What to do in South Korea for 3 days, 2 nights: A Conrad Seoul itinerary
“3D/2N.”
What a bummer for the (hard)working class, really. Yet, it’s the standard period for a vacation leave that gets approval fast and dodges any more follow-up questions from your boss. It’s a template hotels, tours, and travel agencies have also picked up over time for you say, to be more efficient with your time and money as you temporarily escape reality.
The next wise step is to make sure all those three days and two nights are maximized. Which then leads you to either rely on an agent or go DIY with your itinerary. Yet, either can see you a little more spent at the end of the trip—or, pun intended, spending more than your budget! But what if you can be a little more casual and relaxed while being smooth and intentional?
Conrad Hotels & Resorts has an idea. Since July last year, the luxury chain has been implementing the Conrad 1/3/5, a branded program with thoughtfully curated itineraries tailored to a set time. The program reveals destinations you can explore literally within one, three, or five hours—distances close to the hotel, making for a more practical but still immersive and enjoyable experience. Conrad 1/3/5 can be booked through the Conrad Concierge.
How were these itineraries thought out? Conrad “took into account individual tastes, preferences, and available time to help uncover the soul of a place through its people, culture, and local stories.” The chain reported 67% of travelers prefer having a daily agenda while on the trip, with 20% opting for outdoor activities and another 20% searching for new culinary experiences.
We at PhilSTAR L!fe got to test out Conrad 1/3/5 in Seoul, South Korea during a recent visit. With Conrad Seoul right smack in the busy financial hub Yeouido, the program proved to serve its purpose: you’re able to both check out the recommended spot and wander a little more freely as you’re not as worried about the time. You get a good mix of speed and spontaneity, but you don’t get it if you cram a lot of things into a tight schedule.
Conrad Seoul first banners a pair of quick romantic escapes to do within an hour: a ride on the SEOULDAL balloon or a tour around the river via E-Land Cruise.
SEOULDAL is a humongous helium balloon inspired by a full moon, which translates to “dal” in Korean. As it’s tethered to the ground, it safely ascends to up to 130 meters and stays up for 15 minutes for a gorgeous view of the city. SEOULDAL is open daily except on Monday and/or dependent on the weather.
Meanwhile, E-Land Cruise, which departs from Yeouido Pier, offers premium experiences you can do alone or with a special someone. Enjoy dinner away from the bustle and afloat on the Han River, with the sunset as your backdrop! E-Land Cruise operates daily.
With more time at three hours, Conrad Seoul definitely has more adventure-filled recos to consider.
For one, there’s the Noryangjin Fish Market, one of Seoul’s most renowned seafood hubs with a storied past. Located near Noryangjin Station, the market offers an overwhelming array of live and freshly caught seafood. After you pick out your seafood, just bring it upstairs to one of the restaurants and have it cooked your way—think sashimi, grilled or steamed goodness. There’s usually a cooking fee of about KRW10,000 to KRW20,000 per person (~P400 to ~P800), so make sure to ask ahead of time to avoid any surprises. Noryangjin Fish Market is open 24 hours daily, with some special sections having its own hours.
For a trademark Seoul treat, the famous Han River Park is also walkable from Conrad Seoul. It buzzes year-round with festivals, concerts, and marathons, from spring cherry blossoms in Yeouido to the city’s iconic fall fireworks. When things slow down, you’ll find peaceful nature spots, bike rentals, and scenic river cruises—making it an entertainment area for everyone. Hungry? There are food stalls and park convenience stores accessible to everyone dropping by! Han River Park is open 24 hours daily, with facilities operating from morning to evening.
It gets more historical if you choose to head to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the oldest and grandest of Seoul’s five palaces. Visitors can join guided tours for a glimpse of Joseon Dynasty history and even catch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony daily (except Tuesdays). Complete the experience by renting a hanbok at the nearby shops—it’ll also grant you free admission! Gyeongbokgung Palace generally opens at 9 a.m. and closes late afternoon.
Conclude your historical adventure above with a modern twist: enter HiKR Ground, a five-story K-culture playground along Cheonggyecheon. It’s packed with interactive experiences you can imagine: virtual board riding, digital graffiti with interactive lockers, and a “hands-on YouTuber experience.” Head over to the K-pop Ground on the 2nd floor, which has music video sets of your K-pop idols recreated! HiKR Ground is open daily except on Monday.
Last but not least, at least for Conrad Seoul, five hours is more than enough to taste Korean culture and history at its most authentic.
Ranked among the world’s top museums, the National Museum of Korea has over 420,000 artifacts spanning ancient to modern Korean history. Dive deep into the country’s art, culture, and heritage. Among its permanent exhibitions is the Room of Contemplation, which allows you to immerse yourself in silence with the pensive bodhisattva statues—considered national treasures in Korea.
Neighborhoods are also among Conrad’s top recos.
The laid-back hillside neighborhood of Haebangchon has rooftop spaces that offer a perfect view of the sunset and of Central Seoul and N Seoul Tower. From light-chasing, you can wander by following themed walking trails like the Village Heritage Trail and the Multicultural Discovery Trail to uncover everything else about Haebangchon.
Ikseon-dong, meanwhile, is a charming spot in central Seoul where 1920s hanok houses have been revamped into trendy cafés, dessert shops, artisanal boutiques, and even photo studios.
Speaking of photos, its alleys are hidden with OOTD spots! An equally history-rich neighborhood is Insadong, which boasts of the Beautiful Tea House. The latter aims to further promote traditional Korean tea culture, showcasing historic tea utensils from the Gaya and Joseon periods alongside works by contemporary ceramic artists. Next to the exhibits, you can enjoy warm traditional teas and sweet desserts while checking out tea tools and blends that make interesting souvenirs!
Disclaimer: PhilSTAR L!fe's travel guide series was made possible by Conrad Seoul.
