Our First Trip to Seoul: A One-Week Itinerary
"Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you."Our family recently spent one week exploring Seoul during the summer, and it was everything we hoped for and more. As first-time visitors traveling with our 5-year-old daughter, we wanted a trip that balanced sightseeing, shopping, great food, and plenty of downtime. If you’re planning your first trip to South Korea, here’s exactly how we spent six unforgettable days.
TIP: If you’re arriving with luggage or traveling with kids, I highly recommend booking a private airport transfer. We booked ours through klook, and after a long flight, it was one of the best decisions we made. Being picked up directly from the airport and dropped off at our hotel made our arrival completely stress-free.
Day 1: Arrival in Seoul
After a long day of traveling, we finally arrived at Gimpo Airport in the evening. Thankfully, we had already booked a private airport transfer through Klook—something we always do whenever we travel. After a long flight, it was so nice not to worry about navigating public transportation or finding a taxi. Our driver took us directly to Conrad Seoul, our home for the first half of our trip.
By the time we checked in, it was already late, so we kept our first night simple. After settling into our room and taking in the beautiful views from the hotel, we called it an early night so we'd be well-rested and ready to start exploring Seoul the next morning.
Day 2: Yeouido Park, The Hyundai Seoul & Myeongdong
Like most international trips, we were up early thanks to jet lag. Since most of the shops and attractions weren't open yet, we decided to take advantage of the quiet morning and walk over to the Han River. It was a peaceful way to start our first full day in Seoul and gave us a chance to stretch our legs after a long day of traveling.
Since we were staying at Conrad Seoul, visiting The Hyundai Seoul was a no-brainer. The hotel is directly connected to the mall, making it incredibly convenient. We spent the morning browsing the shops, grabbing a bite to eat, and simply taking it all in. The mall is huge—we easily could have spent the entire day there.
Later that afternoon, we took the train to Myeongdong, one of Seoul's most popular shopping districts. We spent the rest of the day wandering through the busy streets, shopping, trying different foods, and soaking in the lively atmosphere. It was the perfect way to experience Seoul for the first time, and it's easy to see why Myeongdong is a must-visit for so many travelers.
Day 3: Namsan Tower & Gyeongbokgung Palace
We started our morning hiking to Namsan Seoul Tower via the Namsan Sky Forest Trail, which is stroller-friendly and perfect for families with young kids. We were joined by my in-laws and my sister-in-law's family, making it a fun day exploring Seoul together. Even though it was a warm summer day, the trail was shaded and breezy, making the hike much more enjoyable.
Once we reached the top, we admired the incredible views of Seoul, visited the famous love locks, and stopped by the N Seoul Tower Observatory. Our daughter had the best time exploring with her cousins.
In the afternoon, we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, where we admired the beautiful architecture and learned more about Korea's history. One thing you shouldn’t miss is the Changing of the Royal Guards, a traditional ceremony which takes place twice a day. If you’re planning to visit, I highly recommend checking the ceremony schedule in advance so you don’t miss it.
If you're visiting in the summer with kids, be sure to bring plenty of water and take breaks in the shade.
Day 4: A Day Trip to Suwon
One of our favorite days was taking a day trip to Suwon. Since we were traveling with my in-laws, we decided to skip the train and book a Kakao Taxi with the help of our hotel's concierge. It made the trip much more comfortable, especially since there was quite a bit of walking planned for the day.
Hwaseong Haenggung Palace was the best place to start, so that's where our driver dropped us off. We took our time exploring the palace, which is also known as one of the filming locations for the Korean drama Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum). As someone who watched the series years ago, it was fun to finally see it in person.
From there, we walked to the Hwaseong Fortress Tourist Trolley, which takes you around parts of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. It's a bit of a walk from the palace, but we enjoyed taking our time and seeing more of Suwon along the way.
After exploring Suwon, we headed to Starfield Suwon for some shopping, dinner, and a chance to relax before making our way back to Seoul. It was a nice break from the busy city, and if you have an extra day in your itinerary, I'd definitely recommend visiting Suwon.
Day 5: New Hotel, Seongsu & Namdaemun
We checked out of Conrad Seoul in the morning and left our luggage with the hotel so we could spend a few more hours exploring before moving to our next hotel. Our first stop was Seongsu-dong, one of Seoul's trendiest neighborhoods filled with cafés, boutiques, and unique shops. Even though it was a warm summer day, I couldn't believe how many people were out shopping and enjoying the neighborhood. We also stopped by the famous Haus of Nowhere Seoul, which had been on my list of places to visit.
After a few hours in Seongsu-dong, we returned to Conrad Seoul, picked up our luggage, and checked into Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Myeongdong, where we stayed for the remainder of our trip.
That evening, we explored Namdaemun Market, visited the Seoul Outdoor Library, and ended the night with another stroll through Myeongdong. Even though we'd already visited Myeongdong earlier in the trip, it was just as lively and fun the second time around.
Day 6: Exploring More of Seoul
Our last full day in Seoul was all about exploring some of the city's most popular neighborhoods.
We started the morning in Ikseon-dong, which quickly became one of my favorite places in Seoul. Hidden among the modern city, this charming neighborhood is filled with beautifully preserved hanok buildings, cozy cafés, and unique little shops. I absolutely loved its atmosphere! If you plan to visit, I highly recommend going early before the crowds arrive so you can enjoy wandering the quiet streets.
Next, we headed to Hongdae for lunch and, of course, more shopping. My daughter especially loved watching the street performances. Even in the summer heat, people gathered to cheer on the performers, and it was such a fun atmosphere to experience.
After taking a short break back at our hotel, we headed out again in the evening to visit Cheonggyecheon Stream, where we found another cool outdoor library right in the heart of the city. From there, we stopped by the King Sejong Statue, and explored HiKR Ground.
Each neighborhood had its own unique personality, and this ended up being one of our favorite days in Seoul.
Day 7: Bukchon Hanok Village & Goodbye Seoul
Before heading to the airport, we spent our final morning exploring Bukchon Hanok Village. It was another hot summer day, so we didn't stay too long, but we were glad we got to experience this historic neighborhood before leaving. Walking through the traditional hanok village and browsing a few of the local shops was the perfect way to spend our last few hours in Seoul.
Before making our way to the airport, my daughter and I stopped by 22 Namdaemun Bakery for one last treat. We took a moment to enjoy the view and soak in our final memories of the city before it was time to head home.
Although we were sad to leave, it felt like the perfect way to end our first trip to Seoul. Six days gave us a wonderful introduction to the city, and we were already talking about everything we'd love to see on our next visit.
Tips for Visiting Seoul with Kids
Rent a stroller if you're traveling with young children—even if your child doesn’t usually use one, all the walking can be tiring. We were so glad we did.
Download Naver Maps before your trip and get used to it.
If you’re an iPhone user, add a T-money transit card to your apple wallet - so easy and convenient.
Book airport transfers in advance.
Summer is hot and humid, so bring umbrella or portable fan, wear lightweight clothing, and stay hydrated.
Don't overplan your days. Seoul has so many neighborhoods worth exploring at a slower pace.
Final Thoughts
One week gave us a wonderful introduction to Seoul, but it definitely wasn't enough time to see everything. We loved experiencing the city's mix of modern neighborhoods, historic palaces, vibrant shopping districts, and family-friendly attractions. Traveling with our daughter encouraged us to slow down and enjoy each place, and visiting during the summer reminded us to pace ourselves—it can get hot and exhausting after a full day of exploring.
If you're planning your first trip to Seoul, I hope our itinerary gives you a few ideas and helps you make the most of your visit. We already know we'll be back, and next time, we can't wait to explore even more of South Korea.
Related Posts:
