2 Days in Seoul - Itinerary and Activities
The Korean capital is a fascinating and vibrant city, with ancient palaces and traditional villages sitting alongside modern museums and towering skyscrapers. If you only have two days to explore, then make sure you’ve got some good walking shoes, because there’s a lot to pack in! The best activities for you may depend on who you’re traveling with, but either way you’ll want to get a good mix of historical and modern, dazzling architecture and buzzing street vibes. Our suggested 2-day itinerary takes in:
- A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- The Han River
- N Seoul Tower
- Nami Island
- The Demilitarized Zone
- Museums
- Nightlife
Day 1 – Morning
For your first day in Seoul, get your bearings and enjoy a history lesson at the same time on a Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour. You’ll go past many of the city’s most famous sites, including the Namdaemun Market and Lotte World Tower, and you’ll be able to use your ticket all day. Ride the whole circuit and hop off at the Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you can spend the rest of the morning exploring the vast and beautiful buildings and grounds – there are ponds, pavilions and the fascinating National Palace Museum. You could also rent a traditional hanbok to wear while you explore! Exit via the Korean National Folk Museum and head to the Bukchon hanok village, which is a pretty district of traditional wooden houses that’s the perfect place to soak up some culture and find some lunch.
Day 1 - Afternoon
It’s time to rest the legs for a little while, so head south towards the Han River, using the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus if you want to. If you like, you can pop into the National Museum of Korea or the War Memorial of Korea on the north bank, then sit back and enjoy the fresh air on a gentle and relaxing river cruise. You’ll glide past the city towards Bamseom Island or the Banpo Rainbow Bridge with audio commentary filling you in on all the famous views, then alight at Yeouido Dock, which right next to the famous riverside markets and a perfect place for a gentle stroll with a cooling beverage or refreshing bingsu!
Day 1 – Evening
It’s time to head out and enjoy the buzzing and vibrant nightlife of this modern-but-very-traditional city. Use your Hop-On Hop-Off ticket and head to the Namdaemun Market, where you’ll find some of Seoul’s best street food from black bean noodles to spicy rice cakes. This is also a good chance for some retail therapy or souvenir shopping! From here, head to the Mount Namsan National Park, where you can work off the dinner by hiking to the top, or cheat and use the cable car. At the top you’ll find the base of the N Seoul Tower, which you can head up for superb views over the city at night. Take as many photos as you want, then head home for a well-deserved night’s sleep!
Day 2 – Morning
Start the day with a nature escape and take a bus out to Nami Island, an idyllic getaway in the middle of the Han River. Here you’ll find walking trails, cycling routes, secret gardens and majestic tree groves that look magnificent at any time of year. Try some water sports, ride the island’s small train or, if you’re a K-drama fan, go looking for some familiar filming spots. Stay for lunch at one of the island’s many restaurants or enjoy a picnic by the river before heading back to the city for the afternoon. Alternatively, you could join a tour to Korea’s Demilitarized Zone, where you’ll learn about continuing political tensions between the two countries, see bridges and secret tunnels connecting them and have a chance to peek into North Korea over the 4km stretch of fenced off land that splits the peninsula in two from east to west.
Day 2 - Afternoon
It’s time to get back into tourist mode this afternoon, and explore some of the city’s wild and wacky museums. If you’re a fan of video games and fancy reliving your childhood for a couple of hours, then you should definitely head to the Alive Museum in the Insadong district. Or for a sensory experience exploring colors, sounds and smells, visit the Colorpool Museum and emerge feeling super-calm and very zen. On the other hand, if you’re feeling a bit mischievous and want to have a giggle with your friends or significant someone, spend a couple of hours at the Coconut Box and Love Museum, where you can interact with the exhibits and take a few cheeky photos – just don’t accidentally send them to your mom!
Day 2 – Evening
For your final evening in Seoul, it’s time to have a bit of fun! If you’ve got the family with you, you might enjoy a few hours at the Lotte World Theme Park, where you can enjoy rides, bumper cars, evening performances and of course plenty of shopping opportunities. If you’re with friends, you might prefer to go and see a live show, like the Cookin’ Nanta Culinary Spectacle, which is all told through music and comedy – no Korean language knowledge required. Or if you’re on your own, you could join a walking tour or pub crawl, which will give you some more history of this fascinating city as well as a chance to spend the night with some awesome new people.
Go wild with Go City
If you’ve only got two days in Seoul, make the most of your time with a Go City Seoul Explorer or All-Inclusive Pass. You’ll find plenty to do with friends or family, and save on all your favorite attractions as well!