7D6N South Korea Winter Itinerary

Escape the heat this December! Here’s a 7D6N Itinerary to enjoy the winter season in Seoul with just a little bit of everything—culture, shopping, nature, and more.

Day 1: Singapore > Seoul | A Dose of Culture

📍 Gwanghwamun > Gyeongbokgung Palace > Insa-dong or Bukchon Hanok Village

Having just landed “fresh off the boat” in Seoul, why not kick-start your trip with a dose of Korean traditional architecture at Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace in the morning? Then Insa-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village in the afternoon? Spice up your photos by renting a beautiful ‘Hanbok’ costume for the day as you roam around the free attractions. Then, wrap up your first day in the cold with a warm Korean barbeque dinner at one of the many barbeque restaurants in the area.

Tip: Many rental shops near the palaces offer lockers for you to place your things, so you can explore these attractions with ease.

Day 2: Seoul > Gyeonggi-do | Scenic Day Trip

📍 Gapyeong Rail Park > Nami Island > Petite France > Garden of Morning Calm

On your second day in Seoul, take a day trip out for some fresh air and greenery. Begin your day with a Rail Bike ride at the Gapyeong Rail Park—slightly newer than Gangchon Rail Park and more convenient to get to from the city centre. As you pedal leisurely, you can take in the serenity around you and also get a nice exercise! After which, proceed to Nami Island to explore and have a hearty lunch at one of the popular eateries on the island. Then, head down to Petite France and then the Garden of Morning Calm for the winter lighting festivals. It’s best to leave Garden of Morning Calm to the last so that you can see it light up as the sunsets. (More on what to do in Nami Island, Petite France, and Garden of Morning Calm here.

Day 3: Seoul | Shopping and Cafe-hopping

📍 Garosu-gil > Gangnam

It’s time for a change of pace on your third day in Seoul. Switch gears from scenery to some modern city indulgences. Ranging from high-street to luxury fashion, you will be spoilt for choice visiting the many stores situated in Garosu-gil as well as the larger Gangnam area. If you aren’t a big shopper, you can still have a great time cafe-hopping throughout swanky cafes dotted around the vicinity. If you’re lucky, you may even chance upon a flea market or a pop-up store selling nifty items!

Day 4: Seoul > Gangwon-do | Skiing and Snow-capped Mountains

📍 Alpensia Ski Resort

Set off bright and early toward Gangwon-do, home of the ski resorts Alpensia and Yongpyong, which were the host sites of the 2018 Winter Olympics. It’s just a 3-hour shuttle bus ride from Seoul. Upon arriving, check into the hotel and place your bags down. Then, you are free to start skiing! Hit one of the six ski slopes in the resort complex, or take a two-hour private ski lesson to get the hang of gliding on the snow. After a splendid day skiing or if you’re not up for skiing, try the ‘Jimjilbang’ (Korean style sauna) or spas to soothe those achy muscles. You deserve it!

Complete the day with a nice Korean barbeque. While there are quite a few barbeque restaurants located around the resort, give Daegwallyeong Hanwoo Town a try as it lets you choose your meat cuts on the first floor, then take the food upstairs to be cooked.

Day 5: Gangwon-do | Explore Pyeongchang

📍 Check out Pyeongchang > Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

Check out of Alpensia and spend the morning exploring some of the iconic attractions in Pyeongchang. One of the things that’s not to be missed is the Woljeongsa Temple in Odaesan National Park. It dates back 1,000 years and has national treasures kept throughout the compound, including a nine-story octagonal pagoda.

Then, spend a magical afternoon at the Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, where the grassy 195-square-kilometre ranch transforms into a magical looking winter forest covered with a blanket of thick white snow. (Read more on Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm in the winter here.) After that, make your way back to Seoul.

Day 6: Gangwon-do > Seoul | Bag Up the Souvenirs

📍 Myeong-dong > Hongdae

It’s your last full day in Seoul. It’s time to make sure you’ve got all the souvenirs and goodies that you’ve been wanting to get. Embark on that usual pilgrimage to Myeongdong for cosmetics, clothes and “too-cute” souvenirs (KAKAO Friends Store), and Hongdae for food and more shopping!

Day 7: Seoul > Singapore | One More Cafe for the Trip Home

📍 Seoul > Incheon International Airport

You’re due to leave Seoul after enjoying 7 days of the cold winter air. Go out for one last awesome brunch meal before heading back. There are so many gorgeous new cafes popping up in Seoul all the time! You’re sure to find something new and fresh even if it isn’t your first time here.

For some inspiration, check out our 10 Instagram Worthy Cafes in Seoul.

If this post has inspired you to visit Korea, be sure to check out CheapTickets.sg for travel deals including a $15 off instant discount for return flights from Singapore or $88 discount for flight+hotel deals!

This post is brought to you by CheapTickets.sg and Korea Tourism Organization