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ITINERARY

4 days in Seoul: a day-by-day itinerary for first-timers

A realistic 4-day plan for a first trip to Seoul, grouped by area so you spend your time seeing things, not travelling between them.

By the Viorvo team · Checked

This plan groups the palaces and old streets together, then the museum and Namsan, then a border day trip, then Itaewon and Jamsil. Check the days of the week first: Gyeongbokgung is closed Tuesdays, Changdeokgung is closed Mondays, and Panmunjom tours run only Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Swap days around those closures. Bukchon's residential areas close to visitors at 5 p.m.

Day by day

Day 1: Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon

Morning
Arrive at Gyeongbokgung when it opens at 9 a.m. (not Tuesday). Join the 11 a.m. English tour if you like.
Afternoon
Walk east to Bukchon Hanok Village and finish in the residential lanes before 5 p.m.
Evening
Head to Myeongdong for a look around the shops. Eat at a halal restaurant first (see our halal travel guide to Seoul).
Getting around
Subway Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung, then a 20-minute walk to Bukchon; Line 3 to Anguk and Line 4 to Myeongdong in the evening.
Tours for day 1 ↗

Day 2: Changdeokgung, the National Museum and Namsan

Morning
Visit Changdeokgung (closed Mondays) and book the Huwon garden tour for 10:30 or 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon
Take the subway to the National Museum of Korea (free; closes 5:30 p.m. on most days, 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Evening
Go up N Seoul Tower for the view at dusk (open until 10:30 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. on weekends).
Getting around
Line 3 to Anguk for Changdeokgung; Line 4 to Ichon for the museum; Line 4 to Chungmuro, then the Namsan cable car or Bus 01.
Tours for day 2 ↗

Day 3: DMZ and Panmunjom day trip

Morning
Join a Panmunjom/DMZ tour with an approved operator. Bring your physical passport and dress neatly (long pants, closed shoes, no sleeveless tops).
Afternoon
Tours finish in the afternoon. Rest, or spend a quiet hour at the National Museum if you skipped it.
Evening
Dinner in Itaewon (see our halal travel guide to Seoul).
Getting around
The tour operator picks you up in central Seoul. Remember Panmunjom is not open Mondays, Thursdays or Sundays.
Tours for day 3 ↗

Day 4: Itaewon and Lotte World

Morning
Visit Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon and have lunch on Usadan-ro, the street around it.
Afternoon
Go to Lotte World Adventure in Jamsil. Allow 4–5 hours.
Evening
Stay for the evening (the park closes at 9 p.m. most days and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays).
Getting around
Line 6 to Itaewon Station, then a subway (use a map app for the best route) to Jamsil Station on Lines 2 or 8.
Tours for day 4 ↗
Go deeper

Details for every stop

Things to do in SeoulHours, prices and how to get to each sightSee the sights → Tours in SeoulGuided tours and tickets on GetYourGuideBrowse ↗
Plan the rest

More for your trip to Seoul

Where to stay in SeoulThe best areas, comparedRead →Things to do in Seoul9 sights with hours and pricesRead →Halal travel in SeoulHalal food, mosques and where to stayRead →Seoul travel hubFlights, when to go, entry rules and every guideRead →
Getting there

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Everything for this trip: Seoul travel hub: flights, when to go and all our guides →

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Sources

Checked October 1, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.

Tours in SeoulGetYourGuide ↗