🇰🇷 How to spend 28 days in Seoul

Spending nearly a month in Seoul offers a rare chance to soak in its culture, cuisine, and hidden gems without rushing. Here’s your complete guide to navigating the city like a local.

📍 Itinerary Overview

Divide your 28 days into weekly themes to balance exploration and relaxation:
• Week 1: Historic Seoul (Palaces, Traditional Villages)
• Week 2: Trendy Seoul (Shopping, Cafés, Pop Culture)
• Week 3: Nature & Wellness (Parks, Spas, Hikes)
• Week 4: Hidden Gems & Day Trips (Suwon, DMZ, local markets)

Pace your sightseeing to avoid burnout—Seoul is dense, but very walkable and well-connected.

🚩 Sightseeing Route

Organize your days by district to minimize backtracking:
• Jongno-gu: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong
• Mapo-gu: Hongdae for youth culture, street art, and night vibes
• Jung-gu: Namsan Tower, Myeongdong shopping and street food
• Gangnam-gu: High-end shopping, COEX Mall, Bongeunsa Temple
• Yongsan-gu: Itaewon, War Memorial, multicultural dining

Use Naver Maps or KakaoMap for route planning—it’s more accurate than Google Maps in Korea.

🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions
• 🏯 Gyeongbokgung Palace – Changing of the guard + traditional architecture
• 🏘️ Bukchon Hanok Village – Preserved Joseon-era homes and culture
• 🌉 Banpo Rainbow Bridge – Beautiful night light and water show
• 🏞️ Bukhansan National Park – Popular mountain for hiking
• 🏬 Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) – Iconic architecture + pop-up events
• 🕹️ Lotte World or Everland – Korea’s version of Disneyland

🚇 Transportation

Seoul’s subway system is clean, safe, and extensive:
• Use a T-money card (available at any convenience store)
• Subways run from ~5:30 AM to midnight
• Buses are color-coded: Blue (long routes), Green (local), Red (express)

🚖 Taxis are affordable for short distances, but apps like Kakao T help bridge language gaps.

📷 Photo Spots
• 📸 Ikseon-dong alleyways – Vintage-modern cafés and art murals
• 🌸 Seokchon Lake – Cherry blossoms (spring) and fall foliage
• 🧱 Common Ground – Shipping container mall with hip backdrops
• 🌆 Namsan Seoul Tower – Panoramic city view
• 🕍 Starfield Library at COEX – Stunning bookshelf atrium

Bring a tripod and remote if you’re traveling solo—many locals do!

🍜 Local Cuisine

You have time to explore both the famous and the hidden:
• 🍲 Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) – Tosokchon Samgyetang
• 🥢 Bibimbap – Try it in Jeonju-style spots like Gogung
• 🍖 K-BBQ – All-you-can-eat places in Hongdae or Gangnam
• 🍜 Jjajangmyeon – Chinese-style Korean noodles in Euljiro
• 🧋 Street Food – Tteokbokki, hotteok, odeng, gimbap in Myeongdong

Don’t miss night markets like Gwangjang and Tongin for cheap eats.

🏠 Accommodation

Balance comfort, budget, and location:
• 💰 Budget: Guesthouses in Hongdae or hostels in Myeongdong
• 💼 Mid-range: Boutique hotels in Insadong or Gangnam
• 🛋️ Long-stay: Airbnbs or officetels with laundry & kitchen options

Search for listings near subway stations to cut down on commute time.

💡 Tips
• 🏷️ Language: Learn basic Korean phrases or use Papago for translation
• 📱 Connectivity: Get an eSIM or rent a pocket Wi-Fi at Incheon Airport
• 💵 Cash/Card: Most places accept cards, but keep ₩10,000–₩20,000 for street vendors
• 👟 Shoes: Bring comfy walking shoes—you’ll hit 15k steps easily!
• 📅 Weather: Pack layers; Seoul can swing from hot to chilly quickly, even in spring/fall

#takbology #teamramosonthego