Geunjeongjeon, the two-storey throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace with curved roofs, behind a large stone courtyard with a mountain in the background
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Seoul in 1 day

  • 1 day
  • 8.3 km on foot
  • 17 stops
  • Audio guide

One day in Seoul goes a long way if you stay in the historic centre, where everything is within walking distance. This plan strings together all three routes: palaces and hanok alleys in the morning, six centuries of history in the afternoon and the legends of Deoksugung as the light fades. It's a full day but needs no subway, ideal for a layover or a single free day.

One day in SeoulPalaces, kings and cursed stones

Start early with “Palaces, Hanok Alleys and Tea in Insadong”: Gyeongbokgung, the slopes of Bukchon, Changdeokgung and Jogyesa Temple. Have seolleongtang for lunch at Imun Seolnongtang, a few steps from the temple. In the afternoon, “Six Centuries of Seoul” takes you from Gwanghwamun and King Sejong to Tapgol Park, a good place for a breather, and on to Jongmyo Shrine. At dusk, “Secret Seoul” sets off from Daehanmun Gate and ends at Gwangtonggyo Bridge on the Cheonggyecheon stream. From there it's about twenty minutes on foot to the bindaetteok pancakes of Gwangjang Market.

  1. Morning

    Palaces, Hanok Alleys and Tea in Insadong

    Mixed · 3.2 km · 2 h 15 min

    1. Gyeongbokgung PalaceThe great palace of the Joseon kings, razed twice and rebuilt piece by piece.
    2. Bukchon Hanok VillageA hillside neighbourhood of traditional houses where people still live, so keep your voice down.
    3. Changdeokgung PalaceThe palace that follows the mountain rather than dominating it, home to kings for nearly three centuries.
    4. Ikseon-dongA maze of 1920s hanok turned into the liveliest corner of Jongno.
    5. Insadong and SsamziegilThe street of antiques, hanji paper and teahouses, with a spiralling market.
    6. Jogyesa TempleThe heart of Korean Buddhism among skyscrapers, with 500-year-old trees and thousands of lanterns.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Seolleongtang, milky ox-bone soup at Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕). Ujeongguk-ro 38-13, Jongno-gu, Seúl

  3. Afternoon

    Six Centuries of Seoul: From Joseon Kings to the Streets

    History · 2.4 km · 2 h

    1. Gwanghwamun GateThe great gate of Gyeongbokgung: burned, moved, rebuilt in concrete and finally returned to its rightful place.
    2. Statue of King SejongThe 15th-century monarch who decided his people deserved an alphabet of their own.
    3. Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sinThe admiral said never to have lost a naval battle has watched over the avenue since 1968.
    4. Bosingak PavilionThe bell that opened and closed the city, and that now rings in each new year before a huge crowd.
    5. Tapgol ParkHere, on 1 March 1919, Korea's Declaration of Independence was read aloud.
    6. Jongmyo ShrineThe shrine that holds the spirit tablets of the Joseon kings, still honoured with 15th-century music.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  4. Early evening

    Secret Seoul: Royal Escapes, Guardian Beasts and Cursed Stones

    Mysteries & legends · 2.7 km · 1 h 55 min

    1. Daehanmun Gate, Deoksugung PalaceThe gate of a palace where an emperor died in 1919 amid rumours that set a country alight.
    2. Deoksugung Stone Wall RoadSeoul's most romantic stroll comes with a superstition: couples who walk it end up breaking up.
    3. Old Russian LegationA lone white tower keeps alive the memory of the night Korea's king fled his own palace.
    4. The Haechi of GwanghwamunTwo horned stone beasts that, according to popular belief, guard the palace against fire.
    5. Gwangtonggyo BridgeA king used stones from his stepmother's tomb to build a bridge the whole city would walk over.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  5. Dinner

    Try Bindaetteok, mung bean pancake at Mercado de Gwangjang · Sunhee-ne Bindaetteok (순희네빈대떡). Jongno 32-gil 5, Jongno-gu, Seúl

The map

Seoul in 1 day, on the map

Each route’s stops are numbered in order; the stars are the extra sights.

Mixed History Mysteries & legends

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Before you go

Tips for Seoul in 1 day

  • All three routes are in Jongno and Jung-gu, so the whole day works on foot. Wear comfortable shoes: Bukchon is all slopes and steps, and the three routes add up to more than eight kilometres.
  • Bukchon is a residential neighbourhood and restricts visitor access to some of its streets outside a daytime window. That's why the route crosses it mid-morning; check the current hours, keep your voice down and respect the signposted areas.
  • The palaces close one day a week (Gyeongbokgung usually on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung on Mondays). The route passes their gates and outer courtyards, but if you want to go inside, check the calendar.

Questions

Seoul in 1 day: your questions

Can you see Seoul in one day?

You can see the historic centre well: the great palaces, Bukchon, Insadong, Jongmyo and Deoksugung. What won't fit are modern districts like Gangnam or Hongdae, or N Seoul Tower. If it's your only day, this walking circuit is the best way to get a feel for the city.

How many kilometres will I walk?

The three routes add up to about 8.3 km: 3.2 in the morning, 2.4 in the afternoon and 2.7 in the evening, plus the walk to Gwangjang Market for dinner. Pace yourself and use Insadong's teahouses for a rest.

Is it worth going inside Gyeongbokgung with only one day?

If you're keen, yes, but allow at least an hour and a half, which means trimming the afternoon. Another option is the changing of the guard at Gwanghwamun, held in full public view. Entry is usually free if you wear hanbok; check the conditions.

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