Seoul is a city where royal palaces, old neighborhoods, city walls, and modern architecture can all be experienced in one day.

Instead of spending much of your day moving around Seoul by subway or bus, this route lets you explore the city on foot, experience the local atmosphere, and discover Korean history along the way.

From Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Palace Museum of Korea to the old Seoul City Wall, you can see how the city has changed over time while walking through its neighborhoods.

Toward the end of the day, head up to Naksan Park for one of Seoul’s beautiful sunset views before walking down toward Dongdaemun and DDP.

It’s a simple way to spend a meaningful day in Seoul — walking through the city, learning its history, and ending the day with a sunset over Seoul.

This walking route starts at Gyeongbokgung Palace, passes through the National Palace Museum of Korea and Daehangno, climbs Naksan Park, and then follows the old city wall down toward Dongdaemun and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).

The total walking distance is roughly 9–11 km. If you stop for sightseeing, photos, and food along the way, plan on spending most of the day on this route.

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Quick Info

Route: Gyeongbokgung Palace → National Palace Museum of Korea → Hyehwa → Naksan Park → Dongdaemun → DDP

Walking distance: About 9–11 km

Walking time: About 2.5–3 hours without sightseeing stops

Recommended time: About 7–8 hours

Suggested start: Around 10:00 AM

Best for: Korean history, walking, local neighborhoods, photography, sunset views

Difficulty: Moderate

The Naksan Park section includes uphill walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

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1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

I would start the day at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Built during the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace and is one of the best places to begin a historical walking route through Seoul.

The palace grounds are large, so I wouldn’t try to rush through everything. The main gates, Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and the mountain views behind the palace are enough to give you a good introduction.

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If you arrive around 10:00 AM, spending about 1–1.5 hours here works well for this itinerary.

How I Enjoy This Stop

I like walking farther into the palace rather than staying only around Gwanghwamun and the main buildings.

As you move away from the entrance, the crowds usually spread out and the palace feels much quieter.

2. National Palace Museum of Korea

The National Palace Museum of Korea is right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace, so it fits naturally into the route.

The museum focuses on the history and culture of Korea’s royal family during the Joseon Dynasty.

After seeing the actual palace buildings, you can come here to see royal objects, paintings, documents, and other artifacts connected to palace life.

National Palace Museum of Korea – Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

It’s also a useful place to take a short break before continuing the longer walking section.

I would spend around 40–60 minutes here.

How I Enjoy This Stop

I prefer visiting the museum after Gyeongbokgung rather than before it.

Seeing the palace first gives some context to the objects inside the museum, and the indoor galleries are a comfortable break after walking around the large palace grounds.

3. Walk Toward Hyehwa and Daehangno

From the Gyeongbokgung area, continue east toward Hyehwa.

This is the longest urban walking section of the route, and the atmosphere gradually changes along the way.

The royal palace area gives way to everyday Seoul streets before you eventually reach Daehangno around Hyehwa Station.

Daehangno is known for its theaters, cafés, restaurants, and university-area atmosphere.

This part of the route is less about checking off another major tourist attraction and more about walking through the city and seeing the local atmosphere between Seoul’s historical sites.

It’s also a good area to stop for lunch before climbing toward Naksan Park.

4. Naksan Park

From Hyehwa, start walking uphill toward Naksan Park.

This is the most physically demanding part of the route, but it’s also one of the highlights of the day.

Naksan Park runs alongside part of the old Seoul City Wall. From the higher sections of the trail, you can look across the surrounding neighborhoods and central Seoul.

Naksan Park Seoul – Best Night View & City Wall Walk

What I like about this area is that the historic wall doesn’t feel separated from the city. It runs beside residential neighborhoods, small streets, and everyday Seoul life.

How I Enjoy This Stop

I wouldn’t rush through Naksan Park.

Walk slowly along the wall, stop at the viewpoints, and take some time to look back over Seoul.

I especially recommend timing this part of the route for late afternoon.

Watching the sun go down from around Naksan Park gives you a completely different view of Seoul from what you saw earlier in the day at Gyeongbokgung.

After sunset, continue along the Seoul City Wall toward Dongdaemun.

5. Seoul City Wall to Dongdaemun

The walk from Naksan Park toward Dongdaemun is one of my favorite sections of this route.

You follow the old city wall downhill while modern Seoul becomes increasingly visible below.

Eventually, you reach Heunginjimun, commonly called Dongdaemun.

Heunginjimun was one of the major gates of the old walled city.

After spending the day learning about the Joseon Dynasty at Gyeongbokgung and the National Palace Museum, arriving here on foot makes the different historical sites feel connected rather than like separate tourist attractions.

The contrast is also interesting.

An old city gate stands surrounded by busy roads, shops, and modern buildings.

6. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Finish the walk at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, usually called DDP.

After spending the day around a royal palace, a museum, local neighborhoods, and the Seoul City Wall, DDP feels completely different.

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Its large curved architecture and the surrounding lights show the modern side of Seoul.

This is why I prefer ending the route here rather than starting at Dongdaemun and walking toward Gyeongbokgung.

The day gradually moves from the royal history of Seoul to the modern city.

If you start around 10:00 AM and take your time at each stop, you should reach the Dongdaemun area in the late afternoon or evening.

After sunset, DDP and the surrounding Dongdaemun streets are worth walking around before dinner.

If you’re staying near Jongno, BBQ is a great choice for dinner. Afterward, head to Jongno 3-ga Pocha Street for a casual second round with a drink and some simple Korean bar food.

These days, Jongno 3-ga is one of Seoul’s liveliest nightlife areas, drawing plenty of young people as well as office workers. Prices are relatively affordable, and the outdoor pocha atmosphere gives you a very different side of Seoul at night.

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What to Eat Along the Route

One of the advantages of walking across central Seoul is that there are plenty of Korean food options along the way.

You don’t need to follow every recommendation. Pick one depending on where you are when you get hungry.

1. Daehwa Sikdang

If you want Korean BBQ around the Gyeongbokgung and Jongno area, Daehwa Sikdang is one option.

Daehwa Sikdang serves Korean-style grilled pork, cooked directly at the table. The meat is typically enjoyed with lettuce, garlic, kimchi, and Korean dipping sauces.

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It’s a classic Korean meal and works well if you want something filling before the longer walking section.

2. Jongno Pocha Street

Jongno’s pocha street offers a completely different experience from the historical attractions earlier in the day.

3 Must-Try Pocha Street Spots in Jongno 3-ga – Food, Drinks & Nightlife

In the evening, the area fills with casual Korean drinking spots serving dishes designed for sharing.

If you want to see a more everyday nightlife atmosphere in central Seoul, Jongno is worth considering after your walk.

3. Unlimited Samgyeopsal & Galbi

If you’re hungry after several hours of sightseeing, an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ meal is another option.

$15 Korean BBQ Buffet in Jongno Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – All-You-Can-Eat

You can grill samgyeopsal and Korean-style galbi at your table and eat at your own pace.

It’s particularly useful for travelers looking for a filling Korean BBQ meal without ordering several separate portions.

4. Meongseokjip

Meongseokjip is another local Korean food option around this part of Seoul.

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It’s a place to consider if you want a more casual local meal rather than eating only around the major tourist attractions.

5. Dakgalbi

Dakgalbi is spicy stir-fried chicken cooked with vegetables, rice cakes, and Korean seasoning.

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It’s usually cooked in a large pan at the table and is especially good for sharing with family or friends.

After a few hours of walking, it’s a filling meal without needing a formal restaurant experience.

6. 10 Local Korean Restaurants in Seoul

If you are looking for more places to eat during your Seoul trip, I also put together a list of 10 local Korean restaurants I have visited.

What to Eat in Seoul – 10 Local Korean Restaurants

The list includes Korean BBQ, dakgalbi, jjimdak, gomtang, jokbal and other Korean dishes in areas such as Gyeongbokgung, Jongno, Dongdaemun and Seongsu.

Read more: 10 Local Korean Restaurants in Seoul

7. Dongdaemun Dakhanmari

If you complete the entire route, I would save Dongdaemun’s famous dakhanmari for the end.

Dakhanmari literally means “one whole chicken.”

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A whole chicken is cooked in a hot broth, usually with potatoes, rice cakes, and other ingredients. Noodles can also be added toward the end of the meal.

Dongdaemun is well known for dakhanmari, making it a natural dinner after walking from Gyeongbokgung through Hyehwa and Naksan Park.

A hot pot of chicken and broth is also a satisfying way to finish a long day on foot.

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Final Thoughts

What I like most about this route is that you’re not spending a large part of the day sitting on buses or moving underground between subway stations.

You’re actually walking through Seoul.

You begin with the royal history of Gyeongbokgung, learn more about the Joseon Dynasty at the National Palace Museum, walk through the everyday streets around Hyehwa, climb beside the old Seoul City Wall, watch the sunset from Naksan Park, and finally arrive in modern Dongdaemun.

It’s a long walk, but that’s also the point of this route.

Instead of simply moving from one famous attraction to another, you get to see the streets and neighborhoods that connect them.

For travelers who enjoy walking, Korean history, local neighborhoods, and city views, this can be a meaningful way to spend one full day in Seoul.

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Have you walked this Seoul route from Gyeongbokgung Palace through Naksan Park to Dongdaemun?

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