Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace in traditional hanbok$2
Seoul's largest royal palace, with free entry for visitors wearing rented hanbok, the changing-of-the-guard ceremony runs several times daily.
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Things to do in South Korea
Neon-lit megacities that barely sleep, temple stays in mountain forests, and a food and pop-culture export machine that's reshaped how much of the world eats and watches.
Explore South Korea on the map →Budget$$
Best for7-10 days
CapitalSeoul
VisaA temporary exemption from South Korea's K-ETA travel authorization has been extended through December 31, 2026 for eligible nationals from 67 countries and territories, including most Western passport holders, who can currently enter without applying.
CurrencySouth Korean won (KRW)
LanguagesKorean
InternetExcellent, among the fastest in the world
Typical lodging$35–$95/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage220V / 60Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+9
Emergency number112 (police) / 119 (fire, ambulance)
Dialing code+82
★★★★★ Food★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Nightlife
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Boil or use bottled water. Check locally. Not customary, and can be declined or seen as awkward.
South Korea compresses hyper-modern Seoul, centuries-old Buddhist temples, and volcanic island beaches into a country you can cross by high-speed rail in under three hours. Its 'Korean Wave' of K-pop, K-drama, and Korean cuisine has made it one of the most culturally influential countries per capita anywhere.
When to go
SpringMarch–May
Cherry blossoms peak in early April: one of the most popular and beautiful times to visit, with mild temperatures.
SummerJune–August
Hot, humid, and includes the monsoon (jangma) in July, beach season on Jeju Island despite the rain risk.
AutumnSeptember–November
Widely considered the best season: clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and vivid fall foliage in the mountains.
WinterDecember–February
Cold and dry, with ski resorts near Seoul and steaming hot pots the obvious response to the chill.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
8Wander the alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village
A neighborhood of centuries-old traditional wooden houses tucked between two of Seoul's grand palaces, still lived in by residents.
Soak in a Korean jjimjilbang (bathhouse and sauna)
Multi-story bathhouses with hot and cold pools, saunas, and communal sleeping rooms: a genuine local institution, open 24 hours.
Explore the ancient temples and tombs of Gyeongju
The capital of the Silla dynasty for nearly a thousand years, with royal burial mounds and Bulguksa Temple among Korea's most important historic sites.
Stay overnight at a Buddhist temple (templestay)
Programs at temples like Golgulsa or Beomeosa let visitors join monks for meditation, chanting, and simple vegetarian meals.
Walk the Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan
A hillside neighborhood of pastel-painted houses turned open-air art installation, with sweeping views over Busan's coastline.
Visit the DMZ and Joint Security Area from Seoul
A guided tour to the world's most heavily fortified border, including the JSA where North and South Korean guards face off metres apart.
Explore the futuristic architecture of Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Zaha Hadid's neofuturistic building anchors Seoul's fashion and design district, lit up with LED rose gardens at night.
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Adventure & outdoors
3Hike Bukhansan National Park within Seoul's city limits
Granite peaks and forested trails reachable by subway, with Baegundae Peak as the classic summit for a half-day scramble.
Ride the cable car and hike Hallasan on Jeju Island
South Korea's tallest peak, a dormant volcano at the island's center, with a crater lake at the summit on clear days.
Ski or snowboard at Yongpyong Resort
One of Korea's largest ski resorts, roughly two hours from Seoul, and the site of the 2018 Winter Olympics alpine events.
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Food & drink
4Eat Korean barbecue at a local galbi restaurant
Grill your own marinated short ribs or pork belly tableside, wrapped in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang, a genuinely communal meal.
Shop and eat street food at Gwangjang Market
Seoul's oldest traditional market, famous for bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and mayak gimbap, eaten standing at communal counters.
Eat fresh seafood at Busan's Jagalchi Fish Market
Korea's largest seafood market, where you pick your catch from tanks and have it prepared fresh at an upstairs restaurant.
Try Korean fried chicken and beer (chimaek)
A modern national obsession: double-fried chicken paired with beer, best at a neighborhood chicken-and-beer joint late in the evening.
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Nature & scenery
3Watch cherry blossoms along Seoul's Yeouido riverside
One of the city's biggest cherry blossom festivals, with a full kilometre of blooming trees along the Han River for about a week each spring.
Hike the volcanic tuff cone of Seongsan Ilchulbong on Jeju
A UNESCO-listed crater rising from the sea, climbed for sunrise views over the surrounding coastline and haenyeo (female free-divers) at work below.
Walk the Seoul City Wall trail at Naksan Park
A restored section of the 14th-century fortress wall with panoramic night views over the city, popular but rarely crowded after sunset.
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Beaches
1Relax at Haeundae Beach in Busan
Korea's most famous urban beach, backed by a skyline of high-rises, busiest during the summer Sand Festival.
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Nightlife
1Browse K-pop and K-beauty stores in Myeongdong
Seoul's densest shopping district, blending cosmetics flagship stores, street food carts, and K-pop merchandise shops.
Common questions
▾Do I need a K-ETA to visit South Korea?
Nationals from 67 exempt countries and territories, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada, and Australia, currently benefit from a temporary K-ETA exemption extended through the end of 2026. Confirm your nationality's status before booking, since this is a temporary measure that could change.
▾How many days should I split between Seoul and the rest of the country?
Most first-time visitors spend 4-5 days in Seoul and the remainder split between Busan's coast, Gyeongju's ancient temples, and Jeju Island, Korea's high-speed rail (KTX) makes this easy without domestic flights.
▾Is Korean food very spicy?
Some dishes are, especially anything with gochujang chili paste, but plenty of staples, bibimbap, japchae, most grilled meats, aren't inherently spicy, and heat levels are usually adjustable at restaurants.
▾Do I need to know Korean to get around?
Seoul and Busan are very manageable with English signage on transit and translation apps for menus; smaller towns require more patience and gesture-based ordering.
▾Is Jeju Island worth adding to a Korea itinerary?
Yes if you have 8+ days, it's a volcanic island with beaches, waterfalls, and hiking up Hallasan, offering a genuinely different pace from mainland cities.
▾How much do South Korea's palaces cost to enter?
Seoul's main palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, typically charge foreign visitors a modest ₩3,000 (about $2), among the cheapest major sights in any big Asian capital. A combined ticket covering several palaces and Jongmyo Shrine offers a further discount if you're visiting more than one.
