Things to do in 

South Korea

Seek alternative things to do in South Korea, from temple stays in misty hills to island walks and market tastings that show daily life beyond the main sights.

Cultural experiences: In Seoul, try a jogakbo patchwork or lacquerware class in Bukchon, then join a quiet evening tea ritual near Jogyesa Temple; seniors appreciate the easy pace. In Andong, carve a Hahoe mask with a local artisan and learn the story behind the dances. In Jeonju, cook bibimbap in a hanok courtyard and wander tiny calligraphy studios; couples love the slow streets. In Busan, meet vendors at Jagalchi Fish Market for a hands-on tasting, or join a seaside photography walk in Yeongdo; private sessions suit luxury travelers who want one-on-one time.

Day trip ideas: From Seoul, practice archery on the walls of Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress, then pop into a neighborhood juk (porridge) shop. From Seoul, ride rail bikes along riverside tracks near Chuncheon and cap the day with dakgalbi in the city center. From Busan, day trip to Tongyeong for the cable car views, island-hopping ferries, and a stroll through the Dongpirang Mural Village. From Daegu, visit Haeinsa Temple in Gayasan National Park for a woodblock printing intro and forest paths that suit families.

Explore South Korea’s regions: Around Seoul and Gyeonggi, mix palaces, markets, and fortress towns like Suwon within an hour of the capital. In Gangwon, base in Sokcho for Seoraksan’s granite peaks and seafood streets. In Gyeongsang, pair Busan’s beaches and alleys with Gyeongju’s royal mounds and night-lit ponds. In Jeolla, linger in Jeonju’s hanok lanes and walk Boseong’s green tea terraces near Suncheon’s wetlands. On Jeju Island, split days between lava tubes, Oreum cone hikes, and coastal roads, reached by a short flight from Seoul or Busan.

Travel tip: Plan 9–12 days for Seoul, Gyeongju, and Busan with a side trip to Gangwon or Jeonju; add 3–4 days if you’re flying to Jeju. Cross-country coverage under two weeks feels rushed.

More places to see in South Korea

Seoul gets the spotlight, but trips south and to the islands take you into markets, old capitals, and coastlines that feel different with each train or ferry ride.

Busan: Start your morning at Jagalchi Fish Market and try sliced raw fish upstairs while the boats unload. Ride the metro to Toseong and wander the alleys and art walls of Gamcheon Culture Village in the afternoon. After dark, sit on Gwangalli Beach and watch the bridge lights while you snack on hot eomuk from a street cart.

Gyeongju: Walk through Bulguksa Temple in the early morning when the courtyards are quiet. In the afternoon, circle the grassy tombs at Daereungwon Tumuli Park and peek into Cheonmachong’s exhibit room. Stay for dusk at Wolji Pond as the pavilions glow on the water.

Jeju Island: Climb Seongsan Ilchulbong for sunrise if you’re up early, then cool off in the Manjanggul Lava Tube late morning. In the afternoon, sit at Seongsan Haenyeo House for a simple seafood set and watch the divers lay out their catch.

Jeonju: Share a bowl of bibimbap at Gogung for lunch, then wander Jeonju Hanok Village and sip green tea at Dawon inside Gyeonggijeon Shrine. As evening comes, graze the food alleys around Nambu Market and pick up a box of PNB choco pies for the walk back.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Wander under cherry blossoms in Seoul’s palace gardens and along Jinhae’s waterfront, where pink canopies frame quiet hanok lanes. Join lantern-making and watch the Buddha’s Birthday parade light up Jongno, while tea fields in Boseong flush bright green for unhurried sips and easy walks for multi‑generational groups.

Summer: Head for Busan’s beaches or Jeju’s lava shores between brief monsoon showers, then graze on late‑night street food at breezy markets. Cool off in mountain valleys near temple sites, and drop into city riversides where pop‑up stages, outdoor films, and family‑friendly play zones animate warm evenings.

Fall: Trace fiery foliage through Naejangsan and Seoraksan, then sample harvest snacks at traditional markets as Chuseok customs fill folk villages. Applaud mask dancers in Andong and stroll ginkgo‑lined boulevards that make an easy, photogenic outing for seniors and a romantic backdrop for couples.

Winter: Expect crisp mornings, steamy jjimjilbangs, and street stalls flipping hotteok beside cups of ginger tea. Watch holiday lights along Cheonggyecheon, browse cosy galleries in Insadong, and greet the first sunrise of the year on the East Sea coast with locals wrapped in blankets.

Circle the calendar for the Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul each spring, the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival in late March or April, and Gangneung Danoje’s shamanic rituals in early summer. Autumn brings the Andong Mask Dance Festival and harvest fairs across the countryside, while July’s Boryeong Mud Festival turns a West Sea beach into a playful, all‑ages playground.