If you only have 1 day in Seoul, it might seem a bit overwhelming to experience everything this bustling & varied city has to offer. But with a solid plan and by making use of the good public transport in Seoul you can soak up the culture, history, food, and nightlife—all in one pretty action-packed day! Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your 1 day in Seoul, hitting up some of the city’s most iconic spots like Gyeongbokgung Palace, a delicious Korean BBQ lunch, Gwangjang Market, the War Memorial of Korea, and the trendy streets of Gangnam.
Morning: Explore Seoul’s History at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Start your 1 day in Seoul with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the crown jewel of the city’s historical sites. The palace opens at 9 AM, so aim to get there right at opening to beat the crowds as it can get quite busy later in the day. Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty and is a stunning representation of Korea’s traditional architecture.
Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard Ceremony that takes place twice daily, at 10 AM and 2 PM. It’s a colorful and lively spectacle with guards dressed in traditional uniforms, providing a great photo op.
Take some time to wander through the palace’s beautiful grounds, checking out the impressive Geunjeongjeon Hall(the throne hall) and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion that’s surrounded by water. Unless you’re a huge history buff then you will get a good sense of it in an hour or so and it’s a peaceful way to start your day and immerse yourself in Korean history. The palace complex looks beautiful all year round, but in Autumn when surrounded by the orange and red trees it really does look spectacular.
- Opening hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (closed Tuesdays)
- Cost: 3,000 KRW (around $2.50 USD)
Mid-Morning: Discover Korea’s Military Past at the War Memorial of Korea
One of the top museums in Seoul is the War Memorial of Korea and best of all, it’s free! It’s located about a 20-minute taxi ride away from the palace and is an absolute must-see if you’re interested in the Korean War and the country’s military history. The museum has sections dedicated to most significant conflicts Korea has faced including exhibits on ancient warfare. Outside they have everything from fighter jets and tanks displayed and some quite impressive peace statues.
Even if you’re not a history buff, the museum’s interactive displays and full-scale models of planes, ships, and tanks are really impressive. There is also a memorial hall that pays tribute to the soldiers who fought in some of the wars and a section dedicated to UN soldiers and the countries they represented.
- Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 6 PM (closed Mondays)
- Cost: Free!
Lunch: Treat Yourself to Some delicious Korean BBQ
After your morning of sightseeing, you’ll probably be more than ready for lunch, and what better way to experience Korean culture than with a Korean BBQ feast? Head over to the nearby neighbourhood of Insadong, where you’ll find lots of BBQ restaurants to choose from. It might seem a bit overwhelming to pick somewhere but most are fairly similar and often have pictures on the menus to make it easier to pick what you want to eat.
Korean BBQ is a full on experience and definitely a must even if you only have 1 day in Seoul. After selecting your meat from the menu, which is usually done by 100g or 200g, you’ll grill it right at the table yourself. Meat is usually beef, pork, or both and will be served with an array of side dishes like kimchi (of course), pickled vegetables, roast garlic, and lettuce leaves to wrap everything up. Some top things to try include samgyeopsal (pork belly) or galbi (marinated short ribs). The servers will come around to light the BBQ and change the coals.
- Cost: Varies by restaurant but expect around 20,000 – 30,000 KRW ($15 – $25 USD) per person.
Early Afternoon: Wander around Gwangjang Market
If you haven’t filled yourself up too much at the BBQ then head over to Gwangjang Market. It’s a traditional market, one of the oldest in Seoul and is a food lover’s paradise. Even though you just had lunch, trust me, you’ll want to try a few bites of the street food here – especially as it’s so well priced.
Gwangjang Market is famous for dishes like bindaetteok (crispy mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap (tiny seaweed rolls stuffed with rice and veggies). Either take a seat at one of the stalls and watch the vendors prepare the food right in front of you – or get a takeaway snack and wander the aisles.
The market doesn’t just sell food – it’s also a great place to shop for traditional textiles and vintage clothing. Some stores sell old military clothing as well as second hand Dr Martens and vintage jackets.
- Opening hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (but many food stalls stay open later into the evening)
- Cost: Street food dishes range from 2,000 – 6,000 KRW ($2 – $5 USD) each.
Late Afternoon: Wander Around the Bustling Myeongdong Shopping District
Next on your 1 day in Seoul, make your way over to Myeongdong, one of the city’s busiest shopping districts. Myeongdong is a shopper’s paradise, with shops ranging from high-end brands to affordable fashion and beauty products. If you’re into skincare, this is the perfect place to stock up on the latest Korean beauty trends.
But Myeongdong isn’t just about shopping. Take a walk down the famous walking street, you’ll find loads of street food stalls offering all kinds of tasty treats. Grab a hotteok (sweet pancake), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), or a quirky egg bread as you wander. It’s particularly fun in the evening as it’s full of neon signage and the streets get quite busy which actually adds to the atmosphere.
- Best time to visit: Early evening, as the street gets livelier after 4 PM.
Evening: Explore K-Pop Culture on K-Star Road and Hang Out in Gangnam
A lot of people visit Seoul just to get a taste of K-pop culture, and the best place to get that is in Gangnam, one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods. In the evening, visit K-Star Road – located in the Cheongdam-dong area of Gangnam. It’s filled with statues representing some of the biggest names in K-pop like BTS, EXO, and Girls’ Generation.
The street is dotted with cute “Gangnamdol” figures that represent different K-pop groups, making it a great spot for a photo. Besides being a hotspot for K-pop fans, Gangnam is also home to some of the city’s high-end shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, so it’s the perfect place to finish your day with a bit of sightseeing and shopping.
Nightcap: Chill Out at Gangnam’s Trendy Bars
Once you’ve explored K-Star Road, make the most of your 1 day in Seoul by heading for a nightcap at one (or more) of Gangnam’s stylish bars. This area is known for its swanky nightlife and upscale bars, but it’s also got a good selection of more low key bars if you wander of the main streets so you’ll have no shortage of great places to grab a drink. Here are a few to check out:
- Le Chamber – Hidden behind a secret bookshelf door, Le Chamber is one of Seoul’s top speakeasies and listed in the top 50 bars in Asia. It has a luxurious interior and extensive cocktail menu and is a great place for a fancy drink to end your night.
- Kompact 2 – A small bar & record store, visited by trendy young people with an interest in old LPs and modern fashion.
- Alice Cheongdam – Another speakeasy bar, it serves creative cocktails in a smart setting.
- Best time to go out: Around 9 PM onward for bars and nightlife.
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Even with only 1 day in Seoul, you can still experience a great mix of history, culture, food, and entertainment if you plan ahead. With this itinerary, your 1 day in Seoul will be action-packed but truly memorable, leaving you wanting to come back for more!
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