Seoul is the capital of South Korea, with over 3.5 million people, and this is evident as you move around the city. I spent four days touring different neighborhoods and trying different foods.
Before traveling to Seoul, make your life easier with a few essential apps:
- Catch Table – Restaurant Reservations
- Naver Map – like Google Maps
- Papago – Language Translator
- Ride – similar to Uber
Arrival Tips:Seoul
- Complete your Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before you arrive.
- Pick up a T-Card (for subway and bus rides) at the airport — it’ll save you time later.
I arrived early in the afternoon, checked into the Marriott Seoul Times Square, and spent the first day exploring the area around my hotel and figuring out Seoul’s subway system. The hotel was conveniently located near a shopping mall and just a 10-minute walk from the subway. I thought I could use my T-Card loaded in my Apple Wallet to ride the trains, but that wasn’t the case. As I stated earlier, buy a T-Card at the airport to save time. Also, you can only use cash to reload your T-Card, so keep enough cash for the duration of your stay if you plan to use the subway a lot.
Day 2, I kicked off my day at the Starfield Library inside the COEX Central Plaza. Outside the mall stands the Gangnam Style Statue, a tribute to South Korea’s global pop icon PSY.
My next stop was the Drunken Bean Coffee & Whisky — a creative café styled like the NYC subway, complete with turnstiles and a replica train. I enjoyed a glass of whisky, but I visited mostly for the photo-op.
After leaving the Drunken Bean, I made my way to the Eulji-ro area and walked along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, one of the most peaceful spots in the city. Nearby, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza stood out with its futuristic design and large outdoor sculptures.
Dinner was at Kyo Chon Pil Bang, known for its famous fried chicken, but I accidentally booked a 5-course meal and missed out on the chicken completely. Tip: just walk in; don’t reserve.
I wrapped up the night in the Hongdae neighborhood, a vibrant neighborhood filled with performers, street food, and a lively nightlife scene.
Day 3, I strolled the Hoehyeon-dong neighborhood and market. After leaving the neighborhood, i took a short car ride to the N. Seoul Tower. Like with most towers, the views of Seoul were breathtaking, even on a cloudy day.
After leaving the N. Seoul Tour, I grabbed a ride over to the Cheongdam-dong area to have a cigar at the Resolver Cigar Lounge. Very nice place with a great cigar collection; most cigars were in the higher price range, normally outside my budget, but I said F-it, I’m on vacation.
My last stop was the Banpo Bridge light show, known as the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, which runs daily from April to October. Show times are at 12:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:00 PM. During July and August, there is an additional show at 9:30 PM.
Day 4 was my last day in Seoul. I headed to the Jongno district, specifically for the Gwangjang Market — a blend of culture, crafts, and incredible food. This area has everything: fabrics, house goods, and small specialty shops. I found a Kodak store with rare finds, including Kodak-branded sneakers I still regret not buying.
The Gwangjang Market is also a hotspot for skincare and cosmetic shopping. I stopped at Off Beauty, where the prices are a fraction of products in the U.S., so I stocked up on gifts for friends and family.
That night, I explored the bars and restaurants near my hotel one last time before heading to my next destination: Taipei, Taiwan.
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