7-Day South Korea Itinerary on a Shoestring Budget in July 2023

1. Day 1: Seoul
   30 minutes (11 kilometers) from Incheon International Airport

   Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, watch the changing of the guards, and explore Bukchon Hanok Village for a glimpse of traditional Korean architecture.

2. Day 2: Busan
   2 hours 45 minutes (325 kilometers) from Seoul

   Visit Haeundae Beach, one of Busan's most popular beaches, and explore the Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in the country.

3. Day 3: Jeju Island
   1 hour 10 minutes (450 kilometers) from Busan Airport

   Explore the Jeju Folk Village Museum for a taste of local culture, and visit the scenic Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and the volcanic Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.

4. Day 4: Gyeongju
   3 hours 40 minutes (340 kilometers) from Jeju Island Airport

   Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bulguk Temple and the Anapji Pond, a beautiful artificial pond surrounded by gardens and pavilions.

5. Day 5: Andong
   1 hour 40 minutes (140 kilometers) from Gyeongju

   Visit the Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO-listed traditional village, and the nearby Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy, a 500-year-old institution of learning.

6. Day 6: Gangneung
   2 hours 40 minutes (245 kilometers) from Andong

   Visit the Jungdongjin Beach, famous for its sunrise views, and explore the Seongyojang House, a traditional Korean house with a beautiful garden.

7. Day 7: Seoul
   2 hours 30 minutes (230 kilometers) from Gangneung

   Visit the Namsan Tower for stunning views of the city, and explore the trendy Myeong-dong shopping district for souvenirs and local street food.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (2-3 hours, ₩3,000)
• Bukchon Hanok Village (1-2 hours, free)
• Haeundae Beach (2-3 hours, free)
• Jagalchi Fish Market (1-2 hours, free)
• Jeju Folk Village Museum (1-2 hours, ₩9,000)
• Cheonjiyeon Waterfall (1-2 hours, ₩2,500)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (2-3 hours, ₩2,000)
• Bulguk Temple (2-3 hours, ₩5,000)
• Anapji Pond (1-2 hours, ₩2,000)
• Hahoe Folk Village (2-3 hours, ₩3,000)
• Dosan Seowon Confucian Academy (1-2 hours, ₩2,000)
• Jungdongjin Beach (1-2 hours, free)
• Seongyojang House (1-2 hours, ₩4,000)
• Namsan Tower (1-2 hours, ₩10,000)
• Myeong-dong shopping district (2-3 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₩40,000

Recommendations

Consider taking a food tour in each city to try the local cuisine. Take advantage of free admission days at museums and attractions to save money. Use public transportation to save on travel costs. Don't forget to try Korean soju, a popular alcoholic beverage.