This one-day itinerary focuses on spots in and around the Gyeongbokgung area. We’ll be focusing on traditional Korean food, old-school Korean snacks, and shopping in the Insadong area. While we’re starting the day at 11:30 AM, you can start earlier and rent a hanbok if you’d like to add some more tradition to your experience.
Lunch at Tongin Market (11:30 AM to 12:30 PM)
Tongin Market is a great place to get some amazing traditional Korean foods and snacks at a great price. Their Yeopjeon lunch special is available from 11 AM to 3 PM every day except Mondays for 10,000 KRW. Lunch should take about 30 minutes to pick your dishes and another 30 minutes to eat/take photos.
From Tongin Market, it’s about a 20 minute walk to the palace, but there are also a few buses that’ll take you closer if you want to save your feet.
Address: Tongin Market (Google Maps, Naver Map)
Gyeongbokgung Palace (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM)
In a city full of history, Gyeongbokgung is still one of the most historically significant and beautiful landmarks. It was built in 1395 in the early years of the Joseon dyntasy and housed the royal family… until one of the princes murdered some of his brothers there. It’s got an interesting history to say the least.
What it also has is some of the most beautiful historical architecture in the country. It’s hard to walk through the palace and not be in awe of the attention paid to historical accuracy in its renovations and upkeep. While it’s more than possible to spend hours wandering the small walkways, we recommend limiting your time here to 2 hours. Just so you can make sure to see more of the city proper.
Address: Gyeongbokgung Palace (Google Maps, Naver Map)
Gwanghwamun Gate Guard Dispatch at 1 PM
Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of our favorite places in Seoul. The Gwanghwamun gate guard dispatch ceremony is at 1 PM so you should arrive just in time to see it at the front gate.
Explore the Palace, Changing of the Guard at 2 PM
From there, you can get tickets and head straight into the palace. Spend about 40 minutes exploring the palace grounds and then come back out by 2 PM to see the changing of the guard ceremony in the entrance courtyard.
National Royal Museum of Korea at 2:20 PM
Then, head over the National Royal Museum of Korea to the left of the palace. This museum has a large catalogue of artifacts from the various royal monarchs that ruled Korea from the Joseon dynasty to the Empire of Korea.
Exploring Insadong (3:30 PM to 6:00 PM)
Insadong is about 20 minutes by foot or 5 minutes by bus from the front gate of Gyeongbokgung. There are lots of shops, restaurants and cafes here worth exploring, but we’re focusing on shopping while we’re here.
Address: Insadong entrance (Google Maps, Naver Map)
AnyoungInsadong at 3:45 PM
Check out the AnyoungInsadong shopping mall for a few shops and experiences you won’t find in other places in Seoul. Geumokdang is a sweets shop that specializes in ‘yanggaeng’ which are sweet jellies packaged in bars. Next door is Hangwa Miuisik which specializes in other traditional snacks like yakgwa and candied walnuts (which are excellent and made fresh daily). They also have a Line Friends shop as well as a Monami ballpoint pen shop where you can design your own pen.
Address: AnyoungInsadong (Google Maps, Naver Map)
Ssamzzigil at 5:00 PM
Ssamzzigil has been a popular date location for decades. There are indie art shops with artists and craftspeople selling handmade goods over four floors. Lately, they’ve added a lot of DIY spots where you can design your own straps or take short classes to make your own jewelry and other unique souvenirs. And if you’re in need of a snack break, you can always visit the Poop Cafe on the rooftop floor. Their chocolate-filled hotteok is not to be missed!
Address: Ssamzigil (Google Maps, Naver Map)
O’Sulloc Tea House (6:20 PM to 8:00 PM)
For O’Sulloc Tea House, we’ll be dipping our feet into Bukchon Hanok Village. By this time, most of the other shops will be closed for the night, but O’Sulloc House is a wonderful cafe to visit. The first floor sells boxes of teas and and gift boxes to take home, while the second floor is a tea house with drinks and snacks to enjoy on site.
The tea house on the second floor can get really busy, so make sure to grab your seats first. You can put in your order and browse the first floor while you wait.
Address: O’Sulloc House (Google Maps, Naver Map)
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