🇰🇷 How to spend 28 days in Seoul

Spending nearly a month in Seoul offers a rare chance to soak in its culture, cuisine, and hidden gems without rushing. Here’s your complete guide to navigating the city like a local. 📍 Itinerary Overview Divide your 28 days into weekly themes to balance exploration and relaxation: • Week 1: Historic Seoul (Palaces, Traditional Villages) • Week 2: Trendy Seoul (Shopping, Cafés, Pop Culture) • Week 3: Nature & Wellness (Parks, Spas, Hikes) • Week 4: Hidden Gems & Day Trips (Suwon, DMZ, local markets) Pace your sightseeing to avoid burnout—Seoul is dense, but very walkable and well-connected. 🚩 Sightseeing Route Organize your days by district to minimize backtracking: • Jongno-gu: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong • Mapo-gu: Hongdae for youth culture, street art, and night vibes • Jung-gu: Namsan Tower, Myeongdong shopping and street food • Gangnam-gu: High-end shopping, COEX Mall, Bongeunsa Temple • Yongsan-gu: Itaewon, War Memorial, multicultural dining Use Naver Maps or KakaoMap for route planning—it’s more accurate than Google Maps in Korea. 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions • 🏯 Gyeongbokgung Palace – Changing of the guard + traditional architecture • 🏘️ Bukchon Hanok Village – Preserved Joseon-era homes and culture • 🌉 Banpo Rainbow Bridge – Beautiful night light and water show • 🏞️ Bukhansan National Park – Popular mountain for hiking • 🏬 Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) – Iconic architecture + pop-up events • 🕹️ Lotte World or Everland – Korea’s version of Disneyland 🚇 Transportation Seoul’s subway system is clean, safe, and extensive: • Use a T-money card (available at any convenience store) • Subways run from ~5:30 AM to midnight • Buses are color-coded: Blue (long routes), Green (local), Red (express) 🚖 Taxis are affordable for short distances, but apps like Kakao T help bridge language gaps. 📷 Photo Spots • 📸 Ikseon-dong alleyways – Vintage-modern cafés and art murals • 🌸 Seokchon Lake – Cherry blossoms (spring) and fall foliage • 🧱 Common Ground – Shipping container mall with hip backdrops • 🌆 Namsan Seoul Tower – Panoramic city view • 🕍 Starfield Library at COEX – Stunning bookshelf atrium Bring a tripod and remote if you’re traveling solo—many locals do! 🍜 Local Cuisine You have time to explore both the famous and the hidden: • 🍲 Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) – Tosokchon Samgyetang • 🥢 Bibimbap – Try it in Jeonju-style spots like Gogung • 🍖 K-BBQ – All-you-can-eat places in Hongdae or Gangnam • 🍜 Jjajangmyeon – Chinese-style Korean noodles in Euljiro • 🧋 Street Food – Tteokbokki, hotteok, odeng, gimbap in Myeongdong Don’t miss night markets like Gwangjang and Tongin for cheap eats. 🏠 Accommodation Balance comfort, budget, and location: • 💰 Budget: Guesthouses in Hongdae or hostels in Myeongdong • 💼 Mid-range: Boutique hotels in Insadong or Gangnam • 🛋️ Long-stay: Airbnbs or officetels with laundry & kitchen options Search for listings near subway stations to cut down on commute time. 💡 Tips • 🏷️ Language: Learn basic Korean phrases or use Papago for translation • 📱 Connectivity: Get an eSIM or rent a pocket Wi-Fi at Incheon Airport • 💵 Cash/Card: Most places accept cards, but keep ₩10,000–₩20,000 for street vendors • 👟 Shoes: Bring comfy walking shoes—you’ll hit 15k steps easily! • 📅 Weather: Pack layers; Seoul can swing from hot to chilly quickly, even in spring/fall #takbology #teamramosonthego