Finally, it’s time for another adventure. We planned our trip to South Korea a few months before departure. While planning our trip, we focused not only on the travel plan itself but also on learning the culture, history, and customs of the country we were going to visit.
South Korea is not yet very popular in mass tourism, but it is more and more often chosen by individual tourists. It’s time to visit this place and see how Korea tastes and smells and what will impress us the most in this country.
Below I present “South Korea – tailor-made travel plan”. I created this sightseeing plan entirely and have tailored it to meet our needs and expectations. After returning from South Korea, the travel plan has been verified based on our real travel schedule and personal experiences. The travel plan below shows a few days for sightseeing in the two biggest cities: Seoul and Busan. It is also scheduled to have time for close contact with nature, architecture, culture, history and local cuisine. An additional attraction during our trip is the “Lotus” Lantern Festival, which occurs in Korea only once a year.
Below is a short table of contents. If you are interested only in one subject, please click the link and go there directly.
So, let’s go there together!
Day 1. South Korea. Seoul – travel day
We are flying to Seoul directly from Warsaw with LOT—Polish Airlines, which inaugurated a direct connection with South Korea last year (2018). The flight takes less than 10 hours.
Day 2. Arrival in Seoul
We are arriving in Seoul in the morning. Picking up our pocket Wi-Fi, buying and loading T-money cards for public transport, and getting to the AREX train station take about 30 minutes. Travelling by train to the city centre (Seoul station) takes one hour.
- In the afternoon, Namsan Park, the largest park in Seoul, is located near the N-Seoul Tower.
- In the evening, walk over the Cheonggyecheon stream. This 11 km-long stream is a very popular tourist attraction in Seoul. It is a magical place, and lanterns hanging over the stream are already turned on a week before the Lantern Festival, so it’s worth checking out.
Day 3. Seoul. Gyeongbokung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village
- In the morning, Gyeongbokgung Palace is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul. At 10:00 a.m., a ceremonial change of guard starts at the inner Heungnyemun gate. The show lasts about 25 minutes. It is worth planning a minute. 3 hours to visit the palace. There is also a royal pavilion and two museums: the National Museum and the Folklore Museum.
- In the afternoon, visit Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional, old Korean houses exist. It’s worth planning a few hours for this stroll, because besides the magnificent architecture, there are many places where you can eat tastily.
- In the evening, visit Gwangjang Market, where street food stalls are open until 11 p.m. This place is an attraction in itself and a very interesting experience.
Day 4. Seoul. Jogye-sa Temple, Seoullo 7017 and Gangnam district
- In the morning, the Jogye-sa temple is the recognised symbol of Korean Buddhism. During the Buddha’s birthday celebration preparations, the temple is covered with colourful paper lanterns that completely change its look. This is my favourite place in Seoul ♥. I recommend you visit this place also after sunset, when the lantern lights are switched on.
- Next is the Deoksugung castle, which served as the seat of the authorities of the Korean Empire in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The palace combines traditional Korean style with neoclassicism. It also has fountains and a small pond.
- Before lunchtime, visit the Seoul station, where you can enter the footbridge connecting the east and west sides of the station, called Seoullo 7017. The footbridge is over 1km long and has 17 different sections, including themed gardens, fountains, a “Foot Spa”, and a tourist information centre. It is a popular meeting place among local youth and tourists.
- During lunch, visit the Myeong-dong district. On the way, you will see a National Treasure of Korea—the Sungnyemum Gate and the Namdaemum Market, with numerous stands offering excellent street food.
- In the afternoon, the Gangnam district is known for its intense concentration of wealth and high standard of living. It is one of the leading academic centres of the capital and the entire state. Known throughout the world through the song “Gangnam Style” performed by PSY. M-Stage, Samsung’s headquarters, “Samsung d’light” and COEX shopping centre, houses the largest underground aquarium in Korea.
Bongeunsa Temple and royal tombs
- This place’s most important tourist attractions are the Royal Tombs “Seonjeongneung” (inscribed on the UNESCO list) and the beautiful Buddhist temple Bongeunsa♥. This temple has one of the most recognisable Korean statues of Buddha, which is 23 meters high. Although the Bongeunsa is located in the heart of the Gangnam district, all temple buildings are surrounded by forest. From the hill, where the Buddha statue is located, there is a beautiful view of the modern city. This is my next favourite place in Seoul♥. It’s worth coming here just before sunset.
Day 5. Namiseon Island, Rail Bike and Little France. The one-day trip outside the city
We will spend the whole day on a trip organised by Klook – Nami Island, Rail Bike and Little France*. The planned duration of the trip is about 10 hours.
Nami Island
- Nami Island is 63 km away from Seoul, on the Han River. The island has themed gardens, including Bonsai’s garden, ponds, fountains, numerous sculptures and many attractions for children. The entire island can be explored on foot (the whole distance is about 4 km) or you can pass through the island by a tourist railway. For those who like adrenaline, there is a possibility of entering the Island with the zip-line for adults – Nami Skyline Zip Wire Zip Rider.
Rail Park
- The next attraction is the Rail Park. The entire route runs along the closed railway track along the Bukhangang River. It takes about 1 hour to cover the whole route. It is an exciting experience, suitable for everyone, regardless of age, and I genuinely recommend it! Those who want to enjoy this attraction without an organised tour can purchase tickets on Gangchon Rail Bike*.
Petit France
- Visit the theme park “Petit France*“, where there is a small museum dedicated to the memory of the French writer Saint-Exupery, the author of the novel Le Petit Prince. “Petit France” is a small, lively French village with colourful buildings. There are several small exhibition rooms, colourful murals on the walls and numerous figurines and graphics depicting the character of the Little Prince.
Return to Seoul in the evening.
A separate post I wrote about this 1-day trip can be found here: Nami Island and Petit France.
Day 6. Hwaseong Suwon and Golden “Building 63”
- In the morning, visit the Suwon fortress. “Hwaseong Suwon” is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is worth booking for this trip, which will take about 4-5 hours on the spot, plus an hour to get to and from the city in each direction. There is a fortress, an over 5 km long defensive wall, four main gates, a belfry and a museum. However, this place’s real attraction is the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, formerly a temporary royal residence.
- Before sunset, visit the Golden “63 Building“, one of the city’s most recognisable buildings. It looks its best at sunrise when its whole surface shines in gold. The skyscraper is over 260 m high, and from the upper enclosed terrace, you can see the northern part of the city and the N-Tower.
Day 7. Seoul. Digital Media City, Olympic Park, Lotte Tower and Banpo Bridge
- In the morning, Unhyeongung – the royal residence. This palace has a small museum and a charming tearoom.
- Then visit Digital Media City, which houses the headquarters of several film studios. This district’s additional attraction is its interesting contemporary architecture.
- The Olympic Park, which once served as the main sports arena during the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, is open in the afternoon. In the park, objects and souvenirs associated with the Olympics are displayed. There is also a K-pop museum and a concert hall for K-pop music, which was created in the place of the former Olympic Gymnastics Arena.
- In the evening, the Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in Korea and the fifth highest building in the world. It is over 550 m high and has 123 floors (including 3 underground floors, which house the largest aquarium in the city). The observation deck is located on the top floor of the tower, which also has a glass floor and an exterior viewing terrace.
- The Banpo Bridge has a fountain installed, with 380 jets spraying water. The music fountain (called Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain) and Floating Islands are worth visiting, especially after sunset. The fountain show, a combination of light and sound, takes place twice, at 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and lasts 20 minutes.
Day 8. Seoul. City sightseeing and the “Lotus” Lantern Festival
In the morning, visit the Jongmyo temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a complex of very modestly finished temple buildings. The central part of the temple is 101 m long and is the longest structure of this type in Korea and one of the longest in the world.
- Then, visit Changdeokgung Palace♥. There is also a beautiful “Secret Garden“♥ called Huwon. You should reserve a minimum of time to visit this place. 3-4 hours. This beautiful palace has interesting, traditional architecture surrounded by lush green nature. The Secret Garden is a magical place, one of the most beautiful in the city. Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon Garden are my No. 1 on the Seoul list of places to see. Do not miss a visit to this place!
- In the afternoon and evening, there are ceremonies related to the Buddha’s birthday celebration and the colourful lantern parade that passes along Jongno Street. The parade is attended by several thousand people, who present dozens of large paper lanterns. After sunset, lit lanterns make a fantastic impression. Attention! Each year, the celebration date is different because it is connected with the moon’s phases. For the following years, it is best to look for the information on the organiser’s official website: Yeon Deung Hoe.
Day 9. Seoul. The Lotus Lantern Festival continues.
This is the day when picnics, street shows, dances and educational workshops for children are held in many places in the city. It is all related to the Lantern Festival and the celebrations of Buddha’s birthday. The main attraction centre and the big picnic area are on the street leading to the Jogyes temple.
- In the afternoon, Insa-dong Street—one of the most popular places in Seoul—is willingly visited by tourists and city residents. At weekends, the street is closed to cars and transforms into a large pedestrian path. It is worth entering the side streets, where small cafes and cosy restaurants serve local cuisine specialities.
- In the evening, visit the Changgyeonggung Palace♥. The palace can be visited in the summer until 9:00 p.m., when the lights inside all buildings and along park paths are turned on after sunset. It’s a fantastic experience and a beautiful adventure. It’s worth seeing. Do not miss a visit to this place.
Day 10. Busan and Gamcheon Culture Village
Busan is the second-most-populous city in South Korea after Seoul. It is the economic, cultural and educational centre of southeastern Korea. There is a seaport that is Korea’s busiest and the fifth-busiest in the world.
- The morning train to Busan takes 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach the destination.
- In the afternoon, visit Gamcheon Culture Village, called “the settlement of art.” Most places are open until 6 p.m., so planning a few hours to explore this area is worth it. In this part of the city, you can find exciting murals, artistic urban installations, tiny art galleries, and colourful sculptures. There are also several small restaurants and stands with street food.
- In the evening, visit the small Chinatown district, opposite Busan Station. There are several interesting architectural references to Chinese culture and numerous Chinese and Russian restaurants. It is a real curiosity.
Day 11. Busan
- In the morning, visit the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple♥, dating from 1376. The temple is built on coastal rock, surrounded by the ocean and a dense forest. It is considered Korea’s most beautiful temple, and I agree. This is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Korea. Due to its location, the temple looks most attractive during sunrise. Do not miss a visit to this place!
- Around noon, Oryukdo Skywalk – a footbridge with a glass floor built on the edge of a high cliff. We also visit a park on a hill on the other side of the street, from which there are beautiful views of the ocean and the small rocky Oryukdo Islands located just next to the shore. On one of them, there is a lighthouse.
- In the afternoon, visit Igidae Park. The park was founded on a cliff and offers outstanding bay views. A 2 km-long path connects the mountains with the ocean. It’s worth visiting, and it is worth booking a minimum of 1 hour.
- In the evening, the Busan Tower—both the Busan Tower and the Busan Citizens Bell standing next to it—unquestionably symbolises Busan. At the top of the tower, there is an observatory, from which there is a view not only of the city but also of the bay. It is especially worth visiting this place after sunset.
Day 12. Gyeongyu and Gyeongsangbuk province
On this day, we will take part in a full-day trip to Gyeongju, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly 1000 years, and in the province, the most valuable monuments from these ancient times have survived.
The Klook travel agency organises this 14-hour trip “Gyeongju Historical Daereungwon Royal Tomb*.
- The program’s first point is Gyeongju Yangdong Village, considered the largest inhabited museum in Korea, presenting the culture of the Joseon dynasty. There are about 160 old buildings, some of which are thatched.
- The next stop is the Seokguram temple, which has a Grotto of a “Smiling Buddha.” It is a monument classified as the Cultural Heritage of Korea (No. 24) and is considered the oldest work of art in the country.
- Then, visit the Bulguksa temple♥, which dates from the eighth century. Here, several priceless national treasures of Korea are gathered. This is the most interesting and vital part of this trip. The Bulguska temple is a must-see temple. Do not miss a visit to this place!
- We are visiting the National Park Gyeongju, which once held Donggung Palace and the pond Wolji. Only a small fragment of old buildings, a small pagoda, and an artificial pond, Wolji, can be seen. Donggung Palace was once part of the palace complex of the ancient kingdom of Silla. You can see it on the model mock-up in the park. We are staying there until sunset.
Return to Busan in the evening (around 9.00 p.m. at Busan station).
Day 13. Busan city
- In the morning – Beomeosa Temple♥. This temple is considered one of the three most important temples in the province of Gyeongsang. It is located in a forest surrounded by mountains. This is a beautiful place, with great views. There is silence around, lush green nature and incredible views. Do not miss a visit to this place! There are also several trekking routes to walk in the mountains.
- At lunchtime, visit Haeundae Beach and the Haeundae Traditional Market. The street food market is just a 5-minute walk from the beach. There is a large selection of sushi restaurants, seafood, and traditional Korean dishes.
- In the afternoon, visit BIFF Square (Busan International Film Festival), near the Jagalchi market. Many souvenirs, including cosmetics and clothing, are related to the film industry.
- Then, there is Songdo Beach, where there is Songdo Skywalk. It is a 365-meter footbridge built where the beach meets the ocean’s rocky shore.
- Before sunset, we take a cable car to Amnam Park. The whole trip takes place over the water, along the ocean’s coastline. There is an outstanding view of the bay, bridges, port and the city. The journey time is about 3 minutes. It is worth buying a one-way ticket only.
- In Amnam Park, we are walking back down the Coastal Skywalk ♥. It is a metal footbridge entirely suspended on the cliff’s edge, on the ocean’s shore. The entire route is 1.3 km long. It is worth booking for this route, at a minimum. 1 hour, and it’s best to be there during sunset. Do not miss a visit to this place!
Day 14. Daejeon
Since 1980, Daejeon has been one of South Korea’s administrative hubs, with the Daejeon Government Complex. It is the fifth-largest metropolis in the country. Daejeon has been named “Asia’s Silicon Valley” and a “high-tech city.” There are 18 universities. In 1994, there was the Expo Exhibition—Taejon Expo ’93.
- In the morning, depart from Busan and travel by train to Daejeon. The journey takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- In the afternoon, visit the Yusong Foot Spa, which has hot springs. The park has small paddling pools where you can soak your feet. It is open 24/7 and has free admission.
- Then, there is the botanical garden and garden of tropical plants, Hanbat Arboretum. This beautiful park features fragrant flowers, a small lake, a watermill, and themed gardens.
- At sunset, walk to the river and view the Expo bridge, which shimmers with colour in the evening thanks to thousands of LED lights.
Day 15. Jeonju
- We spent all day in Jeonju Hanok Village, which UNESCO classified as one of the “Creative City of Gastronomy” in 2012. Old, cobbled streets and stalls with traditional handicrafts and food await tourists there. There is also a castle of King Toejo, a king’s portrait museum, a wine museum, a kimchi museum, a calligraphy museum, and a Mural City. The city’s historic centre has over 500 houses in the Hanok settlement.
- We are returning to Daejeon in the evening. We are visiting Sky Road, a street famous for its suspended ceiling (20 meters high) covered entirely with LED screens, which runs 214 meters long.
Day 16. Gongju
- In the morning, we are travelling to the Donghaksa Temple, located in the eastern valley of Gyeryongsan in Gongju. The temple is Korea’s first and oldest academic institute for women monks. It is home to about 150 nuns who study and practise Buddhism here. Low mountains and forests surround the temple, and there are also several interesting hiking trails.
- We return to Daejeon in the afternoon. In the evening, we visit the nearby trade fairs and stalls, some of which are underground.
Day 17. Return to Seoul
- In the morning, return to Seoul. Travel time by train is 1 hour.
- At lunchtime, return to Insa-dong to buy the last Korean souvenirs
- We visit the Namdaemun Market in the afternoon for our last dinner, which we purchase from street stalls.
- In the evening, the Seuollo 7017 footbridge. It is worth looking at the city after sunset from this perspective.
Day 18. South Korea. Time to go back home
Flying back home took us 10 hours and 30 minutes. The 7-hour time difference, however, made this day last much longer than 24 hours.
This is the end of our Korean adventure. Now we have unforgettable memories, a few thousand pictures, hundreds of videos and plenty of souvenir fridge magnets 😊
Now is the time to write about it all on my blog.
Additional information
Polish materials that were used to collect information about South Korea and were helpful while writing this post:
- “Korea Południowa”, Aleksandra Nemś, PASCAL publishing house, 2018
- “Seul”, Aleksandra Nemś, publishing house Pascal Lajt, 2018
Korean materials perfectly translated into English have helped me find answers on almost every topic: Visit Korea.
In addition, numerous materials were collected and taken from the visited places.
South Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA)
Are you travelling to South Korea and need the Electronic Travel Authorisation form? Please check the paid service below. You will find all the answers and further directions there.
Visit the South Korea application page to get your ETA right away!
The South Korea ETA is a mandatory travel document required by Korean immigration authorities for visitors whose nationality is exempt from a visa. It is part of the new travel measures implemented in May 2021 and must be completed within 24 hours before visitors arrive in the country. Otherwise, access will be denied. Once approved, you will have access to South Korea for over two years from the moment you receive it.
Travellers who hold passports from Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Holy See, Ireland, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela are eligible to apply for the South Korea ETA.
You can also apply for an ETA using the official websites. To obtain the K-ETA, complete the form on the website: https://www.k-eta.go.kr or via the mobile application “K-ETA”. An application for a K-ETA must be submitted at least 24 hours before boarding an aircraft or vessel bound for Korea. The document is valid for 2 years from the date of its issue. In the event of a passport exchange, you must reapply for a new K-ETA.
South Korea’s local transport
It is hard for most foreign travellers in South Korea to pre-book train or flight tickets in advance, as local ticketing systems often accept only Korean credit cards. 12Go Portal has sorted it out for you by providing a convenient and easy-to-use reservation service between the most important cities in the country, i.e., between Seoul and Incheon, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Jeju, Mokpo, or Andong. Also, you can book some popular international routes from Seoul to Tokyo, Seoul to Bangkok, and Busan to Fukuoka or Osaka.
Are you wondering how to get from Seoul to Busan or Seoul to Jeju? Check the links below. These are affiliate links, so if you click them and order anything, I will get a small commission without additional costs from your side.
- From Seoul to Andong
- From Seoul to Bangkok (Thailand)
- From Seoul to Busan
- From Seoul to Daegu
- From Seoul to Gwangju
- From Seoul to Incheon
- From Seoul to Jeju do
- From Seoul to Mokpo
- From Seoul to Tokyo (Japan)
- From Busan to Seoul
- From Busan to Incheon
- From Busan to Fukuoka (Japan)
- From Busan to Osaka (Japan)
Why use the 12Go portal?
- 12Go search works from “City to City”, not “from Station to Station”.
- All travel services are on a single platform for comparison and interline ticketing.
- KoRail: E-ticket (QR-code), no need to print
South Korea’s Wi-fi and Prepaid SIM Card
South Korea 4G Prepaid SIM Card* (KR Airports Pick Up).
- Enjoy broad network coverage in Korea with a reliable travel 4G SIM card
- Get guaranteed, reliable 4G data from one of the country’s popular network providers, KT
- Easily pick up your SIM card at major airports
- You can now conveniently use your SIM card on your device
South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi* (KR Airports Pick Up)
- Enjoy high-speed internet access in South Korea on a pay-per-day basis with a reliable 4G WiFi device while you travel wherever your itinerary takes you
- Make your experience easier with the Data Unlimited pocket WiFi
- Connect 3 devices with just one pocket WiFi with up to 8 hours of battery life
- Decide to stay a little longer? Just pay for any extra days when you return the device
SOUTH KOREA – MY OTHER POSTS
I also encourage you to read my other posts about Seoul and South Korea:
TRIPS:
- Busan – the summer capital of South Korea
- Gyeongju Historic Areas
- Nami Island and Petit France
- Seoul – the most important tourist attractions
- Suwon Fortress day trip from Seoul
*Links to the offer from Klook are affiliate