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Korea Itinerary: Landmark Backpacking

Seoul city

Roverista

June 27, 2021 · 4 min read

day_icon 7 Days
location_icon South Korea: Seoul

Itinerary



Welcome to a fun 7-day landmark backpacking trip around Seoul City. Pack your backpacks, and wear your comfiest sneakers because this trip will be a lot of walking and getting to know the culture-rich city. Seoul has much to offer more than its concrete jungle, deep-rooted history, magnificent palaces, and fashion-loving locals. Make the most of your time in Seoul by taking the Landmark Backpacking itinerary. On this trip, you'll feel more connected to the city as you walk from one place to another, seeing the authentic daily life in this vibrant city. In addition, you'll immerse yourself in some street food action on this trip and an original Korean market to fuel you in your walking journeys.

Let's visit famous cultural and historical places today and get to know Seoul on a deeper level. Arriving in Seoul. Take a taxi, and go straight to your hotel for check-in. Then, visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the Five Grand Palaces, and it is also the grandest. Within the same grounds as the palaces, walk to the National Folklore Museum and appreciate the displayed historical artifacts. Then start walking to the Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village with rich history and culture. A perfect place to snap a few shots showing an actual Korean neighborhood. Take a walk to Insadong Alley and immerse yourself in traditional teahouses and street food action. Finally, head to Gwangjang Market for an authentic taste of the Korean market of street foods and other goods.

Seoul city
Seoul city
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Isadong Alley
Isadong Alley
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market

Get ready for a day of the market, palace, gorgeous city views, and a laid-back way to end the night. Visit Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in Korea. Here products are sold at wholesale prices where tourists flock, creating a unique shopping scene. Hop on a taxi or bus and get to Changdeokgung Palace Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see the royal family residence building, public palace area, and a lush garden in this complex. Next, ride a bus and a cable car to go to N Seoul Tower. Now it's time to take those Instagram-worthy shots and enjoy panoramic views of the city! Finally, head to Gwanghwamun Square, a square of rich history dating back to 600 years, where you'll see Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Bugaksan Mountain in the background.

Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
Seoul Tower
Seoul Tower
Gyeongbok palace
Gyeongbok palace

Let's start a day of appreciation for Seoul's wonderful nature, architecture, and culture of shopping. Go to Naksan Park, which is nestled on top of Mt. Naksan. Here, you'll have the full beauty of Seoul in full view. It is a popular place for photography because of the lovely views and the city wall, so ready your cameras and take the best-looking photos! Next, you can either hike or walk to Dongdaemun, following the mountain trail. At Dongdaemun, head over to Dongdaemun Design Plaza and see the building masterpiece by Zaha Hadid. With curves and nonconforming architecture, the DDP is purely exceptional. Finally, take the train or taxi to Itaewon Shopping Street, a whole 1.4km long street full of restaurants, shops, and other entertainments. A perfect way to end the day, grab authentic Korean food and meet different international travelers.

Naksan Park
Naksan Park
Dongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun Market

Today is another day of Seoul admiration, from beautiful bread-smelling streets to spectacular water shows. Visit the Seorae Village Street, known as the "Little France." As you walk on this street, the smell of freshly baked bread exudes as French bakeries, restaurants, and cafes line up in the street. Next, take a walk and head to the National Library of Korea. It is a library with a rich collection of essential books and documents. Visit the Seoul Central District Court for appreciation of the building architecture. Then head to Sebitseom Seoul Floating Island. It is known as the "Sebit Islets" is the world's first floating cultural complex. Finally, watch the Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain for a spectacular dynamic water display show.

National Library of Korea
National Library of Korea
Sebitseom Seoul Floating Island
Sebitseom Seoul Floating Island
Banpo bridge
Banpo bridge

Today is a day of shopping and getting to know the most famous shopping streets in Seoul. Start your day by going to the largest underground shopping mall in Asia, the COEX Mall. With a mall that's got everything, you'll never know where to start shopping! Then take the taxi and go to Gangnam. Here you'll never run out of more upscale shops for more shopping. Then, as if you've had enough for today, it's time to head to Cheongdamdong Fashion Street, where all the world's major luxury brands are lined up from left to right. Then head to Sinsa-dong, a ginkgo tree-lined upscale street. This is also known as the "artists street" because of its friendly atmosphere with various beautifully adorned designer stores, cafes, and restaurants.

Coex mall
Coex mall
Gangnam areax
Gangnam area

Immerse yourself in a famous district, gorgeous architecture, and the last night of a shopping spree. Start your day at Yeouido, which was previously Seoul's military airport but is now the financial, political, and entertainment center. Then, head to Yeouido Hangang Park to view the cherry blossoms during April, yacht marina, riverside stage, and waterside fountains. Visit Ewha Women's University to view the incredible architecture of their historic buildings dispersed around the university. Finally, visit Hongdae. It is a walking street full of energetic ambiance. Here you'll see an excess of shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and clubs. Go for a little bit of shopping before getting your dinner in one of their traditional Korean restaurants.

Yeouido
Yeouido
Ewha Women’s University
Ewha Women’s University
Hongdae street
Hongdae street

Today is the departure day, so the day is free for any last activity you have in mind. If there is any place that you would like to revisit, then it is time to revisit before your scheduled departure.


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