WELLNESS & CULTURAL TRIP
The Art of Korean Beauty: Seoul itinerary in 5 days
Where Beauty Begins Within
Why Seoul for a Wellness Trip
Seoul had been on my list for years, so when I finally made the trip, I wanted to experience more than the city’s beauty and fashion scene. I wanted to understand how Seoul works as a destination: what to see and do, where to go for wellness and beauty, what to eat, and which experiences are worth making time for.
Over five days, I explored different sides of Seoul, from historic neighbourhoods and palaces to traditional tea houses, skincare boutiques, beauty clinics, hair salons and contemporary restaurants. I also spent time in places that gave me a better sense of everyday life in the city.
For anyone planning a trip, there is no shortage of things to do in Seoul, South Korea. You can spend one morning exploring a palace and wearing hanbok, walk through Bukchon, visit a traditional tea house, shop for Korean skincare, book a scalp treatment or discover some of the city’s contemporary fashion and design. The challenge is deciding what to include in a five-day Seoul itinerary.
Beauty and wellness were the main focus of my trip. I visited Sulwhasoo, explored Korean skincare and experienced a professional scalp treatment. I also discovered how much attention is given to personal colour analysis, hair care and nutrition. These experiences became the starting point for several of the stories in this issue.
I also wanted to see the contrast between old and new Seoul. The city combines palaces, hanok neighbourhoods and traditional markets with contemporary cafés, beauty stores, restaurants and fashion districts. That mix is one of the things that makes exploring Seoul particularly interesting.
And there were plenty of fun things to do in Seoul along the way: trying Jeju matcha and Korean desserts, exploring neighbourhoods on foot, dressing in hanbok, discovering independent shops and simply seeing how different parts of the city change throughout the day.
In this issue, I have brought together my Seoul discoveries, from beauty and wellness to fashion, food, tea and places worth adding to your itinerary. Alongside the practical side of Seoul—what to see and do, I wanted to share the people, treatments and experiences that made the trip memorable for me.
If you are planning your own visit, think of this issue as a starting point for building your Seoul itinerary, whether you have five days or simply a weekend.
Welcome to Seoul.
Nathalie Neuilly
Founder & Editor, Dressarte Paris
In this Edit
Seoul itinerary 5 days, best things to do in Seoul
Sulwhasoo in Seoul: My Korean Skincare Set and Beauty Experience
I prefer a relatively edited skincare routine, particularly when travelling. After spending so much time... Read more
Korean Hair Care: The Seoul Secrets to Healthier, Shinier Hair
From Korean shampoo and herbal scalp treatments to hair masks, hair essence and personalized salon... Read more
The Korean Art of Everyday Wellness: A Pharmacist’s Secrets to Better Living
In Seoul, wellness is rarely about one miracle product. It is a way of thinking—rooted... Read more
SPA 1978 Seoul: Inside Korea’s Red Ginseng Wellness Ritual
Seoul has become one of Asia’s most influential beauty and wellness capitals. Alongside K-beauty, skincare... Read more
Pyunkang Yul in Seoul: Where Korean Skincare Becomes a Tea Ritual
In Seoul, the Pyunkang Yul Flagship Store & Tea House offers an experience that feels... Read more
Korean Color Analysis in Seoul: My Experience in Myeongdong
I tried Korean color analysis in Seoul to discover which shades truly complement my natural... Read more
Planning Your Trip to Seoul
“After spending five days in Seoul, I would recommend the city for its incredible variety. You can visit a historic palace, explore a traditional neighbourhood, enjoy Korean beauty and wellness experiences, discover contemporary fashion and food, and end the day somewhere completely different. What I particularly enjoyed was the contrast between traditional and contemporary Seoul—and the fact that so many experiences feel genuinely specific to the city.”
Nathalie Neuilly, Founder of Dressarte Paris
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Bhutan for a wellness retreat? Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the clearest skies and most comfortable temperatures across Bhutan’s varied altitudes, and are generally considered the best windows for a wellness-focused trip. That said, June — technically low season — surprised us completely. The valleys were lush and green, the trails were quiet, and the rain that did fall mostly arrived in the afternoons, which made spa treatments and indoor wellness rituals feel even more indulgent. If you’re drawn to fewer crowds and don’t mind the occasional shower, June deserves a second look.
Do I need a guide to travel in Bhutan? Yes — Bhutan requires all foreign visitors to travel with a licensed local guide, which is arranged as part of any retreat or lodge stay and is included in the country’s tourism structure.
How many days should I spend in Bhutan for a proper retreat experience? Seven to ten days allows time to experience at least two to three of Amankora’s lodges or a full program at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary without feeling rushed between locations.
Is Bhutan suitable for solo female travelers? Yes. Bhutan is widely regarded as one of the safest destinations in Asia for solo women, and its guided-travel structure means you’re never navigating logistics alone.