K-culture Seoul with Nami Island · 5 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul

Seoul

• Myeongdong street food & shopping · 2 h. Stalls set up from about 4–5pm. Skincare shops give instant tax refunds with a passport.
• COEX Starfield Library & Bongeunsa temple · 2 h. Free; the library is inside COEX Mall. Bongeunsa is across the road and quieter in the morning.

Local tip: Stalls set up from about 4–5pm. Skincare shops give instant tax refunds with a passport.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Seoul

Seoul

• Gyeongbokgung Palace & changing of the guard · 2.5 h. Closed Tuesdays. Guard ceremonies at 10am and 2pm at Gwanghwamun; entry is free if you wear hanbok. The National Folk Museum inside is free.
• Hanbok rental & palace stroll · 3 h. Shops near Gyeongbokgung Station rent by the 2–4 hours; hair styling costs extra. Hanbok gets you into the main palaces free.
• Bukchon Hanok Village walk · 1.5 h. Residential lanes: visitors are restricted to roughly 10am–5pm in the core area, with fines outside those hours. Keep voices down and don't photograph into homes.
• Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky · 1.5 h. Sunset tickets cost more and sell out; book online. Pair with Seokchon Lake below.
• Gwangjang Market food tour · 1.5 h. Try bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mayak gimbap; check posted prices before ordering. Bindaetteok suits vegetarians if fried without meat.

Local tip: Closed Tuesdays. Guard ceremonies at 10am and 2pm at Gwanghwamun; entry is free if you wear hanbok. The National Folk Museum inside is free.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Nami Island day trip with Petite France & Garden of Morning Calm

Seoul

• Nami Island day trip with Petite France & Garden of Morning Calm · 9 h. A shuttle or small-group tour covers all three stops in a day; by train, Nami alone fills a morning from Gapyeong. Autumn ginkgo and maple peak late October.

Local tip: A shuttle or small-group tour covers all three stops in a day; by train, Nami alone fills a morning from Gapyeong. Autumn ginkgo and maple peak late October.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Seoul

Seoul

• K-pop dance class & HiKR Ground · 2.5 h. Studios in Hongdae and Gangnam run one-off beginner classes in English; HiKR Ground near Cheonggyecheon is a free K-culture centre.
• Hongdae evening: busking, cafes and bars · 3 h. Street performers gather on the main walking street from early evening, busiest Friday and Saturday.
• Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden tour · 2.5 h. Closed Mondays. The Secret Garden (Huwon) is by timed guided tour only; English slots sell out, so book online ahead or queue at opening.
• Insadong & Ssamziegil craft streets · 2 h. Traditional tea houses hide in the side lanes; Jogyesa temple is a five-minute walk.

Local tip: Studios in Hongdae and Gangnam run one-off beginner classes in English; HiKR Ground near Cheonggyecheon is a free K-culture centre.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Lotte World theme park (full day)

Seoul

• Lotte World theme park (full day) · 9 h. The indoor Adventure section works in rain or winter; Magic Island is outdoors. Buy online, and avoid weekends and Korean school holidays.

Local tip: The indoor Adventure section works in rain or winter; Magic Island is outdoors. Buy online, and avoid weekends and Korean school holidays.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Depart from Seoul

Seoul

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.