1st time in South Korea: How to Spend 48 Hours in Seoul
Seoul has a lot to offer, from shopping and dining in Myeongdong to walking through imperial history at Gyeongbokgung Palace to exploring Korean culture at Bukchon Hanok Village to admiring Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden to getting artsy in Insadong and finally, getting bird's eye views from Namsan Seoul Tower. Eat and sight-see your way through Seoul with my personalized 48-hour itinerary.
When I started planning my trip to Southeast Asia, there was no doubt that Seoul, South Korea, had to be added to my 9-day itinerary. I had previously visited Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia and headed to Thailand for the 3rd time. I'd dreamt of experiencing the rich South Korean culture for a few years prior, so a stopover in Seoul was a no-brainer. If you love K-Drama, I'll give you five additional reasons to visit Seoul in 2024. I'll also share my 48-hour itinerary to help you maximize your stopover in Seoul.
6 Reasons Why Seoul should be on Your 2024 bucket list
Culinary experience. We can all agree that tasting food is a big part of experiencing culture. Eating my way through the Myeongdong night markets single-handedly carried my South Korean experience. I don't blame you if you love Kimchi, Bimbibap and barbecue. However, so many other Korean dishes are staples you must try. During your visit to Seoul, add these dishes to your food crawl.
Every shopaholic's dream. Korean skincare has proven to be undefeated, so there's lots to explore, sample, and purchase in the top city for skin care. Spend an afternoon exploring the local shops in Insadong or spend the morning taking advantage of duty-free at Shinsegae Duty-Free Myeongdong. I enjoyed the range of cosmetic products through the various shopping areas - snail eye cream could be as cheap as $6, so there's something for everyone.
Tailored Sight-seeing. Believe me when I tell you there's something for every traveler in Seoul. If you want to see the Namsan Tower, have a bird's eye view of Seoul, taste street food in Myeongdong, or walk through imperial history at the Gyeonbokgung Palace, there's something for everyone. If you see yourself in each of these experiences, that's even better because Seoul is a traveler's dream.
Next-level nightlife. I've heard you experienced nightlife once you visited Ghana during 'Detty December.' I would argue from experience that Paris, Ibiza, and New York City also have excellent nightlife. In addition to these cities, Seoul has some of the world's top-tier nightlife. If you love the bar ambiance and the party lifestyle, add the towns of Itaewon, Hongdae, and Gangnam to your Seoul itinerary. You will have the time of your life.
It's an exquisite nature scene. During my brief time in Seoul, I noticed that the locals have a strong penchant for zen life. There were many parks with many planted trees to enhance the quality of life. During my trek to Namsan Tower Seoul, I strolled with the locals through Namsan Park and Namsan BaekBeom Square. That was one of my most peaceful experiences in Seoul.
It is K Drama, K-Pop, and Korean anime heaven. I don't watch K-Drama, but I enjoy Korean Anime. Seoul is the perfect place to shop your favorite Korean comics or see your favorite K-Pop artist in concert. Before booking a flight, look up the experiences you'd like to be a part of and tailor your travel dates to that. If your favorite K-pop artist happens to be on tour, add that to your Seoul itinerary.
Eat and sightsee through Seoul with my 48-hour itinerary.
Start booking your flight through Kayak's search engine using the built-in multi-city feature. If you want to experience Seoul for 48 hours or more, that's an easy date selection. I recommend making Seoul the first leg of your trip because shorter trips packed with endless activities can burn you out. You can relax on the next leg of the Southeast Asia trip.
Shopped and dined in Myeongdong. Shopping and dining in Myeongdong was hands down my fondest experience in Seoul. I walked from booth to booth, tasting different Korean street foods and spending the least money. I tried the fried mini crabs, Yangnyeom Tongdak, fried chicken, Hweori Gamja - Tornado Potato, and Bungeoppang - Fish-shaped Bread.
Walk through imperial history at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Located in the heart of Seoul, Gyeongbokbung Palace was once the residence of a royal family, specifically the Joseon dynasty, during the 14th century. It embodies Korean history and tradition; hence, I rented a Hanbok and took photos at the palace. If you do nothing else during your layover in Seoul, visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Explore Korean culture at Bukchon Hanok Village. Bukchon Hanok Village is located in the Jongno District in Seoul. The neighborhood features traditional Korean houses known as hanoks. It gives you a glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage. Traveling is all about getting a taste of a destination's authenticity.
Admire Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden. Changdeokgung Palace is one of the only palaces with a secret garden. The forested mountain landscape at the palace's rear is a beautiful attraction constructed for his family during the reign of King Taejong. Changdeokgung Palace is home to many significant cultural treasures.
Get artsy in Insadong. I enjoyed walking through Insadong because of the countless Korean eateries and teahouses. Within walking distance from the Gyeongbokung Palace, Insadong is revered for its unique antiques and artwork in Seoul. Buy a souvenir, eat some traditional Korean dishes, and get lost in the artsy alleys.
Get bird's eye views from Namsan Seoul Tower. The city view of Seoul at the top of Namsan Mountain is beautiful. Namsan Tower is also considered a national landscape in Seoul, so add it to your list. A bus takes you to the top of the mountain, but it is also hike-worthy. It's a two-and-a-half-long trail, estimated to be an hour-long hike, depending on your pace. Due to the location of the Namsan Seoul Tower, it is considered the highest point in Seoul, hence the iconic city views.
There you have it — 48 hours in Seoul. Save for your 2024 travels! Feel free to share your recommendations.
Happy Traveling! Xx