How do good food, upbeat music, lively nightlife, and grand palaces sound to you? If these are what you’re dreaming of for your next vacay, it’s time to cease your search and look no further!
The great nation of South Korea ticks them all off! If you’re looking for the perfect fusion of modern meets past, there’s nowhere better to set your sights than in this picturesque peninsula, best known for its tasty kimchi, upbeat K-pop, old palaces, and endless opportunities for unique cultural experiences.
Excited? You better be! Whether you’re a K-drama fan or you enjoy sightseeing and food-tripping adventures, there’s something for everyone, and our list covers them all! Jot down these 18 bucket list items when you travel to South Korea:
Marvel at the majesty of Seoul’s royal palaces
Dress up in a hanbok
Taste tteokbokki (and other spicy treats) on the streets
Visit the most famous border in the world
Find your Seoul-mate at the temple
Touch the skies at the Seoul Sky Observatory
Nature trip to Nami Island
Learn about Hallyu culture in Gangnam
Eat the best dish in town–Samgyeopsal!
Snap cute shots away at Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village
Conquer the walls of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon
Get acquainted with Korean tea culture
Have a chimaek picnic under the cherry blossoms
Find good vibes at Hongdae
Sing along to K-pop hits at a noraebang
Relax and unwind at a Korean sauna
Cruise on the Han River and see Seoul’s lights
Seal it with a lock at N Seoul Tower
1. Marvel at the majesty of Seoul’s royal palaces
Get fascinated by Korean architecture! Image credits: Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash
If you’ve watched the hit historical series, Scarlet Heart Ryeo (among our K-drama faves!), you’ll definitely be inspired by the traditional hanok houses and grand palaces that decorate the set. And guess what? You can have your own fairytale moment too when you visit Seoul!
In the capital city, you’ll find five beautifully restored palaces to explore: Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung. Inside the royal abodes, you’ll get a sneak peek of the day in the life of a Korean king (or queen) as you take a historical tour and venture into throne rooms, lavish bedrooms, and secret gardens.
What’s the best palace in Seoul?
Gyeongbokgung is one of the largest palaces, and also the most visited. So it gets pretty crowded during the peak tourist season from April to May.
If you prefer quieter palaces, our pick would be Changdeokgung. It’s got an impressive Secret Garden bursting with cherry blossoms during spring.
2. Dress up in a hanbok
Imagine you and your bestie in hanbok, traditional Korean wear.
Pair your palace visit with a hanbok experience! Go back in time and dress up like a local of the past. There are plenty ofhanbok rental shops surrounding Gyeongbokgung Palace, where you can do exactly this! These shops even go as far as offering styling services, so you’ll fit right in the frame!
Klook tip: Looking for a bang-for-your-buck deal? Let Klook take care of your hanbok experience! You can rent a hanbok from 90 minutes up to an entire day to make the most out of this unique cultural experience during your South Korea travel!
3. Taste tteokbokki (and other spicy treats) on the streets
For dinner: Gimbap and tteokbokki served with fish cakes are must-tries! Image credits: @eomji_koreanstreetfood on Instagram
When in Korea, eat! One of the favourite pastimes of locals in the city is savouring the sweet and spicy goodness of a Korean rice cake dish, tteokbokki. This chewy treat is then paired with other street food classics, such as hotteok (sweet pancakes), gimbap , sundae (blood sausage), and many more which we won’t name because they’re simply too delish not to try!
You can try these tasty bites in Gwangjang Market (featured in Netflix’s Street Food), Myeongdong Street, and even at pojangmacha (tiny food tents) splashed across the country!
4. Visit the most famous border in the world
Learn about the turbulent past of North and South Korea.
Get schooled in the history behind the 70-year conflict between North and South Korea. Travel to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where you’ll discover the most famous border in the world! Lined with mines and flanked by troops from both sides, the area definitely screams tense.
Though, not to worry! Despite its seemingly serious facade, it’s very much safe to explore. With an exclusive DMZ tour, you’ll get plenty of chances to gain deep historical insights into the war as you visit the Panmunjeom “Peace” Village and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, used in past invasions.
Bonus: At the Dora Observatory, you’ll even get to spy on North Korea from afar!
Discover more things to do at DMZ with Klook
Check out the Bridge of Freedom, Imjingak Peace Park, and other things to do near DMZ below:
5. Find your Seoul-mate at the temple
Seoul is often known for being chic and modern. However, if you take a closer look, you’ll find the ancient shrines of old Seoul peeking through the concrete jungle of towering skyscrapers. These peaceful packets offer tranquillity in the busy city. Elderlies often flock to these local haunts to say their prayers and meditate. But hey, if you’ve come to Seoul to find your soulmate, you definitely can do that here too!
In the city, there are six temples you can visit in Seoul: Bongeunsa,Bongwonsa, Cheonchuksa, Hwagyesa, Geumsunsa, and Jogyesa.
Which temple should I go to? Bongeunsa is the most visited temple in Seoul, best known for its 22-metre tall Buddha statue that watches over the city.
6. Touch the skies at the Seoul Sky Observatory
Mark your visit with a selfie on the skies! Image credits: @graceinkorea on Instagram
Put your courage to the test by going 123 floors up the Seoul Sky Observatory—aka the fifth tallest building in the world! Not only is it a thrilling experience to ride the fastest elevators up, but the view from the top is out of this world, whether you come day or night. And if you’re brave enough, we dare you to take a selfie on the glass floor 555 metres high—no shaking allowed!
7. Nature trip to Nami Island
No matter what the season is, Nami Island is beautiful all year round! Image credits: @daraconquers on Instagram
Filled your sights with enough city scenes? Time to head to the natural wonder of Nami Island in Chuncheon, home to golden ginkgo trees, cherry blossoms, pines, canola flowers, and an abundance of nature! With a tour of Nami Island, you get to explore its many tree-lined paths, as well as famous filming locations of the classic K-drama, Winter Sonata.
Klook tip: Nearby, you can also check out Petit France and Garden of Morning Calm on your out-of-Seoul day trip! The Nami Island tour covers all the attractions, so better charge up your cams for a jam-packed day of sightseeing and plenty of photo-op sesh!
8. Learn about Hallyu culture in Gangnam
The K-craze hit an all-time high during the pandemic, and it just keeps on growing! If you’re like us and you’re inspired by Korean pop culture, then a trip to the illustrious Gangnam neighbourhood is a must on your South Korea travel bucket list.
And, no, you won’t catch PSY dancing around here. Instead, you can pay a visit to the HQs of several entertainment companies, dine at K-pop-themed cafes, and walk down the K-Star Road, where you’ll find life-sized doll versions of your fave idols.
9. Eat the best dish in town—Samgyeopsal!
Let this tasty Korean dish take care of your appetite! Image credits: SJ on Unsplash
Sightseeing can be tiring, so why not relax and recharge with a KBBQ party! In Seoul and everywhere else in South Korea, really, there are plenty of great spots to indulge in a feast of samgyeopsal, the thickest and juiciest grilled pork dish in the country!
Though, if you’re not a fan of pork, you can also try Korean BBQ with beef and pair ‘em with naengmyeon (cold noodles), soju (Korean distilled alcoholic beverage), and salads. You’ll discover loads of samgyeopsal places littered around every corner of the block, not just in Seoul.
10. Snap cute shots away at Busan’s Gamcheon Culture Village
Brazil? Nope, it’s Busan! Image credits: @margauxpepper on Instagram
A three-hour KTX train ride away from the capital, Busan enchants travellers with its colourful cluster of brightly painted houses reminiscent of Brazil’s Painted Favelas. A tour of the picturesque Gamcheon Culture Village will feed your eyes with quirky murals, artsy boutique shops, and incredible views of the seaside city of the East.
11. Conquer the walls of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon
The fortress stretches 6 kilometres long. Image credits: @povw.__ on Instagram
Another gem to cross off your South Korea travel bucket list is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hwaseong Fortress. Built in 1796, this Joseon Dynasty fortress protected Korea from its warring neighbours and it still proudly stands ‘til today.
History buffs may take their time hiking the six-kilometre walls, exploring every nook and cranny inside. In the meantime, sporty travellers can try their hands at various traditional Korean games, such as archery, inside the fortress!
12. Get acquainted with Korean tea culture
Take part in Korea’s exquisite tea culture with a visit to its traditional tea houses. Get a chance to refresh yourself with a calming cup of fresh green tea, or even special flavours—from rose tea and persimmon to bamboo and mugwort! You can find many of these traditional tea rooms in Insadong, Seoul.
13. Have a picnic under the cherry blossoms
Experience spring in Korea! Image credits: @mariluna0405a on Instagram
Perhaps you’re travelling to South Korea during springtime. The season’s perfect for a picnic out in the park with the cherry blossoms in full bloom! Popular viewing spots around Seoul are Children’s Grand Park, Seoul Forest, and Changgyeonggung Palace.
14. Find good vibes at Hongdae
Being the epicentre of cool and chic, Seoul has heaps of trendy places and cool bars—and half of ‘em, you’ll find in Hongdae! This lively block is brimming with fashion stores, tasty dines, hip cafés, modern galleries, and a truckload of bars for a memorable night out!
15. Sing along to K-pop hits at a noraebang
Whether you’re a BLINK or a ONCE (throw in ARMYs too in the mix), you’ll have a blast belting out the latest K-pop hits at a noraebang—the Korean version of a karaoke bar. One tip to make the most out of your night: don’t be shy! These rooms were designed to let you sing your hearts out with disco lights and a fun wig.
16. Relax and unwind at a Korean sauna
Spa, but make it Korean! Image credits: @popovavasilina on Instagram
When your trip gets a little hectic, there’s nothing better to do than soaking in a jimjilbang (Korean sauna). Inside steaming hot stone-clay kilns, you can let the stress and weariness wash off your body. And, if you’re not ready to hit home just yet, extend your stay by spending the night at the rest area. Trust us, it’s a whole new experience itself that a lot of travellers won’t forget!
17. Cruise on the Han River and see Seoul’s lights
Feel the cool breeze in Seoul! Image credits: @elllamaria on Instagram
Still can’t get enough of Seoul? We feel ya, that’s why part of your South Korea travel list should include a relaxing cruise down the lazy Han River! Spoil yourself with incredible views of the N Seoul Tower, the Olympic Stadium (as seen on Reply 1988), and the famous Yanghwa Bridge, all lit up at night.
18. Seal it with a lock at N Seoul Tower
Don’t forget to bring your locks with you! Image credits: @tethein on Instagram
Finally, we’re capping off the trip with a lock, or more precisely a love lock! N Seoul Tower isn’t only an iconic landmark in the capital city, but it’s also a place to seal your love. Whether you’re travelling with your significant other, best mates, or family, the Love Lock Bridge underneath the tower promises everlasting love.
Klook tip: Visit Love Lock Bridge and other N Seoul Tower attractions by booking your tickets with Klook, and get instant confirmation on your booking!
