🇰🇷 8-Day Korea Actual Itinerary: Seoul, Busan, and Back

Korea - 8 Days itinerary


Planning a trip to Korea? Here’s my 8-day itinerary covering Seoul and Busan, based on a recent trip with friends. From vibrant markets to stunning views, this guide includes must-see spots, food recommendations, and practical tips—perfect for first-timers or seasoned travelers. Let’s dive in!


Itinerary Overview

  • Days 1-3: Seoul – Explore the bustling capital, from historic palaces to trendy shopping streets.
  • Days 3-6: Busan – Soak in coastal vibes, markets, and scenic train rides.
  • Days 6-8: Seoul – Wrap up with more shopping and riverside relaxation.


Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Seoul

Theme: Settling in and iconic sights

Morning:
  • Arrive at Incheon Airport and take the train to Seoul Station, then transfer to Myeongdong (cheaper route).
  • Drop bags at your hostel/Airbnb (book near a train station for convenience).
  • Head to Lotte Mart or Daiso in Myeongdong for necessities (snacks, masks, conditioner—stockings are cheap at KRW 1,500/pair!).
Afternoon:
  • Visit N Seoul Tower (take public transport—taxis can’t reach the top). Enjoy panoramic views of the city. We got half price ticket at trip.com.
  • Explore Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) – check out the art exhibits and DDP Market (free entry). Bonus: Get a free “B the B” analysis if available.
  • Stroll Myeongdong’s lively streets for street food (think tteokbokki or hotteok) and shopping.
Evening:
  • Snap photos at Heunginjimun gate (near Dongdaemun, open 24 hours).
  • Supper nearby (try Chir Chir Chicken for a crispy Korean twist).

Tips: Buy a Climate Card (unlimited rides in Seoul) and a T-money card (load KRW 50,000 upfront—total spend was ~KRW 75,000). Download Naver or KakaoMap for navigation. 
Check trip.com or Klook for tickets offers.



Seoul Tower
Tips: You cannot reach by Taxi. Only public transport.

It’s at Seoul Tower

Seoul Tower


Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) 


Heunginjimun gate walk2 take photo (near Dongdaemun) Open 24 hours


Chir chir chicken



Day 2 (Sunday): Seoul’s Culture and Markets

Theme: History meets modern charm

Morning:
  • Breakfast at Gwangjang Market – try Food Stall #70 or Chabssal Kkwabaegi (sweet twisted donuts). (Gwangjang market food to try)
  • Visit Gwanghwamun Palace for a dose of history (nearby: Hwangsaengga Kalguksu – 20-year-old Michelin Bib knife-cut noodles).
Afternoon:
  • Wander Ikseon-dong Hanok Village– grab Jayeondo Salt Bread here.
  • Optional: Visit Bukchon Hanok Village for more traditional vibes.
  • Relax at Cheonggyecheon Stream – a peaceful urban oasis. (Facebook Review)
Evening:
  • Shop at Myeongdong Lotte Department Store.

Tips: Gwangjang Market is a foodie paradise—don’t miss the dumplings or eomukguk (fish cake soup). 





Gwangjang market 

Gwanghwamun Castle


Myeong Dong or lotte shopping
Read details review here: Hwangsaengga Kalguksu - remarkable 20 years tradition. Michelin bib. The dumplings are huge!
Near to Gwanghwamun Castle

Ikseon-dong Hanok Village

See review of Jayeondo Salt Bread - Ikseondong Hanok Village

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Day 3 (Monday): Seoul to Busan

Theme: Transition day

Morning:
  • Breakfast at Isaac Toast (quick and tasty). 
  • Take the KTX train to Busan (book via trip.com for seat selection).
Afternoon:
  • Arrive in Busan, check into your accommodation (we chose Airbnb near Haeundae station).
  • Lunch at Haeundae – Miryang Pork Soup.
  • Stroll Haeundae Beach and Gunam-ro Main Road for shopping.
Evening:

Tips: Pick up a Visit Busan Pass at Busan Station for discounts on attractions. 

Isaac Toast. It is even long queue at 7:30pm. 

Haundae

Read Review here: Miryang Pork Soup
It is so warm when you have it on cold weather. It was believed to take after drinking. Must try! 


Day 4 (Tuesday): Busan’s Markets and Views

Theme: Markets and scenic highs

Morning:
  • Explore Gukje Market and Mangmi Traditional Market for souvenirs.
  • Visit Jagalchi Market (note: it’s closed on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays).
  • Stop by BIFF Square for street food (fish cake with soup is a must).
Afternoon:
Start Visit Busan Pass at 2 PM:
With Visit Busan Pass, you can go to the list of attraction for FREE. You can choose 24hrs or 48 hrs Pass. We picked 24hrs Pass. We went for 2 different SPA. It is totally worth it.
  • 2 PM: Try on hanbok at Romantic Hanbok.
  • Walk to Gamcheon cultural village  – colorful alleys and photo ops.
  • 4 PM: Unwind at Spa Land. Eat inside Spa land. Enjoy Korea Instant Noodle with unlimited side dishes.
Evening:
  • 7 PM: Admire the city from Busan X the Sky.
  • Dinner: Unagi at a random shop in Haeundae Market (delicious find!).

Tips: Book the Yatcholic night cruise early—we missed out due to full slots. Therefore changed to Busan X the sky.



Mangmi Tradiotional Market
Landed here due to misdirection to Gukje Market. 


Busan international Film Festival (BIFF)

Gukje Market. They sell household products more like lighting. 


See more review here: Gamcheon cultural village 

See a short video of Busan Gamcheon Culture Village

Busan X The Sky

View from Busan X the Sky

Unagi at random shop in Haeundae Market. It is so crispy hot! Must Try!


Day 5 (Wednesday): Busan’s Coastal Charm

Theme: Beach trains and seafood

Morning:
  • Breakfast: Dim Tao (dim sum recommended by our host).
  • 9:30 AM: Ride the Haeundae Blue Line Park Beach Train from Mipo Station (Book 2 weeks earlier; arrive early to beat queues). 
  • Optional: Upgrade to the Sky Capsule (worth considering!).
Afternoon:
  • 1 PM: Relax at Club D’Oasis Spa (VisitBusan Pass ends at 2 PM). As long as you use the card before 2pm, you can exit anytime.
  • 4 PM: Shop at Haeundae or Gukje Market.
Evening:
  • 8PM: Seafood dinner at Haeundae Market – fresh and affordable.

Tips: The beach train gets crowded—go early for the best experience or book early. We decided to go early instead of booking as we worry unexpected weather or changes to our itinerary.


There are total 7 stops, you can decide to go all or pick those that you are interested. Each stop you can board once only. We picked Daritdol Observatory (it has glass bridge), Cheongsapo to see the red and white lighthouse (if you watch Korea drama, you always see these lighthouse) and last stop Songjeong.


Haeundae blue line park for beach train
Tips: Go early and be first. as the queue is piling up when we exit.


Haeundae Beach Train at Blueline park 


Daritdol Observatory

Watch a short Daritdol Observatory here.



D’Oasis Spa 



Day 6 (Thursday): Busan to Seoul

Theme: Aquarium and riverside picnic

Morning:
  • Breakfast at a localcafé.
  • 10 AM: Visit Sealife Busan Aquarium (book via Klook, open 10 AM–7 PM—we skipped it due to time).
  • 12 PM: Check out and take the KTX back to Seoul.
Afternoon:
  • Check into your Seoul Airbnb.
  • Shop at GoTo Mall (underground bargain heaven).
Evening:
  • 7 PM: Picnic at Yeouido Hangang Park (or try Seonyudo Park per a Korean friend’s rec). - never go due to time contrainst)
  • Dinner: MManjok Ohyang Jokbal  (Michelin-rated pig trotters near City Hall).
  • Namdaemun market - Get dry fruits, ginseng 

Tips: Skip Starfield Library or Seokchon Lake if you’re short on time.

Read here: Caffe Pascucci

MManjok Ohyang Jokbal City Hall (만족오향족발 시청) - Michelin-bib
The meat is so tender. They come with a pot of dumplings. If you’re a fan of traditional Korean dishes, especially Jokbal (braised pigs' feet), then Manjok Ohyang Jokbal (만족 오향족발) is a must-visit.



Day 7 (Friday): Seoul’s Trendy Side

Theme: Shopping and food in Hongdae

Morning:
  • Explore Hongdae for shopping (try Blue Elephant or Gentle Monster).
  • Breakfast: Egg Drop (7 AM–7 PM).
Afternoon:
  • Lunch at Jwon Makgeolliano – their potatopancakes with makgeolli are divine.
  • Try Hong’s Octopus or grilled eel (map link: here).
  • Visit Yeontral Park (linked from Hongdae, recommended by a local).
Evening:

Tips: Hongdae’s vibe is youthful and artsy—perfect for unique finds.


Eat Pancake: Jwon Makgeolliano (served very nice potato pancake pair w Makgeolli)

Hongdae (shopping)


Read review here: Jaengbanjib 8292 Hongdae Seoul
For anyone looking to experience a one-of-a-kind BBQ in Seoul, Jaengbanjib 8292 in the trendy Hongdae district offers a fresh twist on the Korean BBQ setup.


Day 8 (Saturday): Departure

  • Morning: Pack up and head to Seoul Station Lotte Mart.
  • Depart via Incheon Airport (use the Airport Limousine bus if needed—check klimousine.com) but we took train as nearer to our place.

Pre-trip Tips

  • During peak season like October, we compared hotel and AirBNB, AirBNB is cheaper when we have 4 of us. Place of stay must near train station so that it is easier for you to travel around without much walking. Walking is a pain when you drive at our country.
  • We booked KTX from trip.com as we can choose the timing and book seats. So that we have a comfortable seat together.
  • Visit Busan pass can get at Busan Train Station without much hassle.
  • Yatch for Busan please book as early as possible as we booked on one day before it was not available at night. We worry of raining season, therefore did not book early.
  • Buy Climate Card for unlimited rides in Seoul.


Things to take Notes

  • T-money buy with krw5k. Additional reload krw70k. Total spend krw75k. So I think u can straight away reload 50k. Can try this hack. 
  • Use Naver Map for accuracy. Confirm the location against google map as sometimes the map mistaken the English name that we enter in. 
  • Airport Limousine: KLIMousine
  • Korea Train cards to purchase: Korea Trend
  • Itaewon (can skip unless u want drink and nightlife)
  • Seoul station Lotte mart (only place that I know can get box for packaging, this mart also have more things as it’s big)
  • Namdaemun market. (When I reach around 7pm mostly closed. But I see their hat mostly 10k only, cheaper than Busan. Perhaps can explore during the day)
  • Myeongdong (full of shopping and street food at night. Suggest you can shop n take street food for dinner)
  • Head to Daiso to get any necessities (mask, conditioner, mouth wash, etc). Snacks is cheap too. 
  • Stocking cheap here average krw1.5k/pair, not recommended to bring from home
  • Jagalchi market closed first, third and fifth Tuesday


Food Selection



Shopping Highlights

12 floors Daiso Myeong Dong


What to buy

Spectacle

It is cheaper there:

Food

  • Kimchi
  • Ginseng Chicken
  • Seedless Persimmons
  • Snacks to get (what snack) Hbaf 
  • Pokki sticks
  • Dried fruits (myeong dong)
  • Korea potato chips
  • Supplement foodLactose fit
  • korean red ginseng (dry item)
  • Accessories Cute Stationary 
  • Hair accessories 
  • Jewelry - Earring, bracelet, anklet




Facial Product 
  • Face Wellage
  • Torridence
  • Biodance 
  • Moisturizer 
  • Night cream
  • Many many mask sheet
  • Cosmetic - for eye brow, eye liner, Foundation
  • Medicube - oneday exosome
  • Dr G
  • Kahi - Eye balm

Olive Young is everywhere

Hair

  • Hair serum MBA Mobala serum 
  • Mise en scene serum
  • Shampoo Labo H

App to download

  • Naver: App for maps
  • KakaoMap: App for Maps
  • Visit Korea: App for food recommendation
  • TripPass

Korean words to learn

  • Yi geo hana juseyo (this give me one pls)
  • Kamshamida (thank you)
  • Yi geo eolmayeyo? (How much is this?)



Train Map






Final Thoughts

This trip was a whirlwind of culture, food, and shopping. Seoul’s energy and Busan’s coastal charm complemented each other perfectly. Book key activities (KTX, yacht, beach train) early, and don’t overpack—Korea’s got everything you need. Happy travels!

This is the itinerary before depart. We planned more just incase unexpected weather or place close: Planned Korea Itinerary














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