Seoul, South Korea is a bustling city full of everything you could ever want, and more! Whether you’re on an airport layover, or just making a quick stop on your way to another city, you’ll want the perfect 1-day Seoul itinerary.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know to spend one day in Seoul, South Korea, including my recommended 1 day itinerary, more things to do in the city, tours to take, and where to stay in the city.
Keep reading for the ultimate one-day Seoul itinerary, which maximizes your time in the city to make sure you see the best places and eat the best food!
Published: January 2, 2025
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1 Day in Seoul Itinerary
While one day in a city is never enough, 1 day in Seoul is well worth it if you have a long layover, or just want a taste of what the city has to offer. If you only have one day in Seoul, you want to make the most of it, which is why you’ll find the perfect 1 day Seoul itinerary below.
You will see all the top sights in the city, including one of my favorite royal palaces in the world, and enjoy the best of the best Korean food.
Morning – 8 AM to 11 AM
Good morning, Seoul! The first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, a 14th-century palace in the city.
You’ve likely seen pictures on social media of people in the palace, even some wearing the traditional Hanbok clothing, a Korean outfit from the past. You can rent one of these outfits and wear it to the palace for a fun photoshoot. As a bonus, you get free entry to the palace if you wear the outfit.
Note: You may wonder if wearing these clothes is appropriate. I asked my tour guide her thoughts, and she said she saw it as a way to honor South Korea’s history, even when visitors from other countries wear them.
Make sure you are at the palace by 10 AM when the changing of the guards takes place. After the ceremony, you can take photos with the guards!
If you have time before you head to lunch, try to add in a walking tour. I recommend a tour that includes Bukchon Hanok Village.
You can even add the walking tour in after lunch if it works better for you schedule.
Lunch – 12 PM
You’re in for a treat when it comes to lunchtime for your day in Seoul! Korean food is amazing, and while you can’t go wrong, there are a few dishes and places I recommend.
If you want to head to a specific neighborhood and find lunch on your own, check out Insadong, specifically Insadong Culture Street, which has a ton of great places to eat.
For some incredible dumplings, head to Gaeseong Traditional Dumpling House.
And for recommendations for dishes:
- Bulgogi
- Bibimbap
- Kimbap
Afternoon – 1 PM to 5 PM
After lunch and a walking tour, head to Seoul Sky, a 360 observation deck at the top of Lotte World Tower. This is the best place to see Seoul from above.
The building is the sixth tallest in the world standing at 1820 feet (555 m) tall.
It is really cool to see the city from the multiple floors in the observation deck, with tons of great photo ops.
If you are a daredevil, try the Skybridge Tour where you go on a bridge at the top of the tower and see the city from outside.
Evening – 6 PM and later
To end your day in Seoul, I recommend finding a Korean BBQ restaurant to enjoy the classic experience of cooking your meat at your table and once again enjoying traditional Korean veggies with it.
For Korean BBQ, I recommend Gyeongbokgung Gwanhun!
Or, if you are on a budget, I recommend finding somewhere with chicken and beer. This combo is one of Korea’s favorites, and it’s a simple and budget-friendly dinner.
Then, head to one of Seoul’s top nightlife neighborhoods – like Hongdae or Itaewon – and party the night away… or head to bed if that’s more your style 😉
Either way, your day in Seoul is bound to be forgettable!
Things To Do In Seoul During Your 1 Day Itinerary
The things I recommend above in the 1 day Seoul itinerary are just my suggestions and are the things I enjoyed the most when I was in Seoul.
However, if one or two of them don’t interest you, or you want more ideas for things to do during your day in Seoul, check out the list below!
- Han River cruise
- National Museum of Korea
- DMZ tour
- Hanok Village
- War Memorial of Korea
- Lotte World
- Gwangjang Market
- Changgyeonggung Palace
- Seoul Museum of History
- SeMA (Seoul Museum of Art)
You can easily swap out the activities I recommended above with any from the above list for your 1 day in Seoul.
Tours to Book in Seoul
Booking a tour in Seoul is a great way to maximize your time there and see the top sites. Plus, there is a huge variety of tours, so everyone can find something that interests them!
I highly recommend a walking tour for just one day in Seoul, but choose the one that interests you the most!
Here are the top tours in Seoul:
Getting Around Seoul For 1 Day
Seoul has a well-connected and easy-to-use transportation system. The metro is the most popular option, with extensive routes covering major attractions like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Myeongdong. Buses are also widely available and can take you to areas not directly served by the metro. Taxis are convenient for shorter trips or late-night travel and relatively affordable compared to many global cities.
If you book a guided tour, transportation is usually included, saving you time and effort when visiting top sights. Whether you rely on public transit or join a tour, navigating Seoul is convenient and efficient.
Where to Stay in Seoul
Want to spend more than one day in Seoul? I don’t blame you! If you decide to spend more time in Seoul, check out these great hotels and home rentals at the best prices: