Seoul 1-day itinerary

Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace (₩3,000, free in hanbok) for the 10am Royal Guard Changing Ceremony — a colorful, drum-heavy spectacle. The palace grounds are vast and photogenic. Exit through the north gate and walk into Bukchon Hanok Village, a hillside neighborhood of 600-year-old traditional Korean houses still inhabited today. The narrow lanes between Gye-dong and Samcheong-dong offer stunning Seoul panoramas.

Walk to Insadong for traditional crafts, tea houses, and galleries. Duck into Ssamziegil — a spiraling open-air mall of artisan shops. Then explore Ikseon-dong, Seoul's trendiest hanok alley district, where century-old houses have been converted into hip cafes and restaurants. Lunch at a local Korean BBQ spot — samgyeopsal (pork belly) sets from ₩12,000 with unlimited banchan side dishes.

Metro to Myeongdong for Seoul's best street food — tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes, ₩3,000), hotteok (sweet pancakes, ₩1,500), and Korean fried chicken skewers. The cosmetic shops lining the streets offer free samples aggressively. Then hike or cable car (₩12,000 round trip) up Namsan Mountain to N Seoul Tower for the city lit up at 360 degrees. The love lock fence is a Seoul icon.