Ultimate 3-Day Seoul Itinerary: Seoul Neighborhoods Guide to Gangnam, Hongdae & Itaewon, Street-Food Tours, and the Best Hotels near COEX under $200

Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Key Takeaways – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

• 72 well-planned hours let you jump from royal palaces to K-pop nightlife without feeling rushed.
• A base near COEX means airport buses, shopping, and best hotels near COEX under $200 are all at your door.
• Follow our four-stop Seoul street food markets tour for cheap, tasty bites any child can order in Korean.
• Use a T-money card for quick subway rides between Gangnam, Hongdae, and Itaewon.
• Compare Hotel Book Wise deals to mix modern rooms, hanok stays in Seoul, and hip boutique hotels without blowing your budget.

Introduction – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

A 3-day Seoul itinerary lets you sip ginseng tea in a 600-year-old courtyard at breakfast and cheer to K-pop beats under neon lights by night. Seoul is a city where palace gates and hanok roofs sit beside glass towers and billboard screens. Travelers who loved our 3-day Tokyo itinerary know how tight planning turns 72 hours into a full adventure. This guide blends a Seoul neighborhoods guide – Gangnam, Hongdae & Itaewon – with a mini Seoul street food markets tour so you taste, explore, and rest without backtracking.

As SEO Profy notes in its research on travel-SEO foundations, readers love clear routes and exact costs. You will find both here plus hotel picks under $200, budget tables, and real subway times. Keep this article open on your phone, tweak stops to match your pace, and see why one visitor said, “A 3-day Seoul itinerary offers an ideal framework to experience the city’s heritage, dynamic neighborhoods and cuisine.”

Quick-Glance Itinerary Table – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

Day	Morning – Afternoon – Evening highlights	Neighborhood
Day 1	Gyeongbokgung guard show, Bukchon hanok walk – Insadong tea, Cheonggyecheon – Myeongdong street-food crawl	Jongno / Myeongdong
Day 2	COEX Mall + Bongeunsa – Hongdae Free Market – Itaewon food crawl & nightlife	Gangnam / Hongdae / Itaewon
Day 3	Gwangjang Market bites – DDP architecture – Jjimjilbang or Namsan – Hanok dinner & Han River	Dongdaemun / Central Seoul

Day 1 – History & Tradition (3-Day Seoul Itinerary)

Morning – Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Hanok

Gyeongbokgung Palace opens at 09:00, but arrive by 08:00 for quiet courtyards and soft light. The changing of the guard ceremony starts about 10:00 and again at 14:00, lasting 20 minutes. Renting a hanbok outfit nearby grants free entry and amazing photos.

Bukchon Hanok Village sits 10-minutes on foot north-east. Over 900 wooden homes line steep lanes that feel unchanged since Joseon days. Speak softly and respect private doors; families still live here.

Afternoon – Insadong, Cheonggyecheon & Tea Time

Slip into an Insadong teahouse for ginseng or chrysanthemum brews. A full hanjeongsik set meal shows off tiny plates of kimchi, tofu, and soup for roughly ₩15,000. After eating, stroll the restored Cheonggyecheon Stream, an 11-km water ribbon that cools the city core.

Evening – Myeongdong Street-Food Tour

The neon canyons of Myeongdong switch on at dusk. Vendors shout, sizzling pans steam, and you taste:

• Tteokbokki – spicy rice cakes, ₩4,000 a cup.
• Hotteok – brown-sugar pancake, ₩2,000.
• Odeng – fish-cake skewers in hot broth, ₩1,000.

Finish with mango bingsu (shaved ice) before subway Line 4 whisks you back to your hotel.

Day 2 – Trendy Neighborhoods & Shopping (3-Day Seoul Itinerary)

Morning – COEX Mall & Bongeunsa Temple

Gangnam wakes up with cold brew and polished shoes. Dive under the streets into COEX Mall, Asia’s biggest underground mall. Snap a photo at the soaring Starfield Library, then wander to COEX Aquarium if rain falls.

Cross the road to Bongeunsa Temple (built 794 CE) for wooden drums and sandalwood scents. The clash of skyscrapers and chanting monks shows Seoul’s contrasts in one view.

Lunch is easy: COEX food court bowls of bibimbap average ₩8,000 – cheaper than a burger and twice as healthy.

Afternoon – Hongdae Free Market & Indie Boutiques

Ride Line 2 north-west for 35 minutes to Hongdae. If it is a Saturday between March and November, the Hongdae Free Market opens 13:00–18:00. Students sell hand-painted totes, singers busk, and break-dancers spin.

Peek into thrift shops for vintage denim, chase a cream-cheese stuffed croissant, and snap murals that change weekly. Every corner feels like a live art set.

Evening – Itaewon Food Crawl & Nightlife

By sunset taxi 10 minutes (or subway Line 6) to Itaewon, Seoul’s global district. Start dinner with Korean-Mex tacos, move uphill to halal barbecue on Usadan-ro, then climb a rooftop bar for skyline views and craft beer. Last subway leaves around midnight, but Kakao T taxis run 24/7.

Day 3 – Markets, Food & Relaxation (3-Day Seoul Itinerary)

Morning – Gwangjang Market & Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Oldest since 1905, Gwangjang Market is a must on any Seoul street food markets tour. Hunt for:

• Bindaetteok – crispy mung-bean pancake, ₩4,000.
• Mayak gimbap – “addictive” mini seaweed rolls, ₩3,500.

Walk south 15 minutes to the spaceship curves of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a Zaha Hadid icon. If you stay until dusk, 25,550 LED roses glow outside.

Afternoon – Jjimjilbang Spa or Namsan Seoul Tower

Option A: soak at Siloam Sauna for ₩15,000. Sweat in jade rooms, nap on warm floors, and snack on hard-boiled eggs with salt.

Option B: cable car up Namsan Seoul Tower for 360° photos. Couples hang colorful locks on the terrace railings.

Evening – Hanok Dinner & Han River Farewell

Book a table at Rakkojae, a traditional hanok restaurant, where wooden beams frame candlelight and seasonal dishes. After dessert, taxi to Banpo Bridge for the rainbow fountain (Apr–Oct 20:00). The Han River breeze says goodbye the gentle way.

Where to Stay on a 3-Day Trip – Best Hotels near COEX under $200

Sub-Section A – Best Hotels near COEX under $200

• Provista Hotel — from ~$120/night, 10-minute walk to Gangnam Station. Book Provista Hotel
• Hotel The Designers LYJ Gangnam Premier — from ~$100/night, stylish rooms near Sinnonhyeon Station.
• Niagara Hotel — river views, taxi 20 minutes to COEX, usually under $200. Book Niagara Hotel

Check COEX Mall facts and Hotel Book Wise for seasonal discounts up to 20% off.

Sub-Section B – Authentic Hanok Stays in Seoul

• Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse — ~ $80/night, cozy rooms steps from Bukchon lanes.
• Rakkojae Seoul — ~ $180/night, upscale service and optional tea ceremonies.

A hanok stay means timber beams, heated floors, and quiet courtyards — a living history lesson.

Sub-Section C – Top Boutique Hotels in Seoul

• L7 Myeongdong — rooftop foot spa and night-market doorstep.
• Hotel28 Myeongdong — film-theme design; member of SLH.
• RYSE Autograph Collection — art hotel in Hongdae with giant pink bear in lobby.

Compare with our Paris 3-day itinerary boutique list to see differences in style.

Neighborhood Deep-Dive – Seoul Neighborhoods Guide Gangnam Hongdae Itaewon

• Gangnam – sleek malls, Line 2 subway, perfect for shoppers.
• Hongdae – artsy, live music, thrift heaven.
• Itaewon – international eats, rooftop bars, late-night taxis.

Example: Gangnam → Hongdae on Line 2 ≈ 35 minutes; Gangnam → Itaewon by taxi ≈ 25 minutes.

DIY Seoul Street-Food Markets Tour Map

1. Myeongdong (Line 4) – first-night snacks.
2. Gwangjang Market (Line 1) – morning crawl.
3. Namdaemun Night Market (Line 4) – shopping + bites.
4. Dongdaemun (Lines 2,4,5) – 24-hour noodles.

Open Google Maps and type “Myeongdong → Gwangjang Market → Namdaemun Market → Dongdaemun” for the exact walking and subway route.

Practical Transit Tips – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

• T-money card costs ₩4,000; reload at subway kiosks.
• 3-day subway pass ≈ ₩15,000; good for heavy riders.
• Use Kakao T taxi app; English interface.
• Lockers at 20 main stations cost ₩2,000–₩6,000 per 12 hours.

Budget vs Luxury Cost Breakdown – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Food	₩30,000	₩50,000	₩80,000+
Attractions	₩0–₩10,000	₩10,000–₩20,000	₩20,000+
Transport	₩5,000–₩10,000	₩10,000	₩20,000
Lodging (per room)	Provista Hotel ~$120	Hotel Designers ~$120–$140	InterContinental COEX ~$250+

Photo & Social Media Spots – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

• Gyeongbokgung Palace – sunrise, fewer crowds.
• Bukchon Hanok Village – golden hour.
• Hongdae Mural Alley – neon evening.
• Common Ground – blue-container mall daylight.
• Namsan Seoul Tower – sunset panoramas.

Safety & Etiquette – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

• Emergency numbers: 112 (police), 119 (medical/fire).
• Remove shoes inside hanok and some cafés.
• Keep voices low in residential alleys, especially Bukchon.
• Ask permission before photographing people close-up.

Conclusion – Plan Your 3-Day Seoul Adventure

This 3-day Seoul itinerary carries you from drumbeats at palace gates to late-night tacos in Itaewon, from jade-stone saunas to starlit Han River bridges. With clear subway lines, meal costs, and Hotel Book Wise lodging deals, your trip logistics are done. Bookmark this guide, tweak stops for your taste, and share in the comments which snack or hidden alley made your holiday shine.

Craving another city plan? Read our 3-day Lagos itinerary for Afrobeat evenings and beach days.

FAQ – 3-Day Seoul Itinerary

Is three days really enough to see Seoul?
Yes. With this plan you touch history, food, shopping, and rest without rushing. Longer stays offer deeper dives, but three days give a strong first taste.

What is the best time to visit Seoul?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) bring mild weather and colorful trees. See our guide to the best time to visit Seoul for month-by-month tips.

Do I need cash for street food?
Most stalls still prefer cash (₩1,000 notes). Keep a small wallet of 5,000-won bills and coins.

Are English signs common on the subway?
Yes. Station names, exits, and announcements use English, making navigation simple for first-time visitors.