How I Spent 72 Hours in Seoul, South Korea [Things To Do, What To Eat]

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a bustling metropolis that blends old and new. The city is best known for its vibrant street food scene, historic palaces and temples, innovative technology hubs, tall skyscrapers, world-class shopping, and thriving pop culture.

Seoul (and South Korea as a whole) is a dream travel destination for many, and for good reason. The city has so much to offer and is unlike any place on Earth.

Fortunately, it is relatively easy to get from the U.S. to South Korea. Best of all, you can use points and miles to fly to Seoul for very little out-of-pocket (which is what I did).

So, when I realized I could finally visit South Korea (my 101st country), I was incredibly excited. Here’s an in-depth look at how I spent 72 hours in Seoul.

Arriving in Seoul

Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP) serve the Seoul metropolitan area.

Gimpo International Airport is closer to Seoul and accommodates most domestic flights and some regional international flights. Incheon International Airport serves most international flights, including all flights from the U.S.

You can fly nonstop between several U.S. airports and Seoul (ICN) on 7 different airlines. Here’s a list of the airlines and the nonstop routes you can fly:

Where To Stay in Seoul

Seoul is a massive city, with many of its tourist attractions quite spread out. Fortunately, its world-class public transportation makes it incredibly well-connected.

No matter your budget, Seoul has plenty of accommodation. Of course, Seoul has all the major hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt. However, many cost-effective local hotels, boutique properties, and hostels also exist.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular and convenient Seoul neighborhoods:

Myeongdong

Myeongdong is Seoul’s trendy and modern neighborhood, similar to Shibuya in Tokyo. It is central and convenient for first-time visitors.

The area is famous for Seoul’s nightlife and some of the best street food stalls and markets, including the famous Myeongdong Night Market and Namdaemun Market. It is also considered the main shopping area for skin care and cosmetics stores.

Myeondong is close to several Seoul attractions, including Insadong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace. The Westin Josun Seoul is in Myeongdong.

Gangnam

Gangnam is Seoul’s affluent business district, known for high-end shopping and modern architecture. The area features many of Seoul’s luxury boutiques, upscale restaurants, and popular nightclubs.

There are also several aesthetic surgery clinics and many malls, including the world-famous Starfield COEX Mall.

If you want to stay in an area with modern amenities and explore trendy spots, Gangnam is the place to be. The ultraluxe Park Hyatt Seoul and Andaz Seoul Gangnam are both in Gangnam.

Itaewon

Itaewon is known for its diverse international community and is a popular place for expats. The area has diverse dining ranging from Korean to international cuisine.

The neighborhood is close to many Seoul tourist attractions, including N Seoul Tower, Seoul Station, and the War Memorial of Korea.

The 5-star Grand Hyatt Seoul is in the Itaewon district.

Day 1

After an early morning flight to Gimpo International Airport from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), I was ready to explore Seoul. However, I needed to get into Seoul before I could do that.

At a convenience store at the airport, I purchased a Tmoney card, a rechargeable, contactless smart card used all across Seoul. The card is incredibly useful for paying for public transportation and at convenience stores.

You can purchase a Tmoney card (and reload it) at any convenience store or at ticket vending machines inside Seoul subway and train stations. The card costs ₩4,000 (about $3). It is worth noting that it can only be bought using cash (no credit or debit cards allowed).

After adding ₩25,000 ($18) to my Tmoney card, I hopped on the subway to my friend’s house in Seoul. After an hour of catching up with him, I was ready to begin exploring Seoul.

Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square is a public space in the heart of Seoul, known for its historical importance and symbolic significance in Korean culture. It is also a popular gathering place for cultural events, protests, and public and holiday celebrations.

You can find many royal administrative buildings and government offices in the square. In the center of Gwanghwamun Square are massive statues of King Sejong the Great and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, 2 iconic figures in Korean history.

King Sejong was a respected king of the Joseon dynasty and the creator of Hangeul (Korea’s alphabet). Meanwhile, Admiral Yi Sun-shin was a naval commander with several notable victories against the Japanese navy during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598).

Gyeongbokgung Palace

After walking around Gwanghwamun Square, I headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was less than a 5-minute walk away.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest and most notable of South Korea’s 5 grand palaces. Built in 1395, it served as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty and later as the home of the royal family and the seat of government.

The palace was destroyed by a fire in the 1590s and abandoned for nearly 2 centuries. In the 19th century, the entire palace (more than 7,000 rooms) was restored. It was again destroyed in the early 20th century during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The palace has been in restoration since the 1990s.

The palace complex features traditional Korean architecture with gates, pavilions, gardens, and an artificial lake.

The palace is quite large but offers a glimpse into Korea’s rich history and cultural heritage. The changing of the guard ceremony occurs every hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An adult admission ticket costs ₩3,000 ($2). Free guided tours in English are available at certain times. See the information center next to the main entrance for the times.

Hot Tip:

Many visitors rent a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) when visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. All 5 palaces waive admission fees for hanbok wearers.

War Memorial of Korea

South Korea has experienced many conflicts in its history, even beyond the Korean War. To learn about South Korea’s complicated history, you can visit the War Memorial of Korea, a military museum in Seoul. It was built in 1994 on the former site of the army headquarters.

The museum teaches people about the history of the Korean War and serves as a reminder for future generations to prevent war. The museum is massive and boasts exhibitions containing war memorabilia and military equipment from prehistoric times to modern times. There are also artifacts and large depictions of notable military figures.

The museum also has several large black marble monuments, each of which is inscribed with the names of those who died during the Korean War, Vietnam War, and in clashes with North Korea.

Outside the main building is a large display of over 100 military warplanes, armored vehicles and tanks, artillery and antiaircraft guns, helicopters, and submarines.

Admission to the exhibitions inside the memorial is free. The museum is closed on Mondays (unless the Monday is a holiday, in which case it is closed the day after the holiday).

Bongeunsa Temple

After learning much about Korea’s military history, I wanted to learn more about its religious history, so I headed to the Bongeunsa Temple. The Bongeunsa Temple is a Korean Buddhist temple in the heart of the Gangnam district. It was founded in 794 during the Silla dynasty.

Although Buddhism was largely suppressed in Korea in favor of Confucianism, the Bongeunsa Temple was considered the practicing temple for the revival of Korean Buddhism.

The temple boasts over 3,000 Buddhist scriptures and several Buddha statues, including a massive 23-meter-tall (over 75 feet) stone statue.

The Jeongdaebulsa Buddhist ceremony is held at the temple on the ninth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. During this ceremony, Buddhist monks carry scriptures on their heads and recite various Buddhist rites.

The temple offers a unique program where participants can experience the life of a Buddhist monk and learn the various aspects of Korean Buddhist culture and history.

Statue of Gangnam Style

Next, I headed toward Starfield COEX Mall. However, I saw this massive statue outside before I went inside.

Although I wasn’t actually looking for it, I found the Gangnam Style statue. The large bronze statue was modeled after the signature hand motion from Psy’s megahit song “Gangnam Style.” The statue commemorates the song’s global success and Psy’s contribution to South Korean pop culture.

 The statue has an interesting feature: The “Gangnam Style” song plays as you approach it.

Starfield Library/COEX Mall

Although I don’t usually visit malls when I travel internationally, I went to the Starfield COEX Mall for a specific reason: a library. However, this wasn’t just any ordinary library.

The Starfield Library opened in the center of COEX Mall in 2017. Thanks to its futuristic design and impressive architecture, which features several 13-meter-tall bookshelves that span 2 floors, the library has become quite famous on Instagram (which is where I learned about it).

The bookshelves house over 50,000 books and magazines in various languages. This is not worth missing out on, as it’s a unique and free experience for book lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Day 2

After a relatively busy first day (which I thoroughly enjoyed), I wanted to have an easier second day. I started by heading to the National Museum of Korea.

National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is the largest in the country and one of its most significant cultural institutions. It showcases a diverse collection of artifacts and artwork spanning Korea’s history from prehistoric to modern times.

The exhibitions cover various themes, including archaeology, fine arts, sculpture, and Asian arts. The Historical Gallery displays artifacts and relics from ancient Korean history, including pottery, metalwork, and artifacts from the Three Kingdoms period.

Meanwhile, the Fine Arts Gallery showcases traditional Korean paintings, calligraphy, and Buddhist art, and the Asian Arts Gallery features art and artifacts from other Asian countries.

Bukchon Hanok Village

The Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential neighborhood that features hanok, restored traditional Korean houses. During the Joseon period, the area was the residential quarter of high-ranking government officials and nobility.

The village features narrow alleys lined with restored hanok houses with traditionally tiled roofs and a wooden structure. Many of the hanok in the area have been set up as cultural centers, art galleries, and workshops.

Jogyesa Temple

The Jogyesa Temple is the chief temple of the Jogye Order, the largest sect of Korean Buddhism. It was first built in 1395 during the Goryeo dynasty and has been reconstructed several times, the most recent being in 1938.

The temple features traditional Korean Buddhist architecture, with multicolored wooden buildings, elaborate art decorations, and detailed roof designs. The main hall of the temple features 3 large Buddha statues.

The temple hosts important ceremonies and events throughout the year, such as the Buddha’s birthday (Seokga Tansinil). The celebration features lantern displays and cultural performances. The Jogyesa Temple also offers a temple-stay program, similar to the Bongeunsa Temple.

Day 3

After a day of learning more about Korea’s history and culture, I dedicated this last day to seeing more of Seoul’s modern sites.

Byeolmadang Library

The Byeolmadang Library (Starfield Library Suwon) is a brand-new library inside the Starfield Galleria shopping mall in Suwon, on the outskirts of Seoul. The library features a unique design and an expansive collection of books and magazines.

As incredible and iconic as the Starfield Library was, this library is even larger. The Starfield Library Suwon spans 3 floors (from the fourth to the seventh floor) and is 22 meters (72 feet) high. It also features several large globes on the ceiling, which are meant to represent the solar system.

It’s definitely safe to say that libraries in South Korea have become an attraction. I can’t wait to see what new ones pop up in the country (and the rest of the world).

Seoul Sky

After admiring the Byeolmadang Library for too long, I returned to Seoul’s city center. I started by heading to the Lotte World Tower, which is the sixth tallest building in the world as of July 2024.

At the top of the Lotte World Tower, you can find Seoul Sky. Seoul Sky is an observation deck on levels 117 to 123 of the Lotte World Tower and one of the highest in the world. Seoul Sky features both indoor and outdoor observation decks with 360-degree views of Seoul.

Before you reach the top, you must ride the Sky Shuttle, a double-decker elevator that reaches a speed of 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet) per minute. It takes just about a minute to ascend to the top.

Seoul Sky is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Seoul’s modernity and urban development. The observation deck truly reflects South Korea’s technological advancements.

Unfortunately, entry tickets are expensive. An adult admission ticket costs ₩31,000 (about $22.50).

My Favorite Foods in Seoul

As with many other major Asian cities, Seoul is considered a foodie paradise. It has a great mix of world-class restaurants and local street food.

As a traveler, I tend to go for street food, and fortunately, Seoul’s is incredible. Much of the city’s best street food can be found in its various night markets, including Gwangjang Market, Hongdae Night Market, Namdaemun Market, and most notably, Myeongdong Night Market.

Here’s a look at some of the best and most well-known food Seoul has to offer.

1. Kimchi

While considered a side dish, kimchi is probably Korea’s most famous food. It is a staple food in Korean culture and is eaten with almost every meal.

There are different variations, but kimchi generally consists of salted and fermented vegetables, most commonly cabbage or radishes, with a mixture of salt, garlic, ginger, chili pepper, spring onions, and other seasonings. It typically has a spicy and tangy taste.

2. Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a popular Korean rice dish topped with mushrooms, bean sprouts, carrots, spinach, a raw or fried egg, chili pepper paste, and sliced beef. It is accompanied by sesame and a sweet-spicy-savory bibimbap sauce.

3. Bulgogi

Bulgogi, which means “fire meat,” is a marinated beef dish that is stir-fried or grilled. The beef is marinated in a mixture of sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and pepper.

It is sweet and savory and is often served with rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves with a spicy paste.

4. Korean Fried Chicken

The “other” KFC, Korean fried chicken has become much loved for its crispy texture and unique flavors.

Korean fried chicken is cooked in an unusual way: The chicken pieces are first fried at a lower temperature to cook them through, then at a higher temperature, which yields the crispy outer coating.

Korean fried chicken is usually hand-painted with sauce using a brush to evenly coat the chicken with a thin layer. There is a variety of sauces, and common ones include honey butter, garlic soy, chili garlic, and spicy red pepper.

Final Thoughts

Simply put, Seoul is amazing. The city is a dream travel destination thanks to its incredible street food, welcoming people, historic palaces and temples, and world-renowned pop culture.

I had been waiting to visit Seoul (and South Korea) for so long and cannot wait to go back again. The country is so unique and has so much to offer.

Fortunately, it is easy to get to Seoul from the U.S., as several carriers offer nonstop routes from many U.S. airports. Best of all, you can easily visit South Korea using points and miles!