Kick off your trip taking in top Seoul sights either on a guided highlights tour or a hop-on hop-off bus to explore at your leisure. Don’t miss historic must-sees such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Presidential Blue House, and Jogyesa Temple, Seoul’s hub for Zen Buddhism.

Shopping is a big deal in Seoul, and there are plenty of places to do it. Take a guided markets tour, or spend the afternoon shopping for antiques and artisan goods in Insadong, fashion and cosmetics in Myeongdong, or just about everything at Namdaemun Market, the oldest and most comprehensive market in Korea.

After a day of shopping and sightseeing, relax aboard a cruise on the Han River. Listen to live music as you drift pass illuminated skyscrapers and beneath bridges. See landmarks such as Jeoldusan Park, Namsan Tower, and the Seoul Olympic Stadium, and if the timing is right, watch the Banpo Bridge Fountain Show from the ferry.

K-pop has grown into a worldwide trend, and there’s no better place to learn about it than in Seoul. K-pop themed tours take fans and fans-to-be through the Gangnam District (made famous by Psy), trendy Apgujeong Rodeo Street shopping area, and SMTOWN for a quirky holographic K-pop performance.

After exploring Korea’s pop culture, it’s time to delve into its cuisine. Sample traditional dishes—Korean barbecue, spicy rice cakes, fried pork dumplings, and silkworm larva—from local shops, restaurants, and street food stalls on a guided food tour. Alternately, get first-hand experience in a beginner Korean cooking class with a professional chef.

Let loose and laugh out loud on your last night in Seoul by prebooking seats at Nanta, South Korea’s longest-running live show. This nonverbal comedy puts a modern twist on the traditional art of samul nori, a four-instrument percussion.