My dream destination in Asia has always been Seoul, South Korea. I guess this interest has grown in me, not because of K-dramas or K-pop – but because of my obsession with K-beauty and, later, for my interest and curiosity around food, and, of course, Korean food was included here. My husband and I had booked a trip to Korea in 2017, I think, but we needed to cancel that trip, and it took us 7 years to finally reschedule it. Since we live in NYC and there are a couple of options for direct flights from NYC to Tokyo – we decided to visit both cities on the same trip – so we took a flight to Tokyo and then bought a separate ticket to Seoul.
In this post, I’ll share our 4-day journey Seoul, with practical tips for navigating it. You will notice we didn’t have a rigid itinerary, but I will tell you more about everything we did each day, and I will give you some advice for anyone planning their own trip to this incredible city in South Korea.
For the record, we arrived in Tokyo on a Saturday, and we stayed there until Thursday – when we took our flight to Seoul. We arrived in the South Korean capital at the end of that Thursday, and we took a flight back to Tokyo on the following Tuesday afternoon so we could be there for our flight back home the next day, Wednesday. In an ideal world, our itinerary would be NYC – Tokyo | Tokyo – Seoul | Seoul – NYC. But we did what fit our budget better at that time, and the best option was flying to and from Tokyo and buying a separate ticket to Seoul – and, with this, we kinda lost one day of the trip when we took the flight back to Tokyo.
Getting to Seoul from NYC
Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and Air Premia are the airlines that offer non-stop flights from New York City to Seoul, so you can explore those options. As I mentioned in my post about our trip to Tokyo, there are a couple of options for direct flights from NYC to Tokyo – United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines are some of the airlines that offer the route. I don’t know if it’s because United and American Airlines are companies from the United States, but the prices for Tokyo were better, so we decided to book a flight with United, departing from Newark Airport. It departs at 11 am and arrives in Tokyo around 2:25 pm (the next day). I highly recommend this flight not only because it is a non-stop flight but also because of the time it lands in Tokyo, making it easier to adjust to the time zone – I will talk more about this.
We were able to issue a ticket with our American Express card points and we ended up paying for only one ticket – and it costed us around $1500 – which was not bad at all. We booked Economy seats and included two meals and one snack.
- Book your flight to Tokyo!
- And since you’re here, I highly suggest checking this post: 10 best tips for surviving a long-haul flight – tested and approved!
From Tokyo to Seoul, we took a flight with Korean Airlines, and I couldn’t recommend this airline better. The flight duration was around 2h30 and we found the Economy seats pretty comfortable, with great leg room space. There was entertainment options and they even served a MEAL! I’ve never seen that before.
How to deal with jet leg when traveling to Seoul
When we arrived in Seoul, we were already pretty adjusted to the time-zone. But I think it’s worth sharing this tip, that we used for Tokyo. If you want to fight jet leg, I highly recommend downloading this app called Timeshifter. It was a game-changer. We followed 85% of the plan, and we barely felt jet lag effects.
So, how does this app work?
Timeshifter combines the only elements shown to reset the circadian clock (light-dark exposure and melatonin supplements), and alleviate the symptoms (light, melatonin, caffeine, naps), and not surprisingly, the sum of their effects is greater than the individual parts. There are many scientific studies attesting to the benefits of the app’s approach, and their algorithm has been used for many years by NASA, F1 drivers, and elite athletes, and more recently by astronauts and mission controllers at Axiom Space.
All you have to do is include your flight info. Two days before the trip, the plan starts. The app sends you notifications for when you should get some light when to avoid light, when to have and avoid caffeine, and when to take melatonin (that’s not a request, but it really helps!). The plan includes your time on the flight, which goes about two or three days after your arrival. We had no issues waking up in the morning; we didn’t feel crashes in the middle of the day. Yes, the first two nights, we woke up two or three times, but we were able to get back to sleep quicker. On my second day in Tokyo, I remember getting a comment from a follower who was in Japan for 4 days, and she mentioned the jet lag was killing her. That’s when I realized: ok, I think this app works cause we are feeling great.
And that’s why I think our flight departure and arrival was perfect to fight jet leg – since we arrived in Tokyo around 2:30pm, it was 5:30pm ish when we got to our hotel. So we took a shower, went for a walk, had dinner, watched a little bit of TV and we went sleep around 9pm. It’s easier to keep yourself awake for a couple of hours than keep yourself awake for the entire day (that would be the case if we had arrived in the morning).
Requirements to enter Seoul
As of recent regulations, besides a valid passport (it should be valid for the duration of your stay in South Korea), here’s what you’ll need to enter South Korea:
- Visa: the first thing you need to do is check if you need to apply for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), which is a digital travel authorization required for visa-free visitors to South Korea. Be aware that certain countries may have temporary exemptions from the K-ETA requirement. Make sure to check the official website. As we hold Brazilian passports, we had to apply for a K-ETA. The application fee is 10,000 South Korean Won (KRW) per person – around $7. It was pretty easy to do it – and processing usually takes about 24 to 72 hours.
- Customs Declarations: All travelers must complete a customs declaration form upon arrival.We received the forms during the flight.
How to get to and from Icheon airport to Seoul
- Incheon International Airport (ICN) – which is approximately 30 miles (48 km) west of central Seoul, it’s South Korea’s largest and busiest airport, handling most international flights. Transportation options to Seoul include Airport Express (AREX) train, buses, taxis, and rental cars.
- Gimpo International Airport (GMP) – this airport is closer to downtown Seoul, about 10 miles (16 km) west of the city center and mainly serves domestic flights and some short-haul international routes (China and Japan). Transportation options to Seoul include Subway Line 5, buses, and taxis.
Although our flight was from Tokyo, we landed at Incheon International Airport, and after considering our possibilities, we decided to take the Airport Limousine Bus, which has multiple stops in Seoul – including Myeongdong, the area where we stayed. The process to buy the tickets and to board the bus was so easy! When we got to the arrivals area, we looked for the bus signs; we found the machines to buy the tickets – don’t worry, the English language is available, and someone also helped us. Then, your ticket has the name of your bus gate, and you wait here. Ticket was approximately ₩10,000 to ₩11,000 per person. Check more info here. The journey was smooth – a little long (1h30), but the bus was so comfortable, I can’t even complain.
Also, the video below has great tips!
Where to stay in Seoul
As I did when looking for a hotel in Tokyo, I used Reddit to find some answers regarding the best area to stay in Seoul. I noticed that most people recommended Hongdae and Myeongdong. Since I had heard about Myeongdong, I looked for a hotel in that area, and after some research, considering location, budget, and amenities, we ended up booking LOTTE City Myeongdong and here are my considerations about this hotel:
- The room had a decent size – and included a queen bed.
- The location is really good – close to a lot of coffee shops, Cheonggyecheon (the stream and public space), a quick walk to the busy area of Myeongdong, and there’s even a 7-Eleven store and a coffee shop on the street-level floor.
- Love their gym – it features cardio equipments and some strength equipment plus a decent variety of dumbbells, free water and towels.
- There is also a laundry room with coin machines -and you can borrow umbrellas for free.
- They offer express check-out, which is very convenient.
Now, let’s list what’s not that good about the hotel:
- The pillows are horrible, so flat… we asked for other pillows, but all they had were cervical pillows.
- There was no coffee maker in the rooms – only an electric kettle and a mini fridge.
- The hair dryer was absolutely HORRIBLE. I’m sorry if I’m gonna sound like a b*tch, but I think it’s 2024, and it’s not that hard to offer a decent hair dryer. My old $30 hair dryer is 500x better than the ones they offered, and I’m not exaggerating. It was like warm air. I asked for another one, but it was equally horrible.
- They offer breakfast – paid separately – but I don’t recommend it. It’s a huge and crowded buffet. Even if you are in a hurry, I guess it’s better to go to the coffee shop on the street level floor.
- Book LOTTE City Myeongdong
How to move around in Seoul
- First and foremost, be ready to walk a lot! As we did in Tokyo, for a lot of times, instead of taking the subway, we chose to walk – even if it was a 50-minute walk. This is a great way to enjoy and see the city. We averaged 17-20K steps a day.
- Secondly, you can’t rely on Google Maps in Seoul (or in South Korea). It’s limited – it doesn’t give you routes by foot. That’s due to security concerns and national security regulations that prohibit foreign companies from storing detailed mapping data on servers outside of the country.
- Sooooo… make sure to download Kakao Maps and Naver Map – you can still use Google Maps, but don’t rely on it entirely!
- Seoul has a great subway system and in order to use it, you will need a T-card, that you can buy and load at 7-Eleven stores.
- One thing we LOVED about Seoul is the fact the exits are numbered and the app tells you which exit to take. It’s so easy to locate yourself!
- We also took some Uber here and there and had no issues as well – but I would suggest you to download k.ride. This is a taxi-hailing app developed by Kakao Mobility, and it’s tailored specifically for foreign travelers in South Korea. It aims to simplify transportation for non-Korean speakers visiting the country.
Internet in Seoul
My plan in the U.S. includes international roaming – and I realized I never talked about it on the blog, which is a shame, cause it’s such a convenient service. Both my husband and I use Google Fi, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) from Google, designed to provide flexible, affordable wireless service, especially attractive to international travelers.
Google Fi automatically switches between multiple networks (T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Wi-Fi hotspots) to ensure the best possible connection. They also offer flexible data plans with straightforward pricing, starting with an “Unlimited” plan and a “Flexible” plan where users only pay for the data they use. And another feature – probably my favorite one – is the international coverage: Google Fi includes international data in over 200 destinations at no extra cost (with the Unlimited Plus or Flexible plans). I don’t remember when the last time I traveled internationally was when I had to worry about buying a SIM card. All I have to do is turn on the roaming when I arrive at the destination, and voilà.
And in case you are wondering, I have an IPhone. Here’s a referral code to get a $60 credit when you join Google Fi Wireless!
But in case you’re not feeling like switching your plan and you need a SIM card for your cell phone, I recommend Airalo. Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store and offers eSIMs for over 190+ countries and regions at the most affordable rates from around the world. eSIMs offer you both connectivity and freedom. You’ll no longer have to change SIM cards or carry multiple SIM cards, wherever you may go. All you have to do is buying a data package on your eSIM – the majority of new smartphones count on this technology.
Everything is done online through Airalo app, and it’s a much faster and more practical way to secure internet plans when traveling! I find this option super convenient – not to mention that plans are available for several countries. There are 3GB plans for Italy for $7!
Weather in Seoul
So, we arrived in Seoul on October 17th, and we left on October 23rd. Opposite to what we faced in Tokyo, in Seoul we had actual Fall weather, with temperatures that require light jackets like trench coats or suede/leather jackets.
Below, you can check the outfits I wore in Tokyo and Seoul – the 4, 5, 6, and 7 outfits are the ones I used in Seoul.
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Our 4-day itinerary in Seoul
Ok, so we had four full days in Seoul. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon, and we left on a Tuesday afternoon. Besides taking the transportation from the airport and checking in at the hotel, all we did on Tuesday night was grab some dinner at a spot near the hotel called Chacha Wine – but honestly, we didn’t like the food here.
Day 1
We woke up early and decided to take advantage of the gym. After our dose of endorphin, we got ready and had coffee at Angel-in-us, the coffee shop located in our hotel. They have a great selection of coffees, plus pastries, sandwiches, and pre-cut fruits. After our frustrating experiences with coffee shops in Tokyo, we were so happy, even knowing that it was probably not the best coffee shop in Seoul, lol.
A happy girl with her coffee.
Since we are on this topic, I have to break the news: if you are a coffee lover, Seoul is heaven. The amount of coffee shops in this city is not a joke. OMG. Seriously – I live in NYC, and we have so many coffee shops here, but Seoul is on a whole other level. We tried so many spots during this trip. But perhaps we should have skipped breakfast cause the first thing we had planned for that day was a food tour with Secret Food Tours Seoul. We met our guide near Gwangjang Market, which is one of South Korea’s oldest and most famous traditional markets. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere and countless food stalls that offer traditional Korean food. We paid $99 per person, and it included eight generous tastings – and yeah, I know, we probably would spend way less by going to the market and eating by ourselves, but unless you do some research before (which is totally possible, of course), chances are you will be overwhelmed. Chloe, our guide, not only shared facts and curiosity about how these foods were prepared but also the history behind them and other interesting facts about Seoul and South Korea. We learned A LOT. We tried a lot of different things – from dumplings featured on Netflix to ice cream, from Mung Bean Pancake to very traditional tea. Our tour included stops at Changgyeonggung Palace and Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, and this was a spot I wished we had visited again with more time. It was raining cats and dogs that day, so we couldn’t explore properly after the tour ended. It’s basically a lot of narrow pedestrian streets with a lot of restaurants, cafes and bakeries. The spot where we had tea was located here, and it’s called Tteuran – I highly recommend a stop here to try their delicious teas, and the place is so beautiful!
These dumplings were the best ones I’ve ever tried
Love these Mung Bean Pancakes
Gwangjang Market
Tteuran – loved this tea spot!
Since it was raining A LOT, we decided to take a car – k.ride – to the busy area of Myeong-dong. I guess the best way to describe this area is… Times Square. It’s a shopping area packed with mostly fashion brands and cosmetics shops. It’s kinda overwhelming, to be honest. But I wanted to go there to check Olive Young’s flagship store. If you are not familiar with it, Olive Young is South Korea’s leading health and beauty retailer, offering a wide range of skincare, cosmetics, personal care products, and health supplements. They have SO MANY LOCATIONS in Seoul; I’m not kidding; it’s almost bizarre, lol. This is the place to shop for K-beauty products. And if you visit this location, make sure to go to the second floor and claim your free gift – there’s a machine for that.
Olive Young
Now, listen: yes, there are tons of other beauty stores in Myeong-dong, but my strategy was to focus my time and efforts on just only one store. I didn’t have a lot of time in Seoul to explore tons of shops. Another thing to keep in mind is that the majority of K-beauty brands and products are available online in the US. The main difference is the prices, which are more affordable in South Korea. And when it comes to K-beauty, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Olive Young has hundreds of products. How to know what to buy? Well, I would start with categories: sunscreen, masks, and treatments are definitely items you should pay attention to. As someone who loves K-beauty, I have some knowledge to navigate the store, but I’m glad I did my research before by saving tips from TikTok and Reddit (check the Asian Beauty subreddit), so when I got to the store, I knew exactly what I was looking for. I spent around $175 on products – and, out of curiosity, I checked the prices on Amazon, and it turns out I saved over $140!
Then, we went to Luft Coffee, where we had, of course, coffee and a delicious chocolate pastry – it was like a croissant. It was so good. One thing I noticed in a lot of cafes and bakeries in Seoul is that they have pastries on a table, and you get a tray and can choose what you want. After that, since it was still raining, Thiago got back to the hotel, and I decided to do something different: a 15-step scalp treatment. And yeah, you guessed, I saw this tip on TikTok:
@lisa.beautify Would you try this viral scalp treatment in Seoul?📍HairSalon_MyeongDong /ParkJunBeautyLab . . #haircare #scalpcare #kbeauty #scalptreatment
The spot on the video is ParkJunBeautyLab-MyeongDong – you can check their prices online, and you can even make an appointment, but I decided to be spontaneous when I realized the rain wouldn’t stop and just walked in. Glad they were able to accommodate me. The 15-step scalp treatment costs W180,000 – which is around $130. And since the haircut was just W30,000 – which is around $22 (I was screaming when I saw this price; I never paid less than $100 for a haircut in NYC, lol) – I decided to go for it. And you are probably wondering: was it worth it? Let’s talk about it.
Having a good time enjoying my scalp treatment
So, the scalp treatment lasted around 1h30 and included a microscopic scalp diagnosis with that video machine that zooms in lol and a lot of other steps, including essential oils, steam mist session, scrub massage, nourishing shampoo and even laying down on a massage chair with a “waterfall” on your hair – I almost took a nap at this point. When they finished, they checked your scalp again, and it was a huge before and after. But most importantly, I felt my hair cleaner the following days. I had a great experience, and I think it was worth the price, considering everything that was included. The staff is super kind. But I did have some pet peeves, like the fact the floor had hair kind of everywhere, lol, and I noticed my cape was dirty. It’s not a big deal, but we have to be honest here, right? Also, regarding the language, I didn’t have huge problems with that – I would say half of the staff speaks English really well and the other half can communicate, which can be an issue. Let me explain: remember, I wanted a haircut as well, right? So, the girl who cut my hair didn’t speak English really well, and I had a hard time discussing my hairstyle with her. I wanted to maybe try a long bob or something similar, but since she wasn’t really getting it, I decided to just cut the split ends. She did a great job – and, after all, I only paid $22 for the haircut, so it was fair. I must say she did a bad job with the blow-dry. I would rate the experience 8/10, considering what I got and the price I paid.
An underwhelming BBQ experience at Cheonggiwa Town BBQ
After leaving the salon, I went for a walk around MyeongDong, but again, pretty overwhelming. Thiago met me so we could have dinner – and because we were worried about the rain (it had stopped, but the forecast was predicting more rain, and part of my pants were already soaked), we decided to have dinner in some place around MyeongDong. Not the most clever idea, I must say. Every spot I had saved on my map was far from the area, and people on Reddit said the places were tourist traps. But we were tired and hungry and ended up at Cheonggiwa Town BBQ. Apparently, it’s a chain in South Korea, and honestly, we didn’t have a bad meal – everything was tasty, but it was not… mind-blowing. We spent around $62, including a beer, so I don’t think it was that bad.
We still walked around MyeongDong cause we wanted get a portrait drawn – there a lot of spots in the area and I think it’s a cute and original souvenir. We paid around $15 if I’m not mistaken, and the girl was super kind. Ah, and one thing that made me happy was finding a Robert Indiana’s iconic ‘LOVE’ sculpture in Seoul – New York City used to have one.
Day 2
We decided to have breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant – which was a buffet, as I mentioned previously – and it was just ok. Then, we took the subway to Starfield Coex Mall, located in Gangnam district, which is Asia’s largest underground shopping center, over 85,000 square meters. There are over 300 stores here featuring local and international brands. The highlight here is, without doubt, the Starfield Library: it’s an open public space with towering bookshelves housing over 50,000 books and magazines. It’s beautiful.
The incredible Starfield Library
We spent some time there exploring the place. After so many days of eating different kinds of foods, we wanted a healthy meal, so we had lunch at Plantude – a vegan restaurant offering a variety of plant-based dishes. Then, we had some dessert at Billy Angel Cake Company – they have beautiful layered cakes, and we got the red velvet, which was very moist and delicious.
Vegan bowl from Plantude
Delicious slice from Billy Angel Cake Company
We didn’t have concrete plans for this day, so we decided to walk around the Gangnam district – we put a store as our final destination and just enjoyed walking around the neighborhood, which was pretty quiet. But before that, we had to check Gangnam Style Sculpture, which is right outside the mall. It is a tribute to Psy’s 2012 global hit, “Gangnam Style“. In December 2012, “Gangnam Style” became the first video ever to hit 1 billion views on YouTube.
Such a fun spot!
Next, since we were not so far away from Seoul Sky, we took the subway to end our day there. This is an observation deck located atop the Lotte World Tower, South Korea’s tallest building, standing at 555 meters with 123 floors, offering panoramic 360-degree views of the city and beyond. Beyond the observatory, there are other attractions in this area known as Lotte World, including the Lotte World Mall, Lotte World Aquarium, and the largest multiplex cinema in Korea, Lotte Cinema World Tower. Lotte World also features the world’s largest indoor theme park, “Lotte World Adventure,” and an outdoor amusement park, “Magic Island“.
Now, let’s talk about the worst experience we had in this entire trip – visiting Seoul Sky. Access to the observatory is inside the mall, and the line is huge. To avoid an extra line, cause everything looked confusing, we bought our tickets online. And we were both surprised there was no time to choose. Weird… well, we waited in line for 1h40min until we got to the elevator. It was line after line after line. I noticed a lot of people were already impatient and tired. There were a lot of seniors and kids – and only two elevators. When we got to the elevator, I was so pissed off and frustrated that I barely enjoyed the views up there. It was already dark, and I found the place pretty small, to be honest – and packed, of course. It’s an enclosed area, but they have an open terrace, which is cool. However, again, I was tired, angry, and already anticipating the journey to go back down the cause. You guessed it: another huge line… I would say we probably spent 15 minutes up there. And more 20 minutes until we were able to take the elevator. It wasn’t a pleasant experience at all. I really think they should have time slots to help with the flow. It was not worth the 1h40 min wait. I read some reviews after – I know, my mistake not having read that before – and some people mentioned the queues. Some people said it’s better to go when they open and during the week.
PS: since we are on this topic, I wished we had visited Seoul Tower.
We were so tired – and we barely had batteries on our phone – so we ended up having dinner at a Gordon Ramsay burger restaurant inside the Lotte World Mall. I’m not proud of that – not because the meal was bad, but because I live in NYC and I have hundreds of spots to eat an American burger, lol. But, you know, sometimes things are not as we expected or plan during our trips, and I think it’s ok. Lesson learned.
Day 3
There were a lot of coffee shops near our hotel, so we just chose one nearby to have breakfast that day. And then we went for a long walk. First, we stopped by Myeongdong Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception. It is the main church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, built in 1898, and the first Gothic-style building in Korea.
Then, we headed to Cheonggyecheon, a 10.9-kilometer-long stream and public space in downtown Seoul – with one area close to our hotel. This is such a nice urban concept. It is so peaceful, in the middle of the city! People can walk, run, and relax here.
Cheonggyecheon – what an amazing urban development
Then, we walked to Insadong, a popular cultural and artistic neighborhood in Seoul, featuring antique shops, galleries, and teahouses. I absolutely loved this area. Thiago wanted to do a “dessert crawl,” so we decided to stop by Suyoil, and try their Green Tea Adzuki-bean ice dessert (Bingsu). We actually recorded a little video for my IG featuring all the desserts we had in Seoul and you can check below – I would say this Bingsu dessert was definitely not my favorite. But you can stop here to have some tea – it’s a cute spot!
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Green Tea Adzuki-bean ice dessert (Bingsu)
And since we were in this dessert mood, we then headed to Cafe Onion. I didn’t know this, but it is a renowned café chain in Seoul, celebrated for its unique blend of traditional and modern aesthetics, artisanal baked goods, and specialty coffee. Each location has a distinct ambiance, and we visited the one in Anguk, set in a renovated traditional Korean hanbok with wooden interiors and a courtyard. There were two lines: one for tables inside and the other for take out/tables outside, which was shorter and faster. The pastries here are gorgeous – I wanted to try them ALL, to be honest. We ended up getting a mini pizza and two pastries – Pandoro (one of their most famous pastries) and Pain au pistachio, with white chocolate. You can watch our video above – I love both pastries, but the Pain au pistachio is definitely a winner!
Cafe Onion is definitely worth the hype
Then, it was time to get a ride and head to the War Memorial of Korea. Thiago booked us a Guided Tour that he discovered through TripAdvisor, and it was a great decision to do that instead of only visiting the place by ourselves – the access, by the way, is free.
Our guided tour with Kihyun was delightful! Incredibly interesting, well-thought-out, balanced, and nuanced from beginning to end. Kihyun guided us with mastery for over two hours walking us through the context of the Japanese colonization of Korea, before and after the WWII, the ongoing conflicts and small battles between 1945 and 1950, how the political sides looked at the time and then the “surprise” attack & invasion of North Korea that was not a surprise at all and so many more well-balanced points of views that we would never had reading only what the facts that the memorial was presenting. It was super interesting!
What a view!
Then, we headed to Itaewon-dong, an internationally diverse neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife, dining, and shopping. It was a Sunday, end of the day, so I guess it was quieter than usual, but we found a perfect spot with stunning views of Seoul. After the frustrating experience we had the day before, it was nice to find something like that and at sunset time – I saved the location on my map.
Delicious BBQ Spot – 237 page
We couldn’t end our day better – we were both eager to have another BBQ experience – in some authentic place – and we ended up at this spot called 237 page. It is a small BBQ Restaurant with a Korean-only menu (but a Google Translator app always helps!), and it was – at least that night – a one-man show, which was super kind, by the way. And we were the only foreigners at the restaurant. And the food… OMG. Yeah, it’s definitely another level compared to the first BBQ experience we had in Seoul two nights before.
Day 4
Our last full day in Seoul was pretty chill. We took the subway to Seogyo-dong district and explored Hongdae area, which is centered around Hongik University, and is a hub for live music venues, clubs, and art galleries, reflecting the creative spirit of the community. One of the highlights here is Gyeongui Line Book Street – which is situated along the former Gyeongui railway line, and it has been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly area featuring cultural venues, shops, art Installations, and more. I recommend stopping by GRANHAND – it is South Korean artisanal fragrance brand renowned for its handcrafted perfumes, candles, diffusers, and home fragrances – and apparently is trending on TikTok.
The viral GRANHAND perfumes
We also stopped by AK PLAZA, which features beauty and clothing stores. We had lunch at some tiny ramen spot called Jirou Ramen, and it was delicious. Apparently, it is a place visited by locals. There were no concrete plans for this day as well, and I think Hongdae is an amazing area to just walk around – and that’s what we did. For reference, there is another great Olive Young location here as well that usually hosts pop-up events. We took the opportunity to try two different desserts in the area. One was the “famous” Tiramisu Bingsu at Sulbing – it was like a giant Tiramisu dessert with shaved ice and ice cream (see our video for more). The other one was the Milky Honeycomb Soft Serve ice cream from Paul Bassett – I absolutely loved this ice cream. So good!
Delicious ramen at Jirou Ramen
Milky Honeycomb Soft Serve ice cream from Paul Bassett
The “famous” Tiramisu Bingsu at Sulbing
We had booked a Soju tasting at Samhae Soju for 7 pm. Soju is South Korea liquor, made from fermented rice. I don’t love Soju, but it was a nice experience, since we learned more about how Soju is made – although I think there’s room for improvement. But I guess the best part of this tasting was the energy of our small group and the host’s energy. My favorite part of this evening was definitely hearing his answers about life in South Korea.
After the tasting, we took a ride to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village – remember the area I mentioned we visited during the food tour? I really wanted to go back, but let’s say that 9pm on a Monday night is not the best time to go there. A lot of the places were already closed and I missed the vibrant vibes and energy. We ended up finding a spot open – it was a Japanese spot.
Coffee Hanyakbang
Coffee Hanyakbang is located in a narrow alley in Seoul. Love places that feel like a secret.
Chocolate cake from Coffee Hanyakbang
Dulcey Caramel from Coffee Hanyakbang
The next day, we had some breakfast and didn’t leave for the airport before trying two other desserts from a spot near the hotel called Coffee Hanyakbang, where we had the Dulcey Caramel and a Chocolate Cake. So, I discovered the name “Hanyakbang” translates to “traditional medicine room,” which reflects the café’s interior, adorned with antique furniture and décor reminiscent of a bygone era. Also, another thing I loved is that the café is situated in a narrow alley and it’s a local favorite. I absolutely loved our experience!
To get to the airport, we decided to take a k.ride car – it cost around $60.
Things you need to know when traveling to Seoul
- In South Korea, you can benefit from the Tax Refund System. Make sure to have your passport with you to claim that when shopping at least KRW 30,000, including tax. Look for “Tax-Free” signs or inquire within the store. At the airport, before check-in, present your purchased goods, receipts, and passport at the Customs Declaration counter for validation. Then, proceed to the tax refund counter or use automated kiosks to receive your refund in cash or have it credited to your credit card. I must say though that I was able to do this procedure using a kiosk at some store.
- It’s not like 100% like Tokyo, but Seoul lacks trash cans on the streets.
- If in Tokyo you see 7 Eleven stores everywhere, in Seoul you have Nice to CU. These convenience stores are everywhere.
- Regarding the language, we had no issues speaking English. I think, in general, we had less issues compared to Tokyo.
- But please make sure to download Google Translator so you can read product labels and even some menus.
- We had no issues using credit cards and Apple pay.
- In terms of looking for things to do and tips, we used Reddit and ChatGPT A LOT and also this amazing e-book we bought on Amazon.
- And if I could give you some advice regarding planning your trip: consider including a visit to Jeju Island, known as “South Korean Hawaii”. If we had more time, I would have definitely ended our trip there.
And that’s a wrap! I hope this post can help someone planning a trip to Seoul. We had such a great time! Below you can check my map with all the places mentioned on this post + more recs, including TONS of restaurants’ tips. We couldn’t check most of them, but I’m happy to share this map with you!
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
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How to Spend 4 Days in Tokyo- Our travel itinerary - Laura Peruchi | NYC
November 4, 2024 at 5:31 pm[…] capital. For the record, yes, we only stayed in Tokyo – the second part of our trip was in Seoul, South Korea. We arrived there on a Saturday afternoon and we left on a Thursday morning. So we had 4 full days in […]