Country guide · South Korea
Best places to visit in South Korea
3 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eunmi Park, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first trip to South Korea, start with Seoul: Joseon palaces, market food and late nights in a 24-hour capital. For beaches, look at Busan and Jeju. Busan is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 3
- Best months overall
- April–May and September–November
- Start with
- Seoul
- Least expensive here
- Busan
3 places to visit in South Korea
Best: April–May and September–November · 5 days
Seoul
Joseon palaces, market food and late nights in a 24-hour capital
Best: April–May and September–November · 4 days
Busan
City beaches, seaside temples and Korea's biggest fish market
Best: April–May and October–November · 5 days
Jeju
Volcanic craters, lava tubes, haenyeo divers and black-pork barbecue
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Gyeongbokgung Palace and Korean barbecue | April–May and September–November | 5 days | $120–$230 |
| Busan | Haeundae Beach and Jagalchi Fish Market | April–May and September–November | 4 days | $110–$200 |
| Jeju | Hallasan and Volcanic landscapes | April–May and October–November | 5 days | $120–$230 |
When to visit South Korea
Across these destinations the most reliable months are April–May and September–November. Timing still varies by place: Seoul is best in April–May and September–November; Busan is best in April–May and September–November; Jeju is best in April–May and October–November.
Signature dishes across South Korea
Events through the year in South Korea
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Seoul: Seollal (Lunar New Year) — family holiday with palace events; some shops close (January or February); Busan: Haeundae Polar Bear Swim (usually in winter) |
| February | Seoul: Seollal holiday (January or February); Jeju: Lunar New Year holidays — busy domestic travel (late January or February) |
| March | Seoul: Seoul Marathon (usually March); Busan: Cherry blossom season — Dalmaji-gil and Oncheoncheon (usually late March to early April) |
| April | Seoul: Cherry blossom festivals at Yeouido and Seokchon Lake (usually early April); Busan: Gijang Anchovy Festival at Daebyeon port (usually April) |
| May | Seoul: Lotus Lantern Festival — lantern parade along Jongno (usually the weekend before Buddha's Birthday, April or May); Busan: Haeundae Sand Festival (usually May) |
| June | Busan: Beach season opens at Haeundae and other city beaches (usually June or July); Jeju: Hydrangea season in Hallim Park and along roadsides (June) |
| July | Seoul: Boknal — the hottest days, when locals eat samgyetang (mid-July to mid-August); Busan: Peak beach season (mid-July to August) |
| August | Busan: Busan Sea Festival on the city beaches (usually early August); Jeju: Summer holiday peak (late July to mid-August) |
| September | Seoul: Chuseok — harvest holiday with palace events and closures (September or early October); Busan: Chuseok harvest holiday (September or early October) |
| October | Seoul: Seoul International Fireworks Festival over the Han River at Yeouido (usually early October); Busan: Busan International Film Festival (usually early October) |
| November | Seoul: Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon (usually November); Busan: Autumn foliage on Geumjeongsan (usually early to mid-November) |
| December | Seoul: Christmas lights on Myeongdong department stores (December); Busan: Busan Christmas Tree Festival in Gwangbok-ro (usually December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Busan | 325 km |
| Seoul | Jeju | 454 km |
| Busan | Jeju | 299 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to South Korea?
Seoul: Seoul spreads along both banks of the Han River, with the Joseon-dynasty palaces, hanok lanes and markets of Jongno in the old city north of the river and the towers of Gangnam to the south. A fast, inexpensive subway…
+When is the best time to visit South Korea?
Generally April–May and September–November, though it varies by region.