How many days · Seoul · South Korea
How many days do you need in Seoul?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Francisco Anzola, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Seoul, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers the palaces, Bukchon, Insadong, Myeongdong, N Seoul Tower and a market food crawl. Five days adds Hongdae, Gangnam or Seongsu, a Bukhansan hike and a day trip to the DMZ or Suwon; a week leaves room for Jeonju or a KTX run to Busan.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.6 h (Dec) to 14.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower and Namsan, Gwangjang Market and Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden |
| 2 days | Rushed | Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong and Ssamziegil |
| 3 days | Good | Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and National Museum of Korea |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to DMZ |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as DMZ and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Seoul add up to roughly 23–32 hours of visiting time — about 3–5 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Lotte World (Full day), Gyeongbokgung Palace (2–3 hours) and Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | 2–3 hours | Jongno |
| N Seoul Tower and Namsan | 2 hours | Namsan |
| Gwangjang Market | 1–2 hours | Jongno |
| Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden | 2–3 hours | Jongno |
| Bukchon Hanok Village | 1–2 hours | Jongno |
| Insadong and Ssamziegil | 1–2 hours | Insadong |
| Myeongdong | 2 hours | Myeongdong |
| Dongdaemun Design Plaza | 1 hour | Dongdaemun |
| National Museum of Korea | 2–3 hours | Yongsan |
| War Memorial of Korea | 2 hours | Yongsan |
| Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky | 1–2 hours | Jamsil |
| Lotte World | Full day | Jamsil |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Gyeongbokgung Palace and N Seoul Tower and Namsan |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Lotte World |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add DMZ and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.6 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.7 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Seoul with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Seoul?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers the palaces, Bukchon, Insadong, Myeongdong, N Seoul Tower and a market food crawl. Five days adds Hongdae, Gangnam or Seongsu, a Bukhansan hike and a day trip to the DMZ or Suwon; a week leaves room for Jeonju or a KTX run to Busan.
+Is a week too long in Seoul?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as DMZ and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.