1 Day in Seoul Itinerary + Map (Perfect for Stopovers)
TL;DR
You have 1 day in Seoul, Korea, we have the perfect 1 day Seoul itinerary!
Many travellers (including us) choose Seoul, South Korea, as a stopover destination on their way to Japan because flights are often significantly cheaper.
We have crafted an efficient itinerary if you only have a day in Seoul. We have included some history, some of modern Seoul, and of course, some delicious food.
Is one day enough to see Seoul? Absolutely not! But it’s great to give you a taste – especially if you want to make the best of your layover.
Seoul Travel Itinerary
- Get a T Money card to stay mobile.
- Get an eSIM card to stay connected.
- Download Naver Map for navigation.
- Check out our complete South Korea itinerary.
Seoul Korea Itinerary Map
Where We Stayed for Our Seoul One Day Itinerary
We stayed at Seoul Cube Jongro. The location was amazing. We could walk to loads of points of interest like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, and Myeongdong. Public transport was also super close and the connection to the airport was easy. The capsules were comfy and clean and so were the bathrooms.
We absolutely loved the free breakfast in the morning which we could prepare ourselves!
Itinerary for Seoul in One Day
Morning – Historical Seoul
In case you stay at Seoul Cube Jongro or nearby, walking along the Cheonggyecheon Stream towards Gwanghwamun Square is a great start to the day. On Gwanghwamun Square, you can check out landmarks like the water fountain and statue in honour of Admiral Yi Sun-sin as well as a tall bronze statue of King Sejong who invented the Korean alphabet.
Next, head to Gyeongbokgung Palace right next to Gwanghwamun Square. It’s the main and biggest palace in Seoul so it’s the logical option if your time is limited. The palace was built in 1395 and served as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. The area is huge with several courtyards, buildings, pavilions, and gates with Gwanghwamun Gate being the main gate.
Twice a day, you can witness a recreation of the changing ceremony of the royal guard.
Right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can find the National Folk Museum of Korea. The entrance is free so we think it’s well worth at least a pit stop. You can learn loads about Korean customs and traditions in a very well-curated bilingual (Korean and English) exhibition.
From the museum, it’s an easy walk to Bukchon Hanok Village. It’s a lovely area full of traditional Korean houses (Hanoks) with views of Namsan Seoul Tower in the distance. Nowadays, it’s a very popular picture spot.
Next head to Jogyesa Temple (you can either walk or take a bus). It was built in 1396 and has been the main temple of the Jogye school of Zen Buddhism in Korea since 1936.
Your last stop before lunch will be Insadong, Seoul’s art district. The area is filled with art shops and traditional tea houses. Of course, you can also find loads of art galleries. We especially liked the Insa Art Center with many stories of art and a free rooftop terrace.
Lunch – Gwangjang Market
We recommend you make a beeline to Gwangjang Market – especially if you’re a foodie. We hopped on a bus to save some energy.
It’s a cool sight even if you’re not much into food. It is the oldest permanent market in Korea. There are over 5000 stalls that sell loads of different goods.
The street food here might just be the most famous in the country. It was featured in Netflix's “Street Food: Asia” series. And of course, the infamous Anthony Bourdain ate here. Some of the best dishes to get are Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes), Kimbap (bite-size dried seaweed rolls), and Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes). You can also try Sannakji (live octopus!).
Afternoon – Myeongdong
In case your feet haven’t given up on you yet, you can walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream towards Myeongdong. It is a natural stream with two lovely walking paths on both banks which lead from east to west through downtown Seoul.
Myeongdong is one of Seoul's main shopping and tourism districts. Wandering the streets, you can find several shopping malls, shops from Korean and international brands, and a total of 6 Olive Young stores. It’s one of the best places to experience the modern side of Seoul.
Myeongdong is also a great spot for street food although it’s on the pricier side.
Evening – Namsan Seoul Tower
If you ask us, Namsan Seoul Tower is the best spot to watch the sunset in Seoul. It is set on the top of Namsam Mountain and offers 360-degree views across Seoul.
Night – Euljiro-dong
A direct bus can take you from Namsan Seoul Tower to Chungmuro from where it’s an easy walk to Euljiro-dong. According to locals, this is one of the best areas for Chimaek (chicken and beer). Euljiro Nogari Alley is especially famous for pubs and nightlife but we also enjoyed Sunset Record Bar nearby.
How to Get from Incheon Airport to Seoul
Incheon Airport is extremely well connected to the city centre by public transport making a layover or stopover easy and convenient.
You have two options to get from Incheon International Airport to Seoul:
- Train (AREX) (45 to 60 minutes)
- Bus (60 to 80 minutes)
The train is the better option if you only have limited time. With the airport express train (AREX), you again have two options:
-
The All Stop Train (60 minutes, cheaper, departure every 5-10 minutes)
For the All Stop Train, you can swipe your T Money Card.
-
The Express Train (45 minutes, a bit more expensive, departure every 20-40 minutes)
For the Express Train, you have to buy a ticket.
Both trains run roughly from 5 am to 11 pm. The signage for the train is super clear and easy to navigate.
More Seoul Resources
This Seoul itinerary 1 day is great for your first time in Seoul because – believe us – this city will have you coming back for more in no time. This is why we have also written a Seoul itinerary for 4 days which we think is the perfect amount of time in the Korean capital 😉
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.