15-Day South Korea City Experience Itinerary

  • Day 1: Gyeongbokgung Palace
    20 minutes (6.7 km) from Incheon International Airport

    The Gyeongbokgung Palace is a grand palace in Seoul that used to be the home of the Kings of the Joseon Dynasty. This massive construction is consistent with Korean traditional architecture and is a must-visit for both history and architecture enthusiasts.

  • Day 2: Bukchon Hanok Village
    25 minutes (7.3 km) from Gyeongbokgung Palace

    The Bukchon Hanok Village is a serene neighborhood located in the heart of Seoul, known for its traditional hanok houses. Here, you'll have an immersive experience of the traditional Korean lifestyle and witness firsthand the Korean's way of life from the past. There are various Korean souvenirs to buy and plenty of authentic Korean food to try around this neighborhood.

  • Day 3: Lotte Tower
    20 minutes (5.9 km) from Bukchon Hanok Village

    The Lotte Tower, located in Jamsil, is a towering skyscraper with an observation deck where you can view the panorama of the city of Seoul accompanied by a sunset or night view. The tower also has a lot to offer, like shopping, ultramodern exhibitions, a luxury hotel, and an aquarium.

  • Day 4: Namsan Tower
    30 minutes (9.7 km) from Lotte Tower

    The 777 ft. Seoul Tower or more commonly known as Namsan Tower is located atop of Namsan Mountain. You can go up in a cable car and see the breathtaking panoramic view of Seoul. There is also a famous lock gate that symbolizes love, which makes a great spot for photo opportunities. Just make sure to check the weather conditions because the fog can obstruct your view which can ruin your experience.

  • Day 5: Namsangol Hanok Village
    15 minutes (3.3km) from Namsan Tower

    A beautiful traditional Korean village within the heart of Seoul. This beautiful location is perfect for a stroll around the parks, see traditional dances, try traditional foods and even participate in traditional crafts demonstrating Korean culture.

  • Day 6: Jeju Island
    2-hour flight from Seoul

    Known for its pristine beaches, remarkable waterfalls, and scenic attractions, Jeju Island, located south of the mainland, is a must-visit when in South Korea. It is a Korean World Natural Heritage site due to its exceptional geographic features like the legendary Hallasan Mountain, deep-rooted folklore, and the spectacular coastline with clear blue water

  • Day 7: Udo Island
    45-minute ferry ride from Jeju Island

    A scenic island with an exciting story, Udo Island, is located east of the island of Jeju. This island is famous for its unique shaped rocks, magnificent course, and the breathtaking view from Seobinbaeksa Beach.

  • Day 8: Busan Beaches
    5-hour car ride from Jeju Island plus ferry ride

    Busan is located on the southern coast and has some incredible beaches such as Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Songdo Beach, and Dadaepo Beach. These beaches are known worldwide for their beauty, and the views of Dalmaji Hill and Mount Jangsan add to the experience.

  • Day 9: Busan Market Tour
    30 minutes (9.9 km) from Busan Beaches

    Experience Busan's diverse and delicious street food on this market tour. Try Dakgangjeong, a sweet and spicy Korean-style fried chicken, and Tteokbokki, a traditional snack made of rice cakes and red chili pepper paste, and try some fresh seafood like the sashimi.

  • Day 10: Jagalchi Market
    5 minutes (1.0 km) from Gukje Market, Busan City

    Located in Busan, Jagalchi Market is a historic fish market that sells a wide variety of fresh seafood that's bound to make your mouth water. Jagalchi is a perfect chance to boost your cooking skills, and you can purchase fresh seafood and cook it on the spot with instructions from the sellers If you love seafood or just the experience, this is an excellent place to check out.

  • Day 11: Gamcheon Culture Village
    17 minutes (4.4 km) from Jagalchi Market

    The Gamcheon Culture Village is a colorful community located up a hill, thus providing captivating panoramic views of Busan. The city is also known as "Korea's Machu Picchu." Gamcheon's series of small, colorful stairs and streets separated by colorful and cute houses make for an amazing experience.

  • Day 12: Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
    30 minutes (16.2 km) from Gamcheon Culture Village

    The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of the few temples in South Korea on the east coast of Busan. This temple features a beautiful setting, shaped like a dragon to honor those born in the year of the dragon with the blue ocean as the backdrop for your picture perfect moment.

  • Day 13: Songgwangsa Temple
    5 hours (257 km) from Busan via KTX train ride

    Songgwangsa Temple is one of South Korea's three major temples and is a representative of Buddhism's doctrinal and cultural aspects. Inside this peaceful and historic temple, you can sense the Buddha's teachings' essence, an excellent place to quiet your mind and reflect.

  • Day 14: Hwaseong Fortress
    3 hours (158 km) from Songgwangsa Temple via KTX train ride

    The Hwaseong Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Suwon, South Korea. This fortress showcases designs of the Joseon dynasty and displays one of the most well-preserved Korean walls. Visitors for the walking trail which allows you to see this fortified wall and the surrounding forest.

  • Day 15: Namsan Seoul Tower restaurant
    30 minutes (8.3 km) from Hwaseong Fortress

    Located at the summit of Namsan Mountain, the Namsan Seoul Tower Restaurant provides a stunning view of the Seoul skyline while enjoying an incredibly delicious meal from one of the many restaurants available at the top floor of this tower.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace (2-3 hours, free)
  • Bukchon Hanok Village (1-2 hours, free)
  • Lotte Tower (3-4 hours, around ₩28,000 or $24)
  • Namsan Tower (2-3 hours, around ₩11,000 or $9.50)
  • Namsangol Hanok Village (1-2 hours, free)
  • Jeju Island ($100-$200 for accommodations and meals)
  • Udo Island (around ₩9,000 or $7.50 for ferry ticket)
  • Busan Beaches (free)
  • Busan Market Tour (2-3 hours, around ₩25,000 or $22)
  • Jagalchi Market (1-2 hours, free)
  • Gamcheon Culture Village (2-3 hours, free)
  • Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (1-2 hours, free)
  • Songgwangsa Temple (2-3 hours, free)
  • Hwaseong Fortress (2-3 hours, free)
  • Namsan Seoul Tower restaurant (1-2 hours, around ₩50,000 or $43 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: around ₩122,000 or $105.50 per person

Transportation

Travelers will find the Korean transportation system easy to navigate, whether by train, bus, or taxi. Buses and trains run on time and are quite efficient. Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, and they have a meter. It's worth considering purchasing a T-Money transit card, which allows for cashless payments on various modes of transportation.

Useful Tips

In case of a time constraint, we recommend ditching Udo Island or Hwaseong Fortress as they eat up more time with the travel required to get there. In contrast, the other destinations are a better value for a limited itinerary.

Airports

The primary international airport in South Korea is Incheon International Airport (ICN), which is located 32 miles from Seoul's city center. The country's second-largest airport is Gimpo International Airport (GMP), which mainly serves the Seoul metropolitan area's domestic flights.

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