| Best time | April–May (spring), September–October (autumn) |
| Days needed | 4–5 days comfortably, 3 days minimum |
| Getting there | Incheon (ICN) — 43 min to Seoul Station by AREX Express (¥9,500) |
| Getting around | T-money card + subway (9 lines). Cheap, fast, easy. |
| Currency | Korean Won (₩). Cards accepted almost everywhere. |
Why Seoul
Seoul is one of the world's great cities for first-time visitors — compact enough to navigate, extraordinarily safe, and with a food culture that justifies the flight alone. The city has a genuine duality: 600-year-old royal palaces sit 10 minutes from glass-tower districts, and traditional tea houses open onto streets of innovative cafes.
What to do in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace: Seoul's largest royal palace, built in 1395. The changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate happens at 10am and 2pm daily. The National Folk Museum inside is free with entry. Go before 10am on weekends.
Bukchon Hanok Village: A hillside of 600+ traditional Korean wooden houses (hanok) between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. The narrow alleyways open onto views across the city. Go before 9am — crowds arrive by 10am.
Gwangjang Market: Seoul's oldest covered market (1905). The food hall is extraordinary — mayak gimbap (addictive sesame rice rolls), bindaetteok (crispy mung bean pancakes), and yukhoe (Korean raw beef). Go at lunch.
N Seoul Tower & Namsan: The tower sits at 479m with views across the city. Take the cable car up (₩9,000 return) or hike the Namsan trail from Myeongdong — 20 minutes, well-signed.
Hongdae: Seoul's youth culture hub near Hongik University — indie cafes, street performances, vintage shops, and nightlife that runs until sunrise. Best after 8pm.
Practical tips
Get a T-money card immediately on arrival — at any CU, GS25, or 7-Eleven inside Incheon Airport. Load ₩30,000 to start. Download Naver Maps — more accurate than Google in Korea. The subway runs until about 1am; taxis are cheap for late nights.
