ~5.5 km walking 🚇 Line 6 Itaewon Station.

📝 Local Norms Cheat Sheet

Coffee culture is huge—long sits, wifi, outlets; no rush.
KBBQ: cook yourself or ask staff; share banchan; soju with beer (maekju) is standard.
Remove shoes at traditional restaurants and some cafes; follow others.
Tipping not expected; round up or leave small change at most.
Bowing for thanks and greetings; accept business cards with both hands.
Pojangmacha (tent bars): pay as you go; late-night local institution.
Noraebang: private rooms, per-person or hourly; no judgment on singing.
Queue politely; cutting line is serious social offense.
24/7 convenience stores: real meals, T-money top-up, ATMs.

🚇 Transit & Pacing

Principles

  • T-money card for all transit—subway, bus, convenience stores; reload at any station or 7-Eleven.
  • Subway is the local default; avoid rush hour 8–9 AM and 6–7 PM if you can.
  • Walking between nearby stations (e.g. Hongdae to Sinchon) is normal; use Naver Map over Google.
  • Late-night rhythm: dinner 7–9 PM, noraebang or pojangmacha after; taxis available but subway runs late.

Make It Easier

  • Buy T-money at airport or any subway station; tap on/off for buses.
  • Naver Map (or KakaoMap) for directions and transit times—Google often wrong for Korea.
  • If crowds overwhelm: escape to Han River parks, Bukchon alleys, or a quiet cafe in Ikseon-dong.
  • Heat/cold: subway and cafes are climate-controlled; layer for indoor-outdoor swings.

Ready to explore Seoul?

Check out our complete guide for more local insights, neighborhood tips, and cultural deep dives.

View Complete Seoul Guide