East Asia

South Korea

Palace courtyards among skyscrapers, temples on mountain slopes and a volcanic island in the south — a Korea worth knowing beyond Seoul.

Photo: Austin Curtis / Unsplash

In Seoul a morning might begin in the quiet courtyard of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where long roof shadows fall across the stone paving, and end in the steam of Gwangjang Market over mung-bean pancakes and rice wine. Between the glass towers, hanok neighbourhoods of timber beams and tiled roofs survive, and on the city's edges rise rocky peaks where half the capital heads at weekends.

Beyond the capital, the country grows slower and older. In Gyeongju, once the capital of the Silla kingdom, royal burial mounds rise from grassy parks and the temple of Bulguksa sits among the trees. Around Andong, centuries-old villages endure, and in mountain monasteries you can stay the night, join the dawn ceremony and share simple temple food.

In the east, the granite ridges of Seoraksan turn red and gold in autumn; in the south, the port of Busan meets the sea; and on Jeju, black volcanic stone, green tea fields and the coastal Olle trails invite days of walking. Fast trains link the regions, so Korea is easy to explore at a calm, considered pace.

Why go

01
Seoul: palaces, hanok and markets
The palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, the lanes and tea houses of Bukchon's hanok quarter, evenings in Gwangjang or Mangwon market. Close by is Bukhansan National Park, where trails begin a short walk from the metro.
02
Gyeongju and Andong
In Gyeongju: royal burial mounds, the Cheomseongdae observatory, Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram grotto, and in the evening Donggung Palace lit beside Wolji Pond. Near Andong: the village of Hahoe, with its thatched and tiled roofs and a tradition of mask dance.
03
Busan and the south coast
In Busan: Jagalchi fish market, the colourful hillside quarter of Gamcheon and the temple of Haedong Yonggungsa perched on the rocks above the sea. West of the city, the Jeolla region is known for its food: Jeonju's hanok village, bibimbap and green tea fields.
04
Jeju island
A volcanic island with Hallasan at its centre, the crater of Seongsan Ilchulbong in the east and underground lava tubes. The Olle trails follow coastal rocks and villages, and the haenyeo, Jeju's women divers, still dive without breathing apparatus.

Ways to travel

Ways to experience it

Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.

Culture & discovery
Palaces and Silla heritage, a temple stay with the dawn ceremony, a tea ceremony in a hanok and markets where the food tells you about each region.
Adventure & active travel
Hikes in Seoraksan and Bukhansan, the summit of Hallasan or a few sections of the Olle trails on Jeju.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Restored hanok houses, temple stays, calm seaside hotels and mountain lodgings — each night changes the mood of the journey.
Family journeys
Fast trains, safe and orderly cities, lava tubes and beaches on Jeju — Korea is easy to travel with children.
Tailor-made journeys
Trains, transfers and a domestic flight to Jeju linked so that each region leaves time for both town and mountains.

South Korea

Journey inspiration

Illustrative ideas for how a tailor-made journey could look. Not bookable packages: no prices, dates or inclusions are implied.

0110–14 days
From palaces to the sea
Seoul, a temple stay, Andong and Gyeongju, then Busan and a few days on Jeju.
Culture & discovery · Tailor-made journeys
Plan something like this
0211–15 days
Mountains and trails
Bukhansan near Seoul, the ridges of Seoraksan and seafood on the east coast, then Hallasan and the Olle trails on Jeju.
Adventure & active travel · Exceptional stays & escapes
Plan something like this
039–12 days
The flavours of Korea
Seoul's markets, Jeonju's hanok village and Jeolla cooking, Busan's fish market and green tea fields — a journey through the country one dish at a time.
Culture & discovery · Family journeys
Plan something like this

Planning your journey

When to go

Spring (roughly April to May) and autumn (usually October to November) are generally the most pleasant, with mild temperatures and either blossom or autumn colour in the mountains. Summer is hot and humid, with frequent rain in late June and July. Winter is cold and dry but a quiet time for palaces and temples. The exact timing of blossom and foliage varies each year.

How long to allow

Allow 9–10 days for Seoul and two regions, and around two weeks to include Jeju. Trains are fast, which leaves more time for the places themselves.

Natural combinations

Korea pairs naturally with Japan, a short flight from Busan or Seoul. For a warmer finish, Vietnam works well.

Areas to explore

Seoul
Palaces, hanok quarters, markets and mountains on the city's edge.
Gyeongju and Andong
The legacy of the Silla kingdom, temples and traditional villages.
Seoraksan and the east coast
Granite ridges, autumn colour and seafood in the port of Sokcho.
Busan and Jeolla
Port-city life, coastal temples and Jeonju, the country's food capital.
Jeju
Volcanic landscapes, the Olle trails and the tradition of the haenyeo divers.

General guidance only. Weather, seasons and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

Sample journey