Hey, I'm in Seoul for business on 24th and 25 July. I'm thinking of staying a few extra days to see the place as it's not somewhere I doubt I'd get to see otherwise!

So how many days do I need to experience the main culture and attractions? It's a shame the DMZ tour is currently closed as that was the main thing I wanted to do.

What else? Trip to Jeju island worth it for a day trip?

Thanks!

Jim

Depends on what you'd like to see. Shopping, nature, historical sites, food...
Give us an idea.

I'd also like to know how many days I should stay in Seoul. I'm planning to do a little shopping, visit historic sights, museums, trying out the food. Just normal, touristy stuff. I will be going there on a stopover.

How long is a piece of string? I'd stay for at least two nights to even start exploring any new place... but while I like Seoul, quite a few FTers don't.

In any case, I wouldn't recommend a day trip to Jeju, you'd spend most of it just getting there and back. I would recommend the DMZ, but no luck there at the moment

For Seoul, I'm sure two-three nights will do.

I agree Jeju is not worth it for a day trip. Most of the attractions like the mountains are quite a drive from the airport. You can squeeze enough time to see the ocean area with the stones made from old lava...

I'm booked for 6 nights for my first S. Korea visit in end Sept. but want to see both Seoul and a few sights beyond the capital like the DMZ which I'm hoping will reopen by then. I don't like to feel rushed when I travel and sometimes spend hours wandering neighborhoods or having a beer and people watching on a busy avenue but to each their own.

Did you feel that your 6 nights was well spent? Would you stay less time if you were to do it over again?

I'm looking at doing a stopover on the way from NRT to PER, and I've got up to maybe 6 extra days to play with and spend either in NRT (which I've seen most of), ICN (which I've never been to), or PER (which I've also never been to but will be seeing some of during OzFest).

Sorry for the delay in replying jackal but yes, I do feel 6 nights was just right to see the city sights at a leisurely pace plus include a trip out of Seoul like a DMZ tour, though I didn't myself.

I really enjoyed the Namsangol Hanok Village and would recommend it as well as a bike ride through the World Cup & Olympic sites. There are lots of trails along the river and bikes for rent conveniently and cheaply.

Also enjoyed the moveable feast of street vendors to sample the food stalls rather than search out a different restaurant each night. To each their own but travelling alone I liked sampling the street fare including the five alarm hot meat skewers.

MHO is that to really experience Seoul requires more than just 2-3 nights. Hope that helps.

It does, thanks--or rather, it would have; I had to cancel my NRT/PER trip so won't be doing the ICN stopover this time. Good info for next time, though. Thanks!

Book your DMZ tour in advance.

They are not always available.

Good advice, book it quick. You can estimate the about the entire daytime for a full tour of the DMZ. Might be a fun place to see especially with the NK tension going up lately. I think you can see quite a lot of Seoul and Korea with 4-5 days.