Today, I’m mapping out my personal dream itinerary for a future autumn trip to South Korea! And I’m sharing a plan for one day in Seoul, filled with art and the aroma of coffee & tea. If you're hoping to visit Seoul in South Korea and simply love discovering art and cozy cafés, I hope sharing my curated day route helps you design a relaxed and inspiring journey of your own.
Samcheong-dong & Sogyeok-dong Gallery Walk | 삼청동 & 소격동 예술의 거리
When I walk through the quiet streets of Sogyeok-dong and Samcheong-dong, I look forward to discovering some of Seoul’s leading contemporary art galleries.
Below are the art galleries I can’t wait to visit.
MMCA Seoul 국립현대미술관 | Hakgojae Gallery 학고재 갤러리
Kukje Gallery 국제 갤러리 | PKM Gallery PKM 갤러리
My first stop will be MMCA Seoul. It opens at 10 AM, so I plan to grab breakfast near my hotel or Airbnb before heading out. I want to spend about two to two and a half hours at the museum, then grab a coffee and a light bite at a cafe called Terasosa inside the building.
From there, I will head over to Hakgojae and Kukje Gallery, which are just across the street. After checking out those exhibitions, I will take a seven minute walk up to PKM Gallery while enjoying the autumn leaves along the way.
By then, I will definitely need a quick rest at a quiet cafe. There are so many great spots around, but I settled on Sooheon-jae, which is about an eleven minute walk from PKM. It is a nice little walk right through Bukchon Hanok Village, which I am really excited about. I want to take my time there, enjoying the traditional hanok architecture and the fall atmosphere without any rush.
When dinner time comes, I am planning to try Bukchon Dodam nearby, a place known for kimchi-jjim and bossam. If I still have some energy after a good meal, I hope to end the day with a night walk around Gyeongbokgung Palace. I do not feel the need to see every single corner of the palace at night. The main goal is just to soak in the illuminated architecture and the cool autumn evening at a relaxed pace.
If you are visiting this autumn in October 2026, Art Gallery information below might help.
l MMCA Seoul: Must-See October Exhibition
Korea Artist Prize 2026
- July 24 – December 6, 2026
- One of Korea’s leading annual contemporary art exhibitions, featuring four selected artists: Lee Hai Min Sun, Lee Jungwoo, Jeon Hyunsun, and Hong Jin-hwon.
- The exhibition explores contemporary Korean art through diverse media including painting, video, photography, sculpture, and installation.
- Tip: MMCA Seoul stays open until 9 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, making it a great evening art stop.
- @mmcakorea (https://www.instagram.com/mmcakorea/ | MMCA Seoul
l Hakgojae Gallery: A long-established gallery known for its distinctive blend of traditional Korean architectural elements and contemporary art.
@hakgojaegallery (https://www.instagram.com/hakgojaegallery/)
l Kukje Gallery: One of Korea’s leading contemporary galleries, with multiple exhibition spaces including K1, K2, K3, and Hanok. It presents major Korean and international artists. In October 2026, exhibitions by Park Seo-Bo and Seeun Kim are on view through October 18.
@kukjegallery (https://www.instagram.com/kukjegallery/) | https://www.kukjegallery.com
l PKM Gallery: A prominent contemporary art gallery in Samcheong-dong, known for its thoughtfully designed architecture and exhibitions by leading Korean and international artists.
@pkmgallery (https://www.instagram.com/pkmgallery/) | https://www.pkmgallery.com
Cozy Café & Dessert Break
Terarosa Coffee, located inside MMCA Seoul on the first floor
Terarosa is one of South Korea's most famous specialty coffee chains, known for pioneering the country's specialty coffee culture. Their seasonal single-origin drip coffee is a must-try.
Bukchon Hanok Village | 북촌 한옥마을
You will find many relaxing, multi-story cafés featuring large picture windows that overlook tile-roofed alleyways. If you love drawing as much as I do, they are perfect for sketching dessert details over fresh drip coffee or tea and scones.
Sooheon-jae | 수헌재 @sooheonjae
30 Bukchon-ro 11ga-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Sooheon-jae is a stunning traditional Korean hanok cafe located in the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village. Housed in a beautifully restored 100-year-old historic home, it offers a peaceful retreat with a gorgeous view of the neighborhood's tiled rooftops. Visitors are required to take off their shoes before stepping inside the indoor seating area, adding an authentic touch of traditional Korean home culture to the relaxing experience.
Dinner
Bukchon Dodam | 북촌도담 @bukchondodam
9 Bukchon-ro 1-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
A cozy and welcoming traditional Korean restaurant popular among both locals and travelers.
Below is the itinerary from my digital travel journal. It might look like a long day, but the schedule is intentionally flexible. If I feel tired after visiting the galleries, I can always shorten the Bukchon walk or spend less time at Gyeongbokgung instead of trying to stick strictly to every stop.
As I write this, I really hope I can make this trip happen sooner than expected so I can share the actual story here with you soon. I hope my Arts & Travel posts reach anyone planning a trip to Seoul, and I wish you all happy travel planning and safe, wonderful trips!
Seoul Art & Palace Day
Theme: Contemporary Art → Samcheong-dong → Bukchon → Palace at Night
10:00 AM - MMCA Seoul (Allow: 2–2.5 hours)
12:15 PM - Coffee & Light Bite at Terarosa (Allow: 30–45 minutes)
Take a short break at Terarosa Coffee, located inside MMCA Seoul on the first floor. Grab a coffee and a pastry rather than setting aside time for a full lunch.
1:00 PM - Hakgojae Gallery (Allow: 30–45 minutes)
Walk toward Sogyeok-dong and visit Hakgojae, known for its distinctive combination of traditional Korean architectural elements and contemporary art.
1:45 PM — Kukje Gallery (Allow: 45–60 minutes)
Continue to Kukje Gallery, one of Korea's leading contemporary art galleries. Explore its different exhibition spaces and enjoy the contrast between contemporary architecture and traditional Korean elements.
2:45 PM - PKM Gallery (Allow: 45 - 60 minutes)
Finish the gallery portion of the afternoon at PKM Gallery in Samcheong-dong.
3:45 PM - Walk toward Bukchon (Allow: 20 - 30 minutes)
Take your time walking through the streets of Samcheong-dong toward Bukchon Hanok Village. This is intentionally unstructured time—browse small shops, take photos, or simply enjoy the neighborhood.
4:15 PM - Tea at Sooheon-jae (Allow: 45 - 60 minutes)
Stop at Sooheon-jae, a traditional hanok café in Bukchon, for a quiet cup of tea and a proper rest before dinner.
5:15 PM - Bukchon Hanok Village Walk (Allow: 45 - 60 minutes)
Walk downhill through Bukchon's historic streets toward the dinner area. Enjoy the traditional hanok architecture and autumn atmosphere without rushing.
6:15 PM - Dinner at Bukchon Dodam (Allow: 60 - 75 minutes)
Have a relaxed Korean dinner at Bukchon Dodam, with dishes such as kimchi-jjim and bossam set.
7:30 PM - Gyeongbokgung Palace at Night (Allow: 1.5 - 2 hours)
End the day with an evening walk through Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Focus on:
- Gwanghwamun Gate
- Geunjeongjeon Hall
- Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and the pond
- The illuminated palace grounds
More things to check in October in Seoul: Palace Nights & Outdoor Art (2026 Edition)
1. Royal Palace Night Experiences
Gyeongbokgung Palace – Autumn Night Programs (K‑Royal Culture Festival)
During the 2026 Autumn K‑Royal Culture Festival (Oct 7–11), Gyeongbokgung hosts major evening events including night illuminations, royal procession reenactments, and the Hanbok Royal Banquet (Oct 9–10). Advance reservations required.
Official Info: Korea Heritage Service
Changdeokgung Palace – Moonlight & Special Programs
Changdeokgung offers autumn evening programs during the festival period, including illuminated night walks and special cultural events. (Annual Moonlight Tour dates vary; check official announcements.)
Official Info: Korea Heritage Service https://www.khs.go.kr
Deoksugung Palace – Evening Opening
Deoksugung is open until 9 PM (last entry 8 PM; closed Mondays), making it one of the easiest palaces to enjoy after sunset. The palace grounds and Seokjojeon Hall are softly lit at night, and the adjacent Deoksugung Stone‑Wall Road is accessible at all hours.
Official Info: Seoul Metropolitan Government
2. Outdoor Art & Sculpture
Songhyun Green Plaza (Open Songhyeon)
An open urban park near MMCA Seoul, known for outdoor art installations and public sculpture. October 2026 highlight: The 3rd Seoul Sculpture Festival runs through Nov 30, featuring large-scale outdoor works and public programs. Free entry.
Official Info: Seoul Culture Portal
SOMA Sculpture Park (Olympic Park)
A spacious outdoor sculpture park with over 200 sculptures, autumn foliage, lakes, and wide lawns. Free to explore; SOMA Museum of Art is a separate indoor venue.
Official Info: Olympic Park | SOMA Museum of Art
3. Urban Art & Industrial Seoul
Euljiro & Sewoon Sangga
A distinctive district where metal workshops, electronics stores, cafés, and creative studios coexist. Walk the elevated decks of Sewoon Sangga for views of Jongmyo Shrine, Namsan, and the surrounding retro‑industrial landscape.
