The Ultimate 10D9N Itinerary To Conquering Seoul, Jeju and Busan

Planning your upcoming trip to Korea but don’t know which city to cover? Well, the obvious answer would be Seoul, Busan and Jeju of course! Not only are these cities packed full with amazing cultural sights, but they’re also home to yummy, Muslim-friendly Korean cuisine!

So, fret not, busy friends! We’ve put together an awesome itinerary so all you have to do is pack your luggage and take the next flight out✈️

Credit: giphy

P.S. Get $30 off your flight to Korea when you book through Cheaptickets.sg! Do note that this discount only applies to flights departing from Singapore.

Travelling from Incheon

It’s pretty easy getting from Incheon airport to Seoul! If you’re travelling light, the subway is really convenient but if you’re dragging your luggages, the airport limousine bus is a good alternative that’s not crazy expensive. Check out their website for the bus routes and timings or just head to the information counter when you land!

#HHWT Tip: Book your flight and accommodation through Cheaptickets.sg to receive a $100 cash rebate! Visit Cheaptickets.sg for more details.

Day 1

Take it easy on your first day and scope out the shopping scene at everyone’s favourite shopping area in Seoul – Myeongdong! Even if you’re not a shopaholic, it’s fun to experience the atmosphere.

Shop till you drop at Myeongdong (4 hours)

• Explore the main shopping area of Myeongdong
• Chill out with our favourite furballs at Cat’s Playground
• Grab a kebab or shawarma for lunch along the streets of Myeongdong if you want to shop some more
• Or sit and enjoy a Korean seafood lunch at Eomeoni Jib (You can find it and add it to your trip on our HHWT Travel Planner app!)

Visit the iconic N Seoul (Namsan) Tower (2 hours)

• Skip the cable car and hike up Namsan to head to N Seoul tower or take a public bus.
• If you’re going by foot, enjoy the serene atmosphere at Namsan park – it’s beautiful in spring and autumn!
• Snap a shot at the iconic love locks
• Head up the N Seoul tower and get a bird’s eye view of Seoul

Try yummy halal Korean food in Itaewon (3 hours)

• Trek up the hill and visit the Seoul Central Masjid
• After you burn off some calories, visit a halal Korean eatery and try authentic halal Korean food!

Yummy jjimdak at Eid Restaurant

Day 2

It’s time to put on your walking shoes and experience traditional Seoul (perhaps even try on a hanbok)!

Say hello to King Sejong (1 hour)

• Head over to Gwanghwamun square and ‘meet’ the King who created the Korean alphabet (along with many other inventions), King Sejong the Great.
• Learn more about Korean history in the exhibition hall below the square.

Learn about Korean royalty in Gyeongbukgung (2.5 hours)

• Before visiting Gyeongbukgung, check out the changing of guards right in front of the palace. Remember to check the timings.
• Sign up for the free walking tour for Gyeongbukgung (2 hours). Trust us, it will make your experience a whole lot better when you learn about the history behind each of the different buildings and palaces!

Insadong (2.5 hours)

Credit: That Backpacker

• Head to the traditonal area of Seoul – Insadong and visit Ohsegyehyang, a Korean vegetarian eatery, for lunch.
• Walk down the past-meets-modern street and shop for little trinkets
• Take some time to visit the traditional teahouses and try a cup of Korean tea with rice cakes
• Visit Ssamziegil and pop by the ‘poop café’ if you have time to spare

Step into the past in Bukchon Village (2 hours)

Credit: RJ Koehler

• Try on a hanbok at the Bukchon Hanok Homestay Information Center
• Go trigger happy with your camera at the various photo spots

Walk down the streets of Samcheongdong (2 hours)

• Pop in the uniquely quaint shops and cafes in the traditional Korean houses
• End your day with dinner at Itaewon OR

Dongdaemun (2 hours / however long you think you can go)

• If you’ve got the stamina to keep going, check out the grilled fish alley in Dongdaemun and grab dinner there
• Experience late-night shopping like never before

#HHWT Tip: Download the HHWT Travel Planner and use our handy Korean language phrasebook to haggle when shopping in Dongdaemun!

Day 3

Experience Mother Nature in Nami Island (4 hours)

• Explore the island on a bike (it’ll take around an hour to cycle around the island) or hop on the electric tour car for a quick tour
• Take a leisure stroll down the different walking paths lined with trees for all seasons
• Go animal spotting
• Take your iconic Korean drama photos at the famous Winter Sonata photo spot
• Have lunch at Dongmun and try their halal Korean food OR take a taxi and try halal dakgalbi at Nami-0k!

Credit: @kiki_xii

#HHWT Tip: There’s a prayer room on the 2nd floor of the Baplex.

Day 4

Get a taste of Europe at Garosugil (3 hours)

• Spend the rest of your day exploring the trendy Garosugil
• Window shop at the quirky indie fashion shops in the area (Psst, for the shopaholics, there’s a gigantic Forever21 outlet right at the start of the street!)

Gangnam / Apgujeong (2 hours)

Credit: Radin Fadli

• If you’re looking to get some luxury shopping done, check out Galleria Department store in Apgujeong
• Alternatively, you can visit Gangnam for your k-pop fix
• End your day with a super yummy Korean BBQ dinner at Yang Good!

Day 5

Noryangjin Fish Market (1.5 hours)

• Experience the hustle and bustle of a Korean wet market at Noryangjin
• Grab an early lunch at one of the many restaurants where you get to try fresh seafood

Ehwa University – Edae (4 hours)

• Visit one of the most famous (and prettiest) university campuses in Seoul
• Shopaholics alert, it’s time to head over to the Ewha Fashion Street and commence another round of intense shopping!

Hongik University – Hongdae (3 hours)

Credit: lifetoreset

• If you’re visiting on the weekends, head to the playground and check out the Hongdae Free Market for handcrafted artworks and trinkets
• Take in the artsy atmosphere at Hongdae and look out for quirky art installations
• Visit BoA Guesthouse for dinner – try their fried chicken and rabokki!
• Hongdae comes alive at night, so keep a lookout for live music performances along the streets

Day 6

Get your last minute shopping fix at Myeongdong

• If you have some time left on your last day in Seoul, head to Myeongdong to get the stuff you’ve missed out on
• You can also get your last minute souvenirs here
• Try the street food along Myeongdong if you haven’t had the chance to do so! (The egg bread is the perfect snack anytime of the day )
• Satisfied with your buys? Onwards to Busan!

Travelling to Busan from Seoul (3 hours)

• Take a train to Busan (preferably one without zombies ) from Seoul Station. The KTX (high-speed train) takes about 3 hours and the tickets are at 44,800 won. Find out more here.
• From Busan station, take the subway to Seomyeon Station (Line 1 Metro – Orange) and transfer to Line 2 Metro (Green) to get to Haeundae Station. (45 mins)
• Treat yourself to some delicious halal kebabs and hummus at Hello India Al-waha before checking into Indy House Hostel

Credit: indyhouse

Day 7

Catch the sunrise at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (1-2 hours)

• Watch the sunrise at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Credit: Lee Phelps Photography on Flickr

• Check out the intricately designed Buddhist shrines and stone monuments
• Take a stroll around the temple and breathe in the calm, ocean breeze

Feast on seafood at Jagalchi Fish Market (1-2 hours)

• Know as Korea’s largest seafood stall market, you’ll find mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians), giant squids, whale meat and dried seafood here
• Head on inside to fill your rumbling tummies with seafood so fresh, it’s straight from the tank!

Chill out at Haeundae Beach (3-4 hours)

• Let your inner child out! Go for a quick swim, build towering sandcastles or even fly a kite.
• Or just kick back, relax and breathe in the cool sea breeze.

#HHWT Tip: The beach is open 24 hours, so you swing by whenever you want.

Day 8

Explore Yongdusan Park and the Busan Tower (2-3 hours)

Credit: Glenn Forbes on Flickr

• Nature lovers, you’ll love the lush greenery, which is in sharp constrast with the colorful fauna
• Catch a wonderful aerial view of the city from the top of the tower
• Pick up some souvenirs at the Japanese Building next door!

Visit the Gamcheon cultural village (3-4 hours)

Credit: @cai.meilin on Instagram

• Wander around for hours and soak in the serene vibes of the colorful village. Remember to wear comfy walking shoes!
• Take snapshots of the gorgeous, creatively drawn murals that fill the streets of Gamcheon

#HHWT Tip: Afraid of getting lost? Get yourself a map of the village for 2,000 won. You can even participate in the stamp scavenger hunt – visit the 9 listed locations, stamp your own card at each location, and return your card at any shop in the village to get a free postcard!

• Grab a bite at Star Kebab & Turkish Ice Cream back in Haeundae. Don’t forget to try the ice cream

Fly your way to Jeju Island (55 Mins)

• Busan, you’ve been wonderful but it’s time to catch your late flight to Jeju✈️
• Check into Yeha Guesthouse before crashing for the night. The guesthouse even provides utensils for Muslim guests!

Day 9

Wake up sleepyheads! It’s time to venture out to the peaceful island of Jeju

#HHWT Tip: With Jeju being 3 times the size of Seoul, we’d recommend renting a car as a means of transportation or hiring a local driver. Read more about travel hacks in Jeju here!

Sit down for a Korean vegetarian brunch (1-2 hours)

Credit: coupontong

• Have a hearty vegetarian brunch at Mulmaegol; the restaurant is famous for its lotus leaf rice

Spend time florlicking in the seas of Hyeopjae Beach (3-4 hours)

Credit: Brian Miller on Flickr

• One beach day isn’t enough! Take a dip in the calm waters; watch as they change colors from different shades of turquoise to blue
• Make a sand angel in the pristine sands of the beach or take a long therapeutic stroll along the shore
• Watch out for the volcanic rocks!

Day 10

Climb up the Seongsan Illchulbong Peak (2-3 hours)

• Go hiking on the east side of the island and enjoy the glorious scenery
• Hitch a ride from a Jeju pony!
• If you’re there in Spring, you’ll find the whole area abloom with yellow, vibrant flowers

Make a worthwhile trip to Jungmun Daepo Coast Jusangjeolli Cliff (2-3 hours)

• Marvel at unique, volcanic rock formations along the Jungmun Daepo Coastline
• Be hypnotized by the sights and sounds of crystal clear waves crashing below you
• Maybe snap some Instagram-worthy shots while you’re at it

Have a seafood hotpot as your last meal in Jeju (1-2 hours)

Credit: chibur

• Wrap up your last night in Jeju with haemul ttukbaegi (seafood hotpot) at Uribong Sikdang! Get ready to feast on a pot full of piping hot mussels and crab stew, yum
• Take some time to digest your meal before flying back to Seoul (1h5mins) and catching your flight home

P.S. Book all your travel needs from flights, hotel, travel insurance to car rental and even day tours and attraction tickets on CheapTickets.sg!

10 days truly isn’t enough to cover everything these 3 amazing Korean cities has to offer, so we hope our consolidated itinerary will suffice Oh, and don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner available on both Google Play for Android and the iTunes Store for iOS to plan your Seoul stop! Have fun travelling to the land of kimchi

This article was brought to you by CheapTickets.sg.