3 Days in Seoul – Your Perfect Itinerary with Must Visit Places

Seoul is amazing and I would 100% consider it a must-visit destination. And not only because of the cheap skincare and shopping, but because of the culture, the people, the food… everything. Just walking around the city is entertaining — you could walk all day and still discover new places. But if I had to choose my must-do things, here’s what I recommend:

Before You Go – Some Useful Tips

Best way to move around Walking is the best, and taxis are super cheap. We used Uber for everything, and it worked perfectly. If you want to use the metro, you need a transport card (T-money card) which you can buy at 7-Eleven or similar stores.

Best area to stay We stayed in Myeongdong and it was amazing — super lively, everything around you, and very central. Other great areas to stay are Hongdae (young, artsy, nightlife), Itaewon (international vibes, restaurants), and Gangnam (modern, clean, more upscale).

Cash or card Almost everywhere accepts card, cash, and even Apple Pay, so you won’t have any problems.

Hotel tips Hotel rooms in Seoul are usually small, and they can look bigger in Booking/Airbnb photos. Just keep that in mind when choosing a place.

Day 1 – Culture, Views & Sunset

1. Exploring Changyeonggung Palace & Geunjeongjeon

Both places are absolutely beautiful — the architecture, the colors, the peaceful energy… it’s a must. You can easily spend a few hours walking around and taking photos.

Changyeonggung Palace & Geunjeongjeon

2. Catching the sunset from N Seoul Tower

The perfect spot to see the entire city from above. You truly realize how HUGE Seoul is. I recommend going just before sunset so you get the city in daylight and at night. Easiest way to get up: take the Namsan Cable Car, which departs from near Myeongdong (Namsan Cable Car Station).

N Seoul Tower

Day 2 – Cafés, Baking Heaven & Local Streets

3. Coffee shops & salt bread

It might sound simple, but Seoul’s cafés and bakeries are insane. You have to try the famous salt bread. Here are my favorites:

📍 Cheongsudang Bakery – Incredible interior and the cakes were unreal. 📍 Rain Report – Rain-themed café, super cool, and only a 20-minute walk before going up to N Seoul Tower. 📍 Soha Salt Pond Ikseon-dong – Amazing salt bread. 📍 Jayeondo Salt Bread – Also super good. 📍 Cafe Onion – Long lines, but worth it. 📍 Dalim Bread – Loved the vibe. 📍 Nudake – Very aesthetic and creative pastries.

Rain Forest, Dalim Bread & Soha Salt Pong Ikseon-dong

4. Visiting local hanok houses in Bukchon Hanok Village

Just walk through the streets and enjoy the traditional hanok houses — it’s crowded, but incredibly beautiful. Keep in mind that many of these streets are actually people’s homes, so it’s important to be respectful. There are specific opening hours for some areas of Bukchon Hanok Village, as residents have quiet times, so always check the times before you go. There’s no ticket needed to enter — you simply walk around and explore.

Also, when searching on Google Maps, the exact location didn’t always show up as “Bukchon Hanok Village.” For us, it showed more as Samcheong-dong Street, which is where you’ll find the hanoks and the main walking routes. If you’re unsure, don’t worry — there are many tourist information staff around the area. We just showed one of them a photo and he pointed us in the right direction. It’s a very easy and enjoyable place to explore on foot.

5. Wandering through Myeongdong streets

The best evening stroll — street food, stores, skincare, Olive Young, lights, everything. We spent hours just walking around. It’s a whole experience.

Myeongdong Street

Day 3 – Fashion, Design & Iconic Spots

6. Shopping in Seongsu-dong

One of my favorite areas for shopping. A mix of vintage, Korean designers, and cool concept stores.Stores to check out: Tamburins, Coor, Nonfiction, Verish Seongsu. For food and drinks: Dalim Bread, Nudake cakes, 5TO7 for the fluffiest pancakes.

7. Starfield Library

A must-see spot. It’s inside the COEX Mall, and the huge bookshelves are super impressive. Perfect for photos and a little shopping after.