Looking for the best things to do in South Korea? Enjoy our South Korea bucket list full of great ideas on how you can plan your South Korea trip! This list features things to do in Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju and more beautiful places around the country. Here’s our bucket list on what to do in South Korea!
South Korea is a country in East Asia known for its K-Pop, Korean food, palaces, Buddhist temples and the famous capital city Seoul. If you love unique culture, views of mountains, bright neon signs and a country with so many modern features then you should start creating your South Korea bucket list now!
There are so many amazing things to do in South Korea and this list won’t even capture it all – but it’s definitely a start and a great introduction to what to do in South Korea on a first trip! If you need any help planning out your route, head over to our 2 week South Korea itinerary to plan the most amazing trip.
This South Korea bucket list includes destinations that are easy to get to by the impressive public transport the country has to offer. We’ll share how to get to these places and a few more tips for South Korea at the bottom of this page!
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Switch to sustainable travel products before visiting South Korea! Here's our 18 Great Eco Friendly Travel Products You Need to Swap guide!
Ultimate South Korea Bucket List
South Korea is an incredible country to visit with amazing cities, lovely villages, great food and some of the best hikes! In no particular order – here are the 20 best things to do in South Korea!
1. Visit Gyeongbukgung
Gyeongbukgung is one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul. There are five palaces in Seoul and all of them deserve a visit – but if you only have time for one, make it Gyeongbukgung. It was built in 1395 and was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty.
Make your visit to the palace memorable by renting a hanbok for a few hours. Hanbok rental stores are hard to miss when visiting South Korea and there are a few rental shops right around the corner from Gyeongbukgung. Find the link on Klook here – Hanbok Rental Klook
If you’re in Seoul for a few days – check out our 5 Day Seoul Itinerary travel guide here!
We use a Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit to take photos of us together on our camera, it’s so useful especially when there’s no one around! There’s also a version for a phone – Joby Phone Tripod to get the best photos on your South Korea trip!
2. Have a traditional Korean meal
Eating Korean food is one of the best things to do in South Korea and should definitely be on your South Korea bucket list! Enjoy a traditional Korean meal at Osegye Hyang (location) in the gorgeous streets of Insadong.
When entering, it’s polite to take off your shoes and sit on cushions on the floor instead of chairs. Along with your meal, you’ll be served lots of little side dishes called Banchan! The best meal to have when you first arrive in South Korea!
3. Stay in a Temple
Temple stays are a cultural programme in South Korea as a way to experience the Buddhism lifestyle and practices. It’s our favourite thing we did in South Korea and we’d 100% go back to stay in more temples around the country. We highly recommend – Golgulsa Templestay! (Near Gyeongju & Busan)
Here’s the link to find out more information and book a stay at – Golgulsa Templestay Reservations. The price is 60,000KRW per night, per person. (30krw for a pre-schooler)
We’ve also shared a Golgulsa Templstay Review so you can find out exactly what it’s like to stay overnight in a South Korean Buddhist Temple. It’s such an amazing and unique experience!
4. Take the train to Busan
If you’ve ever seen the horror/action movie Train to Busan – then taking the train from Seoul to Busan must be on your South Korea bucket list! Remember, it’s just a movie!
You can book your ticket on the KTX here – Korail Train Tickets. It’s a quick 2 hour 15 minutes from Seoul to Busan and the tickets are usually around ₩45,000 – ₩65,000. If you’re on a budget, then intercity and express buses are generally cheaper but slower in South Korea.
If you’re taking multiple trains in South Korea, you may want to get a KR Pass to save you money! Find out more details on Klook!
If you’re interested in travel costs and how much to budget for South Korea, here’s our 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)!
5. Explore a Hanok Village
Another one of the best things to do in South Korea is to explore the many hanok villages that can be found around the country. Bukchon Hanok Village may be the most popular village to explore in South Korea as it’s located in Seoul. It’s absolutely beautiful and should be on your South Korea things to do list! Find Bukchon Observatory for an impressive view to see the tops of the preserved buildings!
- Jeonju Hanok Village (Jeonju)
- Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
- Andong Hahoe Folk Village (between Seoul & Busan)
6. Visit the DMZ
If you’re spending a few days in Seoul you may be interested to visit the Demilitarized Zone of Korea in between North and South Korea. It’s an important part of the country and there’s so much history to learn about the Korean War. This can only be done on a tour – book tickets with Klook here!
7. Spend a day in Gyeongju
Wondering what to do in South Korea? Take a visit to the beautiful city of Gyeongju also known as a museum with no walls. This ancient city has preserved remains and tombs from many years ago and it was once the residence of Silla rulers for over 1000 years. You can book a Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Tour from Busan on Klook.
Take a browse at 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju to plan your trip!
8. Eat Korean street food
We’ve already mentioned that Korean food should be on your South Korea bucket list – and now we want to tell you to try Korean street food! There are so many markets around the country that have amazing choices when it comes to food. Gwangjang Market is our favourite food market in Seoul!
- Tteokbokki (Rice cakes in a spicy sauce)
- Gun Goguma (Roasted sweet potatoes)
- Mandu (Korean dumplings)
- Gamja-Hotdog (Korean-style corn dog covered with potato)
- Dakgangjeong (Korean fried chicken with a sweet spicy coating – There’s vegan options too!)
- Bindaetteok (Mung bean pancakes)
Check out our Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)!
9. Hike in Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park is one of the most impressive hiking spots in South Korea. Sokcho (the city nearby) is only a bus ride away from Seoul and has accommodations to stay in for anyone who wants to spend a day or more in the park.
Hiking Seoraksan (Snow Rock Mountain) should be on your things to do in South Korea if you love hiking! Challenge yourself to reach Ulsanbawi – a six-peak formation with gorgeous views of the mountains. It takes around four hours one way or there’s actually a cable car going a similar way.
10. Wander around Insadong
Seoul is a destination that must be on your South Korea bucket list and one of the best things to do in South Korea is to wander around the beautiful streets of Insadong.
Insadong is home to many independent restaurants, cafes and boutique shops – it’s a lovely place to spend a morning or afternoon in South Korea. It also has a few of our favourite places to eat! Plan your Seoul trip here – 5 Day Seoul Itinerary travel guide!
11. Hike to the top of Seoul Tower
Next up on your South Korea bucket list is hiking in Namsan Park (Seoul Tower). Don’t worry, it’s not as long as the hikes in Seoraksan National Park and it’s right in the heart of Seoul. It’s actually possible to get a bus up to the top and the base of the tower.
The views are incredible from the park and one of our favourite things to do in South Korea. You can also go o the top of the tower for a better view of the city. Tickets are really affordable on Klook – so make sure you buy your ticket in advance!
12. Go to a K-Pop concert
K-pop is very popular in South Korea and people also love it around the world! For some fans, it’s the main reason they visit South Korea! K-pop is short for Korean popular music and is a big part of South Korean culture. Check tickets on InterPark or search the web! It’s such a South Korea bucket list moment to be able to watch K-pop live in the same country it originated from!
13. Try bibimbap
Bibimbap is a big part of Korean cuisine and it’s easily customizable for anyone which means it’s great for vegetarians in South Korea. Bibim means mixing rice and bap refers to the rice.
The Korean dish is usually topped with kimchi, gochujang, vegetables or protein and mixed up before being eaten. It’s one of the tastiest and most nutritious dishes in South Korea and originated in Jeonju!
Browse our guide on 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips before your trip!
14. Explore Jeju Island
Jeju Island has to be on your South Korea bucket list, unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to visit the island on our South Korea trip and are definitely planning a visit there next time!
The island is known for its stunning nature, waterfalls, the highest mountain in South Korea and lovely beaches. It’s a popular getaway for Koreans to escape the business of cities on the mainland. The country isn’t short on things to do in South Korea to spend your days!
Klook.com15. Stay in a Hanok in Jeonju
Jeonju Hanok Village is home to over 700 Hanok homes that are still being used to this day. Some are people’s homes and others have been turned into accommodations for guests. Staying in a hanok is one of the best things to do in South Korea!
We highly recommend staying in the accommodation Jungdam (Find here on Booking.com) – right in the heart of the traditional Korean village! In hanoks, the sleeping set-up is Korean Style (on the floor!)
16. Try out Noraebang (Karaoke)
Noraebang is the Korean name for Karaoke (which is Japanese). South Koreans love Noraebang and you’ll find plenty of Noraebang rooms in cities around the country. Most noraebang will rent a room by the hour to sing your heart out! It’s common to see clips from older K-dramas in the rooms too, so it’s a fun experience!
17. Shop in Hongdae
You can’t take a trip to Seoul without visiting the vibrant and trendy neighbourhood of Hongdae. Visit one of the many cafes in the area to join in with the popular cafe culture in South Korea. Hongdae is also a great place for nightlife and amazing street performers! Add this to your bucket list in South Korea!
Hongdae is one of the hip and trendy areas of Seoul, with many shops, restaurants and themed cafes. It’s also a great spot for nightlife alongside Itaewon. Street performers
18. Take a trip to Nami Island
Nami Island is a popular day trip from Seoul and one of the best things to do in South Korea in any season but especially in the Fall. The trees and foilage come alive in peak season and it’s a cosy place to visit!
From Seoul catch a train to Gapyeong Station, then a bus and from there it’s a 10-minute ferry over to the island! You can even take a zip wire onto the island! Nami island is also known as the final resting place of General Nami who was part of the Joseon Dynasty and a filming location for K-dramas such as Secret Garden and My Love from the Star.
The best way to get to Nami Island is to book a tour with Klook, prices are usually discounted and you can choose what activities to do. A Nami Island day trip is also included in the Klook Seoul Pass!
19. Gamcheon Culture Village
Visiting Gamcheon Culture Village is another one of the most interesting things to do in South Korea and a must when visiting Busan! The village has come a long way since the Korean war when it was populated by poor residents of Busan.
The Tourism board of South Korea chose to bring the village to life with art and creativity in the hope to attract visitors. It soon became a beautiful attraction with cute cafes and trendy shops and now it’s a spot to add to your South Korea bucket list!
We also have an in-depth 3-Day Busan Itinerary if you’re planning a visit!
20. Learn about history at the National Museum of Korea
Lastly on this South Korea bucket list, is to take a visit to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul – the largest museum in South Korea! There is a collection of more than 310,000 historic artefacts dating back thousands of years.
The museum is easy to reach by Seoul’s public transport. It’s also free to enter this museum, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for things to do in South Korea!
So that’s our 20 best things to do in South Korea bucket list – it’s definitely not all the best things to do in the country, but now you can add to this to create your perfect trip. Here are a few more suggestions for you!
Plan your trip - Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
Best things to do in South Korea (Weather)
December – February (Winter) – Go skiing or snowboarding! If you’re visiting South Korea in the winter, it’s the best time to hit the slopes or have fun in the snow! Build a snowman, create a snow angel or go on a winter hike. The winter is pretty cold in South Korea, but it’s definitely worth a visit to see the country magically covered in snow!
March – May (Spring) – Once the snow has melted away and nature starts brightening up again, South Korea is covered in beautiful cherry blossoms. Japan is well known for the Sakura season all over the world, but South Korea gets the same lovely blossoms. Visit in Spring to be a part of the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival!
June – August (Summer) – This season is pretty different to European summers. South Korea experiences typhoons and the rainy season in the summer months. It’s usually hot and humid with lots of rain, although there will be sunny days too! We visited in early June and it was getting hot but no rain.
September – November (Fall) – Another beautiful season to visit South Korea – the foilage in October is absolutely beautiful and should be a season on your South Korea bucket list. Spring and Fall may be the best seasons to come to Korea.
What to pack for South Korea?
Depending on the weather, you’ll want to pack the clothes you usually wear, plus a good pair of footwear! We wear trainers everywhere (even when wearing hanbok oops!) and it’s definitely needed in the cities or on short hikes. Here are a few travel essentials we always carry:
- Stainless Steel Water Bottle – A refillable bottle is a must when tap water is free & accessible in South Korea!
- Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – We can’t pack our bags without using packing cubes!
- Rain Mac in a Bag – Essential for unpredictable rainfall when it’s warm in Korea!
- Anker Power Bank – Keep your phone charged by carrying around a power bank for your trip!
- Worldwide Travel Adaptor – The best for visiting multiple countries!
- Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit – The perfect lightweight tripod to take anywhere in South Korea! We love our Joby GorillaPod and use it for our Sony A600. There’s also a version for a phone – Joby Phone Tripod.
Where to stay in South Korea?
- Seoul – Hostel Tommy – Find here on Booking.com!
- Busan – Dynamic Guesthouse – Find here on Booking.com!
- Gyeongju – Doobaki Guesthouse – Find here on Booking.com!
- Jeonju – Jungdam – Find here on Booking.com!
Festivals in South Korea
Boryeong Mud Festival – A celebration of water, coolness & covering the body in mud – summer
Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival – A festival to celebrate cherry blossoms – spring
Busan International Film Festival – A movie festival in Busan – fall
Lotus Lantern Festival – A celebration & Buddha’s birthday festival – spring
The Seoul Lantern Festival – A celebration of Korean culture – fall
Boseong Green Tea Festival – To celebrate South Korea’s biggest tea plantation – spring
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Don’t forget Travel Insurance! SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world. You don’t have to be in your home country to start it and you can add months to your trip whenever you need to! Find out more here!
More South Korea guides:
- Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
- 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)
- Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
- 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
- 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)
- 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know
- Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)
- 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024)!
- All our South Korea posts!
That’s the end of our Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do! Have an amazing time in South Korea and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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