Seoul in Style: The Ultimate 5 Day Girl's Trip Itinerary

Seoul Girl’s Trip

My first trip to Seoul was a group trip with guy friends in my early 20s.

We had just finished our first year of working ‘in the real world’ and decided to fully let loose in Asia, meeting up in Korea for 4 nights of limitless eating, drinking and bar hopping.

I don’t remember much of it except that we had a great time and flew out riiiight before an impending monsoon.

In the years since, I’ve revisited Seoul several more times (with family, with friends, even solo!) and I’m convinced Seoul is best enjoyed with the girls.

The beauty treatments! The shopping! The cafes and bakeries! The dessert!

If there was ever a destination ‘for the girls’, it’s Seoul.

Seoul is even more magical when you’re in your 30s/40s, have a bigger budget and want to relax, indulge and rejuvenate.

Here’s my guide to 5 days in Seoul on the perfect girl’s trip.

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shopping in Seoul is elite

Visiting Seoul

Best time to visit

Spring (April – June) and fall (September – November) offer the best weather, cherry blossoms / fall foliage, and prime café-hopping conditions.

Late summer can be incredibly hot and humid. Winter in Korea is blisteringly cold.

But I’ve been to Seoul in all 4 seasons and still had a blast, so don’t worry if you can only visit then!

Getting from the airport

For a smooth arrival, book a private transfer from the airport. It’s affordable, fast and takes you door to door for the most hassle-free option.

If you traveling with 2+ people, I find a private transfer the easiest and most convenient.

Alternatively, you can also take public transportation.

The AREX subway train drops you off at Seoul station, where you’ll then connect to the subway.

Or you can take a local bus but you’ll need to find the right bus number to take you to your hotel.

Seoul’s transportation card (called T-money) needs to be bought at convenience stores (not in the underground train) and can only be reloaded with cash, so I find it easiest to pre-book my airport transfer ahead of time.

spicy cold noodles, or nangymeon

Getting around Seoul

Taxis are incredibly affordable.

With a group, I wouldn’t bother with public transportation. Instead, I recommend just taking Ubers everywhere – they’re typically $5-15 depending on the distance.

Hailing a local cab on the street can be slightly tricky, so I recommend using Uber (works in Korea) or the local app, Kakao T.

Where to Stay in Seoul:

Jongno / City Hall: Central, historic, refined
Myeongdong: Walkable, convenient, great for shopping
Gangnam: modern, glamorous, great for beauty treatments + luxury shopping

Best Hotels in Seoul for a Girl’s Trip

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul (Jongno/City Hall): sophisticated, serene, and perfectly located near the palaces. known for spacious rooms and one of the city’s most refined spas
The Shilla Seoul (Namsan): an iconic Seoul hotel set against the greenery of Namsan. Classically luxurious rooms, home to the Guerlain Spa and the Michelin starred restaurant La Yeon
InterContinental Seoul Parnas (Gangnam/ COEX): modern and polished, right in the heart of Gangnam. Directly connected to COEX Mall, close to shopping and spacious rooms
Lotte Hotel Seoul (Myeongdong/ City Center): a classic, centrally located hotel known for comfort and reliable service. Directly connected to the mall and right in the middle of shopping + local attractions

I have a full guide on where to stay in Seoul here, for more reccs, neighborhood overviews and tips for first time visitors.

What to Pack

Chic but comfortable walking shoes
Capsule wardrobe with layers
Minimal beauty products – buy everything in Seoul
Portable charger (essential!) – I have this one which is super thin, snaps to the back of my phone and wireless

Note: I recommend getting an eSim for Seoul.

It’s very inexpensive and invaluable in a city like Seoul, where you’ll want to use Google Translate / Papago, Naver Maps or Kakao Maps to get around.

I used Jetpac, which has plans as low as $1 a day and both single country and regional eSims.

For one trip where I went to both Japan and Korea, it was really convenient to be able to use the same eSIM for 2+ weeks. They also sell unlimited data plans for really cheap rates.

I like how their app shows you a running current balance of your data usage. Speeds were quick and I never had issues with data running out prematurely. Check pricing for your trip dates here.

I do not recommend Nomad esims – their esim was a scam and complete rip-off.

Seoul Girl’s Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Fly into Incheon, Seoul’s international airport.

Make sure to complete Korea’s electronic arrival card before you arrive.

It’ll save you a lot of time at immigration!

Take a private transfer to your hotel and ease into the city.

One thing I love doing in Korea is going to the jjimjibang, or bathhouse.

It’s no-frills, communal and the perfect way to decompress and soothe your muscles, especially after a long 14 hour flight.

How it works:

Everyone strips down and takes a long soak in one of the many bathing pools, then relaxes in the sauna rooms.

There’s usually also a (clothed) lounge area, entertainment area and even cafeteria and sleeping room.

My favorite thing to do is to book a body scrub, where a strong-armed Korean ahjumma meticulously sloughs off the entire outer layer of your dermis to reveal baby smooth skin.

You have to put your modesty aside but it’s all worth it to emerge glow-y, soft and buttery smooth.

Taking all the girls to the bathhouse is a fun way to experience Korean culture.

As a bonus, everyone will feel a lot closer post-jjimjibang!

But, if you’re too shy for that you can go to a private scrub spa, where they offer just the body scrub in individual rooms.

For dinner, have something classically Korean.

I can never resist a comforting bowl of soft tofu soup (soondubu), a crispy kimchi pancake (kimchi pajeon) or some simple bulgogi + rice with a full spread of Korean side dishes (banchan).

On the way back to the hotel, stop at a convenience store for Korean snacks and dessert!

I love the matcha hagen-daas ice cream sandwiches that they only sell in Asia.

I also recommend the Korean banana milk!

where-to-buy-rejuran-rejuall-seoul-pharmacy

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stocking up on rejuran cream, more shopping + squeezing in a cultural visit

best-desserts-and-cafes-in-seoul-strawberry-shortcake

Day 2: Sights, Skincare & Shopping

Seoul, like most cities in Asia, wakes up late.

Sleep in until 9am, then grab a coffee and pastry at a local coffee shop (most open at 10am).

Nowhere in the world does cafes like Korea.

They’re more like stylish art galleries or concept spaces,

The drinks are innovative and affordable, the pastries are delicious and there’s usually multiple floors of seating, free wifi and phone chargers!

Head to Namsan for a sunny afternoon walk.

You can take the cable car up, which is especially breathtaking in the spring and fall when cherry blossoms and fall foliage paint the city in color.

Go up Namsan Tower and head to the observatory deck for 360 views of Seoul.

Then meander over to Myeongdong, the heart of Korea’s shopping.

This neighborhood gets a bad rap as the ‘Times Square’ of Seoul but it’s conveniently central, packed with flagship stores, skincare shops and street food and a vibe you have to experience at least once.

spring is a beautiful time to visit Seoul! not too hot and the flowers are in bloom

There are multiple Olive Young stores in Myeongdong, just turn the corner and you’ll find another.

Olive Young is like the Sephora of Korea, with an extensive range of beauty, skincare and supplements.

But each store is run independently like a franchise, so you’ll find slight variations in the products offered and also in price!

It’s worth hopping into different store locations on your trip, to see what they have.

In my experience, the stores in Myeongdong have good deals on the most popular products that foreigners like (ex. Beauty of Joseon sunscreen).

Despite the crowds, I like shopping here because the product displays have English translations and staff who are more multi lingual and ready to help foreigners.

End the night with dinner.

Myeongdong Kyoja is a Seoul classic, serving Korean hand-cut noodles (kalguksu) and dumplings. Everything is simple, light and no frills, with just 4 items on the menu.

It does gets crowded, but that’s probably due to their long standing reputation and years of winning the Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction!

Another great option for kalguksu and dumplings is 황생가칼국수.

It’s also Michelin recognized, located in an old hanok and always bustling. I really loved the two types of kimchi they serve here, especially the original white version!

Did you know kimchi used to be white?

The red spicy version only came about after Portugese traders brought hot peppers to Korea in the 16th century.

Day 3: Culture, History & Relaxation

Begin the day at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul’s most iconic royal site.

For some fun photos, rent a hanbok, get your hair done and do a photoshoot.

As a bonus, dressing up gets you free entry!

This is the largest hanbok rental store near the palace and has all different styles, themes and designs to choose from.

They include hair styling for free, can store your luggage and also include makeup and a photoshoot.

Then for lunch, take a cooking cooking class to learn Royal Korean cuisine.

I love taking cooking classes when I travel, especially in Asia.

This class is cozy (capped to 6 people), guided by expert chefs and held inside a 1930s hanok (traditional Korean house) right near the palace.

Afterwards, wander around Bukchon Hanok Village.

This area was once the residential area for the royal family, local nobility and high ranking government officials.

Many of the traditional hanoks have been preserved on the outside, but transformed on the inside into cafes, boutiques and cultural spaces.

It’s a really charming neighborhood and worth a wander. You can pick up some cute souvenirs, grab a bite to eat and also do some shopping.

Continue walking over to Insadong, which blends Seoul’s Josun traditions with modern refinement.

You’ll find lots of curated boutiques, traditional tea houses and craft shops selling high end ceramics, jewelry and home goods.

Finally, end the day with a much needed spa treatment.

One of Seoul’s best known is Sulwhasoo’s Balance Spa.

Their luxurious Korean skincare products are rooted in traditional medicine and a massage or facial here is heavenly.

Stock up on some of their First Care Serum afterwards!

I also like their Tone-Up Sunscreen and cushion foundation for a flawless base look.

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Day 4: Gangnam, Glam & Self Care

Indulge on your last day.

Sleep in, then have an epic brunch in Gangnam.

Save room for a post-meal snack of salt bread. I recommend skipping Jayeondo, which tasted like a simple salted dinner roll to me, and instead going to Standard Bread.

Trust me – the bread is anything but standard here!

This was the most decadent, buttery, cheesy croissant-style loaf of bread I’ve ever had.

The plain is excellent, but they also have lots of other flavors and tons of dipping jams to pair with the bread.

Grab a coffee at Camel coffee and then get a hair cut.

Apgujeong (a subsection of Gangnam) is home to all of Seoul’s top salons.

You can get a digital perm, cut + color or even a 20 step scalp treatment.

I highly recommend doing some kind of hair appointment in Korea, because they’re so affordable and the pampering is next level.

They often have 2 or 3 assistants working you at once, offer complimentary tea or coffee and do an excellent job (no charging separately for a blow dry or tipping!)

With your fresh blow out, walk around Apgujeong for some luxury shopping or head slightly south to COEX Mall (most known for Starfield library).

In the afternoon, fully lean into Seoul’s wellness culture with more beauty treatments.

There are so many non-invasive dermatology treatments to try and everything is both affordable and top notch.

Some popular options:

Botox to prevent wrinkles
Skin botox to shrink pores and give the effect of glass skin
Potenza: radio frequency micro needling, best combined with exosomes
Ulthera, Xerf and Thermage: for skin lifting, tightening and anti aging

Korean seaweed soup (miyeok-guk) with clams, and a whole spread of side dishes

Afterwards, have dinner in Gangnam. This area has international cuisine, fine dining and a concentration of Seoul’s best Kbbq restaurants.

Some Gangnam restaurants I recommend:

일편등심 강남점 for beef bbq
게방식당 for raw marinated carb
hojokban for modern Korean food

Day 5: Slow Morning & Departure

Spend your final morning soaking in Seoul.

Have a leisurely cafe breakfast, take a short walk along the Han River and do any last minute shopping for beauty or gifts!

I had the most chaotic return trip to Incheon airport trying to catch the Gangnam airport bus.

Getting to Incheon Airpot

While it’s very affordable (18,000 krw), I will not be doing that again.

It was difficult finding the right bus and the buses do not run according to the timetables, as timing can vary depending on city traffic.

Instead, I find private transfers from the airport are the way to go.

They’re not expensive, and it’s so convenient to have help with your bags if you’re like me, and load up on skincare and snack shopping in Korea.

Or, you can take the subway to Seoul station, then catch the AREX subway train which takes about 45 minutes to arrive at Incheon Airport.

I don’t really recommend Seoul’s airport buses if you’re heading to the airport.

Seoul traffic can be notoriously gridlocked and Incheon is quite far (2 hours) from central Seoul.

On my most recent trip, my airport bus got stuck in Friday evening traffic and the drive went from 2 hours to 3.5!

Seoul Travel Vlog

Visiting Korea – Travel Checklist

Flights | Direct flights from NYC to Seoul can be limited, but I like budget Korean airline Air Premia. I also recommend taking direct flights to Japan (more flight options), then making a short stopover tip to Seoul. Check here for flight deals here and set an alert for your dates.

Hotels | Seoul is a large city, with lots of great neighborhoods for sightseeing, shopping and activities. I recommend staying North of the Han River in Myeongdong if you primarily want to sightsee and South of the river in Gangnam if your priority is skincare, shopping or beauty treatments.

Check here for deals on Seoul hotels and definitely book in advance if you’re traveling in the spring or fall.

E-Sim | Download a couple Korea-specific apps before your trip, like Naver Maps and Kakao Talk as Google Maps isn’t really up to date in Seoul. I highly recommend getting an e-sim so you can stay connected, translate menus & signs and hail a taxi. Jetpac offers affordable esims with daily packages as low as $1/ day.

Insurance | Lastly, be sure to visit Korea with travel insurance.

Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most.

Flight delays and lost baggage happen frequently and are always a pain, especially if you don’t have insurance to get quickly reimbursed! Get a quote for your trip here.

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Where to Stay in Seoul (tips for first time visitors)

10 of the Best Hanok Stays in Seoul

The Best Hotels in Gangnam

Seoul in Style: The Perfect 5 Day Girl's Trip Itinerary

How to Plan the Ultimate Korea Glowup Beauty Trip

A 7-Day Beauty Focused Seoul Itinerary (jam packed!)

How to Get Around Seoul using Public Transportation

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