Already in Seoul and short on time?
This guide hands you a ready-made bucket list—royal palaces by day, neon markets by night, plus the T-money hacks and last-train tips that keep you moving quickly and cheaply.
HERITAGE & HISTORY IN A HYPER-MODERN CITY
Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Guard Ceremony
Why go now? Changing-of-the-Guard shows (10 am and 2 pm) add Joseon-era colour. Summer hours 09:00-18:30; closed Tuesdays.
Bukchon Hanok Village Walking Loop
A hillside maze of tiled-roof hanok houses. Respect the posted “silent hours” (noon-3 pm).
Hidden Gems – Seodaemun Prison & Deoksugung Stone Wall
If rain threatens, tour Seodaemun’s underground cells, then finish with a sunset stroll along Deoksugung’s photogenic stone wall.
STREET-FOOD & MARKET CULTURE
Seoul’s street-food scene is an edible crash course in Korean etiquette—think jeong, the warm spirit of sharing.
Typical snack prices
• Mayak Kimbap – ₩3 000 at Gwangjang, ₩3 500 at Myeong-dong
• Bindaetteok – ₩5 000 at Gwangjang (not common in Myeong-dong)
• Live Octopus – ₩15 000 at Gwangjang, ₩18 000 at Myeong-dong
• Bingsu – ₩7 000 at Gwangjang, ₩8 000 at Myeong-dong
• Tteokbokki – ₩4 000 at Gwangjang, ₩5 000 at Myeong-dong
How to order like a local
- Point and say the price; English rarely needed.
- Pay up front; no tipping.
- Share tables—jeong means no one eats alone.
TRENDY NEIGHBOURHOODS & K-POP CULTURE
Hot spot overview
• Hongdae – Buskers, indie clubs, 24-hour noraebang. Insider hack: store bags in Exit 9 lockers.
• Gangnam – Flagship K-beauty stores and glitzy cafés. Insider hack: free skin analysis at Olive Young before 2 pm.
• Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower – Highest view deck in Korea. Insider hack: sunset ticket about ₩20 000 and queues shrink after 7 pm.
Personal episode: A visiting UX-designer friend expected a sleepy Monday; Hongdae’s café street flipped that. We co-worked until 11 pm on gigabit Wi-Fi—no extra charge for plugging in a laptop.
NATURE ESCAPES ONE SUBWAY STOP AWAY
- Namsan Cable Car sunrise – queue at 06:45; first car 07:00.
• Han River picnic and bike rental – Ddareungi bikes cost ₩1 000 per hour; fried-chicken delivery straight to your picnic mat.
• Bukhansan Dulle-gil “Cloud Garden” – a novice-friendly 3 km section with less than 200 m elevation gain; trailhead reached by metro in 50 minutes.
PRACTICAL HACKS FOR A FRICTION-FREE STAY
T-Money versus credit card
A T-money tap saves ₩100 per ride and unlocks free transfers.
Last-train reality check
Most lines run 05:30 – about 00:00. Set an alarm for 23:45. Night buses (blue “N” routes) cover the gap.
Quick data options
• eSIM – 245 / 32 Mbps – ₩2 500 per day – activate before landing.
• Airport SIM – 190 / 25 Mbps – ₩3 500 per day – queue at kiosk.
• Pocket Wi-Fi – 110 / 18 Mbps – ₩4 000 per day – battery anxiety.
Luggage smart-drop
Coin lockers near palaces allow up to 4 hours. For longer storage, send your bag hotel-to-airport (₩20 000) via Safex desks at Seoul Station.
24-HOUR SEOUL — EAT, SING, SOAK
- 23:00 – BBQ ribeye at Mapo Galmaegi – about ₩22 000 per person.
• 01:00 – Coin noraebang in a Hongdae side-street – about ₩500 per song.
• 03:00 – Jjimjilbang soak at Siloam Sauna near Seoul Station – ₩10 000 entry.
SEASONAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS
- April – Cherry-blossom peak (5-10 Apr). Quieter views at Seokchon Lake.
• May – Lotus Lantern Festival. Free lantern-making on Jongno.
• October – Han River Fireworks. Book Hangang cruise 60 days ahead.
• December – “Seoul Christmas” lights at Lotte World. Indoor fun when temperatures fall below –5 °C.
FAQ — QUICK ANSWERS
Do I need cash?
Cards work about 95 % of the time; keep roughly ₩50 000 for markets.
Is tipping expected?
No. Leave coins only in upscale bars.
Lost passport?
Call 1330 (24-hour English help) and they will connect you to the police.
Last train already left?
Take night bus N13 or split a taxi through the Kakao T app.
KEY TAKEAWAYS & NEXT STEPS
✓ Palace tickets booked and T-money loaded
✓ Evening slot at Namsan Tower reserved
✓ eSIM activated before leaving hotel Wi-Fi
✓ Late-night noraebang playlist ready
Ready for more Korea? Grab our discounted unlimited-5G eSIM for just ₩2 500 per day and bookmark this guide so Seoul feels smaller, faster and friendlier!
