Pavilion in the pond at Gyeongbokgung Palace with autumn foliage and mountain at background while crimson maple tree in the upper foreground, Seoul, South Korea, 2014

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South Korea

From Seoul's glittering nightlife to Seoraksan National Park's vertiginous hikes, South Korea offers the traveler a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture and history.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Gyeongbokgung
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Like a phoenix, Seoul’s premier palace has risen several times from the ashes of destruction. Hordes of tourists have replaced the thousands of government…
Changdeokgung
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The World Heritage–listed Changdeokgung is the most beautiful of Seoul's five main palaces. You must join a one-hour guided tour to look around. English…
Jeonju Hanok Maeul
Jeonju
This maeul (village) has more than 800 hanok (traditional wooden homes), making it one of the largest such concentrations in the country. Virtually all of…
Leeum Samsung Museum of Art
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Amid the celebrity-owned apartments on the leafy southern slope of Namsan is Korea's premier art gallery. Beautifully designed and laid-out, it balances…
Seongsan Ilchul-bong
Jeju-do
This majestic 182m-high, extinct tuff volcano, shaped like a giant punchbowl, is one of Jeju-do's most impressive sights and a Unesco World Heritage site…
Ssanggye-sa
Gyeongsangnam-do
The visual imagery of this temple is a feast for the eyes and, like any exquisite dinner, should be savoured with deliberation. Stone walls supporting…
Saryangdo
Gyeongsangnam-do
Jagged ridges, 400m-high peaks, ropes, ladders and awe-inspiring views await travellers looking for a challenging hike. Most travellers disembark the…
Hwaseong
Suwon
The World Heritage–listed fortress wall that encloses the original town of Suwon is what brings most travellers to the city. Snaking up and down Paldal…

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Attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

10 unmissable experiences in South Korea, from cherry blossoms to bar hopping

Curated by Ann Babe

Korea Tea Museum
Jeollanam-do
Here you can learn more than you ever thought you needed to know about tea, both in Korea and around the world, and also take part in a traditional tea…
Gwangjang Market
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
This sprawling fabric market is now best known as Seoul’s busiest meokjagolmok (food alley), thanks to the 200 or so food stalls, kimchi and fresh-seafood…
Juknokwon
Jeollanam-do
Sandy walking trails wend through this bamboo grove, past pavilions and film locations for Korean dramas. It's one of the area's most popular attractions…
Gwangju Kia Champions Field
Gwangju
Catch the Kia Tigers professional baseball team in action from April through November. Stock up on snacks from the street vendors outside the stadium,…
Gukje Market
Busan
West of Nampo-dong, this traditional market has hundreds of small booths with a staggering selection of items, from leather goods to Korean drums.
Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation
Jeollanam-do
One of Korea's most iconic sights, the Boseong Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation is spectacularly set on a hillside covered with curvy row after row of…
Cheong-gye-cheon
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
With its landscaped walkways, footbridges, waterfalls and a variety of public artworks, such as the enormous pink-and-blue shell entitled Spring in Cheong…
Dongmun Market
Jeju-si
Traditional Korean food market. Fun for a wander and peek at local seafood for sale, which you can have cooked up on the spot at small restaurants. It's…
Namdaemun Market
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
You could spend all day in this swarming night-and-day market and not see it at all. The largest market in Korea, each section has hundreds of stalls,…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Exciting South Korea has endless things to do, see, experience and eat. Here are the must-do experiences in South Korea.

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Things to Know

Before your trip to this cultural powerhouse, read our tips for navigating the etiquette, transportation options, safety concerns and more in South Korea.

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Transportation

Here’s everything you need to know about transportation cards, accessible travel and taking planes, trains and buses.

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Visa Requirements

Do you need a visa to enter South Korea? Read our guide to find out.

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Money and Costs

If you’re looking to travel to South Korea on a budget, follow this money-saving guide, from advice on SIM cards to tips on transit.

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Best Road Trips

South Korea might not leap out as the obvious place for a road trip, but the back roads reveal a different side to the peninsula. Here are our top trips.

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