Gyeongbokgung Palace
경복궁Catch the 10:00 or 14:00 changing-of-the-guard. Closed Tuesdays.
Make a cab card →🏯
Seoul
Ancient palaces, neon side-streets, the best transit in Asia.
Airport → city
AREX Express from Incheon → Seoul Station in 43 min (₩13,000). KAL/City buses from arrivals lobby.
Passes worth it
- • T-money card (₩4,000 issuance, refundable)
- • Discover Seoul Pass (1/2/3-day, ~₩50–80k, includes major sights)
Must-do palaces
Changdeokgung + Secret Garden
창덕궁 + 후원Book the Secret Garden tour online — it sells out.
Make a cab card →Jongmyo Shrine
종묘Quiet, atmospheric, UNESCO. Guided tours in English at set times.
Make a cab card →Where to eat
Gwangjang Market
광장시장Bindae-tteok + raw beef tartare. Cash beats card.
Make a cab card →Mapo Galmaegi
마포갈매기Pork skirt-meat BBQ chain — beginner-friendly.
Make a cab card →Tosokchon Samgyetang
토속촌 삼계탕Ginseng-chicken soup near Gyeongbokgung. Line moves fast.
Make a cab card →Myeong-dong Kyoja
명동교자Kalguksu noodles + mandu. Cash-friendly, no reservations.
Make a cab card →Nights out
Euljiro 3-ga (Hipjiro)
을지로 3가Old industrial alleys turned hidden bars and craft breweries.
Make a cab card →Hongdae
홍대Buskers + clubs + 24h karaoke. Exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station.
Make a cab card →Itaewon / Hannam
이태원 · 한남International crowd. LGBTQ+ friendly bars cluster on Homo Hill.
Make a cab card →Shopping you can't do at home
Olive Young Myeongdong Flagship
올리브영 명동K-beauty under one roof. English staff, tax refund onsite.
Make a cab card →Dongdaemun Market
동대문 시장Wholesale fashion. Most stalls open late evening to dawn.
Make a cab card →Starfield COEX Library
코엑스 별마당 도서관Free, photo-worthy. K-Pop pop-ups often run here.
Make a cab card →Day trips (1–2h out)
DMZ Tour
DMZ 투어Passport required. Book through official operators (Koridoor, Panmunjom Travel Center).
Make a cab card →Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
수원 화성40 min on a regional train. Walk the walls; eat kalbi.
Make a cab card →Nami Island
남이섬Drama-famous, kids-friendly. ITX train from Yongsan → Gapyeong.
Make a cab card →