On your first day in Seoul, start with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Enjoy a traditional Korean lunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a stroll around Bukchon Hanok Village, a historic neighborhood with traditional Korean houses. As evening approaches, head to Homo Hill, Seoul's gay district, for a night of bar-hopping and more.
Explore the vibrant Myeong-dong market area in the heart of Seoul, famous for its shopping and street food. Take a break from the bustling city and visit Namsan Park, located on a mountain in the city's center, for a peaceful walk with stunning views. End the day with a visit to Itaewon, another popular nightlife spot in Seoul.
Take a short flight to Jeju Island, a beautiful island off the southern coast of Korea. Start by exploring the Hallasan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the highest mountain in Korea. After lunch, head to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, an iconic volcanic cone with stunning views. End the day with a visit to the lively Jeju-si nightlife district.
Travel by high-speed train to Busan, the second largest city in Korea. Begin by exploring the Gamcheon Cultural Village, a colorful hillside village with unique architecture and charming alleys. Check out the Busan Tower for panoramic views of the city, and end the day with a visit to the Haeundae Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Korea, before heading to Seomyeon, Busan's vibrant nightlife district.
Take a short trip to Gyeongju, the ancient capital of Korea. Start with a visit to the Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautiful architecture and serene atmosphere. After lunch, explore Anapji Pond, a beautiful garden used for royal banquets, before heading to the Cheomseongdae Observatory, an ancient astronomical observatory. End the day with a visit to the local Midnight Market, a lively night market with food vendors and street performers.
Travel to Daegu, a major city located in the southeastern region of Korea. Start with a visit to the Seomun Market, one of the oldest markets in Korea with a colorful array of street food and traditional goods. Next, explore the Daegu National Museum, which houses an impressive collection of cultural artifacts. End the day with a visit to the Dongseongro Street, a bustling shopping and nightlife district.
Drive to Andong, a historic city known for its traditional culture and architecture. Start with a visit to the Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 600 traditional houses. After lunch, explore the Andong Confucian School, a well-preserved Confucian school with over 500 years of history. End the day with a visit to the Woryeonggyo Bridge, an iconic bridge with stunning views of the river and surrounding mountains.
Travel to Gwangju, the sixth largest city in Korea known for its rich history and culture. Start with a visit to the May 18th National Cemetery, a memorial for the victims of the Gwangju Uprising. After lunch, explore the Mudeungsan Provincial Park, a beautiful mountain park with hiking trails and scenic views. End the day with a visit to the Chungjangro Street, a lively and youthful shopping and nightlife district.
Take a short trip to Daejeon, a bustling city located in the central region of Korea. Start with a visit to the Yuseong Hot Springs, a popular hot spring complex with various baths and saunas. After lunch, explore the Expo Science Park, a large science and technology complex with various exhibitions and activities. End the day with a visit to the Yuseong Night Market, a local night market famous for its delicious street food.
Head back to Seoul for your last day in Korea. Start with a visit to Namsan Tower, an iconic tower with panoramic views of the city. Next, explore Insadong, a historic neighborhood known for its traditional Korean crafts and art galleries. End the day with a visit to the Itaewon nightlife district for one last night of fun.
Transportation during the trip will mostly be by train and flight. For shorter distances, we recommend taking a taxi or public transportation. Estimated costs are around 1000-5000KRW for shorter distances and up to 150,000KRW for air travel.
If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the DMZ or exploring more of Korea's coastal areas. If you have less time, consider skipping cities like Daejeon or Andong and spending more time in Seoul and Busan instead.
Korea has two major international airports: Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Gimpo International Airport (GMP). Incheon Airport is located about an hour away from Seoul by car or train and is the larger of the two airports, while Gimpo Airport is closer to the city center and mostly handles domestic flights. Both airports have plenty of transportation options for getting to and from the city center.