The Ultimate 2-Week South Korea Itinerary
South Korea is one of those destinations that offers a truly immersive travel experience. The language, the vibrant culture, the unique blend of ancient traditions and modern life - everything here feels distinct and captivating. The food scene is incredible with something delicious around every corner, the landscapes are breathtakingly diverse, and, at least once you make it out of Seoul and Busan, you will feel like you're exploring somewhere relatively undiscovered. Based on the experience of having spent nearly two years living in the country back in 2014-2016, I crafted this South Korea itinerary to make the most of my time there when my husband and I revisited the country for two weeks last autumn.
Deoksugung Palace - one of the Five Royal Palaces of Seoul.
Please note that this itinerary only covers mainland South Korea. If you have some more time to explore, I would definitely recommend setting aside a few days for Jeju-do as well. Having visited the island twice in the past, however, I decided to leave it out for this trip. Some other destinations to add if you have more time are Andong Hahoe Folk Village, the city of Jeonju and its culinary delights, and the beach towns of Gangneung and Sokcho in the breathtaking Gangwon Province.
Getting around South Korea
Travelling around South Korea using public transportation is both easy and super convenient. South Korea's public transport system is excellent and very affordable, with an extensive network of trains and buses that reach even remote areas. The high-speed KTX trains connect major cities and make cross-country travel fast and easy. If you plan to explore rural regions or the stunning coastlines more extensively, renting a car might give you more flexibility, but we had no issues relying on public transportation for this trip.
It can be difficult to purchase train and bus tickets online without a Korean credit card, but it is very easy to purchase tickets at the stations. If travelling on the weekend, it might be a good idea to go to the station to buy your ticket a few days in advance, however, especially if you’re travelling to or from Seoul.
When to visit?
The best times to visit Korea are during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November). In spring, you'll enjoy mild temperatures and breathtaking cherry blossoms, while autumn offers crisp weather and vibrant foliage that paints the landscapes in stunning shades of red, orange, and yellow. These seasons provide the most comfortable climate for exploring the country’s natural and cultural attractions. It’s best to avoid the hot and humid summer months, particularly July and August, when the rainy season (jangma) brings heavy downpours and high humidity, making outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Day 1-4: Seoul
We left Oslo with Emirates the day before, but day 1 counts as the day we actually arrived in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
There is so much to see and do in Seoul that I recommend spending four days in the city at the beginning of your trip. This also gives you some time to adjust to a new time zone. With a time difference of 7 hours (if you’re from Norway, at least), adjusting to a new time zone can take some time. At the end of your trip, I recommend spending another couple of days in the city to hit some of the sights you might have missed during the first leg of your trip.
Where to stay in Seoul: Seoul Mansion Guesthouse
Whenever you visit a big city for the first time, it’s always challenging to decide which neighbourhood is the best to stay in. When people ask me where they should stay in Seoul, I always recommend Yeonnam-dong and the Hongdae area. We stayed at the Seoul Mansion Guesthouse in Yeonnam-dong, which was extremely affordable, clean, and only a three minute walk from Hongik University Station. From Hongik University Station, it is super easy to explore all the highlights of Seoul, and it is also well connected to Incheon International Airport, providing a smooth arrival. Furthermore, the guest house was within walking distance to all my favourite restaurants in Yeonhui-dong, which was an added bonus.
Don’t miss
Visit at least one of the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul. My personal favourite is Changdeokgung Palace, with its Secret Garden or 'Biwon' (비원). The main palace of Seoul, Gyeongbokgung, is also worth visiting, but it can get quite crowded.
Hike to the top of Ansan Mountain - a forested mountain peak accessed via a boardwalk, with an observation point with some of the best views of the city. Bring some kimbap and go first thing in the morning.
Head to Gwangjang Market for breakfast. Why not try the kalguksu knife-cut noodles featured in the Netflix series “Street Food: Asia”?
Walk through the stunning Bukchon Hanok Village, and have some of Seoul’s best patbingsu at Samcheong Bingsu.
Visit the Insadong neighbourhood, known for its traditional arts and crafts. Explore the quaint streets lined with shops selling Korean ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, and more. While in the area, make the walk over to Jogyesa Temple - the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Take a peaceful stroll around the temple grounds, admire the intricate architecture, and experience a moment of tranquillity amidst the bustling city.
Take a stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Catch the underground to Yeouido Hangang Park, pick up some Korean beer and snacks at a convenience store, and enjoy the night views of Seoul.
Other: There’s an endless list of things to do in Seoul, with the aforementioned attractions being some of my personal favorites. Other popular activities include visiting Namsan Tower, Jongmyo Shrine, shopping in the districts of Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Gangnam, or enjoying amusement parks like Lotte World and Everland.
Day 5-6: Hwagae
Ssanggyesa Temple was founded on the southern foothills of Jirisan Mountain in year 722.
After spending the first few days in Seoul, we headed to Hwagae by express bus. We caught the bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, and it took about 3.5 hours to reach Hwagae Bus Terminal in Hadong County. The express buses are comfortable and efficient, making it an easy journey. These were the only tickets I booked in advance during our trip, as we were travelling out of Seoul on a Saturday morning. Once we arrived at the bus terminal in Hwagae, we took a short taxi ride to our accommodation.
Hwagae is a small town, so there isn’t a lot to do within the town itself, but it’s the perfect base for exploring the surrounding natural beauty. The town stretches along a beautiful valley, with a stream running through it, and is famous for its tea production and the Hwagae Cherry Blossom Road, especially if you’re visiting during spring.
Despite its small size, Hwagae will quickly become your favourite place in Korea if you’re into tea and/or nature like us! Hwagae is located in the oldest tea producing region of Korea, and has several beautiful tea houses where you can sample some of the world’s best tea. The stream running through the valley is said to rival Kyoto, Japan for its cherry blossom views during springtime, while it in summer and early autumn provides dozens of beautiful natural swimming pools with some of the cleanest water you have ever seen. There are also some stunning temples and waterfalls to explore in the area.
Where to stay in Hwagae: Ceramics_stay
As a tea enthusiast, Ceramics_stay is probably the coolest accommodation I have ever stayed in. The accommodation is located within an actual tea house, run by the family behind my favourite Korean tea brand: Dojae Myeongcha (도재명차). As part of your stay, your hosts will offer you a tea ceremony and you will be able to purchase their products.
As for the accommodation itself, it was both clean and comfortable, with a perfect location within walking distance to all the main attractions of the valley.
Don’t miss
Pay a visit to Ssanggyesa Temple (쌍계사) - in my opinion the country’s most beautiful temple!
Stop by Korea’s oldest tea house: Gamdong (감동). This tea house is run by the producers of the famous Jukro Tea.
If visiting in spring, enjoy the breathtaking cherry blossom views.
If visiting in summer or early autumn, spend an afternoon soaking up the sun by the stream and go swimming in the crystal clear water.
Have several meals at Cheongwoon Sikdong (청운식당). With its kind staff and wonderful food, this might be my favourite restaurant in the whole country! Make sure to try the deodeoggui-jeongsig (더덕구이정식).
If you like hiking, make the trek up to Buril Waterfall (불일폭포). The trek starts at Ssanggyesa Temple, and the two attractions are thus good to combine.
Day 7-9: Suncheon
Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve.
To get from Hwagae to Suncheon, we first caught a bus from Hwagae Bus Terminal to Gurye and then another express bus headed for Suncheon Express Bus Terminal. The total journey took approximately 1.5 hours.
Suncheon is a vibrant city, known for its stunning natural landscapes. If you also want to visit Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, Suncheon makes for an ideal base. There are several buses connecting the city centre with the Wetland Reserve, so you can easily explore it in a day or even spend a night nearby to fully experience the area.
The amount of time spent in Suncheon is the only part of the trip I would possibly change if I were to modify the itinerary. We had 2.5 days to explore the area, but I would probably add an extra day to Busan rather than spending so much time in Suncheon. We explored the Wetland Reserve during sunset on the day we arrived, and had another full day to tour the Naganeupseong Folk Village and Seonamsa Temple. Originally, we had planned to make a day trip to the Boseong Green Tea Fields on our last day in Suncheon, but due to poor weather we ended up skipping Boseong this time around.
Where to stay in Suncheon: Four Seasons Pension
Our accommodation in Suncheon was the Four Seasons Pension. The accommodation is within walking distance of the famous Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, and easily accessible from the city centre by bus or taxi. It was clean, spacious, and comfortable, and our host was incredibly friendly and attentive. She did all our laundry, drove us to her favourite restaurant, and gave up lots of recommendations.
Don’t miss
Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve - a habitat of migratory birds, plants, and animals. Visit during sunset for the best views.
Naganeupseong Folk Village (낙안읍성) - a well-preserved fortified town constructed in 1397. It has several well-preserved buildings, such as a fortress, government buildings, and a cluster of private houses. Even today, the town is actively occupied by around 100 households.
Seonamsa Temple (선암사) - a Korean Buddhist temple constructed in 861. It is situated deep in the mountains, surrounded by lush forests. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For tea lovers, Seonamsa has a wild tea field with tea plants as much as 300 to 400 years old. Fertilisers or chemicals have never been used. There is also a tea house, Suncheon Traditional Wild Tea House (순천전통야생차체험관), where you can participate in a traditional Korean tea ceremony and sample several local teas.
Day 10-11: Busan
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple with its picturesque seaside location.
From Suncheon, we continued to the easternmost point of our South Korea itinerary: Busan. Busan is the second-largest city in the country and South Korea's most vibrant coastal city. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, bustling markets, and historic temples. Oh, and did I mention that it’s also considered the seafood capital of South Korea?
We caught the express bus from Suncheon Express Bus Terminal to Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal, which took about 2 hours and 40 minutes. From there, we changed to the underground to make the way over to our hotel in Haeundae.
You could certainly spend several days exploring Busan without running out of things to do, but we are only here for two nights this time around as I have explored most of the sites before. Busan is a city that is stretched along the coastline, so it can take quite a bit of time to travel between the different attractions. I thus recommend considering moving one night from Suncheon to add to Busan depending on what you want to get out of your trip.
Where to stay in Busan: Grand Josun Busan
If you’re going to splurge on one of your accommodations on your trip to Korea, do so in Busan. Being a coastal city, the seaside hotels offer some amazing sunrise views to wake up. We ended up choosing Grand Josun Busan for our accommodation, and we did not regret our choice. This is without a doubt one of the most spectacular and comfortable hotels we’ve ever stayed at, and we also really enjoyed its central location in Haeundae, within walking distance to some of my favourite restaurants.
Don’t miss
Eat, eat, eat! Some of my favourites in Busan are Eobu (어부) for grilled clams (jogae-gui, 조개구이) and Haeundae Amsogalbi-jip (해운대 암소갈비집) for premium Korean barbeque.
Best seafood experience in Busan: Jagalchi Fish Market.
Arrive early to explore South Korea’s largest seafood market and enjoy a fresh seafood meal prepared right before your eyes. I recommend heading to Jacky's Seafood (Stall 8) for the best service.
Head up to the top of Busan Tower for some of the best views of the city.
Visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (해동 용궁사): This stunning seaside Buddhist temple offers breathtaking ocean views and a serene atmosphere, making it a must-visit in Busan.
Relax at Haeundae Beach - one of South Korea’s most famous beaches. Haeundae offers beautiful sandy shores, nearby street food vendors, and a lively boardwalk. Visit in the evening for live music.
Optional: Explore Gamcheon Culture Village
Wander through the colourful hillside neighbourhood filled with vibrant murals, art installations, and quirky cafes.
Day 12: Gyeongju
After spending a few days in Busan, we took the train to Gyeongju. This city is located in the southeastern part of the country and is often referred to as an open-air museum due to its rich historical heritage. We travelled by the KTX high-speed train from Busan Station, which took about 30 minutes. From Gyeongju Station, we took a city bus to our accommodation in the heart of the city centre.
Gyeongju itself is relatively quiet, but it’s the perfect base for exploring the surrounding historical sites. Even without a rental car, you can easily explore the area using the city buses. Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD), and was at one point one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the world. There are thus plenty of historical sites to visit, such as the UNESCO World World Heritage Sites of the Seokguram grotto, Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Yangdong Folk Village. The downtown area itself is small enough to explore on foot, and offers many culinary delights and quaint tea houses and coffee shops.
Where to stay in Gyeongju: Dorandoran Guesthouse
In Gyeongju, I highly recommend staying in a traditional hanok for an authentic experience. While there are modern hotels available, the charm of a hanok lies in its unique architecture and historical ambiance. Many hanoks are located in the heart of Gyeongju, close to key attractions like the Cheomseongdae Observatory and the Gyeongju National Museum. Staying in a hanok not only immerses you in the city’s rich cultural heritage but also allows you to experience traditional Korean hospitality. Plus, many hanoks offer beautiful courtyards and serene gardens, making them a peaceful retreat after a day of exploring.
We stayed at the Dorandoran Guesthouse in the heart of the downtown area. We were very happy with everything from the location and affordability to the friendliness of our hosts.
Don’t miss
Explore Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto
Visit these UNESCO World Heritage Sites to admire ancient Buddhist architecture and breathtaking mountain views. They are among the most significant cultural treasures of South Korea.
Wander through the Gyeongju Historic Areas, discovering the ancient tombs, royal palaces, and stone pagodas scattered throughout the city.
Experience the beautifully illuminated Woljeonggyo Bridge after sunset. The reflection on the water creates a magical atmosphere that you shouldn’t miss.
After checking out Woljeonggyo Bridge, head over to Anapji Pond, another site known for its night views when the palace structures are lit up, casting shimmering reflections on the water, making it one of Gyeongju’s most picturesque spots.
Optional: If you’re a tea lover, make sure to take a tea break at Gabongbangwa (가봉반과), known for its traditional Korean sweets and serene ambiance. It's the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the historical atmosphere of Gyeongju.
Day 13-14: Seoul
Because I can never get enough of Seoul, I made sure to add a few extra days in the city at the end of our South Korea itinerary. As I mentioned earlier, there’s so much to see and do in the city, making it impossible to fit everything in.
From Gyeongju, we jumped on the KTX high-speed train, which brought us back to Seoul in about 2 hours. We arrived at Seoul Station, conveniently connected to the city’s extensive metro network, which made it easy to reach our hotel in Hongdae.
Where to stay in Seoul: Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae
As I already mentioned, when people ask me where they should stay in Seoul, I always recommend Yeonnam-dong and the Hongdae area. For the final leg of our trip, we stayed at Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae, which, being a more premium hotel, offers a bit more comfort than Seoul Mansion Guesthouse in Yeonnam-dong, while still only being a short walk from Hongik University Station.
Don’t miss
Make sure to visit the sites you missed at the beginning of your trip.
If you have enough time, take a day trip out of the city. Popular day trips include the DMZ, Nami Island, the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Hwaseong Fortress (another UNESCO World Heritage Site), or, if you’re into hiking, why not spend a day in Bukhansan National Park?
Got more time to explore?
If you have more than two weeks to explore Korea, consider venturing further into the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the country. Start with a visit to Jeju-do, a volcanic island known for its stunning landscapes, waterfalls, and unique culture. Allow yourself at least three full days to explore the island.
If you still got more time after adding Jeju-do to your itinerary, head to Andong Hahoe Folk Village, where you can experience well-preserved Joseon-era architecture and customs. Andong is located near Gyeongju, and is thus good to add before or after visiting the old capital of the Silla Kingdom. One night is sufficient to explore the old folk village.
If you are looking for more destinations, the city of Jeonju is a must-visit for food lovers, offering a culinary journey through its famous bibimbap and traditional Korean hanok village. Finally, don’t miss the beach towns of Gangneung and Sokcho in the breathtaking Gangwon Province. Here, you can relax on beautiful beaches, hike in Seoraksan National Park, and soak in the serene mountain views.
These destinations provide a deeper dive into Korea’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage for those with additional time to explore.
