4 Days in Seoul (2026): A 4-Day Itinerary With Maps — Palaces, Seongsu, Itaewon and the Han River

Four days in Seoul lets you see the city at a comfortable pace, one area a day: the palaces and hanok lanes, the trendy east side from Seongsu to Lotte World Tower, Myeongdong, Itaewon and Namsan, and finally the west side’s Hongdae, Mangwon Market and a sunset on the Han River.

Last checked: October 28, 2026. Hours and prices come from our individual guides; they change, so check the linked guides before you go. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

First time in Korea? Start here: our step-by-step guide from landing to your first day.

What does the plan look like at a glance?

What should I sort out before Day 1?

• A transit card (subway 1,550 KRW a ride): T-money guide.
• Mobile data: eSIM vs SIM, and the apps that work in Korea.
• The airport trip: Incheon Airport to Seoul.
• A base in Myeongdong, Jongno or near Seoul Station keeps transfers short: where to stay in Seoul.

Which days are things closed?

• Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo: closed Tuesdays. Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Leeum: closed Mondays.
• Bukchon red zone: tourists 10:00–17:00 only.
• DMZ tours: no tours on Mondays.
• Seongsu: best on weekdays; cafés open around 11:00.

If a palace day falls on its closing day, swap two days, or use Deoksugung (open until 21:00) on a Tuesday. Use Naver Map for exits and walking routes.

Day 1: Palaces, hanok lanes and a market dinner

The old royal center.

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Start when the palace opens at 9:00. Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5, or Line 5 to Gwanghwamun, Exit 2, if you want to see the changing of the guard at the main gate at 10:00 (free, about 20 minutes). Allow 2–3 hours for the throne hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong. Closed on Tuesdays. See our Gyeongbokgung guide.

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2. Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

Walk east to the hanok lanes of Bukchon. Tourists may visit the residential red zone only from 10:00 to 17:00, and a visit outside those hours can bring a 100,000 KRW fine, so come at midday and keep your voice down. Lunch in nearby Samcheong-dong. More in our Bukchon guide.

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3. Insadong & Ssamziegil (쌈지길)

Insadong is the pedestrian street of tea houses, galleries and craft shops; Ssamziegil’s spiral ramp is the easiest place to browse. See our Insadong guide.

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4. Ikseon-dong hanok lanes (익선동)

Ikseon-dong is a pocket of 1920s hanok houses turned into cafés and small shops, five minutes from Jongno 3-ga Station. See our Ikseon-dong guide.

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5. Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

Dinner at Gwangjang Market (Jongno 5-ga Station, Exit 8): bindaetteok (about 5,000 KRW) and mayak gimbap (about 4,000 KRW). The food stalls run roughly 9:00–23:00; bring some cash. See our Gwangjang Market food guide.

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Day 2: Seoul Forest, Seongsu and Lotte World Tower

Cafés, pop-ups and the tallest view in Korea.

1. Seoul Forest (서울숲)

Start with a quiet walk in Seoul Forest (Seoul Forest Station, Suin-Bundang Line, or Ttukseom Station, Line 2) while the cafés are still closed. The deer enclosure is free.

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2. Seongsu-dong (Yeonmujang-gil) (연무장길)

Seongsu’s cafés, flagship stores and pop-ups open around 11:00 on Yeonmujang-gil near Seongsu Station Exits 3 and 4. Weekdays are calmer. See our Seongsu guide and this month’s pop-up list.

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3. Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky (롯데월드타워)

Ride Line 2 to Jamsil for Lotte World Tower. Seoul Sky, the observatory, costs about 31,000 KRW for adults at the counter (online is often cheaper) and opens until 22:00 Sunday–Thursday, later on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunset is the best slot. See our Seoul Sky guide.

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4. Seokchon Lake (석촌호수)

Walk the path around Seokchon Lake next to the tower, then have dinner in Lotte World Mall or the Songridan-gil lanes.

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Day 3: Myeongdong, Itaewon and Hannam

Shopping in the morning, art and dinner in the afternoon.

1. Myeongdong shopping streets (명동거리)

Olive Young Myeongdong Town opens at 10:00 with tax refund on the 2nd floor; bring your passport. See our Myeongdong shopping guide.

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2. Namdaemun Market (남대문시장)

Namdaemun Market, the old wholesale market, for kalguksu, hotteok and cheap souvenirs. It is closed on Sundays. See our Namdaemun Market guide.

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3. Leeum Museum of Art (리움미술관)

Leeum Museum of Art shows Korean ceramics and Buddhist art next to big contemporary works. It is closed on Mondays; book a time slot online. Hangangjin Station (Line 6). Our Itaewon and Hannam route has the details.

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4. Hannam-dong shops and cafés (한남동)

Walk down into Hannam-dong for flagship stores, galleries and cafés. See our Hannam-dong guide.

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5. Itaewon-ro (이태원역)

Dinner in Itaewon, Seoul’s most international food street, with plenty of halal options. See Itaewon restaurants and the Itaewon guide.

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Day 4: Hongdae, Mangwon Market and the Han River

The young, creative west side and a riverside sunset.

1. Hongdae (Hongik Univ. Station) (홍대입구역)

Hongik University Station (Line 2, AREX, Gyeongui–Jungang Line). Street fashion, indie shops and, at weekends, buskers on the main street. See our Hongdae guide.

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2. Gyeongui Line Forest Park, Yeonnam-dong (경의선숲길 연남동)

Walk the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a long park on an old rail line, into Yeonnam-dong’s café lanes. See our Yeonnam-dong guide.

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3. Mangwon Market (망원시장)

Mangwon Market (Mangwon Station, Line 6, Exit 2) is a local market, roughly 9:00–21:00: croquettes, dakgangjeong and hotteok to take away. See our Mangwon Market guide.

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4. Mangwon Hangang Park (망원한강공원)

Carry your snacks to Mangwon Hangang Park for sunset over the Han River.

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Where does N Seoul Tower fit?

Add it to Day 3 evening: from Itaewon it is a short taxi ride to the bus stop, or ride the 01A/01B bus (1,400 KRW) from Myeongdong. The observatory costs 29,000 KRW. See our Namsan night route.

What if it rains?

Swap Day 4 for the National Museum of Korea (free permanent exhibition) and Starfield Library at COEX, both indoors and next to subway stations.

Can I do this with kids?

Yes: on Day 2 swap Seongsu for Lotte World inside the same complex as the tower (tickets), skip Leeum on Day 3, and keep the riverside picnic on Day 4.

Plan your budget: hotel, food and shopping change the total most. Korea travel budget calculator →

Is this itinerary OK with strollers or a wheelchair?

Mostly. Bukchon’s lanes are steep and Gyeongbokgung’s courtyards are gravel with raised thresholds; Seoul Forest, Lotte World Tower, COEX and the Han River parks are flat and paved. Most subway stations have an elevator at one or two exits (Naver Map shows which), and taxis are a fair shortcut up Namsan’s hills.

FAQ

Is 4 days in Seoul too long?
No. Four days is a relaxed first visit: one area a day, with time for cafés and a slow evening by the river.

Should I add a day trip?
With four days, keep it to Seoul; with five, add the DMZ or Suwon (see our 5-day plan).

Where should I stay for 4 days?
Myeongdong or Jongno for Days 1 and 3; Hongdae is easier if you like nightlife. See where to stay in Seoul.

Sources: Korea Heritage Service – Royal Palaces (official) · N Seoul Tower (official) · Seoul Metro – English site · Seoul Tourism – Seoul Sky guide 2026 · Korea Bestie guides linked above (checked October 2026) · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors