South Korea Explorer
Photo by Greg Schneider on Unsplash
Min-Jun Kim
Min-Jun Kim
58 countries

South Korea Explorer

Seoul to Busan Discovery

9 day tripSouth Korea
Seoul
Gyeongju
Busan
Day 1

Royal Palaces & Hanok Villages

Seoul

Begin in Korea's dynamic capital with magnificent Joseon dynasty palaces and the picturesque Bukchon Hanok Village.

Today's Schedule

Gyeongbokgung Palace & Changing of the Guard
9:00 AM
Photo by yeojin yun on Unsplash

Gyeongbokgung Palace & Changing of the Guard

2.5 hours
National Folk Museum & Lunch
12:00 PM
Photo by Austin Curtis on Unsplash

National Folk Museum & Lunch

2 hours
Bukchon Hanok Village
2:30 PM
Photo by Crystal Jo on Unsplash

Bukchon Hanok Village

2 hours
Insadong Art & Tea Street
5:00 PM
Photo by TEAcreativelife │ Soo Chung on Unsplash

Insadong Art & Tea Street

2 hours
Korean BBQ Dinner at Maple Tree House
7:30 PM
Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash

Korean BBQ Dinner at Maple Tree House

2 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Alicja Podstolska on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
BibimbapKorean BBQPajeon (Pancake)
Must Visit
Gyeongbokgung PalaceBukchon Hanok VillageInsadong
Day 2

K-Culture & Modern Seoul

Seoul

Dive into K-pop culture in Gangnam, explore cutting-edge architecture, and experience Seoul's vibrant nightlife.

Today's Schedule

COEX Mall & Starfield Library
10:00 AM
Photo by Richard Hepworth on Unsplash

COEX Mall & Starfield Library

2 hours
Gangnam Style Photo Op & K-Star Road
12:30 PM
Photo by Ciaran O'Brien on Unsplash

Gangnam Style Photo Op & K-Star Road

1 hour
SM Entertainment & K-pop Experience
2:00 PM
Photo by Ronald Langeveld on Unsplash

SM Entertainment & K-pop Experience

2 hours
Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky
5:00 PM
Photo by Adil Edin on Unsplash

Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky

1.5 hours
Myeongdong Shopping & Street Food
7:00 PM
Photo by Xuedi Liu on Unsplash

Myeongdong Shopping & Street Food

3 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Janosch Lino on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
TteokbokkiKorean Fried ChickenBingsu
Must Visit
COEX MallLotte World TowerMyeongdong
Day 3

DMZ & Historic Seoul

Seoul

Visit the tense border between North and South Korea, then explore Seoul's traditional markets and N Seoul Tower.

Today's Schedule

DMZ Tour (Joint Security Area)
7:00 AM
Photo by Christopher Pap de Pestény on Unsplash

DMZ Tour (Joint Security Area)

5 hours
Lunch at Tosokchon (Ginseng Chicken)
1:00 PM
Photo by Giselle Herrera on Unsplash

Lunch at Tosokchon (Ginseng Chicken)

1.5 hours
Namdaemun Market
3:00 PM
Photo by Fukuro 0wl on Unsplash

Namdaemun Market

2 hours
N Seoul Tower (Namsan)
5:30 PM
Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash

N Seoul Tower (Namsan)

2 hours
Dinner in Itaewon
8:00 PM
Photo by T2 Graphy on Unsplash

Dinner in Itaewon

2 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Xuedi Liu on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken)JajangmyeonStreet Snacks
Must Visit
DMZN Seoul TowerNamdaemun Market
Day 4

Hongdae & Han River

Seoul

Experience Seoul's youthful energy in Hongdae, relax by the Han River, and enjoy trendy cafes and nightlife.

Today's Schedule

Hongdae Free Market & Busking
10:00 AM

Hongdae Free Market & Busking

3 hours
Lunch at Isaac Toast & Cafe Hopping
1:30 PM
Photo by Suzi Kim on Unsplash

Lunch at Isaac Toast & Cafe Hopping

2 hours
Yeouido Han River Park & Cycling
4:00 PM
Photo by J. Young Jeong on Unsplash

Yeouido Han River Park & Cycling

2.5 hours
Dinner at Gwangjang Market
7:00 PM
Photo by Mike Swigunski on Unsplash

Dinner at Gwangjang Market

2 hours
KTX Train to Gyeongju
9:30 PM
Photo by Hoang Trinh on Unsplash

KTX Train to Gyeongju

2 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Xuedi Liu on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
BindaetteokMayak GimbapCafe Desserts
Must Visit
HongdaeHan River ParkGwangjang Market
Day 5

Gyeongju - Museum Without Walls

Gyeongju

Explore the ancient Silla Kingdom capital, a UNESCO World Heritage city filled with temples, tombs, and historic treasures.

Today's Schedule

Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO)
9:00 AM
Photo by Yamin Ohmar on Unsplash

Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO)

2 hours
Seokguram Grotto
11:30 AM

Seokguram Grotto

1.5 hours
Traditional Korean Lunch
1:30 PM
Photo by Jo Wa on Unsplash

Traditional Korean Lunch

1 hour
Daereungwon Tomb Complex
3:00 PM
Photo by Yekaterina Golatkina on Unsplash

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

2 hours
Cheomseongdae Observatory
5:30 PM
Photo by Elizabeth Cho on Unsplash

Cheomseongdae Observatory

1 hour
Gyeongju Bread & Night Walk
7:00 PM
Photo by Suzi Kim on Unsplash

Gyeongju Bread & Night Walk

2 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by IRa Kang on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
Gyeongju BreadSsambapTemple Food
Must Visit
Bulguksa TempleSeokguram GrottoRoyal Tombs
Day 6

Anapji Pond & Departure to Busan

Gyeongju

Visit the stunning Anapji Pond, explore more Silla treasures, then head to the coastal city of Busan.

Today's Schedule

Gyeongju National Museum
9:00 AM
Photo by Suzi Kim on Unsplash

Gyeongju National Museum

2 hours
Wolji Pond (Anapji)
11:30 AM
Photo by 은 하 on Unsplash

Wolji Pond (Anapji)

1.5 hours
Lunch & Drive to Busan
1:30 PM
Photo by eun kim on Unsplash

Lunch & Drive to Busan

2 hours
Arrive Busan - Haeundae Beach Walk
4:00 PM
Photo by lee seunghyub on Unsplash

Arrive Busan - Haeundae Beach Walk

2 hours
Seafood Dinner at Jagalchi Market
7:00 PM
Photo by William Warby on Unsplash

Seafood Dinner at Jagalchi Market

2 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Jakub Tomasik on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
Fresh SashimiGrilled ShellfishMilmyeon Noodles
Must Visit
Wolji PondGyeongju MuseumHaeundae Beach
Day 7

Busan - Coastal Beauty

Busan

Experience Korea's second-largest city with stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village.

Today's Schedule

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Sunrise
6:30 AM
Photo by Dmitry Voronov on Unsplash

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Sunrise

2 hours
Gamcheon Culture Village
9:00 AM
Photo by Christopher Pap de Pestény on Unsplash

Gamcheon Culture Village

2.5 hours
Lunch at BIFF Square
12:00 PM
Photo by Daniel Bernard on Unsplash

Lunch at BIFF Square

1.5 hours
Taejongdae Natural Park
2:00 PM
Photo by hyunje cho on Unsplash

Taejongdae Natural Park

2.5 hours
Gwangalli Beach & Diamond Bridge
5:00 PM
Photo by IRa Kang on Unsplash

Gwangalli Beach & Diamond Bridge

2 hours
Seomyeon Night Shopping & Food
8:00 PM
Photo by Bundo Kim on Unsplash

Seomyeon Night Shopping & Food

2.5 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Rina Kemppainen on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
Dwaeji GukbapSsiat HotteokEomuk (Fish Cake)
Must Visit
Haedong YonggungsaGamcheon VillageGwangalli Beach
Day 8

Markets & Farewell

Busan

Explore Busan's famous markets, enjoy a final beach day, then return to Seoul for departure.

Today's Schedule

Jagalchi Fish Market (Korea's Largest)
8:00 AM
Photo by Crystal Jo on Unsplash

Jagalchi Fish Market (Korea's Largest)

2 hours
Gukje International Market
10:30 AM
Photo by Ethan Brooke on Unsplash

Gukje International Market

1.5 hours
Final Busan Lunch
12:30 PM
Photo by Polina Kneis on Unsplash

Final Busan Lunch

1.5 hours
Haeundae Beach Last Visit
2:30 PM
Photo by Yujin Seo on Unsplash

Haeundae Beach Last Visit

2 hours
KTX Train to Seoul
5:00 PM
Photo by Kyle Hinkson on Unsplash

KTX Train to Seoul

2.5 hours
Farewell Dinner in Seoul
8:00 PM
Photo by David Ford on Unsplash

Farewell Dinner in Seoul

2 hours

Captured Moments

Moment 1
Photo by Cecelia Chang on Unsplash
Local Cuisine
Fresh Sashimi BreakfastHotteokKorean BBQ Farewell
Must Visit
Jagalchi MarketGukje MarketHaeundae Beach

Extend Your Journey

Jeju Island
Photo by john ko on Unsplash

Jeju Island

1h flight from Seoul or Busan
Jeonju (Hanok Village)
Photo by Mos Sukjaroenkraisri on Unsplash

Jeonju (Hanok Village)

2h KTX from Seoul

Frequently Asked Questions about South Korea Explorer

Everything you need to know about planning your South Korea Explorer trip from TikTok and Instagram content.