Seoul itinerary: palaces, food markets and K-culture by day
Seoul packs royal palaces, hilltop villages, all-night markets and K-pop districts into one city. Paste this prompt and your todo.is agent plans a Seoul itinerary that groups palaces in the north, shopping and nightlife by subway line, and adds a DMZ tour or a Han River evening, with the apps you need to get around.
The prompt
- Create a Seoul itinerary for [NUMBER OF DAYS] days, [TRAVEL DATES], for [WHO IS TRAVELLING]. Group sights by area: the palaces and Bukchon in Jongno, Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon. Note which palace is closed on which day. Add a hanbok rental near Gyeongbokgung if we want it: [HANBOK]. Our interests: [INTERESTS]. Include [DAY TRIP]. 2 food stops a day, including Gwangjang Market and Korean BBQ. Tell me which apps to use for maps and taxis in Korea and how T-money works. Subway line and exit number for each stop. PDF to my email. Don't book anything.
What to change
- [NUMBER OF DAYS]: E.g. "4".
- [TRAVEL DATES]: E.g. "10 to 13 October". The agent checks Chuseok holidays.
- [WHO IS TRAVELLING]: E.g. "2 friends who love K-pop", "couple", "family".
- [HANBOK]: "yes" or "no".
- [INTERESTS]: E.g. "K-beauty shopping, cafés, street food, history".
- [DAY TRIP]: E.g. "a DMZ tour", "Suwon Hwaseong Fortress", "Nami Island", or "none".
Example result
- Seoul in 4 days, 2 friends
- K-pop, cafés, food and history · October
- Before you go
- • Download Naver Map or KakaoMap; Google Maps has limited walking and driving directions in Korea.
- • Get a T-money card at a convenience store for the subway and buses.
- • Kakao T is the common taxi app.
- Where to stay
- • Myeongdong: central, shopping and street food, airport buses.
- • Hongdae: young, lively, nightlife and busking, direct train from Incheon airport.
- Day 1: Palaces and Bukchon
- • Morning: rent a hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Palace; entry is free when you wear one. Watch the gate guard ceremony.
- • Walk to Bukchon Hanok Village. It's a residential area with quiet hours; keep voices low.
- • Afternoon: Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden (separate timed tour, limited spots).
- • Evening: Insadong tea houses and Ikseon-dong's hanok cafés.
- Day 2: Markets and Myeongdong
- • Morning: Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap.
- • Afternoon: Dongdaemun Design Plaza, then shopping in Myeongdong (K-beauty stores).
- • Evening: N Seoul Tower by cable car at sunset; Myeongdong street food stalls after.
- Day 3: DMZ tour
- • Day: a licensed DMZ tour from Seoul. Bring your passport. Some sites close on certain days or at short notice for security reasons.
- • Evening: Korean BBQ (samgyeopsal) and soju in Mapo.
- Day 4: Hongdae, Gangnam and the Han River
- • Morning: Hongdae: indie shops, cafés and street performers.
- • Afternoon: Gangnam: COEX Starfield Library, the K-pop agency areas around Cheongdam.
- • Evening: Banpo Hangang Park for the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (seasonal; check the schedule). Order fried chicken to the park, a local habit.
- Good to know
- • Seoul's palaces each close one day a week, on different days. Your agent checks this for your dates.
- • Tipping isn't expected.
- • Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November) have the best weather.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt, add days, dates, group, hanbok choice, interests and a day trip.
- Paste it on the Today screen in todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- You get a Seoul PDF with palaces and markets by area, subway lines and exit numbers.
- Ask for changes ("add a K-pop dance class", "swap DMZ for Nami Island") and book tours yourself.
Tips for a better result
- Install Naver Map or KakaoMap before you land. Google Maps won't give full directions in Korea.
- Wear a hanbok to Gyeongbokgung for free entry and great photos. Rent it near the palace.
- Book the Changdeokgung Secret Garden tour early; spots are limited.
- Ask your agent for the subway exit number for each stop. Seoul stations are huge.
Seoul itinerary: FAQ
- How many days do you need in Seoul? Three to four days covers the palaces, markets and main districts. Add a day for the DMZ, Suwon or Nami Island.
- Is a DMZ tour worth it? For many visitors it's a highlight. You must go with a licensed tour and bring your passport; check current access before you book.
- Does Google Maps work in Seoul? Only partly. Naver Map and KakaoMap give full walking, subway and bus directions.
- Can my agent find K-pop concerts or events on my dates? It can search public event listings and ticket sites and give you links. You buy the tickets yourself.
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