5-Day Stopover in Seoul: A Perfect Mix of History and Modern Charm
From the shocking language barrier, the kind smiles of the locals and the delicious hotteok, Seoul nestled its way into a permanent spot in our hearts!
Visiting Seoul in November 2019, we were immensely grateful for our packable down coats, gloves, and layers, which kept us comfortable during the brisk fall weather. This city’s late fall chill was invigorating, and being prepared made all the difference. If you’re planning a trip to Seoul around the same time of year, trust me—layers are key.
Why Seoul?
When planning this trip, we knew we wanted to return to Thailand during the shoulder season of late November to early December. This time of year in Thailand offers fewer crowds, ideal weather, and reasonable prices. But the idea of splitting up the long travel day with a multi-day stopover in East Asia was too good to pass up. After checking flights, we landed on Korean Air as our airline of choice, making Seoul the perfect bonus destination!
Seoul is a city that seamlessly blends rich history with vibrant modern culture. From ancient palaces to bustling shopping districts, there’s something for every type of traveler. The late fall scenery—crisp air, golden leaves, and the occasional hint of winter—added a magical touch to our trip.
Packing for Seoul in November
Knowing it would be cold, we prioritized packing smart with lightweight but warm essentials:
Packable down coats: An absolute lifesaver for warmth without bulk.
Gloves and scarves: Essential for chilly mornings and evenings.
Layering basics: Thermal tops, sweaters, and leggings to stay cozy without overpacking.
Layers truly made the difference for comfortable exploring—don’t skimp on them!
Exploring Seoul: Highlights of Our Trip
Day 1: Wandering Aimlessly Through Seoul After landing in Seoul, we checked into our accommodations—a precious traditional Airbnb in Bukchon Hanok Village. This charming stay featured a traditional Korean floor bed, or “yo,” which added to the authentic experience. Our host, the sweetest Korean man, prepared a delicious breakfast for us every morning. The thermally heated floors of the hanok were a delight, especially after long days of exploring.
That evening, we wandered aimlessly through random neighborhoods, observing the city without any set plan. It was a wonderful way to soak in the local atmosphere and get a feel for Seoul’s vibrant and diverse energy. Some areas felt new, modern, and fresh, while others felt outdated, like stepping back in time to the 80s!
One thing that stood out immediately was how spotless the city was—no trash in sight! However, we quickly noticed the lack of public trash cans. This led to a running joke that if we spotted a trash can, we had to use it, or we’d be carrying our trash for miles!
Day 2: Historical Gems—Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village Our second day was all about immersing ourselves in Seoul’s history. Gyeongbokgung Palace was a standout with its grand architecture and peaceful gardens. I didn’t have a hugely detailed itinerary for our stay, but I knew I wanted to visit the palace garden, so we booked a tour for that—it was absolutely worth it!
Afterward, we wandered through Bukchon Hanok Village, admiring the traditional Korean houses against the backdrop of the modern city skyline. Staying in this area added an extra layer of charm to our visit.
Day 3: Foodie Paradise—Dumplings, Korean Barbecue, and hotteok.
Walking around in the crisp weather made us crave Seoul’s iconic foods. We indulged in warm dumplings, flavorful Korean barbecue, and hearty noodle dishes. But the star of the show was the tteokbokki! We stumbled upon a street cart on a random road near the Cheonggyecheon Stream, and it had the most amazing hotteok we’ve ever tasted. It was seriously insane. We loved it so much that we literally walked back around the block to get another serving! If you’re a fan of street food, keep your eyes open for gems like this—you won’t regret it.
Day 4: Hiking and Modern Seoul In the morning, we hiked around the old city walls, admiring the historic gates along the path. These gates are the original ones that used to be guarded around the city of Seoul, adding a fascinating glimpse into the city's rich history. It was a refreshing way to start the day, though getting there was an adventure in itself. Later, we spent time exploring Myeongdong’s lively streets, where we shopped for skincare products and snacked on even more street food. We also ventured to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a futuristic landmark that’s a haven for art and design lovers. The vibrant modern markets in these areas were a highlight of our trip.
Day 5: A Relaxing Morning On our last day, we enjoyed a relaxing morning at our Airbnb, reflecting on our time in Seoul and preparing for the journey ahead. This quiet downtime was much needed before heading to the airport to catch our flight to Thailand.
However, we cannot discuss our trip without addressing the shocking language barrier we encountered. Coming from previous travel experiences in Thailand, where many people spoke at least some English, we were unprepared for how little English was understood in Seoul. We took local buses from our neighborhood to the downtown area and up to the hiking trail, since it wasn’t walking distance. However, we were initially nervous about the language barrier with the buses and ended up walking the route a few times instead, which left us exhausted and cold. On one occasion, we even got on the wrong bus while trying to return to our Airbnb and ended up at a university campus instead, and the driver did not speak English —a memorable detour! This barrier was especially evident with taxi drivers. Many turned us away outright because we didn’t speak Korean. On our last day, we got into a taxi and asked the driver to take us to the airport. To our surprise, he didn’t understand the word “airport”—as a taxi driver! While this was frustrating at times, it’s worth noting that every local we encountered was incredibly kind and met us with a smile. Their warmth made even the challenging moments memorable.
Looking back, we were grateful to have downloaded specific map apps and taxi booking apps commonly used by locals. These tools allowed us to communicate more effectively with drivers and navigate the city. Still, we wish we had better prepared by learning more Korean before our visit. A few key phrases or a handy translation app could have made navigating Seoul much smoother.
What We Missed (and Would Love to Return For)
If we had more time, we would have loved to explore Bukhansan National Park and the Seoul Forest. Both spots offer incredible natural beauty and would have been a fantastic addition to our itinerary.
Final Thoughts
Our 5-day stopover in Seoul was the perfect blend of culture, history, and culinary delights. It gave us a refreshing break from travel fatigue and left us with unforgettable memories. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand or anywhere in Southeast Asia, consider adding a stopover in Seoul. It’s a city that will capture your heart—and warm your hands with a delicious hotteok!
