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A charming city where the historical heritage meets present-day glory – that is exactly what Seoul is about! Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a vibrant metropolis that offers an eclectic amalgam of towering buildings, traditional landmarks, pop culture, and bustling streets. With a wealth of amazing destinations, fascinating culture, and tantalising cuisine, it is no wonder Seoul is on the bucket-list of many travellers. After all, it is the origins of the K-pop and K-drama craze that is now increasingly seeping into the global spectrum.
In this article, we will walk you through the megacity’s points of interest, as well as things you can enjoy during your pre-cruise stay, so read on to learn more about how you can spend a memorable and fantastic 48 hours in Seoul.
1. Arrival at the Incheon International Airport
What sets Incheon International Airport apart from other typical landing strips are the avant-garde facilities and fun experiences that await you inside. Incheon airport is not your ordinary airport, and one could even say that it is an attraction in itself! You can relieve your travel fatigue with a rejuvenating massage in the Spa on Air, grab a bite of authentic Korean cuisine for breakfast, view local artefacts and contemporary artworks in the K-culture Zone, and even watch a movie in the on-site CGV movie theatre.
From the airport, you can take the AREX train to downtown Seoul, which takes about 40 minutes to an hour. You can also hop on an airport bus to reach some of the major areas in the capital, with a travel time that usually lasts for an hour to an hour and 20 minutes.
2.Cultural immersion at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Kick off your day tour by getting a glimpse of South Korea’s glorious past at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Its name translates to “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven” in English. The royal residence was constructed in 1395, just three years after King Taejo inaugurated the Joseon Dynasty, and is now known as the first and largest of the five palaces built during the era of Joseon. The palace has undergone multiple restorations and renovations after it was razed by fire during the Japanese occupation.
The historic palace is set against the scenic backdrop of Mount Bugaksan and Mount Namsan, so you can look forward to soaking up culture and nature in one spectacular setting. While here, marvel at the remarkable pagoda-style architecture, visit the living quarters and the main throne hall of the former king, and witness the ceremonial changing of the royal guard.
The admission fee in Gyeongbokgung Palace is around 1.80 GBP (3000 KRW) for adults, and it is open daily from 9am to 5pm or 6pm, except on Tuesdays.
3. Lunch at Sejeong Village Food Street
Close to Gyeongbokgung Palace is Sejeong Village Food Street, a narrow alley lined by several food stalls and restaurants. From Korean pancakes to kimchi (napa cabbage or Korean radish) and ramyeon (instant noodles), this food street will surely spoil you for choice!
4. Step back in time at Bukchon Hanok Village
Once you replenish your energy with good food, you can continue immersing yourself in the Korean culture and unique architecture as you explore Bukchon Hanok Village. The quaint residential neighbourhood is home to over 900 hanoks (traditional Korean houses) dating back to the Joseon Dynasty. It is located between the two royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace.
Check out the Bukchon Village Library and Bukchon Cultural Center to enrich your understanding about the country's culture. Step back in time and let yourself wallow in the nostalgic atmosphere while strolling on the winding streets of this ancient village.
Travellers are free to enter the village, but note that it is closed on Sundays. Do not miss wearing a hanbok, a traditional Korean clothing in vibrant colours, to complete your experience!
5. Enjoy ramyeon along Han River
Hangang River, or simply Han River, is one of the longest rivers in the Korean Peninsula that flows through Seoul. There are many easily accessible parks along the river, such as Yeouido Hangang Park and Ttukseom Han River Park. These riverside parks are popular among tourists and locals, thanks to the abundance of recreational activities every site offers, including picnicking and bicycling. Do not forget to try the classic instant ramyeon from a nearby convenience store. Trust us, there is no better place to taste it than along the banks of Han River!
6. Stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream promenade
Nothing compares to the romance of taking a leisurely walk along the promenade of the Cheonggyecheon Stream at night. Every evening, people can catch sight of the stunning light and water display at the starting point of the man-made stream at Cheonggye Plaza.
Candle Fountain is one of the attraction highlights, boasting two-tiered waterfall cascades synchronised with three lighting installations. Another main feature are the Palseokdam wishing wells, built using the stones from the nation’s eight provinces. Toss a coin and whisper your wish to the stars! Who knows? The heavens might actually grant your wish!
1. Indulge in the indie scene of Hongdae
Hongdae is bursting with performing arts, incredible cuisine, and great shopping opportunities. This cool and hip neighbourhood is perfect for those who want to experience the pulsating Seoul life. It is a place filled with exciting offerings, such as busking performances, virtual reality experiences, noraebangs (Korean-style karaoke), arcade games, street food, museums, themed cafes, and vibrant nightlife.
Some notable places in the university zone that you can add to your itinerary are the Hongdae Mural Street, Harry Potter Cafe, and Hongdae Free Market. Hongdae is full of energy and creativity — a perfect spot to feel free and young!
2. Explore the streets of Myeongdong
A paradise for shopaholics and beauty and fashion aficionados — that is Myeongdong for you! This popular shopping district is packed with local and international department stores, including Lotte and Shinsegae, which are considered the flagship stores in the area. Splurge on a shopping spree of skincare and cosmetic products, accessories, designer clothes in Myeongdong shopping street.
In Myeongdong, you will also find Myeongdong Cathedral, an elegant Gothic-style church soaring at a height of 147 feet (23 metres) including the bell tower.
After a solemn visit in Myeongdong Cathedral, head to the Myeongdong NANTA Theatre for an afternoon’s worth of laughter and gag. Guests can enjoy the comedic show of quirky kitchen performances and acrobatic feats. The show is pure performance and nonverbal, so language barriers will never be an issue!
The show begins at 5pm and 8pm on weekdays, and a 2pm show is added on weekends and holidays. The price starts at 26.35 GBP (44,000 KRW).
One must never miss the vast array of street foods like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and sundae (blood sausage), Korean fried chicken, gyeran-ppang (Korean egg bread), and many more, which are all present in Myeongdong Night Market. Myeongdong never falls short on chain cafes too. The night market usually opens at 4pm on weekdays.
Further, Café the Story offers an aesthetic Instagrammable interior design and delicious coffee for your caffeine fix.
3. Catch the sunset at N Seoul Tower
A trip to Seoul is never complete without N Seoul Tower. Wrap up your pre-cruise stay in the capital of South Korea by catching the breathtaking sunset at N Seoul Tower. Perched atop the Namsan Mountain, this multipurpose tower is an iconic landmark where the land meets the sky and the highest peak to admire the 360-degree view of the Seoul skyline.
From Myeongdong, you can take the free Namsan shuttle bus service to get to the Namsan Cable Car station. Ride the cable car and see the beauty of Seoul from a bird’s eye perspective. The roundtrip cable car rates are 8.38 GBP (14,000 KRW) for adults and 6.29 GBP (10,500 KRW) for senior citizens and children.
Namsan Tower observatory is open every day. It operates from 10am to 11 pm from Sunday to Friday and 10am to 12am on Saturdays. Besides gaping at the magnificent views, couples can secure their love in a padlock in the Love Padlocks Area and families can take their little ones to Hello Kitty Island and Ssentoy Museum & Showroom.
Cap off your night with a sumptuous dinner at N Grill, a luxurious fine-dining restaurant, serving a fusion of Korean and French cuisine intricately prepared by the Michelin-starred British chef Duncan Robertson.
Seoul is truly a city like no other. Witness the poetic spectacle of the Seoul skyline from the N Seoul Tower, soak in some sunshine along Han River, listen to beautiful serenades from Hongdae busking events, immerse in South Korea’s culture in traditional palaces, and indulge in the famous low-end to high end markets and shopping streets in Myeongdong — these are among the many things to do in Seoul within 48 hours.
So what are you waiting for? Cross out the dynamic capital of the Land of the Morning Calm on your travel bucket list and map out your pre-cruise stay with our list.
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