Top Tourist Destinations in South Korea

In this week’s edition of Mike’s stuck on a couch, I decided to reminisce about the three and a half years I lived in Seoul, South Korea.  Throughout that time, I traveled extensively throughout the best destinations in Korea.  I had the help of friends in Seoul Hiking Group, Bangawoyo Tours, and often led groups with other expats to the best places in Korea.  So without further adieu I present my favorite tourist destinations in South Korea!

Fun Tourist Destinations in South Korea to Visit

National Parks in Korea

Korea boasts 21 national parks and they are among the top tourist destinations in South Korea!  As a foreigner, visiting a national park can be intimidating with the travel abroad due to language, logistics and safety concerns.  To help with that, I usually traveled on a large group tour bus.  The tour company took care of all the logistics, made me realize how safe these parks are, and spoke all the Korean until I learned to fend for myself.

You should plan to visit national parks in South Korea for their natural beauty.  The landscapes are phenomenal but be prepared for many people without much wildlife. Even squirrels were rare in Bukhansan and Seoraksan, two of the most popular parks.  That being said, the mountainous landscapes are spectacular and the trails very well maintained.  Most park maps have Korean and English on them, but if you’re new to Korea I’d definitely go with a tour group!

Bukhansan National Park

It’s hard to beat the accessibility of Bukhansan with multiple subway stops in Seoul leading to trailheads. If you are an avid hiker, you can easily hike Dobongsan and Baegundae without a Korean guide.  They are the two most popular trails in Bukhansan and have clear trail signs in both English and Korean.  The stark contrast between the skyscrapers and the mountains can make for incredible views. 

Trailheads near subway stops have many vendors selling everything from hiking gear to food and souvenirs. There are lots of mountainous temples throughout Bukhansan that make great photo opportunities, and often serenade you with monastic chanting on the trail.  My personal favorite hike was starting at Dobongsan Station on line 1 or 7, heading up Dobongsan peak from the trailhead and then making a loop to come back down.  The nice thing about taking the subway is that you don’t have to go back to your starting point to pick up your car!

Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park is my favorite national park in Korea, but it is a bit harder to get to than Bukhansan.  You’ll need to head to Sokcho first and although you can do it in a day, I prefer to spend the night either in Sokcho or at any of the hotels near the park entrance. 

Seoraksan’s Cheonbuldong valley is famous for fall colors, and the infamous Dinosaur Ridge is an incredibly rewarding hike despite its gruelling series of peaks.  Each time I went I vowed never to go back because my legs were so sore.  But then I’d process my photos and find myself on another trip to hike the 13-mile loop.

For an easier day trip in Seoraksan book a ticket for the cable car,  Ulsanbawi is a shorter trail that still gains elevation for a view. Ulsanbawi for a shorterI’ve written extensively about Seoraksan after visiting a dozen times and can safely say it has a trail for everyone’s tastes.  Seoraksan is one of the best places to see in South Korea!

Jirisan National Park

Jirisan National Park is famous for having the tallest mountain on the mainland and is more reminiscent of a typical American national park since it’s further from the big cities.  The hike to the top of Cheongwangbong brings you to 6,283 ft (1915 m) and is second only to Hallasan on Jeju Island. 

I only visited Jirisan twice because it’s a bit further from Seoul and you’ll want to either go with a tour group or have functional Korean in order to get yourself to and from Jirisan. 

Hallasan National Park 

Hallasan National Park is a crowd favorite since it is on the famous Jeju Island, aka Jeju-do.  Often called the “Hawaii of Korea,” this island is subtropical and has lots of warm weather activities including beaches and hikes.  Scroll down to my Islands of Korea section below for more on Jejudo. 

Hallasan is technically an active shield volcano since it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, but it is currently dormant.  The last known eruption was over 1,000 years ago and countless visitors enjoy these trails in all four seasons. 

Juwangsan National Park

Juwangsan was one of the lesser-known national parks that I visited.  It was the first park where I really felt like I wasn’t part of a big crowd.  Juwangsan sports beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains with well-maintained trails.  I know that Juwangsan is less frequented because I saw more than just squirrels there!  We saw a snake and some deer in addition to the beautiful rock formations and chasms.  I would take a group tour or hone up my Korean conversation skills before navigating Juwangsan.

Island Destinations in South Korea

Looking for fun places in Korea?  Check out any of the countless islands for a variety of landscapes, hikes, beaches, and more!   South Korea has an extensive system of ferries and bridges to help you access many islands and a few can be reached by car or bus.  Most of the island destinations in Korea are to the south and can be accessed from the ferry terminal in Tongyeong.

Korean islands that are proper nouns end with the English suffix “-do” 

Saryangdo

The ridge hike on Saryangdo was my first trip with Seoul Hiking Group and remains one of my favorite hikes in Korea.  I went back to Saryang Island two more times because I simply loved the view!  It’s a great example of maximizing bang for your buck, with most of the 460m (1,512 feet) of elevation gain right in the begining followed by a few miles of casual hiking along the ridge.  You’ll have panoramic views of the Korean islands and mainland the whole time!

Ulleungdo

Ullueng Island is one of the most beautifully unique islands I have ever been to.  Getting there is a bit of a chore since you need to take a ferry from the east coast of Korea and that ferry is subject to weather.  I had a great time on the ferry and even saw dolphins but you may want to plan a flex day in your schedule if you’re heading to Ulleungdo.   

Enjoy scenic walks along oceanside paths and trails up the tall mountains. There are many boardwalks built above the ocean and into the side of cliffs here on Ulluengdo.  There is a unique fishing and farming culture on Ulleungdo along with plenty of natural beauty.  Ulleungdo is a dormant volcano and hasn’t erupted in roughly 5,000 years.  One of my favorite spots on Ulleungdo was a sunset hike to the Seonginbong peak, 986m (3,234 ft) above sea level.  

Bijindo

Bijin Island is a small island that I dubbed “a hint of Thailand” after first visiting and liked it so much I went back a second time.  There is a spit of land connecting two mountains and sandy beaches on either side.  Great for a relaxing getaway on the beach with a few hiking trails to get a view and keep you active. 

Bijindo has places to stay, eat, and shop by the beach, so the hardest part is getting there.  Check out the ferry terminal in Tongyeong for direct service to the two ferry stops on Bijindo.   There are two ports to pick from on Bijindo, go to Oehang if you want direct access to the hiking loop, otherwise, Oehang is the stop for you.

Muuido

Muui Island didn’t feel like an island to me because I didn’t take a boat there!  You can drive to Muuido from Seoul or Incheon and rent one of their beach “cabins.”  Muuido can be a busy party spot but has a wonderful sandy beach with a slow slope.  If you catch sunset during lowtide on Muuido you’ll feel like you’re on another planet!  There are some nearby trails and a shop right on the beach too.

Tourist Destinations in South Korea

Royal Palaces

I would argue that some of the best and most touristy spots in South Korea are the palaces.   You can get a more in-depth look to help you plan your trip in my recent palaces in Seoul post.

If you like history, art, architecture, or photography, they are all worth visiting. If you are less of a museum goer I would head to Gyeongbukgung and Changdeokgung and skip the rest so you can maximize your time exploring other good places in Korea.  

All of the palaces have a nominal entrance fee; something like $2 or roughly 3,000₩. You can get a 3-month royal palace pass for 10,000₩  ($8) to see all five palaces and get some extra access like the secret garden

Every year they offer night tours at Korean Royal Palaces and I highly recommend them!  At night you’ll have fewer visitors to compete with, it can be much cooler, and you get a unique perspective.  If you want to take photos at night, be sure to bring a tripod!  Pick one to see during the day and another at night so you can fill the rest of your time with the other fun places in South Korea.

Cities to visit in South Korea

Sokcho

Sokcho is the city by the sea in the northeast corner of South Korea.  You might head this way before a trip to the DMZ and will definitely stop here if you’re heading to Seoraksan National Park.  Sokcho’s proximity to Seoraksan puts it at the top of my list of favorite cities in Korea.  You can enjoy beachside fireworks, a fish market, and all the classic Korean entertainment.  With saunas, restaurants, and every type of shop you can imagine.  Or do what I do and head to Seoraksan for the day and then relax at the jimjilbang (sauna/bath house)

Busan

Busan is one of South Korea’s famous ports.  Known a variety of fish markets, beaches, and the party scene Busan can be a great stop for any travelers visiting or living in South Korea.  Gimhae International Airport makes Busan one of the more accessible cities besides Seoul although I always took a bus here.  You can take a high-speed train to Busan also, and rest assured the the horror movie by the same name is pure fiction.

With a few hikes to pick from I’m going to recommend a less traditional “hike” and say you should check out Gamcheon Culture village.  With a great view below and beautifully painted neighborhoods Gamcheon is worth checking out. 

Jinhae

Jinhae is the place to be for spring in Korea with a world famous cherry blossom festival that rivals Japan and Washington DC.  Just like other Korean cities there are plenty of restaurants, hotels, and hiking trails in Jinhae.  The train depot and nearby stream are lined with cherry trees and can be overwhelmed with tourists during the festival.   For a little fresh air head to Jehwangsan for a nice view or to the naval port for a more unique seaside experience in Jinhae.

Seoul

Seoul, leaving the best city for last!  Most would argue that Seoul is the TOP tourist destinations in South Korea. You almost certainly will be flying in and out of Seoul and there are endless activities to choose from.  With over 25 million people on the subway system, you can find activities for every walk of life in Seoul.  

One of the cool things about Seoul is that just about every neighborhood has the staples to enjoy a good night out.  Korean BBQ, Karaoke aka noraebang, subway access, street food, markets, cafes, shops and always plenty of restaurants.  Restaurants in Korea tend to specialize and have smaller menus than Americans are used to.  Want to get Korean BBQ?  Great, decide on pork or beef.  Want to get dumplings?  Good news, there’s a restaurant dedicated to dumplings.  How about a chicken stir fry, or a noddle dish?  Those will likely have restaurants that specialize too.  So what I’m saying is a typical night out might involve stopping at a few different restaurants.  

Seoul is full of the Culture and Places Korea is Best known for!

I loved visiting all the markets in Seoul, whether for shopping, eating, people watching or photography.  My absolute favorite was Kwangjang Market and whenever I get back to Korea it’s one of my first stops.  Dongdaemun and Namdaemun have huge markets too.  One interesting way that markets and shops function in Korea is that similar stores tend to congregate near each other.  Looking for kitchen appliances?  There’s a section of the market with a dozen stalls full of kitchenware.  How about lights or clothing?  Yup, you’ll find a corner of the market dedicated to those too.

Foreigners tend to congregate in either Itaewon or Hongdae.  Itaewon is where the old military base used to be and feels more like a borough of New York City than a foreign country.  Hongdae is home to Hongik University and definitely has the feel of an urban college town.  Great for late-night parties, whether you’re hanging out in the park with the makgeoli man or heading to one of the countless restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs.  

Gangnam is one of the great tourist destinations in South Korea.  Made world famous by the Psy song, Gangnam Style; Gangnam is actually a bustling district full of by Korean businessmen.  There are excellent restaurants and all of the usual nightlife since part of Gangnam Style is going out with your coworkers.  This is in fact, a common theme all over Korea and is known as “Hweshik.”  Now that Gangnam has become one of the tourist destinations in Korea you’ll find lots more photo opportunities with interactive and artsy murals for selfies near all of the Subway stations.

I would be remiss if I skipped all of the amazing hikes that I went on in Seoul.  From the aforementioned Bukhansan National Park to smaller hikes like Namsan, Achasan, Ingwansan, and many more.  Seeing the suffix -san is a clue that you’re heading to a mountain and Koreans do a great job of maintaining trails!  

I could gush on and on about all the great things in Seoul and perhaps my next post will do just that.  But for now I think I’ve given you all of the places to see in South Korea!

Why not pin one of these pins below to help you remember these great places in South Korea!

Recommended Reading for South Korea:

• Night Tours at the Korean Royal Palaces
• Explore the Secret Garden in Changdoekgung Palace
• Best Places for Spring in South Korea
• Best Spots for Fall Colors in Korea!
• Best Places for Winter in Korea
• Read my Naver Maps Photo Guide to get around Seoul by Bus!
• Do you live in Korea?  Are you trying to move from one apartment to the next?
• Trying to Renew an American Passport while in Seoul?  Read about my experience here.