South Korea Bucket List: Top 15 Awesome Places & Things To Do
Read on for 15 of the best things to do in South Korea!
South Korea is a bucket list destination for many tourists these days, but knowing in advance where to visit and what to do can be a time-consuming challenge.
I would go so far as to say that South Korea is one of the top 5 countries I have ever visited. I fell in love with the incredible food, beautiful palaces, breathtaking scenery and I can’t wait for my next visit!
Having visited several of the top destinations in South Korea, I’m familiar with the most unmissable places in Seoul, Busan and other less visited destinations by visitors that you may not be familiar with.
I’ve put together this post that details what I believe to be the top 15 awe-inspiring places you cannot miss and unforgettable things to do, so you know exactly what to include in your own South Korean bucket list.
Plan Your Trip With My Recommended Resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I always use Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Discover Cars has the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Kiwi.com has the best prices on flights
📱eSIM: Airalo has a fantastic range of eSIMs
South Korea Bucket List: Top 10 Places
So without further ado, let’s dive into what I believe to be the top fifteen places and things to do that you absolutely must include on your South Korea bucket list:
1. Gwangjang Market, Seoul
Food is of course a big reason why South Korea has become such a popular destination in recent years. When in Seoul, I highly recommend visiting the most popular food market in the entire country: Gwangjang Market.
There are many food stalls here where you can try all types of Korean snacks and meals. It can be an overwhelming but memorable experience.
You can sample everything from handmade noodle dishes to classic Korean food such as bibimbap, tteokbokki, mayak Kimbap, dumplings and more. It is a foodie’s paradise!
➡️ For a more detailed look at the food available at the market, check out my Ultimate Foodie Guide To Gwangjang Market blog post.
👉 Pro Tip: To reach Gwangjang Market, catch a subway on Line 1 to Jongno 5-ga station and take either exit 8 or 9. Or you can take a subway on Line 2 or 5 and get off at Euljiro 4-ga station.
I recommend visiting the market mid-morning or late evening to avoid the crowds during lunch hours.
2. Gyeongju
The ancient city of Gyeongju is not too far away from Busan and is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of temples and archaeological locations dating back to the Silla Kingdom and is also the oldest city in Korea.
It is a fascinating and beautiful place to explore, and it is possible to visit in just one day from Busan if you’re short on time. But if you are a history fan then definitely plan at least 2-3 days to fully appreciate everything there is to see.
Gyeongju is often referred to as ‘the museum without walls’ as there are so many temples, tombs and other sites to discover, including:
- Bulguksa Temple – A significant Buddhist temple from the Silla Kingdom, featuring two bronze Buddha statues.
- Daereungwon Tomb Complex – an incredible archaeological location of 23 tombs, this complex is one of Gyeongju’s most iconic sites.
- Gyeongju National Museum – An extensive collection of exhibitions, ancient artefacts, sculptures and more – give yourself up to 3 hours to explore here.
- Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory – The oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia and possibly the world!
- Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond – a beautiful large palace complex and surrounding waters dating back to ancient Sillia.
- Seokguram Grotto – a grotto made from granite, featuring what are considered to be some of the best Buddhist sculptures in the world.
3. Day Trip to the DMZ
The DMZ is a no man’s land that was established between South and North Korea in 1953 and is considered a must-visit location in South Korea, located 54 miles north of Seoul.
It’s a fascinating place to visit, with historical locations such as the Freedom Bridge and underground tunnels that still exist underneath the border.
The best part of the DMZ for me was the Dora Observatory, where you can see North Korea through binoculars! To get up close to North Korea is incredible and visiting the DMZ is a memorable experience.
4. Nami Island
I recommend a must-do day trip to one of the most beautiful locations you can visit from Seoul: Nami Island (Namiseom).
Located 63 km northeast of Seoul, Nami Island is a popular tourist destination famous for its scenic nature, serene gardens and cultural villages. Some of the must-see places at Nami Island include:
- The Garden of Morning Calm – The oldest private garden in Korea, with over 5,000 plants.
- Chuncheon Samaksan Cable Car – The longest cable car in Korea, which stretches from Samcheon-dong to Samaksan Mountain.
- Samaksan Mountain – From the top of the mountain you can see spectacular views Chuncheon, it is reachable either by hiking trails or the cable car.
- Gubongsan Mountain Observatory Cafe Street – This popular scenic spot has various cafes and restaurants available, make sure to visit during sunset.
👉 Pro Tip: The easiest way to reach Nami Island from Seoul is via shuttle buses that go directly there from Namdaemun, Myeongdong or Insadong in Seoul. You can also catch an ITX train from Yongsan and Cheongnyangni stations.
5. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan
If you visit Busan, then a must-see place on the outskirts of the city is the breathtakingly beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. This is probably the most impressive site I visited in South Korea, despite the large crowds that gather here.
This majestic temple was built alongside the ocean; the mixture of ancient architecture and sea views creates an aesthetically pleasing experience.
When to visit: It can get overly busy with tourists at the temple, and it was overcrowded when I went there. The best time to visit is early morning (the temple is open for visitors as early as 4:30 am). Seeing the sunrise here would be even more spectacular.
How to get there: Getting to the temple from central Busan can be tricky. It’s possible to get there by catching multiple buses or trains, and these options also involve a fair bit of walking.
The easiest and most convenient way is to go by taxi. It’ll cost more (in the region of £10-£15), but it’s a quick and convenient solution.
6. Jeju Island
A popular vacation spot for South Koreans, this island is 50 km south of the Peninsula and is known as the ‘Hawaii of Korea’. It has a sub-tropical climate and is full of gorgeous nature and beaches.
You can reach Jeju Island either by plane or ferry. Flying there from major cities in South Korea is the easiest and quickest option. The ferry ride takes several hours from different ports but is more scenic and pleasurable.
The spring and autumn months are the best periods to visit the island when temperatures will be mild and the island will be at its prettiest.
7. Boryeong Mud Festival
Taking place every summer on Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, this mud festival claims to be the world’s largest summer festival. It is a fun cultural experience to participate in when visiting South Korea.
The Boryeong mud is believed to have beneficial effects on your skin, and during the festival locals and tourists cover their bodies in the mud before washing themselves off in the ocean.
It may not sound like everyone’s cup of tea at first but it’s an opportunity to have a funny, memorable experience that’s quite unlike any other festival you’ve ever attended.
8. Myeongdong Street Food, Seoul
Myengdong High Street is a fantastic must-visit spot if you fancy tasting some of the most popular Korean snacks when visiting Seoul.
Based centrally in the Myeongdong district of Seoul, you’ll find a big choice of scrumptious snacks from the countless food stalls on either side of the high street.
Expect to taste everything from grilled cheese lobster, Korean egg toast, tornado potatoes and lots more weird and wonderful items. I recommend visiting during the evening when the street comes alive with a bustling atmospere.
➡️ For more top food recommendations for Seoul, make sure to read my BEST Food Tour In South Korea 2025 blog post.
9. Starfield Library, Gangnam, Seoul
An outstanding, must-visit location in South Korea is the enormous Starfield Library in Gangnam, Seoul, which has over 50,000 books!
Located within Starfield COEX Mall (near Samseong station on Line 2 and Bongeunsa station on Line 9), I can guarantee that this will be the most spectacular and biggest library you’ll ever visit.
It’s not just a library, it’s also an art exhibition place with various exhibits and installations and is very much considered to be a cultural hub in Seoul, popular with people of all ages.
10. Bukhansan Park, Seoul
Seoul can be quite an overwhelming place, so a must-visit location (especially for nature lovers and hikers) is the beautiful Bukhansan National Park.
Bukhansan translates to: ‘mountains north of the Han River’ and is a massive forest full of Buddhist temples and numerous trails. There are three peaks in the park which have incredible mountainous vistas at the top and views of the city.
The most arduous trail takes you to the top of Baegundae Peak. This hike is 6km in total and will take several hours to complete, but the panoramic vistas of Seoul are simply astonishing.
How to get there: There are several different entrances to the park from the centre of Seoul. There is a direct bus from Seoul station that goes to Bukhansanseong Fortress Entrance which takes less than 40 minutes.
You can get there using the metro system but this can be complicated and requires changing lines. You can also take a taxi to the park, which will take less than 20 minutes.
11. See Cherry Blossoms In Spring
Springtime is one of the most beautiful times to visit South Korea thanks to the number of cherry blossoms that can be seen during this season.
Rivalling the cherry blossom season in Japan, you can see glorious cherry blossoms at several parks in Seoul, most notably at Yeouido Park and Yeouido Park, and at Nami Island north of the capital.
Cherry blossoms are widely seen throughout the rest of the country as well, in most cities including Busan, Jinhae, Suwon, Daejeon, Jeonju and even Jeju Island.
12. Busan
South Korea’s second-largest city after Seoul, Busan is located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula and is famous for its glorious beaches, vibrant culture and excellent cuisine.
I loved my time in Busan and found it quieter but just as interesting as Seoul. The beaches are spectacular and there are many fascinating temple sites, food markets and more to do here.
See the: ‘Must Visit Places In Busan’ section below for more info on the most unmissable tourist attractions in this fantastic city.
13. Cheonggyecheon
Although Seoul is a vast and busy metropolis, there are several areas of outstanding natural beauty within the city which offer a breather from the modern world.
Cheonggyecheon is a perfect example of this; a 10 km natural stream that runs throughout the heart of the city from Gwanghwamun to Dongdaemun.
There are wide walking paths on either side of the stream, and going for a stroll here is a peaceful and serene experience that reflects the beauty that Seoul has to offer.
14. Do a Temple Stay
With a plethora of Buddhist temples throughout South Korea, staying at a temple for one day or more is one of the most enriching and unique cultural experiences you’ll ever get to do.
Living alongside Buddhist monks and learning about their way of life while surrounded by beautiful settings is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It is an opportunity to embrace a different routine, from practising mindfulness to sharing meals with the monks and contributing to various activities, it promises to be a fascinating and unforgettable time.
15. Go Bathing at a Jjimjilbang
Last but not least on my South Korea bucket list is another unique must-do cultural experience: visit what is known as a ‘jjimjilbang’ which translates to: ‘heated rooms’.
These are traditional Korean bathhouses that offer various spa and wellness facilities such as saunas and swimming pools and have been a popular part of Korean culture since the 1990s.
Visiting a jjimjilbang is a great way to learn all about Korean etiquette while relaxing.
Other Places Worth Visiting In South Korea
Of course, there are many beautiful and fascinating places to visit in South Korea outside of the most commonly visited cities. Here are a few Korean cities that are less visited by tourists but are just as interesting:
- Suwon – Not far from Seoul and often overlooked by the capital, Suwon is a lively place and has historical monuments worth checking out, such as the extraordinary 18th-century fortress; Hwaseong.
- Jeonju – Well known for its own Hanok village that rivals Seoul’s, Jeonju is considered the country’s spiritual centre and is also famous for having the best bibimbap in South Korea.
- Boseong – If you’re a nature lover and want to avoid the big cities in South Korea, then Boseong is a must-visit place.
Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, Boseong is famous for its Green Tea Fields and has many fantastic walking trails near the coast. - Pohang – This coastal city is considered one of the best in the country, with lovely beaches, stunning coastlines and highly rated seafood restaurants. It’s also easily reachable from both Seoul and Busan.
Must Visit Places In Seoul
Here’s a list of some more must-visit places in Seoul that are well worth checking out:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace – South Korea’s number one tourist attraction, this stunning palace dates back to the 12th century and was home to royalty during the Joseon dynasty.
- Bukchon Hanok village – This famous village is a traditional neighbourhood is another must-visit tourist attraction in the city.
- N Seoul Tower – Iconic to Seoul’s skyline, this is a must-visit when in the city. From the observation deck, you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the entire city and beyond.
- National Museum of Korea – This excellent museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts and exhibits spanning Korean history, art, and culture that you can spend a few hours exploring.
- Changdeokgung Palace – Another beautiful palace in Seoul, this UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its exquisite architecture and lush gardens.
Must Visit Places In Busan
And here’s a list of several must-visit places in Busan as well, which are not to be missed when visiting:
- Haeundae Beach – This golden stretch of sand is arguably the most popular destination in Busan and is surrounded by countless skyscrapers and lovely ocean views.
- Gamcheon Culture Village – Often called the ‘Machu Picchu of Busan’. This colourful artistic neighbourhood built on a hillside is full of street art and is an interesting introduction to Busan culture.
- Busan Tower – This tower is 120 feet high and is at the top of Longtou Mountain Park. The panoramic skyline views of the city and harbour from the observation deck are spectacular.
- Beomeosa Temple – This Buddhist temple nestled in the mountains is one of South Korea’s most historically important temples.
- Busan Museum of Movies – A fascinating museum that is informative on Korean cinema history and has a huge amount of movie memorabilia.
- Jagalchi Fish Market – This market was one of the most memorable places I visited in Busan. It is South Korea’s largest seafood market, and an extraordinary place to wander around.
South Korea Bucket List FAQs
If you still have questions about visiting South Korea, allow me to answer some of the most commonly asked questions:
How many days do you need to visit South Korea?
I recommend visiting South Korea for two weeks to appreciate the country and to visit some of the must-see places I’ve listed in this post.
In my opinion, one week is too short as it is such a far-away destination and you won’t have enough time to visit all of the major tourist attractions and day trips available.
Be sure to check out my 11-Day South Korea Itinerary Guide which is a detailed 21-page PDF document packed full with destinations to visit.
When is the cheapest time to fly to South Korea?
This all depends on where you’re flying from of course, but from the UK January to March is considered to be the cheapest time of the year for flights to South Korea.
It’s possible to find tickets as cheap as just £500 if you’re lucky, while from the US tickets will be more expensive, in the region of $1,000 depending on where you’re flying from.
Is South Korea expensive to visit?
South Korea is considered to have a moderate cost of living overall, and it is possible to visit with a moderate budget.
However certain parts of the country are more expensive than others. Seoul is the most expensive city, but you can find cheap accommodation in particular neighbourhoods.
Busan on the other hand is a cheaper destination, but there’s not a huge price difference between both cities when all is said and done.
Conclusion: South Korea Bucket List
So that concludes my South Korea bucket list and what I believe to be the top 15 places to visit and things to do in this extraordinary country.
Seoul will always be the main attraction for tourists visiting South Korea, but there are many other awesome places to discover, from bustling Busan to the fascinating ancient city of Gyeongju.
There are so many things to do in South Korea, from visiting palaces, going on food tours and discovering the country’s complicated history, you will never be short on inspiration for your trip.
I hope this blog post has helped inspire you for your next visit, and that you’ve discovered some fun and interesting places and things to do to add to your South Korea bucket list.
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about South Korea:
➡️ 2 Days in Seoul: A Full Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
➡️ Travel Tips For South Korea: A Comprehensive Guide To Safety
➡️ Seoul In One Day: The Ultimate Itinerary For South Korea’s Capital
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
