Places to go in South Korea

From the neon-lit streets of Seoul to hanok villages frozen in time, and from ancient royal tombs to the volcanic shores of Jeju, South Korea packs remarkable variety into a country you can cross in a matter of hours by high-speed train. It's a place where centuries-old temples sit a short ride from K-pop and street food markets, and where every region has its own distinct character and pace. Not sure where to start? Here's our pick of the best places to visit in South Korea.

Almost every South Korea trip begins or ends in Seoul, and it's easy to see why. This is a city of contrasts: ultra-modern skyscrapers and glowing shopping districts sit alongside grand royal palaces, centuries-old hanok neighbourhoods, and quiet Buddhist temples tucked into the hills. Spend a morning wandering the sweeping courtyards of Gyeongbokgung Palace, then lose yourself in the narrow lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional wooden houses have survived right in the heart of the capital.

Seoul rewards wandering as much as sightseeing. Browse the covered stalls of Gwangjang Market for some of the city's best street food, take a bike ride through old hanok districts and bustling markets, or join a cooking class to get hands-on with Korean cuisine. For something more reflective, spend a night at Bongeunsa Temple, living alongside the monks for a taste of temple life without ever leaving the city. Seoul is also the easiest base for a day trip to the DMZ, the heavily fortified border with North Korea, where guided tours bring the tension and history of the divided peninsula vividly to life.

On the northeast coast, close to the border with North Korea, Sokcho is a refreshing change of pace after Seoul: part fishing town, part modern seaside city, with golden beaches, a lighthouse and a lively local market all rolled into one. Time your evening right and you can feast on fresh fish straight from Sokcho Jungang Market before wandering the streets around it.

Sokcho's real draw, though, is what lies just outside it. Seoraksan National Park, one of Korea's most beautiful natural areas, is a short bus ride from town, its jagged granite peaks, dense forest and clear mountain streams changing character with every season - fresh green in spring, deep colour in autumn, and a fairytale white blanket come winter. A cable car whisks you partway up for sweeping views, while nearby temples add a dose of history to the hiking trails.

Head inland to Andong for a glimpse of a South Korea that feels centuries removed from Seoul's skyscrapers. This is the historic heart of Confucian tradition in Korea, and its biggest draw is the Hahoe Village, a beautifully preserved traditional settlement founded some 500 years ago, where thatched and tiled hanok houses still line the banks of the Nakdong River much as they always have.

Andong is an easy stop between the coast and the country's southern historic towns, and makes a fascinating counterpoint to the more polished heritage sites elsewhere in Korea - this is tradition still quietly lived in, not just preserved for visitors.

Often described as Korea's open-air museum, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for close to a thousand years, and its history is everywhere you look. Grass-covered burial mounds rise unexpectedly from the middle of the city at Tumuli Park, ancient royal tombs sit alongside lotus ponds and a stargazing observatory, and strict height restrictions have kept the old centre feeling remarkably low-rise and intimate.

Stay in a traditional hanok just outside the centre, hire a shared bike to get around, and be sure to spend an evening in the Hwangnidan-ro district, where locals gather for street food and shopping once the sun goes down. A short trip from the city brings you to Golgulsa Temple, built into a green hillside and one of the most characterful temples in the country - spend a day here trying your hand at monastic life, from meditation and breathing sessions to demonstrations of Seonmudo, a Korean Buddhist martial art that originated on this very site.

For one of the best-preserved hanok villages anywhere in South Korea, head to Jeonju, home to more than 700 traditional houses packed into a single atmospheric neighbourhood. Jeonju is also considered Korea's culinary capital, and is the birthplace of bibimbap - a dish of rice, vegetables, meat and a fried egg, served with spicy gochujang chilli paste, that you'll find at its very best here.

While the main street through the hanok village can feel touristy, it's worth ducking into the smaller side streets, where the atmosphere feels more local. Don't be surprised to see plenty of Korean visitors doing the same, many dressed head-to-toe in rented hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, as they explore the village's tiled roofs and courtyards.

Korea's second city, Busan, trades Seoul's density for a laid-back, coastal energy. This is a city built around the sea, from the still-working Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the largest in the country, to the colourful, cliffside houses of the Gamcheon Culture Village, often compared to a Korean Santorini. Beomeosa Temple, tucked into the hills above the city, offers a quiet contrast to the busy waterfront below.

Busan is also a natural link between destinations: it's an easy onward journey back to Seoul, or a jumping-off point for a ferry crossing to Japan, making it a great addition to a longer South Korea itinerary or a South Korea and Japan combination trip.

A short flight from the mainland, Jeju is South Korea's volcanic island getaway, and unlike anywhere else in the country. Semi-tropical, dramatic and hugely popular with Korean honeymooners, it's known for its black lava rock coastlines, waterfalls, volcanic cave systems (some of the largest lava tubes in the world), and a network of walking and cycling trails that stretch for hundreds of kilometres around the island.

Hike up Mount Songaksan for coastal views, explore the island by hire car for maximum flexibility, or simply spend a few days at a slower pace than the mainland allows. Note that Jeju is the one part of a South Korea trip you'll need to fly or ferry to, but it's a rewarding detour, and a fitting way to end a holiday that began in the skyscrapers of Seoul.