Travel Plan: 5-day Seoul Historical Landmarks
Introduction: This travel plan is for those who want to explore the historical landmarks of Seoul, South Korea. We will be visiting significant landmarks and attractions that are rich in history and culture. Our itinerary is for five days, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of Seoul.
Day 1 – Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village
We will start our tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the ancient royal palaces of Seoul. We will explore the palace interiors, learn about the history of the royal dynasty, and watch the changing of the guard ceremony. After the palace, we will take a short walk to Bukchon Hanok Village, which is a traditional Korean village with well-preserved traditional houses. We will have lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant, and have some time to shop for traditional Korean souvenirs.
Transportation: Subway and walking-around
Approximate Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Approximate Budget: 50,000 KRW
Hotel Recommendation: The Plaza Seoul Autograph Collection
Day 2 – Namsan Tower and Namsangol Hanok Village
We will start our day by visiting the Namsan Tower, which has an observatory deck that offers stunning panoramic views of the city. We can have brunch at a local cafe before heading to Namsangol Hanok Village, which is a traditional Korean village, where we can learn about the storied history of the Joseon Dynasty era. We can have some Korean-style street food for dinner before moving on to our next destination.
Transportation: Subway and Cable car
Approximate Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Approximate Budget: 70,000 KRW
Hotel Recommendation: Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
Day 3 – Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace
Our first stop is the Jongmyo Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the ancient royal family’s ancestral tablets. We can have lunch at a nearby Korean restaurant before heading to Changdeokgung Palace, which is another UNESCO Heritage site. During the Joseon dynasty, this palace was the second principal seat of government after the Gyeongbokgung Palace. We can have Korean BBQ for dinner before returning to our hotel.
Transportation: Subway and walking-around
Approximate Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Approximate Budget: 60,000 KRW
Hotel Recommendation: The Westin Chosun Seoul
Day 4 – National Museum of Korea and War Memorial of Korea
Our first stop for today is the National Museum of Korea, which has a vast collection of artifacts outlining the country’s history and culture. We can have lunch at the museum’s cafe before heading to the War Memorial of Korea, where we can learn about the country’s wartime history. We can have some street food or fried chicken for dinner before returning to our hotel.
Transportation: Subway and walking-around
Approximate Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Approximate Budget: 60,000 KRW
Hotel Recommendation: Conrad Seoul
Day 5 – Insa-dong and Myeong-dong
On our last day, we will visit two of the popular shopping districts in Seoul – Insa-dong and Myeong-dong. We can have Korean fish cake for lunch before exploring the traditional art galleries and souvenir shops in Insa-dong. In the evening, we can go to Myeong-dong, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in Seoul, filled with various Korean street food and beauty stores.
Transportation: Subway and walking-around
Approximate Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Approximate Budget: 60,000 KRW
Hotel Recommendation: Grand Hyatt Seoul
FAQs:
1. How many days do I need to explore Seoul’s historical landmarks fully?
– We recommend five days as a minimum to visit Seoul’s historical landmarks fully.
2. How much can I expect to spend per day on food, activities, and transportation?
– It would be best to budget around 50,000-70,000 KRW each day for food, activities, and transportation expenses.
3. What kind of accommodation do you recommend in Seoul?
– Seoul offers a range of accommodations, from traditional Korean-style guest houses to modern luxury hotels. We recommend choosing accommodation based on your style and budget.
4. What is the best time of the year to visit Seoul?
– The best time to visit Seoul is during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasant and there are picturesque seasonal foliage. However, Seoul can be visited throughout the year except for the rainy season that occurs from June to August.
