Catholic Sites & Cultural Highlights of South Korea - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Explore at Your Leisure

Welcome to South Korea! Touch down in the dizzying capital, Seoul, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Get your first glimpse of this futuristic metropolis, a sprawling mass of towering skyscrapers set against decorative Buddhist temples, landscaped sculpture parks, and mazelike street markets. Fashion, tech, and karaoke loom large in Seoul, alongside historical palaces and museums.

Settle in and then spend the rest of the day resting at your hotel or exploring the neon streets of the city. Enjoy a cozy afternoon in one of the many themed cafés, which range from board game venues to cat cafés. Wander around the artistic Mural Village or visit the district Insadong, with its many souvenir shops, art galleries, and restaurants. To take in the impressive city skyline, head to Seoul Sky, the highest glass-floored observation deck in the world.

Day 2: Discover Seoul's Catholic Sites

Today, you'll begin your tour of sacred South Korea, starting with the Catholic sites in Seoul. Meet your guide and head to downtown Seoul to visit the Gothic-style Myeongdong Cathedral, the first Catholic church in the country. Explore the soaring bell tower and the crypt, the final resting place of those who lost their lives during anti-Catholic purges. Then, continue to Saenamteo, a sobering spot where many Korean Catholics were executed in the 19th century, including the first Korean Catholic priest, Father Andrew Kim Taegon.

Following this, visit the neighborhood of Jeoldusan to pay respects at the Martyrs' Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to those executed during the Byeonin Persecution of 1866 CE and now houses relics of the martyrs in a small museum. Wrap up your full-day tour at the Korean Christian Museum at Soongsil University to learn more about the history of Catholicism in South Korea. 

To follow in the footsteps of the martyrs themselves, you can also visit these sites via one of the Seoul Catholic Pilgrimage Routes (recognized by the Vatican in 2018 CE). Depending on your preference, you can follow the Seosomun Route beginning at the Myeongdong Cathedral, which takes 3.5 hours, or the Hangang Route toward the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine, which takes 1.5 hours. 

Day 3: Highlights of Seoul Tour, Train to Gyeongju

Start your journey through traditional Seoul with your guide and driver in the morning, beginning at the palace of Gyeongbokgung, the former Joseon Dynasty's royal family residence. The complex was built in 1395 CE and restored in the 19th century. It's considered among the most beautiful of Seoul's five grand palaces. Follow your guide to see some of the palace's more than 50 buildings and 7,700 rooms spanning 90 acres (40 ha). Then, watch a guard-changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun, the palace's largest gate, and explore its intricate pavilions.

After exploring the palace, learn more about Korean history at the National Folk Museum and Bukchon Hanok Village, where you can see restored hanoks—traditional wooden houses once the homes of the Joseon Dynasty's high society and royal family. Join local crowds at Gwangjang Market for lunch to taste some of the city's best street food. Take your pick from dishes such as dak gangjeong (fried chicken), mandu (dumplings), and kkochi (skewers). Say goodbye to Seoul in the afternoon and hop on a train to Gyeongju, about two hours away on the bullet train, where you'll check into your hotel for two nights.

Day 4: Explore Bulguksan Temple, Seokguram Grotto & Gyeongju National Museum

After breakfast, join your guide to explore Gyeongju, once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and today known as the "museum without walls." Begin at the beautiful Bulguksa temple, founded in the eighth century on Tohamsan (Mount Toham), and the Seokguram Grotto, one of South Korea's most significant religious art complexes. Follow your guide as you pass through wood and stone prayer halls and pagodas and learn about the sculptures decorating the vast grounds.

From the temple, travel about one hour north to Tumuli Park, where you'll walk among 23 royal tombs within grassy hills, some of which were built in the fifth century. Visit Cheonmachong tomb, created for an unknown Silla king, to see some of the ruler's ornamental jewelry. After the park, take a break for lunch, then step into one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia, Cheomseongdae Observatory, followed by a visit to the Gyeongju National Museum where you can admire Silla-era relics, such as a fourth-century gold crown.

In the evening, you'll finish the tour at the palace Donggung, once the site of state festivals and banquets in ancient times, and Wolji Pond to watch lights dance on the water. Afterward, have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Day 6: Explore Gamcheon, BIFF Square & Jagalchi Market, Transfer to Gwangju

Embark on a half-day tour of Busan today. You'll start with a visit to the vibrant Gamcheon Culture Village, where you'll admire colorful street art and indulge in sweet treats. Continue to the lively BIFF Square, sampling delicious street food like simmered rice cakes and mandu (dumplings). While Busan is loved for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, and trendy cafés, it's also famed for its extensive fish markets. Stop by the sprawling Jagalchi Fish Market (the largest in the country) to discover a vast array of fresh and dried seafood—an excellent spot for photos and local food tastings.

Later in the day, meet your driver for a three-hour transfer to charming Gwangju, your home for the next few nights. Renowned for its culture and history, Gwangju is most famous for its many nearby national parks.

Day 7: Visit Cheonjinam Holy Ground, Tour Jeungsimsa Temple & Uijae Museum

Wake up early for a half-day guided visit to Cheonjinam Holy Ground, the birthplace of Korean Catholicism in 1780 CE. Once a Buddhist temple, it's now used by religious scholars to study and practice Catholicism. On the picturesque grounds, visit the tall statue of the Virgin Mary and tour the on-site cathedral, prayer hall, museum, and final resting place of Korean Catholic martyrs such as Jeong Yak-yong, Choi Chang-hyeon, and Yi Seung-hu, who lost their lives during the persecution of 1801 CE.

Day 8: Train to Seoul, Depart