Tradition and Youth – Second day itinerary for first-time visitors to Korea
Plan Features
Foot + Metro
9~10 hours
Traditional+City
Tourist Density : High
Brief Itinerary
Detail Itinerary
1. Changdeok Palace
09:00~11:00
While Gyeongbokgung Palace is the royal palace, Changdeokgung Palace is the king’s residential palace. It’s cozy and beautiful, and I personally recommend it. The Secret Garden (Houwon) within Changdeokgung Palace requires an additional ticket. Booking Here. If online reservations aren’t available, you may be able to purchase any remaining tickets on-site. Tickets are especially difficult to come by in the spring and fall. Changdeokgung Palace is closed every Monday.
10 minute by Taxi
2. Gwangjang Market
11:10~12:30
A 100-year-old permanent market in the heart of Seoul. You can sample local cuisine. While the exorbitant prices can be a bit of a problem, it’s worth a visit or two. The Kkwabegi (Korean-style donuts) at the entrance are especially cheap and delicious. However, the lines can be long. The yukhoe (raw beef) is popular, attracting even Koreans.
40 minute by Metro
Walk to Euljiro 4-ga Station on Line 2 and get off at Samseong Station.Google Map
3. COEX (Gangnam Style)
13:00~14:00
This area features a convention center and a shopping mall, including the Gangnam Style statue, the multi-vision screen that served as the backdrop for KDH, and the Starfield Library. It’s a popular photo spot to commemorate your visit to Korea. Gangnam, by the way, is a combination of “gang” (river) and “nam” (south), meaning “south of the Han River.” However, it’s also synonymous with a wealthy, sophisticated, and affluent area.
30 minute by Metro
Take Subway Line 2 from Samseong Station to Seongsu Station Google Map
4.Seongsu-dong : Brooklyn Of Seoul
14:30~16:30
Once home to handmade shoes and small factories, this area has now transformed into Korea’s hottest fashion district. It’s like the Brooklyn of Seoul, a place where old streets are reinterpreted with Korean style. Along with Hongdae, it’s a great place to experience a youthful atmosphere.
50 minute by Taxi
5. Naksan Park
17:.30~18:30
This is proof that Seoul was once a fortress surrounded by walls. It was a local favorite, offering views of Seoul, night views, and Korean scenery. But it’s now become a bit too famous, thanks to its unfortunate (?) appearance as the backdrop for KDH.
30 minute by TAXI
6. Ikseondong – End of Tour
19:00~
This was once an abandoned complex of old hanok houses, but now it’s a very popular spot that has been transformed into cafes and restaurants. It’s a cute alley, with cafes on one side, pork belly alley on the other, and a huge number of pojangmacha (street bars) in the evening, which makes it a really fun place.
