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With South Korean popular culture becoming a worldwide phenomenon, many people are interested in visiting the country, with Seoul being one of the top destinations. The city offers so much, from markets to historical Palaces, fantastic outlook posts, and so much more.
But, when traveling, one cannot always spend a long time in every city, so if you’re strapped for time but still have a good day to spend in Seoul, we have put together the perfect guide on what to do during one day in Seoul.
We will provide you with where to stay, how to get about, and how to use your time best to get the most out of your one day in Seoul.
What To Do With 24hrs – One Day In Seoul?
When we travel, we often end up with the odd 24hrs in a major city. And while 24hrs may seem like a short time, you will be surprised by how much can be experienced within that time frame.
What is fantastic about Seoul is that the city is constantly on the go, and there is a lot to see. From street food to beautiful city scapes, an adventure awaits.
So opt to do a fair amount of sightseeing which will provide you with the best overall view of the city.
Interspersed between seeing the sights, you can include the cultural and culinary experiences like walking through markets, visiting one of the five Palaces of Seoul, wandering Hanbok Village, and shopping.
With world-renowned nightlife, a trip to Seoul can only be completed by spending the night experiencing the vibrant clubs and pubs.
Don’t worry about food. With a full one day in seoul, from Korean public markets to simple Korean picnics, the options are endless.
The Best Time To Visit Seoul
If you are only planning to be in Seoul for a day, you should perfect your timing to ensure you can experience the city at its best.
Spring (April to May) and fall (October to November) are the top seasons for visiting one day in Seoul.
Summer can be pretty warm, and winter is on the freezing side, so the milder seasons are much more pleasant for visitors.
A plus side to a spring visit is that the Sakura trees will be in full bloom turning the city’s parks and garden into magnificent pink wonderlands of cherry blossoms.
Seoul also has several cherry festivals, which can form part of your day’s outing if you happen to be visiting at that time.
Spring temperatures range from 48°F to 73°F while fall temperatures are on the cooler side but still reasonable at 38°F to 66°F.
Fall is a quieter season with fewer tourists, so if you prefer to miss the crowds, a fall visit is probably the best choice.
1-Day Itinerary Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace is magnificent and within easy reach by public transportation.
This Palace is massive and majestic, offering visitors the chance to marvel at South Korea’s traditional architecture and enjoy scenic gardens and statues.
I recommend visiting one of the Palaces for an excellent overall experience of Seoul in one day.
From Gyeongbokung Palace, you can continue with your immersion into Korean culture by visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village, which offers a view of the traditional way of life.
Hanok Village provides an exciting contrast between the old city and modern Seoul’s bright, glitzy bustle.
Wandering Hanok Village will have worked up an appetite, and what better way to fill that gap than by visiting one of Seoul’s food markets?
Myeongdong offers the best of Korean cuisine and many other exciting stalls of practically anything you can imagine.
Once you are refueled, you can walk to Namsam Park and take a cable car up to the Seoul North Tower, which will provide you with the best vantage point of Seoul from the observatory deck.
The next stop is Insadong Market for some more shopping. Insadong Market is one of the best places to find souvenirs and offers a wide variety of shops with traditional Korean items.
Once you’ve enjoyed your shopping, I recommend doing a sundowner cruise on the ferry across the Han River for supper.
These cruises give you a fantastic view of the city from the river, and as the night comes in, you will get to experience the spectacular sight of Seoul lit up.
There is no sight quite as brilliant as the lights of Seoul shimmering in reflection on the Han River. It’s pretty breathtaking!
The last thing to do during your one day in Seoul is to enjoy a bit of the nightlife, and you can opt for the glamour of Gangnam nightclubs or take in the nightlife of Myeongdong.
Either option will provide you with a memorable experience of Seoul nightlife.
Best Place To Stay In Seoul
Seoul offers various accommodation options ranging from highly budget-friendly hostels to five-star hotels. Depending on your budget, you can choose what suits you best.
With one day in Seoul, the location of your accommodation will be necessary as the more centrally located, the better when it comes to the convenience of exploring Seoul.
Seoul is huge, so for a one-day stay in Seoul, we recommend choosing accommodation in one of these four districts within the city, Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam.
Insadong is located in one of the older parts of the city and offers a closer view of Seoul’s historical and cultural side.
Myeongdong is the shopping capital of Seoul, so if you want to get a lot of shopping in, staying at a hotel in this area will be the most convenient option.
Hongdae provides the perfect home base if you want to experience Seoul’s nightlife; it’s a vibrant district filled with bars, clubs, and pubs, so it is the ideal location for those planning a good party experience.
Finally, Gangnam offers both the modern party vibe and the ultimate accommodation location for those who enjoy luxury.
The Gangnam district is notoriously expensive, but it is the place to stay to experience the finer side of Seoul life.
After all, it is only one day in Seoul. If the budget allows, why not go big?
How To Get Around Seoul With Only One Day In Seoul
Seoul is a modern city, so it has excellent public transportation services.
The subway is terrific and reliable and should get you to or at least anywhere you want to go in Seoul.
Buying a card at one of the subway kiosks is a straightforward matter. Some services will be better if you only have a day to spend in the city.
Another option is using taxis, which will get you to your destination the fastest as they won’t run on a schedule like the subway trains.
The city buses are another excellent transport option, and most will stop near the major attractions in the city.
What you can rely on is that you will be unlikely to not find any transportation.
Pro-Tips For Visiting One Day In Seoul
When visiting any new city, it is best to be armed with some good tips. Here are ours for Seoul:
- Get a Tmoney card to make getting about more manageable, and you can load money on your card as needed.
- When lost, find the subway. The subway is the easiest way to get about and will quickly help you get your bearings.
- When returning from a night out, use the Kakao Taxi services. It is safe and will run very late at night.
- Getting a local SIM card makes life a lot easier, even though most places will have free WIFI services.
- Download maps and translator apps before arriving. Koreans are friendly, but only some people speak English.
- Learn basic Korean etiquette before you land. Koreans are very courteous and more likely to assist if you can return the politeness.
Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Seoul Adventure: Maximizing One Day in Korea’s Dynamic Capital
Seoul is a beautiful and fascinating city.
One may prefer to enjoy at least three days exploring its sights, but given one day, you can quickly get a good taste of what the city is all about.
From history and culture to cuisine and the vibrancy of the nightlife, Seoul is worth the visit, even if all you have is one day in Seoul.
