FOUR DAYS IN THE HEART OF SEOUL
My trip in Seoul started fast really fast. I landed 30 min in advance from the scheduled. Then my cab apparently was in a hurry driving at 160 km/h when the limitation was 100. In the end, I arrived so quick in the center of Seoul that I didn’t realized I was actually there. At 5:45am. On Chinese New Year day.
In total I spent 4 days in Seoul, the first days were calm because of the time of year. But Seoul I big enough to keep you entertained with or without people in the street. A lot of things to see. A lot of areas to spend time to discover.
Since I walked over 50 kilometers to discover it and go to places that some of you recommended, I decided to compile a guide of my favorite places. And a few advice also!
HOT SPOTS
Stay:
Hotel DDP The Designers:
A nice boutique hotel located in the center of Seoul. Its particularity is that the room are extremely well designed. Some of the suites were created by Korean designers. A perfect way to stay in Seoul.
293 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Coffee places:
Mr Holmes Bakehouse:
Probably my favorite place to enjoy a great coffee. I also recommend the matcha croissant, which is to die for.
34 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Café Jiin:
Café Jiin is an elegant and calm coffee place located nearby Sulwhasoo Balance Spa. Perfect to start your day before going to the spa or shopping in the area.
Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Eat:
Bad Farmers:
Trendy & healthy. Located near Garosil-gil, this restaurant is a delight for all the healthy bowl lovers.
523 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Normal by Ryunique:
A nice bistrot in Gingham who serves fusion food. The service is adorable and the different courses are well elaborated.
42 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Spa:
Sulwhasoo Balance Spa:
When I decided to travel to Seoul, I reached to different bloggers for advices and places to visit. One of them was Aimee Song - yes the founder of Song of Style. She nicely recommended me to do a facial program at the Sulwhasoo Balance Spa. So I booked one and I totally approved. It was probably the best spa experience I ever had. Everything is relaxing and adapted to your needs. Simply amazing!
18 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Shop:
Seoul is real shopping destination for fashion and beauty. One of the main are for fashion lover is located around Garosil-gil in Gangnam. If you are looking for cosmetics, I recommend you try the products of Inisfree, Etudes House, Erborian, Clio and La Neige. They are pretty affordable compared to the European ones and really of high quality. For luxury shopping, go to Galleria and Boon the shop. Finally, if you like me and you are addicted to sunglasses have a look to Spettro and Gentle Monster.
Ps: Gentle Monster stores are absolutely amazing and are worth visiting even if you don't want to buy anything.
See:
Seoul Tower & Nassan Park:
The Seoul tower is one of the symbols of the city. Located in Nassan Park, in the center of Seoul, it is almost impossible to miss it. A must see.
Bukchon Hanok Village:
The iconic traditional village of Seoul is probably my favorite area of the city. It clearly contrast with the modernism of the skyscrapers of the city. Bukchon Hanok Village is a really nice place to hang, discover the traditional houses, drink coffee with friends and shop. I highly recommend it!
Chandeokgung:
One of the palaces of Seoul located nearby Bukchon Hanok Village. Absolutely breathe-taking. I total must-see! And have look to the details of the different parts of the palace and how well conserved they are. Simply exquisite.
Deoksugung:
Another palace located in the center of Seoul. It is as majestic as the Chandeokgung. Both place are reminiscences of the past of this extremely modern city, showing the depth of the Korean culture.
#DETAILSMATTER
Be patient: The one thing you’ll be confronted to in Seoul is the language barrier. Korean people are adorable and they will try to speak to you even though you don’t understand each other ! So just be patient. Sometimes you will have to repeat several times what you are looking for but that’s fine. You’re traveling so relax!
Prepare to get lost: The language barrier is not only a problem to converse with people but also with street signs. And even when they are translated the streets name are super easy to confound. I strongly recommend you download an travel app with an offline map so you can localise yourself easily.
Have a look to the weather forecast: Don’t do like me! I almost went in Seoul with the regular clothes without noticing the below-zero temperatures. To sum up by taking a 4 hours flight I lost 25 degrees (Celsius by the way)! Luckily for me I was told about the weather forecasts and I packed the appropriate clothes and accessories.
(Photo credit: 4am Journal)