Begin at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Joseon royal palaces, where stone courtyards stretch between painted wooden pavilions. Time your arrival for the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at the main gate, which is a formal reconstruction of court ritual that lends context to the architecture surrounding it.

From here, head into Bukchon Hanok Village, where narrow, sloping streets are lined with restored wooden homes with tiled rooflines and inner courtyards glimpsed through wooden gates. Rent a hanbok, a traditional outfit with a flowing silhouette consisting of a draped jacket and a long skirt or pants.

Optional add-on: Continue into Insadong, where traditional crafts remain central in the form of galleries, teahouses, and small shops selling calligraphy tools, celadon ceramics, and hanji paper that are tucked into narrow alleys off the main street. Take a café break for traditional Korean tea or bingsu (shaved ice treat).

Have lunch at Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest food markets. Sit at a pojangmacha stall and sample local favorites, such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap (seaweed rolls), and yukhoe (beef tartare).

Head to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the fluid aluminium landmark that anchors Seoul’s fashion and design scene, with exhibitions that shift throughout the year. The building itself is the primary draw for its flowing surfaces and underground exhibition spaces.

Optional add-on: Continue to Myeongdong, where street food and K-beauty retail exist side by side. The flagship stores of brands such as Innisfree, Laneige, and Cosrx sit within a few blocks of stalls selling tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), and gyeran-ppang (egg bread).

Take the Namsan cable car up to N Seoul Tower for a panoramic view of Seoul contained within its ring of mountains and to see the lock wall made famous by K-dramas.

Head to Hongdae for Korean BBQ, consisting of samgyeopsal (pork belly strips), hanwoo (Korean beef), or galbi (short ribs) cooked at the table. Afterward, experience the nighttime vibe of Hongdae by heading to a norebang for karaoke in private rooms, with percussion instruments and song catalogs with Korean and English songs.