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The Only 6D5N Itinerary You'll Need For Your Trip to Seoul

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Elaine Tee •  May 05, 2016

So you’ve fiiiinally decided to book your trip to Seoul and you’re all ready to explore Kimchi-land. What’s next? Time to plan your itinerary of course!

Credit: Giphy

Many people think that Seoul is just all about shopping, but we beg to differ. So we’ve come up with an itinerary for 6 days in Seoul and included (what we hope is) a good mix of both shopping and sightseeing! Of course, you can definitely add to the list if you’re spending a longer time there.

#HHWT Tip: If you’re planning for a longer trip, we suggest adding Busan or Jeju to your itinerary as well!

P.S. Make your trip planning even easier! The HHWT Travel Planner app is now up on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store for Android ?

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Travelling from Incheon

It’s pretty convenient getting from the airport to in Seoul! If you’re travelling light, the subway is really convenient but if you’re dragging your luggages, the airport limousine bus is a good alternative that’s not crazy expensive. Check out their website for the bus routes and timings or just head to the information counter when you land!

#HHWT Tip: We personally love staying in Hyehwa, as it has a pretty vibrant university crowd but isn’t overly noisy or rowdy. Other locations for your stay would include Itaewon (Muslim population with yummy halal Korean food and the Seoul Central Masjid nearby), Myeongdong (for the shopping addicts) and Hongdae.

Day 1

Take it easy on your first day and scope out the shopping scene at everyone’s favourite shopping area in Seoul – Myeongdong! Even if you’re not a shopaholic, it’s fun to experience the atmosphere.

Shop till you drop at Myeongdong (4 hours)

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Visit the iconic N Seoul (Namsan) Tower (2 hours)

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  • Skip the cable car and hike up Namsan to head to N Seoul tower or take a public bus.
  • If you're going by foot, enjoy the serene atmosphere at Namsan park - it's beautiful in spring and autumn!
  • Snap a shot at the iconic love locks
  • Head up the N Seoul tower and get a bird's eye view of Seoul

Try yummy halal Korean food in Itaewon (3 hours)

  • Trek up the hill and visit the Seoul Central Masjid
  • After you burn your calories, visit a halal Korean eatery and try authentic halal Korean food!

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Yummy jjimdak at Eid Restaurant

Day 2

It’s time to put on your walking shoes and experience traditional Seoul (perhaps even try on a hanbok)!

Say hello to King Sejong (1 hour)

  • Head over to Gwanghwamun square and ‘meet’ the King who created the Korean alphabet (along with many other inventions), King Sejong the Great.
  • Learn more about Korean history in the exhibition hall below the square.

Learn about Korean royalty in Gyeongbukgung (2.5 hours)

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  • Before visiting Gyeongbukgung, check out the changing of guards right in front of the palace. Remember to check the timings
  • Sign up for the free walking tour for Gyeongbukgung (2 hours). Trust us, it will make your experience a whole lot better when you learn about the history behind each of the different buildings and palaces!

Insadong (2.5 hours)

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Credit: That Backpacker

  • Head to the traditonal area of Seoul - Insadong and visit Ohsegyehyang, a Korean vegetarian eatery, for lunch.
  • Walk down the past-meets-modern street and shop for little trinkets
  • Take some time to visit the traditional teahouses and try a cup of Korean tea with rice cakes
  • Visit Ssamziegil and pop by the ‘poop café’ if you have time to spare

Step into the past in Bukchon Village (2 hours)

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Credit: RJ Koehler

Walk down the streets of Samcheongdong (2 hours)

  • Pop in the uniquely quaint shops and cafes in the traditional Korean houses
  • End your day with dinner at Itaewon OR

Dongdaemun (2 hours / however long you think you can go)

#HHWT Tip: Download the HHWT Travel Planner and use our handy Korean language phrasebook to haggle when shopping in Dongdaemun!

Day 3

Experience Mother Nature in Nami Island (4 hours)

nami island four seasons

  • Explore the island on a bike (it’ll take around an hour to cycle around the island) or hop on the electric tour car for a quick tour
  • Take a leisure stroll down the different walking paths lined with trees for all seasons
  • Go animal spotting
  • Take your iconic Korean drama photos at the famous Winter Sonata photo spot
  • Have lunch at Dongmun and try their halal Korean food OR take a taxi and try halal dakgalbi at Nami-0k!

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Credit: @kiki_xii

#HHWT Tip: There's a prayer room on the 2nd floor of the Baplex. Download the HHWT Travel Planner to get the directions and add it to your itinerary!

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Get a taste of Europe at Garosugil (3 hours)

  • Spend the rest of your day exploring the trendy Garosugil
  • Window shop at the quirky indie fashion shops in the area (Pst, for the shopaholics, there’s a gigantic Forever21 outlet right at the start of the street)

Gangnam / Apgujeong (2 hours)

yang good korean bbq halal lamb

Credit: Radin Fadli

Day 4

Ihwa Mural Art Village (2 hours)

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  • Wander around Ihwa Mural Art Village to find the artworks on the wall but do keep your volume down as it’s a residential area
  • Keep your eyes out for some small local stalls selling vegetarian or seafood pajeon (Korean pancakes)

Gwangjang Market

  • Step back into the past and visit the nation's first ever market
  • Get a taste of Korean culture in the busy market with Korean ahjummas ushering you to their stalls
  • Try their famous bindaetteok (mung bean pancake)*

*Do note that this is not halal-certified and the food stalls serve alcohol. Do consume at your own discretion.

Cheongyecheon (2 hours)

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  • Head to Dongdaemun Grilled Fish Alley for a yummy seafood lunch!
  • Stroll along the Cheongyecheon stream and enjoy the tranquility of the area

Dongdaemun (2 - 4 hours)

  • If design is your thing, visit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and take some futuristic shots of the building while you’re at it.
  • Shop till you drop at the many malls at Dongdaemun and experience late-night shopping like never before

Day 5

Noryangjin Fish Market (1.5 hours)

  • Experience a Korean wet market at Noryangjin
  • Grab an early lunch at one of the many restaurants where you get to try fresh seafood

Ehwa University - Edae (4 hours)

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  • Visit one of the most famous (and prettiest) university campus in Seoul
  • Shopaholics alert, it's time to head over to the Ewha Fashion Street and commence another round of intense shopping!

Hongik University - Hongdae (3 hours)

Hongdae Hongik University Shopping Street Budget Seoul South Korea
Credit: lifetoreset

  • If you’re visiting on the weekends, head to the playground and check out the Hongdae Free Market for handcrafted artworks and trinkets
  • Take in the artsy atmosphere at Hongdae and look out for quirky art installations
  • Visit BoA Guesthouse for dinner – try their fried chicken!
  • Hongdae comes alive at night, so keep a lookout for live music performances along the streets

Day 6

Get your last minute shopping fix at Myeongdong

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Credit: korea.net

  • If you have some time left on your last day in Seoul, head to Myeongdong to get the stuff you've missed out on
  • You can also get your last minute souvenirs here
  • Try the street food along Myeongdong if you haven't had the chance to do so! (Egg bread, vegetarian pajeon, etc)

So there you go! A 6D5N itinerary for your Seoul adventure. If you're all ready to plan your trip to Seoul, don't forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner App for iOS and Android! You can find all the attractions in this article along with yummy halal food and prayer spaces near these attractions, so that you can easily plan out your itinerary for your trip! Visit www.hhwt.io to find out more ?  (And if you love the app, don't forget to drop us a review too!)

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