South Korea for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The grandest of Seoul's five royal palaces. Time your visit with the royal guard changing ceremony at 10am or 2pm, and entry is free if you wear a rented hanbok.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Hillside neighborhood of traditional hanok houses between the two main palaces. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and keep quiet, people actually live here.

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

UNESCO listed palace, often considered the most beautiful of the five. Book the Secret Garden tour in advance, it only runs at fixed times with limited slots.

Insadong

Traditional arts street with tea houses, calligraphy shops and souvenirs. A good stop between the palaces for gifts and a cup of Korean tea.

Myeongdong

Seoul's busiest shopping district, famous for cosmetics stores and street food. Come in the evening when the food stalls fill the streets.

N Seoul Tower

Landmark tower on top of Namsan with panoramic city views. Take the cable car or hike up, sunset is the best time to go.

Hongdae

Student nightlife and street performance district near Hongik University. Best from late afternoon into the night for shopping, buskers and bars.

Gwangjang Market

One of Korea's oldest markets and the best place to try street food like bindaetteok and mayak gimbap. Sit at a stall and point at what looks good.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Futuristic Zaha Hadid building with design exhibitions and shops. The surrounding markets stay open late and the LED rose garden is lit after dark.

Itaewon

Seoul's international district with restaurants from all over the world. A good area for dinner and a night out when you need a break from Korean food.

Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky

Observation deck on floors 117 to 123 of Korea's tallest building, with a glass floor skywalk. Book tickets online to skip the line.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Restored stream running below street level through downtown Seoul. A pleasant walk any time, nicely lit at night and home to the lantern festival in November.

Yeouido Hangang Park

Riverside park on the Han River. Rent a bike, order fried chicken to the lawn and watch the sunset like the locals do.

War Memorial of Korea

Huge free museum covering the Korean War, with tanks and planes displayed outside. Plan two to three hours, it gives real context before a DMZ visit.

Near Seoul

Imjingak Park (DMZ)

Gateway to the DMZ area and the closest point you can reach without a tour. Join a guided DMZ tour from here or Seoul for the Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory, passport required.

Nami Island

Tree lined island made famous by Korean dramas, about 90 minutes from Seoul. The ginkgo and metasequoia lanes are stunning in autumn; combine with the Garden of Morning Calm for a day trip.

Everland

Korea's biggest theme park, home of the famous T Express wooden coaster. Go on a weekday and use the app to track wait times.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

UNESCO listed 18th century fortress whose walls you can walk in about two hours. An easy day trip from Seoul, about one hour by subway.

Busan

Gamcheon Culture Village

Colorful hillside village full of murals and art installations. Wear good shoes for the stairs and grab a stamp map from the information center.

Haeundae Beach

Busan's most famous beach, lined with hotels and restaurants. Walk to Dongbaekseom Island at the west end for a lovely coastal path.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Rare Buddhist temple built right on the rocky coastline. Go early in the morning, it gets very busy by midday.

Jagalchi Market

Korea's largest fish market, run largely by the famous Jagalchi ajumma. Pick your fish downstairs and have it prepared at the restaurants upstairs.

Gwangalli Beach

Beach with the best night view of the lit up Gwangan Bridge. Come in the evening for cafes, bars and the weekend drone light shows.

Taejongdae

Clifftop park at the southern tip of Yeongdo Island with sea views and a lighthouse. The Danubi train loops the park if you would rather not walk.

BIFF Square

Movie themed street food square in Nampodong, birthplace of the Busan film festival. Try the famous ssiat hotteok, a sweet pancake stuffed with seeds.

Gyeongju

Bulguksa Temple

Masterpiece of Silla Buddhist architecture and a UNESCO site. Pair it with Seokguram Grotto up the mountain; gorgeous during autumn foliage.

Seokguram Grotto

Stone grotto with a serene giant Buddha gazing toward the sea, up the mountain from Bulguksa. A short forest walk from the parking lot; no photos inside.

Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

Reconstructed Silla palace pavilions around a pond. Come at dusk, the illuminated reflections at night are the classic Gyeongju view.

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

Grassy burial mounds of Silla royalty right in the town center. Cheomseongdae observatory and the hanok cafes of Hwangnidan gil are a short walk away.

Jeju

Hallasan National Park

South Korea's highest mountain, a shield volcano at the heart of Jeju. Summit trails take a full day and need an online reservation; shorter trails like Yeongsil still give great views.

Seongsan Ilchulbong

Volcanic tuff cone rising from the sea, a UNESCO site also called Sunrise Peak. The climb takes about 30 minutes; catch the haenyeo diver demonstration at the base.

Manjanggul Cave

One of the world's longest lava tubes, with a 1 km section open to visitors. It stays around 12 degrees inside, so bring a layer even in summer.

Hyeopjae Beach

White sand beach with turquoise water and views of Biyangdo Island. The best swimming spot on Jeju's west side, right next to Hallim Park.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall

22 meter waterfall in a lush gorge in Seogwipo, an easy ten minute walk from the entrance. Open into the evening when the falls are lit.

Osulloc Tea Museum

Green tea museum and cafe surrounded by tea fields. Try the green tea ice cream and stroll the rows of tea bushes; the Innisfree house is next door.

Other

Jeonju Hanok Village

Over 700 hanok houses and the birthplace of bibimbap. Rent a hanbok, eat your way through the street food alleys and stay overnight in a hanok if you can.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village

UNESCO listed riverside village where families still live in centuries old houses. Catch the traditional mask dance performance, usually held in the afternoon.

Seoraksan National Park

Korea's most dramatic mountain scenery, about 2.5 hours from Seoul near Sokcho. Take the cable car to Gwongeumseong or hike to Ulsanbawi Rock; spectacular foliage in mid October.