Seoul 5-Day Itinerary for History & Culture

📍 Seoul 📅 5 Days 🗓️ December 🎯 26 Activities 👥 Couple 👥 Friends 👥 Solo

Travel vibes: 🏛️ History & Culture

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Doyoung ✓ 🎒 Traveler

📅 Dec 22 – Dec 26, 2025 Published Jan 13, 2026

A thoughtfully paced 5-day itinerary exploring Seoul’s palaces, traditional neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks. Designed to balance iconic sites with quiet moments, this flexible route lets you experience Seoul’s history and culture in a natural, unhurried way.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Mon, Dec 22

Airport Transfer & Hotel Check-in

Airport Transfer & Hotel Check-in

06:00 (3h)

📍Incheon International Airport to Seoul

Airport Transfer & Hotel Check-in

06:00 (3h)

Airport Transfer & Hotel Check-in

📍Incheon International Airport to Seoul

Wear Hanbok & Wander Gyeongbokgung Palace

Wear Hanbok & Wander Gyeongbokgung Palace

10:00 (2h)

📍161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 3 Gyeongbokgung Station🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00🗺️View on map

Wear Hanbok & Wander Gyeongbokgung Palace

10:00 (2h)

Wear Hanbok & Wander Gyeongbokgung Palace

📍161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 3 Gyeongbokgung Station

🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00

Explore Insadong: Seoul’s Cultural Street

Explore Insadong: Seoul’s Cultural Street

12:00 (2h)

📍62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 3 Anguk Station🕐Mon-Sun 08:00-21:00🗺️View on map

Explore Insadong: Seoul’s Cultural Street

12:00 (2h)

Explore Insadong: Seoul’s Cultural Street

📍62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 3 Anguk Station

🕐Mon-Sun 08:00-21:00

Wander the Secret Garden (Huwon) at Changdeokgung

Wander the Secret Garden (Huwon) at Changdeokgung

14:00 (2h)

📍99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 3 Anguk Station🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00 🗺️View on map

Wander the Secret Garden (Huwon) at Changdeokgung

14:00 (2h)

Wander the Secret Garden (Huwon) at Changdeokgung

📍99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 3 Anguk Station

🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00

Join a Traditional Tea Ceremony at Bukchon Hanok Village

Join a Traditional Tea Ceremony at Bukchon Hanok Village

16:00 (2h)

📍Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00🗺️View on map

Join a Traditional Tea Ceremony at Bukchon Hanok Village

16:00 (2h)

Join a Traditional Tea Ceremony at Bukchon Hanok Village

📍Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00

Stroll the Cheonggyecheon Stream

Stroll the Cheonggyecheon Stream

18:00 (1h)

📍Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 Euljiro 1-ga Station🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-23:00🗺️View on map

Stroll the Cheonggyecheon Stream

18:00 (1h)

Stroll the Cheonggyecheon Stream

📍Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 Euljiro 1-ga Station

🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-23:00

Enjoy Korean Fried Chicken with Draft Beer

Enjoy Korean Fried Chicken with Draft Beer

20:00 (2h)

📍Myeongdong 7gil, Jung-gu, Seoul🚇Euljiro 1il-ga Line 2, Exit 5 or 6🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00🗺️View on map

Enjoy Korean Fried Chicken with Draft Beer

20:00 (2h)

Enjoy Korean Fried Chicken with Draft Beer

📍Myeongdong 7gil, Jung-gu, Seoul • 🚇Euljiro 1il-ga Line 2, Exit 5 or 6

🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

Day 2

Tue, Dec 23

Watch the Royal Guard Changing at Deoksugung

Watch the Royal Guard Changing at Deoksugung

11:00 (1h)

📍99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 City Hall Station🕐Tue-Sun 11:00-11:30; Tue-Sun 14:00-14:30; Mon Closed🗺️View on map

Watch the Royal Guard Changing at Deoksugung

11:00 (1h)

Watch the Royal Guard Changing at Deoksugung

📍99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 City Hall Station

🕐Tue-Sun 11:00-11:30; Tue-Sun 14:00-14:30; Mon Closed

Shop & Snack Your Way Through Myeongdong

Shop & Snack Your Way Through Myeongdong

12:00 (2h)

📍66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul🚇Line 4 Myeong-dong Station🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00🗺️View on map

Shop & Snack Your Way Through Myeongdong

12:00 (2h)

Shop & Snack Your Way Through Myeongdong

📍66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 4 Myeong-dong Station

🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-20:00

Dive into Korea’s History at the National Museum of Korea

Dive into Korea’s History at the National Museum of Korea

14:30 (2h)

📍137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul🚇Line 4 Ichon Station🕐Sun-Tue 10:00-18:00; Wed 10:00-21:00; Thu-Fri 10:00-18:00; Sat 10:00-21:00 🗺️View on map

Dive into Korea’s History at the National Museum of Korea

14:30 (2h)

Dive into Korea’s History at the National Museum of Korea

📍137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 4 Ichon Station

🕐Sun-Tue 10:00-18:00; Wed 10:00-21:00; Thu-Fri 10:00-18:00; Sat 10:00-21:00

Explore Haebangchon & Sinheung Market

Explore Haebangchon & Sinheung Market

18:00 (2h)

📍95-9 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul🚇Line 6 Noksapyeong Station🕐Mon-Sun 08:00-21:00🗺️View on map

Explore Haebangchon & Sinheung Market

18:00 (2h)

Explore Haebangchon & Sinheung Market

📍95-9 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 6 Noksapyeong Station

🕐Mon-Sun 08:00-21:00

Cruise the Han River for Sparkling City Views

Cruise the Han River for Sparkling City Views

20:30 (1h)

📍290 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul🚇Line 5 Yeouinaru Station🕐Mon 15:00-22:00; Tue-Sun 11:30-22:00🗺️View on map

Cruise the Han River for Sparkling City Views

20:30 (1h)

Cruise the Han River for Sparkling City Views

📍290 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 5 Yeouinaru Station

🕐Mon 15:00-22:00; Tue-Sun 11:30-22:00

Day 3

Wed, Dec 24

Serene temple walk at Bongeunsa

Serene temple walk at Bongeunsa

10:00 (2h)

📍531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul🚇Bongeunsa Station line 9, exit 1🕐Mon-Sun 05:00-19:00🗺️View on map

Serene temple walk at Bongeunsa

10:00 (2h)

Serene temple walk at Bongeunsa

📍531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul • 🚇Bongeunsa Station line 9, exit 1

🕐Mon-Sun 05:00-19:00

Snap COEX Starfield Library’s Sky-High Bookshelves

Snap COEX Starfield Library’s Sky-High Bookshelves

12:00 (1h)

📍513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 Samseong Station🕐Mon-Sun 10:30-22:00 🗺️View on map

Snap COEX Starfield Library’s Sky-High Bookshelves

12:00 (1h)

Snap COEX Starfield Library’s Sky-High Bookshelves

📍513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 Samseong Station

🕐Mon-Sun 10:30-22:00

Grill & Feast on Korean BBQ in Gangnam

Grill & Feast on Korean BBQ in Gangnam

13:00 (2h)

🕐Mon-Sun 12:00-22:00🗺️View on map

Grill & Feast on Korean BBQ in Gangnam

13:00 (2h)

Grill & Feast on Korean BBQ in Gangnam

🕐Mon-Sun 12:00-22:00

See Seoul from the Top at Seoul Sky

See Seoul from the Top at Seoul Sky

17:00 (1h)

📍300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul🚇Jamsil Station Line 2 or 8, Exit 1 or 2🕐Mon-Thu 10:30-22:00; Fri-Sun 10:30-23:00🗺️View on map

See Seoul from the Top at Seoul Sky

17:00 (1h)

See Seoul from the Top at Seoul Sky

📍300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul • 🚇Jamsil Station Line 2 or 8, Exit 1 or 2

🕐Mon-Thu 10:30-22:00; Fri-Sun 10:30-23:00

Experience Winter Lights at Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival

Experience Winter Lights at Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival

20:00 (2h)

📍136 Samhaksa-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 Jamsil Station🕐Mon-Sun 17:00-22:30🗺️View on map

Experience Winter Lights at Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival

20:00 (2h)

Experience Winter Lights at Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival

📍136 Samhaksa-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 Jamsil Station

🕐Mon-Sun 17:00-22:30

Day 4

Thu, Dec 25

Join a DMZ Day Tour from Seoul

Join a DMZ Day Tour from Seoul

09:00 (6h)

📍148-57 Imjingak-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do🕐Mon-Sun 08:00-19:00🗺️View on map

Join a DMZ Day Tour from Seoul

09:00 (6h)

Join a DMZ Day Tour from Seoul

📍148-57 Imjingak-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do

🕐Mon-Sun 08:00-19:00

Hop Cafes & Restaurants in Yeonnam-dong

Hop Cafes & Restaurants in Yeonnam-dong

15:00 (2h)

📍Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 Hongik Univ. Station🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00🗺️View on map

Hop Cafes & Restaurants in Yeonnam-dong

15:00 (2h)

Hop Cafes & Restaurants in Yeonnam-dong

📍Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 Hongik Univ. Station

🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00

Shop Street Fashion in Hongdae

Shop Street Fashion in Hongdae

17:00 (2h)

📍94, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 Hongik Univ. Station🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00🗺️View on map

Shop Street Fashion in Hongdae

17:00 (2h)

Shop Street Fashion in Hongdae

📍94, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 Hongik Univ. Station

🕐Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00

Catch Street Performers in Lively Hongdae

Catch Street Performers in Lively Hongdae

20:00 (2h)

📍20 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul🚇Line 2 Hongik Univ. Station🕐Mon-Sun 15:00-22:00🗺️View on map

Catch Street Performers in Lively Hongdae

20:00 (2h)

Catch Street Performers in Lively Hongdae

📍20 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 2 Hongik Univ. Station

🕐Mon-Sun 15:00-22:00

Day 5 — Final Moments & Departure

Fri, Dec 26

Cafe-Hop Hidden Alleys in Ikseon-dong

Cafe-Hop Hidden Alleys in Ikseon-dong

10:00 (2h)

📍Samil-daero, Supyo-ro, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 3 Jongno 3-ga Station🕐Mon-Sun 12:00-20:00🗺️View on map

Cafe-Hop Hidden Alleys in Ikseon-dong

10:00 (2h)

Cafe-Hop Hidden Alleys in Ikseon-dong

📍Samil-daero, Supyo-ro, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 3 Jongno 3-ga Station

🕐Mon-Sun 12:00-20:00

Try the Netflix-Famous Street Eats at Gwangjang Market

Try the Netflix-Famous Street Eats at Gwangjang Market

12:00 (2h)

📍88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 1 Jongno 5-ga Station🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00🗺️View on map

Try the Netflix-Famous Street Eats at Gwangjang Market

12:00 (2h)

Try the Netflix-Famous Street Eats at Gwangjang Market

📍88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 1 Jongno 5-ga Station

🕐Mon-Sun 09:00-18:00

Cable Car to N Seoul Tower & Enjoy Seoul’s Best Views

Cable Car to N Seoul Tower & Enjoy Seoul’s Best Views

14:00 (2h)

📍105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul🚇Line 4 Myeong-dong Station🕐Mon-Fri 10:30-22:30; Sat-Sun 10:00-23:00🗺️View on map

Cable Car to N Seoul Tower & Enjoy Seoul’s Best Views

14:00 (2h)

Cable Car to N Seoul Tower & Enjoy Seoul’s Best Views

📍105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 4 Myeong-dong Station

🕐Mon-Fri 10:30-22:30; Sat-Sun 10:00-23:00

Walk the Seoul City Wall in the Evening

Walk the Seoul City Wall in the Evening

17:00 (2h)

📍Nusang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul🚇Line 4 Hyehwa Station🕐Mon-Sun 17:00-22:00🗺️View on map

Walk the Seoul City Wall in the Evening

17:00 (2h)

Walk the Seoul City Wall in the Evening

📍Nusang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul • 🚇Line 4 Hyehwa Station

🕐Mon-Sun 17:00-22:00

Hang Out & Sip Outdoors in Euljiro Nogari Alley

Hang Out & Sip Outdoors in Euljiro Nogari Alley

20:00 (2h)

📍15 Eulji-ro 13-gil, Euljiro 3(sam)-ga, Jung District, Seoul🚇Exit 3 of Euljiro 3-ga Station on Seoul Metro Line 3🕐Mon-Sun 17:00-23:00🗺️View on map

Hang Out & Sip Outdoors in Euljiro Nogari Alley

20:00 (2h)

Hang Out & Sip Outdoors in Euljiro Nogari Alley

📍15 Eulji-ro 13-gil, Euljiro 3(sam)-ga, Jung District, Seoul • 🚇Exit 3 of Euljiro 3-ga Station on Seoul Metro Line 3

🕐Mon-Sun 17:00-23:00

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Winter cultural immersion with festive markets

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