Seoul, South Korea | A Slow and Relaxed Itinerary | Winter Travel Guide
kingtolentino.com is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, I may earn an affiliate commission with no extra cost to you. This will help me run my website and channel to provide more content to everyone.
NOTE: Work in progress….
Sharing our Seoul, South Korea travel guide. This trip was very different from how I usually travel. Instead of fast-paced, adventure packed itinerary, we decided to slow things down and explore Seoul at a more relaxed pace. This is mainly because our group included seniors and a baby, so convenience and comfort were top priorities. For this reason, we availed of a guided tour package and customized activities that worked best for our group.
We visited Seoul during winter, and unfortunately, there was no snow during our stay. However the temperature ranged from 4°C down to –5°C, which was still extremely cold, especially for someone who grew up in a tropical country.
We arrived in Seoul late at night and checked in at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun, a 4-star hotel conveniently located along Namdaemun street.
Day 1: Namdaemun Area & Myeongdong
We intentionally freed up Day 1 to explore spots near Courtyard by Marriott. We ate brunch at Momo Café since our package includes buffet breakfast in Courtyard by Marriott. We rested for a bit before heading out.
Our first stop was a coffee shop, just a few meters from Courtyard by Marriott. Ediya Coffee is one of the largest coffee chain in South Korea.
Across the street from the hotel is Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in South Korea. While it’s famous for shopping, it is also a great place to try authentic Korean street food.
Then we walked toward Myeongdong Shopping Street, on of Seoul’s most popular tourist destinations. Compared to Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong feels more modern, with branded shops, restaurants and cafes lining the streets.
For dinner, we ate at Yoogane, a popular restaurant known for its Chicken Galbi.
Before ending our day, we stopped for a late-night coffee at Café Gabaedo, located right in front of Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun. You won’t miss it because it’s the only hanok-style building in the area.
Day 2: Namsam Tower and Gyeongbokgung Palace
After breakfast, we were picked up by our tour provided and headed straight to Namsam Tower (NTower). Unfortunately, it was foggy during our visit and the tower was only partially visible.
For lunch, we walked a few meters from the cable car jump-off station to The Sans Restaurant. Popular for its pork cutlet partnered with their Signature Wild Vegetables Bibimbap.
Next, we took a bus to Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit for first-timers. It is the first and largest royal palace in Seoul.
We then took a one-hour bus ride to Mapo-gu for dinner at Dining One, a premium sushi buffet restaurant.
Day 3: Bukchon Hanok Village and Shopping
We didn’t schedule a tour on our 3rd day and decided to explore nearby spots on our own.
Our first stop was Bukchon Hanok Village. While it a short walk, it can take time depending on how many photos you take :D
From Bukchon Hanok Village, we walked along Bukchon-ro toward Yulgok-ro. We spotted a stall selling Gyeongju bread, a traditional Korean pastry filled with red bean paste.
After a light snack, we continue our walk and stumbled upon Anguk 153, an artisan bakery and coffee shop.
Then we took a taxi to Myeongdong Shopping Street for a late-afternoon shopping.
For dinner, we couldn’t find the Korean BBQ restaurant we visited 10 years ago, so we randomly picked a Chicken Galbi restaurant (not sure about the name), which turned out to be a satisfying choice.
Day 4: Nami Island Tour
Our Nami Island tour started with a 9:00AM pickup. We drove to the jump-off station, hopped on a ferry boat, and explored the island.
After leaving Nami Island, our bus drove about five to ten minutes to Tongnamujip, a chicken BBQ restaurant that is part of the tour.
We then traveled for about an hour to Herb Island, an old theme park. Personally, I would recommend skipping this part.
We were so exhausted by the end of the day and decided to head back to Courtyard by Marriott and eat convenience store finds from GS25. Forgot to take photos but the gimbap was really good.
Day 5: Last-Minute Shopping
Day 5 was dedicated to last-minute shopping. We started at Namdaemun Market.
We finally tried the Hotteok with red bean paste from Namdaemun Vegetable Hotteok from a stall located at the corner of Namdaemun Street. We had noticed a long queues everytime we passed by, a good sign that the food was worth trying.
We then returned to Myeongdong Shopping Street to buy more pasalubing. Aside from beauty products, our favorite local snack is the HBAF Honey Butter Almonds. The wasabi flavor is also highly recommended.
For coffee, we tried Les Parisiens, a French-inspired café offering freshly baked pastries.
We returned to Café Gabaedo one last time to enjoy their tiramisu.
Our final stop and part of the tour package was a dinner at Gosire, a Korean BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong.
While you can definitely explore more of Seoul in five days, this trip was intentionally limited to accommodate a baby and seniors. Even at a slower pace, Seoul still offers plenty of memorable experiences. There are so many more places to see, eat, and explore, and this trip was a perfect introduction to Seoul, done comfortably and enjoyably for all ages.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
The best time to visit Seoul, South Korea is from April to May for the cherry blossoms or October for the autumn foliage.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK TO SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - WINTER EDITION
Clothes for cold weather
Jacket
Comfortable shoes/ sneakers/ boots
Backpack
Camera / gear
Powerbank
Toiletries
Universal Adaptor
Tumbler
WHERE TO STAY IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
These are the accommodation/s I’ve tried and would recommend to you. If interested, you can book via Agoda by clicking the link below:
Myeongdong Area
HOW TO GET TO SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA FROM MANILA
The most convenient way to get to Seoul from Manila is via direct flight to Incheon International Airport. Travel time is around 4 hours.
HOW TO GET TO MYEONGDONG FROM INCHEON AIRPORT
There are several options to get to Myeongdong from Incheon International airport. The most convenient is renting a private car/van, or using ride hailing apps like KakaoT or Uber. Travel time from Incheon International airport to Myeongdong is around an hour. However, it is the most-expensive option.
Other options are the Airport Bus or the AREX Train.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA BUDGET AND ITINERARY
We spent an estimated PHP 70,000 per person for our 5-day, 5-night Seoul trip. This already includes a PHP 49,800 private tour package plus around PHP 20,000 for pocket money. Airfare not included.
We availed the private tour package from Mitzy Travel and Tours. Here’s their FB profile @mitzytravelandtours
You can still lower the cost of food, accommodation, transportation and if you do a DIY instead of availing tours.
NOTE: Rates indicated above may change.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Winter Edition
Download essential apps such as: Google Translate, KakaoT or Uber, Naver Map for navigation.
Rent a pocket Wi-Fi or eSim in advance. This way you’ll have data as soon as you land in Seoul. I’ve tried pocket Wi-Fi during our vacation and encountered no issues on connections or signal. You can find the link for the pocket Wi-Fi here.
Bring a foldable umbrella
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA TRAVEL TIPS
Secure your passport
Be sure to have a credit card for emergency
If you’re not used to cold weather, moisturize regularly to help prevent winter rash and dry skin.
When available, reserve seats in advance, especially for trains and tours, to avoid inconvenience.
Instead of buying bottled water, bring a reusable tumbler—many hotels and public places have refill stations.
Exploring Seoul often involves a lot of walking, so wearing comfortable, well-cushioned shoes is essential.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR PARENTS TRAVELING TO SEOUL WITH BABIES
During winter, as a general rule, babies should wear one extra layer compared to adults.
Bring a basic medicine kit recommended by your pediatrician, as familiar medicines may not always be available.
Not all underpasses and subway stations in Seoul have elevators or escalators, so it’s more practical to use a baby carrier instead of a stroller.
For breastfeeding moms, lactation rooms can be difficult to find when exploring the city. Bringing a nursing cover allows you to breastfeed comfortably and conveniently anywhere.
We opted for a guided tour for convenience since we were traveling with a baby. However, one downside is having to follow a fixed schedule, which can be challenging with feeding times and naps. If possible, a DIY itinerary with handpicked destinations may be a better option, allowing you to travel at your own pace and enjoy the experience more fully.
WHAT’S IN MY BAG?
If you want to know more about the cameras, gadgets and travel essentials I use, check out “MY GEAR”
This is a slow and relaxed Itinerary to Seoul, South Korea (Winter Edition)