Beyond Seoul: the best places to visit in South Korea

Busan: beaches, markets and hillside villages

Korea’s second city combines a big-city vibe with the sea. Swim or stroll at Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, wander the colourful lanes of Gamcheon Culture Village, eat raw fish at Jagalchi Market and visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a temple set on the rocks above the sea. In October, the city hosts Asia’s leading film festival. Busan is under three hours from Seoul by KTX.

Jeju Island: volcanoes and coastal walks

A UNESCO-listed volcanic island off the south coast, Jeju is Korea’s favourite holiday destination. Climb Hallasan, the country’s highest peak, watch the sunrise from Seongsan Ilchulbong, explore lava tubes and walk sections of the Olle coastal trails. Look out for the haenyeo, the island’s famous women divers.

Entry tip: Jeju has its own visa-free programme for some nationalities, but travellers from K-ETA countries still need a K-ETA, even on a direct flight to Jeju.

Gyeongju: the museum without walls

Capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly a thousand years, Gyeongju is often called a museum without walls. Its highlights — Bulguksa Temple, the Seokguram Grotto and the grassy royal tombs in the city centre — are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Rent a bike, visit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond after dark, and stay in a hanok guesthouse. The city hosted the APEC summit in 2025.

Jeonju: hanok houses and bibimbap

Jeonju Hanok Village gathers more than 700 traditional houses, many of them guesthouses, tea rooms and craft workshops. The city is the home of bibimbap and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy — come hungry, and try the street food along the main alleys.

Seoraksan and Sokcho: mountains by the sea

On the east coast, Seoraksan National Park — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — offers granite peaks, waterfalls, a cable car and some of the country’s finest autumn colours. Nearby Sokcho adds beaches and lively seafood markets.

Andong: Confucian heritage and mask dances

Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves a traditional clan village in a loop of the Nakdong River. Andong is also known for its autumn mask-dance festival, its Confucian academies such as Dosan Seowon, and Andong jjimdak, a braised chicken dish.

Easy trips from Seoul

• Suwon — the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress, about an hour from Seoul.
• The DMZ — guided tours to the border area between the two Koreas, booked through authorised operators.
• Nami Island and Chuncheon — tree-lined walks and the local speciality, spicy stir-fried chicken.

A two-week route idea

1. Days 1–5: Seoul, with a day trip to Suwon or the DMZ.
2. Days 6–7: Jeonju, by train or bus.
3. Days 8–9: Gyeongju.
4. Days 10–12: Busan.
5. Days 13–14: fly to Jeju, or return to Seoul by KTX.

For how to link these places, see getting around Korea.