Whether it’s your first time in Seoul or your third, there’s something about this city that keeps pulling travellers back. Maybe it’s the delicious Korean cuisine, beautiful nature spots or exciting shopping spots, or the blend of everything but we sure are hooked! This time, we explored beyond the capital and included a day trip to Nami Island, Petite France and Gangchon which was one of the highlights of our trip! Can’t wait to explore Seoul for yourself? We have everything you need with our 5D4N Muslim-friendly Seoul itinerary!
Travelling to Seoul
- Want to maximise your time in Seoul? Take a red-eye flight so that you’ll have the entire day to explore when you arrive! Of course, this is only possible if you can fall asleep on a plane.
Pick up 4G WiFi at the airport
- Reserve your pocket WiFi in advance on Klook and pick it up the moment you arrive at Incheon Airport (T1 and T2)
- No worries about not having enough data because you can enjoy unlimited 4G WiFi coverage across Korea at just SGD3/day.
- You can connect up to 3 devices on this device so the cost is even cheaper if you’re travelling in a group!
- The battery lasted almost the whole day when we used it on our trip, and we loved the fast and reliable coverage.
Goodbye, heavy luggage – drop it off!
- We know how inconvenient it can be to travel to your accommodation first to drop off your luggage. This is why we were super happy to find a luggage service on Klook which will deliver your luggage directly to your accommodation (hotel and even Airbnb) so you can start exploring the city right away!
- This is super helpful if you’re travelling with kids and family too! No worries about trying to navigate with your heavy luggage while looking after your loved ones?
- You’ll receive regular updates via email/WhatsApp so you’ll be notified when your luggage is dropped off.
- Planning to skip this because you think this will be too expensive? Klook has an exclusive 1 for 1 discount - problem solved if you’re travelling with a friend!
Head to the city
- Hop on the AREX, the fastest way to the city! It only takes 43 minutes by train to Seoul Station but do check that you’re taking the Express Train instead of the All-stop Train.
- With frequent departures, pre-assigned seats and even free bottled water, it was a breeze to take the AREX (especially since we didn’t have to drag our luggage!).
- Note: A deposit of KRW500 is required – remember to get the deposit back at the machines when you arrive at Seoul Station.
Day 1
Don a Beautiful Hanbok (1h)
- Always wanted to try on a hanbok? You can, as you explore Seoul ?
- With the wide range of designs and sizes available, you’ll definitely find a hanbok you love at this rental store. It’s best to make your reservation at least 3 days in advance for your preferred rental period! Choose to rent the hanbok for 4 hours or 24 hours.
P.S. Did you know the hanbok used to be worn daily till about 100 years ago? Today, it’s usually worn on special occasions such as weddings or Korean holidays.
- The friendly staff will help you find the perfect fit and you are allowed to try on two different hanboks before deciding.
- The best part is you can save on entrance fees at the palaces/tourist attractions if you’re wearing the hanbok!
Visit iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace (2h)
Situated in the heart of the capital, Gyeongbokgung is the largest of the five grand palaces built in 1395 by the Joseon dynasty and a must-visit when you’re in Seoul!
- #HHWT tip: You can enter Gyeongbokgung Palace for free if you’re wearing the hanbok.
- Don’t miss the Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony which happens at 10am and 2pm daily (except Tuesdays) at the main gate.
- Admire the beautiful, intricate architecture as you wander through the palace grounds and snap plenty of photos.
Bukchon Hanok Village (1h)
- Before returning the hanbok, drop by Bukchon Hanok Village – a traditional residential area of nobility during the Joseon period.
- Part of the fun is getting lost in the tiny alleys as you admire the hanoks (traditional Korean houses) and their intricate tiled roofs☺️
- As much as the village is a tourist attraction, this is a residential area so do try to keep your voice down!
Lunch at Adnan Kebab Halal (1h)
Credit: TripAdvisor
- A halal, kebab stall offering lamb shish with rice, chicken kebab with rice kebab wraps.
- The food was delicious, the lamb kebab with rice was 9,500, and it was a huge portion.
- The only thing was there was no designated area to sit, so this is mostly for takeaways.
- However, the owner/seller seems to have prepared some plastic stools across the stall and we could sit there and enjoy the meals while they're hot.
- Very close to Namdaemun Market, so if you're looking for halal food after your shopping at Namdaemun, it's just a few minutes' walk outside the market to the main road area.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Address: 46-14 회현동 Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm
Grocery Shopping At Lotte Mart (1h)
- Drop by Lotte Mart for some grocery shopping!
- You’ll find seaweed in a whole range of flavours (even green tea seaweed!), kimchi (you can keep this for up to 3 days without refrigeration) and our favourite Korean beverage - banana milk.
- While there are halal-certified products, you can use Google translate to check the ingredients of products to check if it’s Muslim-friendly. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
- Getting there: Take a direct bus at the street opposite Halal Kitchen to Seoul Station
Shop till you drop at Myeongdong (2h)
- Let the shopping spree begin in Myeongdong!
- If you’re a skincare junkie, you’ll love the endless number of skincare stores! While you might be overwhelmed by multiple outlets of the same brand, these outlets generally have the same product range.
- P.S. Don’t be shy to ask for samples.
- Looking for facial masks? Etude House had the most attractive deals when we were there. We think they make perfect souvenirs for your loved ones too!
- To get you started, here are some of our favourite stores: Style Nanda (an affordable Korean label with an Instagrammable pink store), Artbox (unique, adorable stationery) and the LINE Friends store.
- #HHWT tip: Bring along your passport to enjoy tax-free purchases! Some stores like UNIQLO and LINE will deduct the taxes during payment but most shops require you to claim the tax refund at the airport.
Snack on street food (0.5h)
- Besides shopping, Myeongdong is well-known for its Korean street food too!
- Food items to try: Gyeran Bbang (egg bread), Taiyaki (pastry with different fillings – red bean, sweet potato, etc) and Hotteok (Korean sweet pancake).
- Halal status: Do note that food here is not halal-certified. While there are halal signs, these are not official so we recommend that you dine at your own discretion. If you’re unsure, having seafood or vegetarian food items is your best bet!
Dinner At Busan Jib (1h)
- End your day with yummy Korean cuisine at Busan Jib, a cosy eatery tucked in an alley in Myeongdong.
- Our favourite dishes were the Spicy seafood stew (there’s even a small crab!), chilli squid, and seafood pancake!
- Halal status: Halal-certified meat used
Checking Into Your Accommodation
- We recommend staying in Myeongdong as it’s more accessible! It’s the heart of the shopping area, street food, and halal restaurants, near N Seoul Tower and closer to pick-up points for Klook tours!
Day 2
Everland (Full day)
- Get ready to explore Korea’s largest theme park – Everland!
- Purchase your tickets (discounted!) in advance on Klook because you don’t want to waste any time queueing. Queues can get even longer for attractions so we recommend getting a Q-Pass which allows you to skip the queues for 1 of Everland’s popular attractions on weekdays.
- Do check the opening hours before heading there as it varies day by day and try not to visit on a weekend.
- The most convenient and comfortable way to get to and from Everland is by shuttle bus which has multiple pick-up and drop-off locations in Myeongdong, Hongik University and Seoul subway stations. We recommend booking the shuttle bus in advance on Klook!
Go On Awesome Rides
- If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you would have heard of T-Express. This is the world’s steepest wooden rollercoaster with a top speed of 104km/hour at an incline of 77 degrees.
- Note: This queue for this ride is extremely long but you can use your Q-Pass.
- Still on a high from the T-Express? Try the Colombus Adventure (a Viking ship ride which falls from a height of 33 metres) and the Double Rock Spin (get ready to be tossed 360 degrees in the air)!
- If the sight of thrill rides gives you the shivers, not to worry! There are plenty of family-friendly rides too.
Meet the Animals
- If you can’t wait to see the animals, we recommend planning your itinerary according to feeding times☺️
- Get even closer to the animals onboard an amphibious vehicle on the Lost Valley Safari ride! During our ride, we got up close to the giraffe as the keeper fed it.
Prayer room
- Head to Global Fair to do your prayers.
- Ablution facilities and prayer mats are provided but bring along your own prayer garments!
- For more information on Everland, check out our in-depth Everland guide here.
P.S. If you have an extra day in Korea, we recommend taking a trip to Lotte World as well, one of Korea’s famous theme parks!
Dongdaemun (drop-off)
Credit: @dennis_dnys on Instagram
- Alight at Dongdaemun if you still have the energy to do some late-night shopping.
- P.S. The shuttle bus has multiple drop-off points so you can head back if you’re too tired.
- What you shouldn’t miss:
- Dongdaemun Toys and Stationeries Street: Good quality and cheap toys. You can get the toys at an even cheaper price if you purchase them in bulk and in cash!
- Dongdaemun Shoes Market: Cheap and nice shoe designs. We recommend finding out your Korean shoe sizing before shopping here!
- Maxtyle: 7 levels of affordable underground shopping and 8 levels aboveground. Get ready to shop till you drop!
Snack On Street Food
Credit: nirosha_karuppiah on Instagram
- How about street food for supper? Hotteok and Gyeran Bbang (egg bread) would be perfect, especially in cold weather!
Day 3 (Full-day tour)
As we wanted to maximize our time in Korea and save time travelling by public transport, we decided to take a day trip tour which we booked on Klook! There are several tour options but we recommend the tour that takes you to Nami Island, Petite France and Gangchon Rail Bike. Plus, there is a halal meal included in this tour but do remember to request it in advance!
Petite France
- It’s as if you’ve arrived at a French village, the moment the bus pulls up at Petite France.
- Look out for snippets of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s Little Prince throughout the village. In fact, most of the attractions here are related to this famous book, including a gallery dedicated to the author!
- If you love Korean shows, Petite France would probably look familiar to you too as it’s the filming site for popular K-Dramas like Secret Garden and My Love from the Star, as well as the famous variety show, Running Man.
Nami Island
- The tour includes the ferry ride to the island but alternatively, you can zipline across at an extra charge!
- Immerse in nature as you stroll around the island. If you prefer to cycle, there are bicycles for rent too.
- Nami Island is beautiful in all seasons and since it was the peak of autumn when we visited, we were especially excited to check out the gingko tree lane! Isn’t it beautiful?
- Remember Winter Sonata, the hit drama back in 2002? Drop by Gongsaengwon Garden for the famous Winter Sonata statue!
- There’s a prayer room with ablution facilities located on the 2nd floor of Baplex if you would like to do your prayers.
- And if you need some downtime with your kids (or a breather from them ?), there are many play areas in the same building!
- From slides to storybooks and quaint sitting areas, there’s no way your kids will feel bored here.
- Yes, your tour includes an authentic Korean halal lunch (do request in advance). The Chuncheon Dakgalbi meal – stir-fried South Korean spicy chicken - is to die for!
- Halal status: Halal meat is available, but alcohol is served. Do dine at your own discretion.
Gangchon Rail Bike
- Instead of Gapyeong Rail Bike (which most people usually visit because of convenience and proximity to Nami island), you’ll be able to visit Gangchon Rail Bike (which we honestly think is more attractive) on this tour. P.S. Running Man was filmed here as well!
- Take in the stunning landscape as you cycle away! The 6km route includes 4 themed tunnels, which was really fun. We won’t spoil it for you but one of them includes bubbles ;)
- When you reach the 6km mark, hop onboard the ‘Romantic Train’ and enjoy the scenic ride as you head back to the starting point.
Myeongdong (drop off)
- The tour bus will drop you off at Myeongdong or Seoul station.
- If you can never get enough of shopping (like us!), we suggest getting off at Myeongdong and checking out the stores that you didn’t get to visit earlier on.
Dinner at Kampungku Restaurant (1h)
- After all that cycling, you deserve a treat at Kampungku!
- This eatery serves a variety of cuisine, from fusion (hello bulgogi pizza!) to Malaysian cuisine (nasi goreng kampung, satay), if you miss a taste of home?
- Our favourite was the spicy Korean fried chicken, which was cooked to perfection. Well-marinated, crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside?
- There’s a prayer room with prayer garments provided as well and you don’t have to dine there to use the prayer room.
- Halal status: Muslim-owned
Day 4
Haneul Park (2h)
- Once a landfill, Haneul Park is now a gorgeous park with spectacular views of Seoul (Hangang River, N Seoul Tower and Bukhansan Mountain).
- At the entrance, you can choose to take the buggy up (KW5000/round trip) or climb 290 steps. If you have the time, we recommend getting there on foot to enjoy the scenic view!
- Autumn is the best time to visit the park as the entire field is covered with tall Eulalia grass, making it the perfect dreamy backdrop for photos.
- Getting here: Take the subway to World Cup Stadium Station – Line 6, alight at door 8-4, take Exit 1, turn right and go around the stadium (you’ll pass by a parking lot area, walk along the main road till you see the Haneul Park sign).
Seoul Mosque (1h)
- Stop for prayers at the beautiful Seoul mosque, which is the only mosque in the Seoul area.
- We love how there were newsletters and brochures outside the mosque to explain what Islam is and dispel stereotypes.
Lunch at EID (1h)
- When it comes to Halal food and Seoul, one name you’ll see popping up a lot is EID.
- Located nearby the Seoul Central Mosque, this restaurant run by a Korean-Muslim family is a favourite amongst many Muslim travellers.
- Dig into their authentic Korean cuisine like bibimbap, bulgogi and unlimited banchan (side dishes)!
- Halal status: Muslim-owned
- Address: 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Shopping: Ewha Women’s University Area aka Edae (2h)
- Edae – the one-stop shopping street for everything a woman needs. Quality shoes, bags, accessories, clothes, socks and skincare at affordable prices with smaller crowds as compared to Myeongdong.
- Besides popular brands, you’ll also find local smaller boutiques like this store which sells handmade accessories.
Day 5
Travel to Airport hands-free
- Get your luggage picked up from your hotel/Airbnb and delivered straight to the airport.
- Really handy if you’re planning to explore more before going home, which is what we did ☺️
- Just don’t forget to pick up your luggage from the booth at the airport before checking in!
Han River Cruise (1h)
- Best way to explore Hangang River without moving a muscle ? – the Hangang River cruise which we booked on Klook!
- This cruise passes by the city’s attractions such as N Seoul Tower, 63 building and the famous Yanghwa Bridge
- Don’t just stand at the deck, head to the lower deck for a live guitar performance!
- We recommend booking the fireworks cruise (every Saturday, 7.30pm) if you’re in Seoul for a longer period.
Heading home
- Take the AREX – the fastest way to the airport
- #HHWT tip: Check-in at least 3 hours before your flight, as the queues (both for airline counters and departure gates) can get really long.
Check-in at least 3 hours before your flight, as the queues (both for airline counters and departure gates) can get really long
- Want to do your prayers before your flight? Head to the prayer room (near boarding gate 29, boarding gate 24) after immigration!
- Do note that only prayer mats are provided so remember to bring your own prayer garments.