Culture & History in South Korea - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Foodie's Markets Tour

Welcome to Seoul! You'll get your first glimpses of this sprawling metropolis as you ride from the airport into the city center with your private driver. The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is a huge city with a population of around 10 million people. The transfer will take about an hour, and you'll have some time to relax and recover from jet lag before your first introduction to the "Land of Morning Calm." 

One of the best ways to get to know a new culture is through your taste buds. Head out on a food tour with a local guide this afternoon, making a beeline for the Netflix-famous Gwangjang Market first. Known for bindaetteok (mungbean pancakes), you can't miss out on grabbing one of these crispy, crunchy cakes dipped in a savory sauce. Next up is Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in all of South Korea. Over a half-century old, you'll find all sorts of Korean foodie specialties like gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), fishcakes, and hotteok (Korean doughnuts).

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Hanok Village Excursion, Fine Dining 

Start off day two by getting all gussied up—Korean style! Typically worn for holiday celebrations and special occasions, like weddings, hanbok are traditional dress. You'll head to a hanbok rental to assemble your outfit for the day. Hanbok is split into three different garments: the jeogori (jacket) and chima (skirt) for women or the baji (trousers) for men. Different colors and designs have different meanings that your personal stylist will help decipher. After you're all dressed up, head to the Gyeongbokgung palace to strut your stuff like the Joseon Dynasty royals of old. 

If you're lucky, you'll catch the electrifying changing of the guard at the imposing Gwanghwamun Gate before continuing on to the Bukchon Hanok Village and its charming sloped, tile roofs. This sneak peek into Seoul's past comes with beautiful views of the city and the chance to try your hand at making local liquor. End your first full day in Seoul with a fine dining experience to remember. Choose from one of the city's 30 Michelin-starred restaurants, like La Yeon, with jaw-dropping views over Namsan Park or Seolgaon, for a gourmet, traditional full-course Korean meal. 

Day 3: National Museum of Korea, Samsung Museum of Art, Sulwhasoo Store & Spa

Day three in Seoul begins with a visit to the National Museum of Korea. Surrounded by Yongsan Park, this is one of the most comprehensive museums on Korean history and art. Laid out over three different floors, exhibits start with prehistory and ancient art, leading all the way up to modern times. Aside from Korean art, there's also an entire wing dedicated to world art. After seeing your fair share of traditional artwork, head for the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art. A vast collection of modern art is housed here, including works by Andy Warhol, along with outdoor sculptures. 

After a morning exploring Seoul's art scene, step into the lap of luxury this afternoon at the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store. Korean skincare and beauty products are legendary, but Sulwhasoo has been perfecting its craft for over fifty years, incorporating herbal medicines and remedies. Explore six stories of these cosmetics, including the Sulwhasoo Heritage Spa for anti-aging treatments, like the Intensive Ginseng Journey, which utilizes the coveted Korean red ginseng, or the full-body Intensive Body Care treatment.

Day 4: Transfer to Andong, Hahoe Folk Village Excursion, Byeongsan Seowon Tour

Meet your driver for the 2.5-hour transfer southeast to Andong today. This area, situated on a bend in the Nakdong River, is steeped in cultural significance, making your first stop at Hahoe Folk Village a must! If you liked stepping back in time on your visit to the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, you'll find this UNESCO World Heritage even more enticing. You'll find both thatched roof homes and the classic, sloping tile-roofed hanok houses too. Roam the narrow alleyways, learning more about life in this clan-village, originally founded somewhere between the 14th and 15th centuries. 

An important stop on this excursion is the Mask Museum. Although it includes masks from around the country, the most important are the hahoetal, which originated in Hahoe Village and represent 12 unique characters. The Hahoe Pyolshin-gut ta’l nori is a famous Korean dance that incorporates the use of these masks with performances taking place in the village frequently. Your final stop of the day is a walk through the Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy where famous officials studied. Tucked in the foothills of nearby mountains, you'll see several shrines, lecture halls, and living quarters.

Day 5: Transfer to Gyeongju, National Museum & Tumuli Park Tour

Head 1.5 hours farther south today 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. 

Your next stop is Tumuli Park, where 23 royal tombs hide beneath grassy hills. Step inside these subterranean burial grounds, including the famous Cheonmachong tomb where an unknown Silla king was laid to rest. End the day at the Cheomseongdae Observatory, Asia's oldest astronomical observatory. Although this small stone tower seems humble, its design was painstaking and includes exactly 365 stone blocks representing the days of the year.

Day 6: Bulguksa & Seokguram Grotto Excursion, Transfer to Busan, Private Yacht Tour

This morning, 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 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, head to the seaside city of Busan by a 1.5-hour private transfer. Pop into Shinsegae Centum City to do a little shopping first. This is the largest department store in the world, with 10 different stories of shops, including a duty-free section, luxury clothing, accessories, and coveted Korean beauty products. The grand finale of your sixth day in South Korea is a private yacht tour. Take in Busan's striking cityscape and its towering skyscrapers from the water before watching as the sun dips into the sea.

Day 7: Cooking Class, Gamcheon Village, BIFF Square & Jagalchi Market Experience

Spend your last full day in South Korea following a local chef through Busan's traditional markets on the hunt for fresh ingredients. You'll be spending the morning in a cooking class, learning how to recreate the delicious dishes you've been eating throughout the trip. Grab a few bites of street food as you sift through piles of produce before heading back to the kitchen to get started. Afterward, you'll be able to sample your handiwork alongside your host, who will also provide dessert and a few other Korean specialties.

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; you'll be heading there this afternoon. Stroll around the neighborhood, admiring the kaleidoscope of buildings while navigating the layered streets and staircases sprinkled around town. Grab dinner back in town at BIFF Square, where piping hot mandu (dumplings) are on the menu tonight. You'll end the evening at Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in South Korea, if you can't resist the opportunity for fresh lobster or octopus.

Day 8: Depart Busan

Your private driver will take you to the airport in Busan today. Whether you're headed home or to your next destination, watch as the "Land of Morning Calm" disappears beneath the clouds. Safe travels!

More Great South Korea Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to South Korea? Check out these other South Korea itineraries, explore different ways to spend eight days in South Korea, or discover the best time to visit South Korea.