Asia
Palaces beside skyscrapers, temples in misty mountains, a volcanic island, fast trains, superb food and a culture that moves at its own electric pace.
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0
South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean peninsula, a country of about 51 million people that is roughly the size of Portugal, and three-quarters mountain. In a single lifetime it moved from war and poverty to become one of the world's most advanced economies, and that speed is part of what makes it fascinating: a city like Seoul stacks 600-year-old palaces against glass towers, and a taxi ride can take you from a mountain temple to a night market and a robot cafe.
For visitors the appeal is unusual variety in a small space. There are royal palaces and fortress walls, the ancient Silla capital of Gyeongju, hanok villages where traditional houses still stand, the granite peaks of Seoraksan, the coast of Busan and the volcanic scenery of Jeju Island. Add a food culture built on fermented flavours, barbecue and street snacks, and the global pull of K-pop and Korean film, and you have a country that suits first-time Asia travellers and repeat visitors alike.
South Korea is also exceptionally easy to travel. Trains are fast and punctual, cities are clean and very safe, public transport is cheap and signposted in English, and mobile connectivity is superb. The main challenges are the language, which few visitors speak, and the seasons: summer is hot and humid with a monsoon, and winters are cold, so spring and autumn are the times to go.
Where to go
Ordered roughly by how strongly we would recommend each for a first visit. Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju are the essentials; Jeonju, Seoraksan and Suwon add depth, and the others reward those with more time.
Seoul Capital Area, north-west South Korea
South Korea's capital, with Joseon palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, temples, markets, K-culture districts, night views from N Seoul Tower and some of the best food in Asia.
Don't miss Gyeongbokgung Palace at opening time, with the mountains behind and a hanbok-dressed crowd walking through its gates.
Explore Destination — SeoulBusan, south-east coast
South Korea's second city, with Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Beach, Jagalchi Fish Market, the seaside temple of Haedong Yonggungsa and a strong seafood and street food scene.
Don't miss The pastel houses of Gamcheon Culture Village stacked up a hillside above the harbour.
Explore Destination — BusanNorth Gyeongsang, south-east South Korea
The ancient Silla capital, with the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa temple and Seokguram Grotto, giant royal burial mounds, Cheomseongdae observatory and the night-lit Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.
Don't miss Bulguksa temple's stone stairways and wooden halls in the soft light of early morning.
Explore Destination — GyeongjuJeju, island south of the peninsula
South Korea's volcanic island, with Hallasan mountain, the Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, Manjanggul Lava Tube, beaches like Hyeopjae, tangerine farms and the female divers of the haenyeo.
Don't miss Sunrise from the crater rim of Seongsan Ilchulbong, with the sea turning gold below.
Explore Destination — Jeju IslandNorth Jeolla, south-west South Korea
A UNESCO City of Gastronomy with a large hanok village, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Nambu Market and Korea's best bibimbap, makgeolli and banquet-style side dishes.
Don't miss A bibimbap lunch in Jeonju Hanok Village, followed by a walk through tile-roofed lanes.
Explore Destination — JeonjuGangwon, north-east coast
South Korea's most beautiful mountain park, with the Ulsanbawi rock, Biryong Falls, the cable car to Gwongeumseong and hiking to Daecheongbong, plus the port town of Sokcho and its seafood market.
Don't miss A cable car to Gwongeumseong fortress, with the granite spires of Seoraksan spread out below in October.
Explore Destination — Seoraksan and SokchoGyeonggi, south of Seoul
A UNESCO-listed fortress of about 5.7 km of walls, gates and turrets, with Haenggung Palace, archery, a traditional market and a famous fried chicken street, an easy day trip from Seoul.
Don't miss Walking the fortress wall at sunset, with the gates and the city glowing below.
Explore Destination — Suwon and Hwaseong FortressNorth Gyeongsang, inland east
A UNESCO-listed clan village on the Nakdong River with thatched and tiled houses, Byeongsan Confucian Academy, the mask dance, Andong soju and jjimdak chicken.
Don't miss Watching the Hahoe mask dance beside old thatched houses, with the river curving around the village.
Explore Destination — Andong and Hahoe Folk VillageGyeonggi and Gangwon, north of Seoul
The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, with tunnels, the Dora Observatory, Imjingak and, when open, the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, visited on guided tours from Seoul.
Don't miss Looking across the border from an observatory at a landscape the two Koreas have watched each other across since 1953.
Explore Destination — The DMZ and PanmunjomGangwon, east coast
A relaxed east-coast city with Gyeongpo Beach, Ojukheon (home of the scholar Yulgok), the Anmok coffee street, the Danoje festival and a KTX link from Seoul in under two hours.
Don't miss Sipping a coffee on Anmok Beach while the waves roll in, in Korea's coffee capital.
Explore Destination — GangneungExperiences
The experiences that recur across the country and make a Korean trip feel like one.
The Seoul metro is one of the world's largest and easiest to use, with English signs and cheap fares. A T-money card also works on buses and in most other cities. See Seoul.
Tip Load a T-money card at any convenience store.
Seoul's palaces, Gyeongbokgung above all, let you in free if you wear traditional dress, and the hanbok rental shops nearby make it easy. See Seoul.
Tip Go at opening time, before tour groups arrive.
Grilling pork belly or beef at your table, wrapped in lettuce with garlic and sauce, is the social meal of Korea. It is found everywhere, and is best with a group.
Tip Most places serve a minimum of two portions.
Guided tours reach the DMZ, the tense border strip between the two Koreas, with observation posts and tunnels. See the DMZ.
Tip Book weeks ahead, and bring your passport.
The KTX links Seoul with Busan in about two and a half hours, and other lines reach Gyeongju, Jeonju and Gangneung. See Busan.
Tip Book through Korail or the Korail Talk app.
Food and drink
Korean food is built on rice, vegetables, fermented flavours and lots of small side dishes, with fiery chilli, sesame and garlic. Meals are shared, and portions are generous.
Fermented vegetables, most often napa cabbage with chilli, garlic and ginger, served with almost every meal. There are hundreds of regional varieties.
Where to try it Everywhere, with every meal.
Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, egg and gochujang chilli paste, mixed together at the table. Jeonju is the most famous home of the dish.
Where to try it Restaurants in Jeonju, and everywhere.
Samgyeopsal (pork belly) and galbi (marinated ribs) grilled at the table and eaten wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic and ssamjang sauce.
Where to try it Barbecue restaurants in Seoul and all cities.
Chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy chilli sauce, a classic street snack often eaten with fish cakes and fried food.
Where to try it Street stalls and markets, such as Busan's markets.
Cold buckwheat noodles in an icy beef broth, a summer favourite that traces its roots to the north of the peninsula.
Where to try it Specialist restaurants, especially in summer.
Soju is a clear distilled spirit drunk in small glasses, and makgeolli is a lightly fizzy rice wine. Both are central to Korean social life.
Where to try it Bars, restaurants and pojangmacha tents.
Before you go
The essentials, current for 2026. South Korea is one of the easiest countries in Asia to travel in, though language and apps need a little preparation.
Excludes international flights. Figures are typical rather than absolute — cities and peak season run higher.
When to go
South Korea has four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are mild and colourful, summer is hot, humid and wet, and winter is cold and dry.
Cherry blossom in early April, mild temperatures and fresh greens. Yellow dust from China can affect air quality at times.
Hot and very humid, with a rainy season (jangma) in late June and July and occasional typhoons. Beaches are busy, and Jeju is popular.
Clear, dry weather and spectacular foliage, particularly in Seoraksan in October. The finest time overall.
Cold and crisp, with snow in the mountains and ski resorts. Cities are quiet and cheap, with lively winter street food.
Worth planning around: The July rainy season, and the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holiday weeks, when transport is fully booked and many businesses close.
Trip length
South Korea is small and well connected. A week covers Seoul and one or two other places, and two weeks allow the main highlights at an easy pace.
Getting around
Trains and buses are fast, frequent and cheap, and cities have excellent metros. You rarely need a car, except on Jeju and in the countryside.
Sample route
Seoul with a DMZ day and a fortress at Suwon, then Jeonju, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju, mostly by train. Covers seven of the ten destinations in this guide.
Culture
Korean society values respect, hierarchy, community and politeness, and manners are formal without being cold. Visitors are forgiven for small mistakes, but a few habits go a long way, especially around meals and age.
A small nod or bow is the usual greeting. Handshakes are common with foreigners, and are sometimes given with the left hand supporting the right forearm.
Give and receive items, money and drinks with both hands, or with a hand supporting the other arm, especially with elders.
Remove shoes in homes, hanok, temples' halls and many restaurants with floor seating.
Let the oldest person start eating, do not stick chopsticks upright in rice, and pour drinks for others rather than yourself.
Speak softly on the subway, and leave the pink or priority seats for those who need them.
Dress modestly, stay quiet, and do not photograph monks or worshippers without asking.
Travel tips
The things that most often catch visitors out in South Korea, several of which are specific to how the country works.
FAQ
Yes. It is one of the safest countries in the world, with very low violent crime. Normal precautions are enough. Check official advice about the DMZ region if tensions rise.
Ten to fourteen days for a first trip, covering Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju. A week is enough for Seoul plus one or two other places.
April to May and September to October, for mild weather and colour. Summer is hot and rainy, and winter is cold.
No. Signs are in English at stations and major sights, and translation apps handle menus. A few Korean phrases are appreciated.
Many nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, but most need a K-ETA registration beforehand. Rules change, so check official sources.
It is cheaper than Japan and Western Europe. Transport and food are good value, while accommodation in Seoul and Jeju can be pricey in peak seasons.
The full travel guide covers routes, budgets, regional differences and how to string these ten destinations into a trip that actually works.
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