Highlights
- Discover new-to-you taste sensations at Gwangjang Market's steaming food stalls
- Cruise down the Nakdong River to reach the Buyongdae Cliffs
- See remnants of Jeju's ancient volcanoes at Suwolbong Peak
- Sift through thousands of colorful vendor stalls at Jeju City's Five Day Folk Market
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Seoul, Explore the Capital | Seoul |
| Day 2 | Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village & Gwangjang Market | Seoul |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Andong, Hahoe Folk Village & Byeongsan Seowon Excursion | Andong |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Busan via Gyeongju's Temples & Museums | Busan |
| Day 5 | Half-Day Busan City Tour, Fly to Jeju Island | Jeju Island |
| Day 6 | Visit Seongsan Ilchulbong & Teddy Bear Museum | Jeju Island |
| Day 7 | Yakcheonsa Temple & Suwolbong Peak Excursion, Fly to Seoul | Seoul |
| Day 8 | Optional Activities in Seoul | Seoul |
| Day 9 | Depart Seoul |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Explore the Capital
Welcome to Seoul! This glittering metropolis is the capital of South Korea. With a population of over 10 million, you'll soon feel the immensity of the concrete jungle as you meet your private driver for the one-hour transfer from the airport to the city center. Once you arrive, you're free to spend the day however you wish! Catch up on sleep if you're feeling a little jet-lagged, but don't miss the opportunity to explore the city on a self-guided tour.
Skip the major sites—you'll visit most of those tomorrow. Instead, opt for an adventure for your taste buds at the Tongin Market, offering a special experience where hungry visitors use traditional brass coins, known as yeopjeong, to purchase delicious Korean goodies scattered around the market. Another must-do is climbing to N Seoul Tower in Namsan Mountain Park for panoramic views of the city's sprawl and the craggy Bukhansan National Park in the distance.
Day 2: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village & Gwangjang Market
Today, it's time to dive headfirst into Korean heritage on a private tour of Seoul's most famous sites. Your first stop is the palace of Gyeongbokgung, the seat of Korean royalty for hundreds of years. Watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the striking Gwanghwamun Gate and explore the grounds, strolling past its colorful pavilions and ornate buildings. The Korean alphabet was created in this very place! Head to the National Folk Museum next. Located on the palace grounds, this modern museum provides greater context for Korean history through artifacts and multimedia exhibits.
Continue your tour of Seoul's historic sites at the Bukchon Hanok Village. Once a neighborhood for the Joseon Dynasty's elite, Seoulites still live in the traditional homes today. Admire their stone walls, sloping tile roofs, and wooden design elements, all perched on a hill that overlooks the city and N Seoul Tower in the distance. If your stomach is rumbling, you'll be excited about your next stop! Gwangjang Market is known for street food delights like bindaetteok (crispy fried mung bean pancakes) and classics like gimbap (seaweed, rice, and veggie rolls) and tteokbokki (rice cakes in a spicy sauce).
Day 3: Transfer to Andong, Hahoe Folk Village & Byeongsan Seowon Excursion
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Busan via Gyeongju's Temples & Museums
Today, another private transfer takes you 1.5 hours south to the eastern city of Gyeongju. Start with some insight into the city's history at the Gyeongju National Museum, which documents the Silla Dynasty, one of ancient Korea's three kingdoms. Spanning hundreds of years, you'll see everything from intricate jewelry to goldwork, ceremonial weaponry, and other elaborate artifacts. There are five different wings to discover, all set on beautiful grounds.
Continue exploring Gyeongju and its rich Silla history on an excursion to the Bulguksa temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 774 BCE. Dedicated to Korean Buddhism and comprised of impressive pagodas and pavilions, you'll also find ancient manuscripts printed on mulberry paper and some of the oldest woodblock prints in the world. A trip to the nearby Seokguram Grotto is next. Overlooking the East Sea, the grotto houses a stone Buddha and is intricately decorated with Buddhist symbolism. In the afternoon, you'll get back on the road and continue another 1.5-hours to the seaside city of Busan.
Day 5: Half-Day Busan City Tour, Fly to Jeju Island
Your exploration of Busan begins with a tour of the sacred Haedong Yonggungsa. This Buddhist temple clings to the rocky coastline, aptly honoring a sea goddess. The temple was rebuilt following the Imjin War with Japan, but the area has been a religious site for hundreds of years. After you're finished soaking up the seaside views, cross the striking Gwangandaegyo Bridge to head back into the city center for street food treats at Jagalchi Market. This is the largest seafood market in South Korea, and you'll see everything from lobster to octopus and eels.
If you've seen pictures of Busan, you've probably seen images of a rainbow of homes tucked on a mountain hillside. This is the Gamcheon Culture Village, and you'll be heading there this afternoon. Situated on the outskirts of Busan, you'll stroll around the neighborhood, admiring the kaleidoscope of buildings and the beautiful street art while navigating the layered streets and staircases sprinkled around town. Be sure to grab a piping hot ssiat hotteok, a fried Korean doughnut stuffed with nuts and honey. End the day with a flight to your next destination, the lush, temperate island of Jeju.
Day 6: Visit Seongsan Ilchulbong & Teddy Bear Museum
Start your first full day in Jeju at the Manjanggul Cave, a lava tube formed thousands of years ago. This geologic formation is almost 5 miles (9 km) long and covered in stalactites and stalagmites. Next, your guide will take you to the UNESCO-listed Seongsan Ilchulbong. Affectionately referred to as "Sunrise Peak," this rocky outcrop overlooks the island and can be seen from various vantage points around Jeju. Over 100,000 years old, the archetypal tuff cone has a grassy crater at its center, and you can walk along its sheer cliffs for a better perspective on its creation.
Spend the afternoon at the Seogwang Tea Gardens, where you can walk between the perfectly manicured rows of tea bushes. Discover more of Korea's tea heritage and culture at the O'Sulloc Tea Museum, where you'll also have the chance to participate in a traditional tea ceremony and sample a cup for yourself. End the day at the fun and charming Teddy Bear Museum. Exhibits explore the history of teddy bears, from their genesis in 1902 with US President Theodore Roosevelt, and display famous artworks via teddy bears, including the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper."
Day 7: Yakcheonsa Temple & Suwolbong Peak Excursion, Fly to Seoul
Kick off your last day in Jeju at the Yakcheonsa Temple. Built in 1981, this fairly new structure is one of the largest Buddhist temples in South Korea. The site is utterly sprawling, including the main temple itself, with a grand main temple hall and 80,000 golden Buddhas on display throughout the complex. Situated on a hill, the site also offers views of the ocean in the distance.
Continue to the island's westernmost point next, where you'll ascend Suwolbong Peak for panoramic views over the island and coast. Jeju has almost 360 of these oreum (small, extinct volcanoes) scattered across the island, but Suwolbong is one of the most scenic.
This afternoon, visit the Bangju Church to see a different side of Jeju's religious heritage. A Presbyterian church designed to resemble Noah's Ark, the site has an impressive contemporary design that's worth a peek. End your tour of Jeju at the Five Day Folk Market back in Jeju City. Sift through almost 1,000 vendors offering everything from flowers to souvenirs and fresh seafood. Some of the can't-miss foodie treats include bingtteok (Buckwheat pancakes), which are specific to Jeju. Finish off the day by flying one hour back to Seoul in the evening.
Day 8: Optional Activities in Seoul
Today is your penultimate day in South Korea, and there's still plenty of the capital you haven't explored yet. Pick out a few different neighborhoods to focus on, depending on your preferences. Myeongdong is known for its street food and shopping, while Insadong is famous for charming cafés and antique stores. Itaewon attracts those seeking the city's vibrant nightlife, while the collegiate area of Hongdae lures in a younger crowd.
Shopaholics should head straight for Seoul's duty-free stores like Lotte and Shinsegae, while foodies can keep exploring incredible local cuisine at markets like Namdaemun and Dongdaemun. Adventure seekers can make a beeline for Lotte World to hop on rollercoasters and other thrill rides, while those who love the great outdoors can easily reach the Bukhansan National Park for hiking and beautiful views. If you've had your fill of Seoul's vibrant city center, you can also opt for a day trip to see the Korean DMZ at the North Korean border.
Day 9: Depart Seoul
A driver will be waiting to take you to the airport in Seoul today. Whether you're on to your next destination or headed home, wave goodbye to the "Land of Morning Calm" out your window. Safe travels!
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