Explore Seoul
Your perfect trip to South Korea
Seoul is a city that never sleeps, but unlike New York, it doesn't just stay awake; it glows, eats, and parties with an intensity that is exhausting. It is the capital of "Pali-Pali" (Hurry-Hurry) culture. Everything is fast: the internet, the delivery drivers, the trends. The city smells of fermenting kimchi, grilled pork belly (Samgyeopsal), and brewing coffee. Caffeine is the fuel here; there are more cafes per capita than almost anywhere else.
The juxtaposition is jarring. You can visit a 14th-century palace where guards wear silk robes, and cross the street to a building covered in LED screens playing K-Pop videos. The cityscape is endless rows of identical concrete apartment blocks, punctuated by mountains that loom over the neon.
Seoul is a late-night city. Restaurants often don't open until 11 AM, but they stay open until 6 AM. The drinking culture is aggressive; Soju bottles pile up on tables like green trophies. Yet, it is incredibly safe. You can leave your laptop on a cafe table for an hour, and it will still be there when you return.
To understand Seoul, you must look at your reflection. Appearance matters here. Mirrors are everywhere, couples dress in matching outfits, and skincare is a religion. It is a city striving for perfection, hyper-modern yet deeply Confucian in its social hierarchy.
The perfect plan for Seoul:
Day 1 Agenda
Theme: Palaces & Villages
- Morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace. Hack: Rent a Hanbok (traditional dress) from a nearby shop. If you wear one, entry to the palace is free and you get great photos. Watch the Changing of the Guard at 10 AM.
- Afternoon: Bukchon Hanok Village. Traditional wooden houses. Please be quiet; people live here. Tea at a traditional tea house (Cha-teul). Lunch: Tosokchon Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup). There is a line; it moves fast.
- Evening: Insadong. Arts and crafts street. Then walk to Ikseon-dong. It’s a maze of tiny alleys with trendy bars in old Hanok buildings. Very romantic.
Day 2 Agenda
Theme: Modern Seoul & Shopping
- Morning: Starfield Library (Coex Mall). The famous bookshelf wall. Go early for the photo. Gangnam area.
- Afternoon: Garosu-gil. The "Soho" of Seoul. High-end boutiques and cafes. Coffee at Cafe Kitsune. Lunch: Korean BBQ.
- Evening: N Seoul Tower (Namsan). Take the cable car or hike up. Love locks everywhere. The view of the city sprawl is endless. Dinner: Myeongdong Night Market. Street food heaven. Lobster tails, egg bread, hotteok.
Day 3 Agenda
Theme: Youth & Design
- Morning: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The silver spaceship building by Zaha Hadid. Great for architecture nerds.
- Afternoon: Hongdae. The university area. Buskers, cheap clothes, and energy. Visit the Trick Eye Museum or a Karaoke (Noraebang). Lunch: Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken).
- Evening: Gwangjang Market. Featured on Netflix. Eat the Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) from the lady in the pink shirt. Drink Makgeolli (rice wine). It’s rowdy and authentic.
Weather
Spring (Apr-Jun): Cherry Blossoms. Mild, lovely.
Summer (Jul-Aug): The "Hell-Joseon" summer. Hot, humid, and monsoon rains.
Autumn (Sep-Nov): Stunning. Gingko trees turn bright yellow. The air is crisp.
Winter (Dec-Mar): Siberically cold. -10°C is common. Dry and biting wind.
Local Customs
1. Respect Elders: Give up your seat on the subway to older people. Never sit in the elderly designated seats, even if empty.
2. Receiving Things: Use two hands when giving or receiving money/cards/drinks. It shows respect.
3. Tipping: No tipping. It can be seen as offensive.
History & Culture
Seoul (formerly Hanyang) has been the capital since the Joseon Dynasty (1392). It was leveled during the Korean War (1950-1953) and rebuilt from ashes into a global economic powerhouse (the "Miracle on the Han River"). This trauma and rapid recovery drive the city's obsession with modernity, education, and progress. It is a phoenix city, constantly demolishing the old to build the new.
Getting Around & Safety
Subway: Incredible. Numbered and color-coded. Buy a T-Money card at a convenience store. It works for taxis too.
KakaoTaxi: Uber exists but is limited. Download Kakao T. You don't need a Korean number to use the "General Taxi" (pay driver) option usually.
Naver Maps: Google Maps does not work well for walking directions (security laws). Use Naver Map or KakaoMap.
Info for Nomads
Workation Vibe
Fastest internet in the world. Every cafe has wifi and plugs.
- Hollys Coffee (various): A chain that practically encourages studying/working. Open late.
- Terarosa Coffee (Posco Center): Massive, industrial chic, great for focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard with the language? +
Seoul is navigable. Signs are in English. Young people speak basic English. The main issue is restaurant menus; use Papago or Google Translate.
How expensive is it? +
Mid-range. Cheaper than Tokyo or NYC, more expensive than Bangkok. A subway ride is $1. A BBQ dinner is $20-$30. Coffee is expensive ($5-6).
Is it safe for solo women? +
Extremely safe. Violence is rare. However, be careful with drinks in clubs (Burning Sun scandal history), and be aware of "spycams" in public toilets (check for holes), though the government is cracking down.