What can I do in Seoul during a 48 hour layover?
Seoul is a major transportation hub in Asia, and many travelers have the option of transferring there during international travel. If that happens to you, why not extend your layover to a day or two? If you’re wondering, “What can I do in Seoul in 48 hours?”, don’t worry! South Korea’s vibrant capital is an exciting place to spend time, with history, pop culture, amazing food, and shopping that rivals anywhere else. So let’s dig a little deeper and help you decide if making a pit stop is a good use of your time.
Must See Attractions for Every Visitor in Seoul
Seoul’s tourism ranks up there with almost any Asian metropolis, so set aside a few days to see all that’s on offer. History buffs won’t want to miss the five ancient palaces that date back to the height of the city’s Joseon period (approximately 1300-1500 AD). Gyeongbokgung Palace is probably the most attractive for tourists, with its picturesque changing of the guard ceremonies and the cavernous National Palace Museum, a vast warehouse of Korean artifacts that takes days to work. But the Changdeokgung Gardens are also a must-see. On the other hand, the historic district of Bukcheon is full of shops and craft workshops, while the Jogyesa temple is the religious heart of the capital. Check out the colorful decorations and impressive lantern designs.
Where are the must-see sights in Seoul?
In addition to those world-class attractions, Seoul is full of opportunities to see something amazing. For example, the Banpo Bridge (actually an extremely long fountain-bridge) mixes spectacular jets of water with lights and sounds for a magical nighttime excursion. If you want to capture a video to send to your friends, the Gangnam Style statue in the Gangnam neighborhood is the place to show off your moves. And if you want to escape to an area of natural beauty, Bukhansan National Park is just 10 miles from Seoul. You can even take the subway to the bottom of the mountain, which can be climbed in a couple of hours. That’s not something every city in the world has to offer. Finally, if you want to relax a bit, take a trip to Lotte World. Packed with indoor and outdoor attractions, it’s a great place to blow off steam.
Where is the number one selfie spot in Seoul?
There’s certainly no shortage of places to snap a selfie during your stay in the South Korean capital, but a few spots stand out. If you want to capture the moment with spectacular scenery as your backdrop, climbing Namsan Mountain is a great idea. Scale N Seoul Tower to soar hundreds of meters above the city, with panoramic views before you. Back downstairs, add some gourmet street food to your Instagram feed in Gwangjang or snap some photos alongside the flashy store fronts and merchandise in Myeongdong. Also, don’t miss a visit to the Starfield COEX Mall and take a selfie at the famous Starfield Library. In any case, it’s easy to impress friends and followers with just a few flicks of your smartphone’s camera.
Where to refuel during a visit to Seoul
South Korea has a well-deserved reputation as a foodie hotspot, and Seoul is right in the middle of its foodie scene. Kimchi and bibimbap may be quite familiar, but areas like Gwangjang will quickly display a vast menu of alternatives. Save room for some spicy tteokbokki rice cakes, bindaetteok pancakes made with mung beans, tempura-style twigim seafood, or, for meat lovers, the rich flavor of black pudding sundae. As for desserts, you can eat hotteok pancakes that mix honey and cheese together, or take it easy with a pot of bingsu (shaved ice with a variety of flavors). Sit-down meals are an option, but the real joy of visiting Seoul is the street food. So make an appointment to browse the stalls of Myeongdong Alley or one of the city’s many seasonal markets, and remember not to spoil your appetite beforehand!
How to shop Korean souvenirs
Food isn’t the only thing to spend money on during a visit to Seoul, which is also a major shopping destination. Take COEX Mall, for example. Spread over 154,000 square meters, COEX is the largest underground shopping center in the world. But it’s more fun to wander around Myeongdong, window-shopping for quirky clothes and shoes, or picking out Korean skincare products that can only be bought in Seoul. And if you need to find gifts for those at home, Insadong is the place to go. With an endless supply of beautiful handmade ceramics, hanji paper figures, and decorations made of beautiful green jade, there is sure to be something here to suit your needs. Finally, K-Pop fans can visit Gangnam’s K Star Road, a district dedicated to Korea’s music megastars. Here you can buy posters, records, and all things hallyu, and it’s also a great people-watching destination.
Make the most of a Seoul stopover
Seoul can be big and you could easily get lost in its many districts for weeks. But we hope this quick guide has shown that you can experience plenty of delights during a short layover in the Korean capital. So don’t stay in hotels near Incheon airport after flying with BudgetAir. Hop on the AREX rail connection and you’ll be in central Seoul in 40 minutes. Whether you have 48 hours or just an hour or two to spare, you can dive into the street food markets, pick up ceramic gifts, or relax in the palace’s timeless gardens.
