Planning for your trip to South Korea? Look no further, for we have prepared a Muslim-friendly Korea itinerary! From bustling shopping districts to mouthwatering local cuisines to try, this itinerary will bring you through all the hot spots in Seoul and, of course, the port city of Busan (Day trips outside of Seoul are included at the end if you’re looking to switch up your days).
Day 1: Landing and exploring Myeongdong and Hongdae
Once you’ve landed at Incheon International Airport, there are many ways to get to your accommodation. Namely private transfers, Airport Railroad Express (AREX), and airport limousine buses.
A brief breakdown of the different options:
|
Private Transfer |
A costly but great option, if you’re traveling with family, is booking a private transfer with International Taxi. This is more costly than getting a regular taxi outside the arrival hall, but drivers are able to converse in English, Japanese, or Chinese plus have a fixed system rate, so you can rest assured. *Fare varies by type of taxi and will include an additional toll for Incheon International Airport Expressway (₩7,900). |
| AREX |
A quicker transfer would be to take the Airport Railroad Express. There are 2 AREX lines, local and express. Local
Express
Once you are at Seoul Station, you will have to transfer from the AREX to subway lines 1 & 4; check out the walkthrough video that AREX has uploaded here. |
| Airport Limousine Bus |
The airport limousine bus may be a more comfortable option if you’re traveling with heavy luggage. There are various bus operators with various stations, such as major hotels or tourist attractions. Below are the different bus operators. Airport Limousine: https://www.airportlimousine.co.kr |
Drop off your bags at HOTEL DRIP & DROP Myeongdong
Located just a few minutes away from Myeongdong station and an airport limousine bus stop, HOTEL DRIP & DROP offers clean and comfortable rooms. With the Myeongdong shopping street just a walk away, there are also many Halal or Muslim-friendly food options located just 1 train station away.
Address: 44 Myeongdong 3-gil (7-8F), Jung-gu, Seoul
Walking the streets of Myeongdong
Walk off the post-flight sluggishness by exploring the bustling streets of Myeongdong’s shopping street. There are many shops to see, ranging from clothing brands to skincare, there’s something for everyone.
Adidas/Nike Flagship Store
The flagship stores have a wide variety of products available, including some country-exclusive options for you to check out.
Address: 14 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:30-22:00
ALAND
If you’re looking for the latest street-fashion clothing for both men and women, make sure to check ALAND out. It is a multi-store brand that carries everything from clothing and bags to accessories. They even have a vintage section if that is more your style.
Address: 40 Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00-23:00
CT Record
Make sure to explore the underground shops located in Myeongdong Station just inside Exit 4. For K-pop fans, there are various stores selling unofficial and official goods. CT Record is one of the stores that carries official albums, and some are priced cheaper than the official stores so don’t miss out on it.
Address: 124 Myeongdong Station B-10, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00-22:00
Olive Young
One of the biggest health and beauty product store, Olive Young Myeongdong Flagship Store is one of their biggest that carries a wide range of products. Of course, if it gets to crowded at this store, you can always check out any other smaller Olive Young stores.
Address: 53 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00-22:30
Sappun
Sappun is a local store specializing in quality and trendy but affordable shoes for women. Some of their signature designs include the ‘Nhibre Mary Jane Flats’ and ‘Atir Ribbon Flats.’
Address: 37-7 Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00-22:00
Visit the first and largest mosque in Korea
A trip to Seoul would be incomplete if you do not drop by the Seoul Central Mosque. From Myeongdong, take Line 4 to Samgagji and take Line 6 to Itaewon. The nearest exit is Exit 3; however, if you need the lift, take Exit 2 instead.
Seoul Central Mosque
The walk to Seoul Central Mosque has quite an incline, so be ready to walk as you make your way! Over the years, Seoul Central Mosque has made quite a few improvements. The prayer hall is located in the main building. The prayer hall for the men is located on the second floor. Whereas the ladies are on the first floor, on the right side of the building. Toilet and ablution space is located in the relatively newer building that also includes a cafe and lecture halls
Address: 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea.
Halal Food at Itaewon
There are many food options in Itaewon, so here’s a list to help you decide what to try out when you’re in the area.
| Name | Halal-status | Details |
| EID Halal Korean Food | Halal-certified |
Authentic Korean cuisine Address: 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea Opening Hours: Daily, 11:30am - 9pm |
| The Halal Guys | Halal-certified |
American Halal food Address: 187 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat, 11:00-04:00 |
| HAJJ Korea Halal Food | Muslim-owned |
Authentic Korean cuisine Address: 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Jipbap Kimseonsaeng | Halal-certified |
Authentic Korean cuisine Address: 3, Noksapyeong-daero 32-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea 04345 Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30-14:00,15:00-21:40 |
| Siti Sarah Korean Melayu & Egyptian Halal Food | Muslim-owned |
Korean, Malay & Egyptian cuisine Address: 1F, South Korea, Seoul, Yongsan District, Usadan-ro 10-gil, 7 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00-00:00; Sat-Sun, 10:00-02:00 |
| Yell-O! Chicken | Halal-certified |
Korean chicken Address: 14 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00-22:00 |
Myeongdong night market
As you end the day, check out the night market at Myeongdong. The atmosphere in Myeongdong at night is completely different from the day.
Day 2: Checking out historical locations
Image credit: Daniel Bernard on Unsplash
Gyeongbokgung Palace & Hanbok Rental
Kickstart the day with a Hanbok (Korean traditional costume) rental before visiting the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace. Free entry is available for visitors who wear the Hanbok (this applies to all other Seoul palaces as well).
Daehan Hanbok
Located just 5 minutes away from the palace, Daehan Hanbok offers a great variety of over 800 traditional and premium Hanboks for you to choose from, so don’t forget to book an appointment if you want to try out this experience.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, Sajik-ro, 133-2, Level 2
Opening Hours: Wed-Mon, 08:00-22:00
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Make sure to catch the guard changing ceremony at the palace, as they only do it twice a day.
Ceremony Times
Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony (Gwanghwamun Gate - main gate): 10:00, 14:00 (20 mins)
Gwanghwamun Gate Guard on Duty Ceremony: 11:00, 13:00 (10 mins)
Gatekeeper Military Training (Hyeopsaengmun Gate): 09:35, 13:35 (15 mins)
Address: 61, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Varies according to season
Explore the neighborhood of Anguk
After exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, located just 20 minutes away, walk down the streets of Anguk-dong, dotted with traditional hanok houses and historical landmarks.
Insadong Sujebi
A popular spot with many Muslim travelers for being a Muslim-friendly restaurant. Do note that it’s not Halal-certified, and avoid the sujebi dishes as they use mirin.
Address: 14-1 Insadong 8-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:30-14:50, 17:00-19:50
Sunset at Cheonggyecheon stream
Image credit: Stefan K on Unsplash
For a different pace, take a stroll down the Cheonggyecheon stream and enjoy the sunset view.
Address: Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Wholesale shopping @ MIMILINE & NYU NYU
When you’re in Seoul, you know you’ve got to check out their late-night stores, so why not explore their wholesale stores that stay open till the morning hours?
NYU NYU
Address: Golden Town 1F , Majang-ro 34, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 19:30-05:00
MIMILINE
Address: TEAM204 1F-3F, Majang-ro 30, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00-05:00
Day 3: Exploring Seoul Forest and Seongsu
Go on walk in Seoul Forest
Recharge and reconnect by taking a stroll at Seoul Forest. Starting from Mirror Lake (서울숲 거울연못), slowly make your way through the forest towards Seongsu for the next part of your day.
Check out Seongsu, the current trendiest neighborhood in Seoul
The current hot shopping district is filled with pop-ups, and there is much to see in Seongsu-dong. You can download the app 팝스 (available on IOS/android) to see what brands are having a pop-up during your trip.
Jayeon Do Salted Bakery
You’ve probably seen the viral salt bread everywhere, from TikTok to Instagram reels. So make sure to try it out when you’re in the neighborhood.
Address: 56-1 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 22:00
Bisabeol Jeonju Kongnamul Gukbap
This restaurant only serves one dish, a hearty bowl of bean sprout gukbap. Do note that the restaurant is not halal-certified but was reviewed by a local to check if it is Muslim-friendly.
Address: 1-2 Wangsimni-ro 6-Gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: Daily, 07:00-22:00
Day 4: Visiting the hidden neighborhood near Hongdae
Yeonnam
A hotspot for live music and local busking located right next to Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong is filled with interesting cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Youssoful Yeonnam
With popular brands like Tamburins and Granhand, be sure to check out another local perfume store, Youssoful.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Yeonnam-dong, Yeonhui-ro 1-gil, 28 유쏘풀
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00-21:30
Made By
An adorable stationary store with a huge selection of stickers and other goods. They even have a monthly collaboration to showcase an artist.
Address: 연희로 11 한국특허정보원빌딩 1층
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 12:00-20:00; Sat-Sun, 11:00-20:00
Explore Hongdae
Afterward, head to another shopping area, Hongdae. It’s a neighborhood close to Hongik University, so you can definitely feel the youthful energy once you’re in the area.
Busan Jib
Grab your lunch at Busan Jib Hongdae. If you’re familiar with Busan Jib in Myeongdong, you will be happy to hear that the newly opened Busan Jib Hongdae outlet is offering Halal Korean Barbecue!
Address: 2F, 100-6 Eoulmadang-ro, Seoul, Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:30-22:00
Visit quaint Mangwon
Finish up your day by visiting Mangwon-dong. It is another great neighborhood that has a great mix of cafes, shops, and Mangwon Market.
Day 5: Experience the traditions of South Korea
Image credit: Philip Jang on Unsplash
Spend your last day in Seoul by visiting Eunpyeong Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village located in Seoul that is less touristy than the more popular Ikseon-Dong Hanok Village. It is located near the outskirts of Seoul, so the Hanok village is surrounded by hills and mountains.
1인1잔
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire Hanok village at the cafe. If you purchase a beverage, you are allowed to enter their 1st to 3rd floor and 5th floor. The 4th floor is for customers visiting the restaurant.
Day 6: Transferring to Busan
Get ready to visit the seaside and relish fresh seafood. Make sure to book your KTX tickets in advance for the train to Busan directly from the Korail website, as tickets open up about a month before and can be completely sold out the week before.
Check in to your Airbnb in Suyeong-Gu
Make Suyeong-Gu your home base in Busan, with a breathtaking view of Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge, there are many apartments to choose from.
Wonjo Halmae Bokguk
After traveling for hours on the train, you must be hungry, so enjoy a well-known Muslim-friendly restaurant that’s been operating at Haeundae Beach for 50 years. Do note that alcohol is served in this establishment.
Address: 1, Dalmaji-gil 62beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 07:00-21:00
Eobu
Alternatively, you can check out Eobu, which specializes in grilled clams. This restaurant has been rated Muslim-friendly by the Korea Tourism Organisation.
Address: 10 Gunam-ro 12beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs: 16:00-23:00; Fri-Sat: 16:00-24:00
Admire Busan’s coastline on Haundae Sky Capsule
What better way than to end off the day by catching the sunset while riding the Haundae Sky Capsule? Make sure to check the sunset time before purchasing your ticket!
Address: Cheongsapo Station 116, Cheongsapo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Opening Hours: Varies according to season
Day 7: See the Santorini of South Korea
Gamcheon Culture Village
The top thing to do in Busan is definitely to visit Gamcheon Culture Village. Depending on your preference, you can spend at least 2 hours exploring, or if you wish to do the scavenger hunt, it can take up to half a day.
Warung Jaya Mbak Tia
Located just 30 minutes away from Gamcheon Culture Village, enjoy your lunch at this Muslim-owned Indonesian restaurant.
Address: 2F, 3-1 Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, Korea
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00-22:00
Day 8: Heading back home
On your final day, it’s time to bid farewell to Busan. It will be a long journey, so make sure that you factor in enough time for your transfer to Incheon International Airport. It’s overall really easy to navigate Incheon International Airport. Make sure to check out the large variety of duty-free products for your last bit of shopping before leaving.
Incheon International Airport Prayer Rooms
There are a total of three prayer rooms in Incheon International Airport. As it is a shared prayer room, you will have to make ablution in the nearest toilet, and they only provide prayer mats and not prayer garments.
Alternatives: Day trips out of Seoul
If you’re feeling adventurous or simply want to get away from the city, here are 2 options to consider for a day trip out of Seoul!
Catch a peak at Sokcho, Seoraksan
Seoraksan National Park is located close to the city of Sokcho. The best way to get to Seoraksan, if you’re not driving, is by taking the bus. Take a 2-hour bus ride from Seoul Express Bus Terminal. You can book tickets online in advance or on the day itself at the ticket desk.
There are three different classes of bus that run from Seoul to Sokcho:
- Economy: ￦17,200
- Excellent: ￦22,300
- Premium: ￦28,900
Once you’ve arrived at Sokcho Express terminal, you will need to take the local bus number 7 or 7-1. There, you can take the cable car up to Seoraksan.
Afterward, check out Abai Village, which is a famous filming location for Autumn in my heart. There is also a prayer room located in the city of Sokcho.
Seoraksan Cable Car
Address: 강원 속초시 설악산로 1085
Opening hours: Daily, 09:00-18:00 (It varies based on weather conditions, so be sure to check their site)
Ticket price: Adult (middle school age and older): ￦15,000, Child: ￦1711,000, Under 3 years old: Free
Firdaus Masjid
Address: 2F, 179 Beonyeong-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Feel the breeze at Gangneung
Image credit: sq lim on Unsplash
Similar to getting to Seoraksan, get on a bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and take an almost 3-hour bus ride to Gangneung Bus Terminal. Or you can even take the KTX to Gangneung.
Once you’re at Gangneung, visit Kaffe Kiwa, a little hanok cafe close to the beach. From the cafe, you can take the local bus to Gyeongpo Beach. If the weather is great, you can even rent a bicycle to ride along the coast. If that is not for you, check out the ARTE museum, which is an innovative media art exhibition.
Kaffe Kiwa
Address: 15 Chodangwon-gil 54beon-gil, Chodang-dong
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00-21:00 (Closed on Wednesday)
ARTE museum
Address: 15 Chodangwon-gil 54beon-gil, Chodang-dong
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00-20:00
Getting a Muslim-friendly tour guide
If you prefer a private guided tour, you can also check our Itinerary for a 5-day Itinerary for Solo Travel in Korea.
