This is a country that has exploded in popularity in recent years with the rise of K-pop culture across the globe. Having spent 9 months living there, I can give you the perfect South Korea 7-day itinerary.
It’s a country which some call expensive, but it’s only really accommodation which you can expect to put a dent in your budget. Transport is fairly cheap and food is also very affordable, with cheap restaurants available across the country.
Here I will explain how you can make the most of a week in South Korea.
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
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Day 1: Seoul
The capital is the most lively place in South Korea, it has tons of things to do, it’s absolutely massive and you can easily spend an entire week here without getting bored.
Whilst 24 hours in Seoul is doable, you will only be able to race around a few top highlights and miss many awesome sights.
But for a 1 week South Korea itinerary, you will want to cram in a few more destinations, therefore let’s try and see as much of the capital as we can in just a few days.
Your trip will start with a flight into South Korea, which will most likely be to Incheon Airport. Take the express train from here to reach central Seoul in under an hour.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
At the top of your Seoul itinerary should be Gyeongbokgung Palace. If there’s one attraction in the country that’s typically “South Korean” then it’s this.
The 600-year old Joseon-era palace complex is the capital’s marquee attraction and for good reason.
This former home to the royal family is a labyrinth full of impressive buildings which are easy to get lost in.
Please note that it is closed on Tuesdays.
The further you go into the complex, the better it becomes as the large crowds disperse into much smaller groups.
The highlight here is the changing of the guard which takes place daily at 10am and 2pm, with smaller ceremonies occasionally taking place on the hour at other times of day.
Don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Seoul.
Gwanghwamun Square
As soon as you come out of the palace, you will find yourself in .
It’s more of a street than a square, but it’s packed full of activities.
There are always events taking place here. Some in the past include an African culture festival showcasing artifacts and cultures from dozens of African countries, and a North Korea reunification rally. Reunification is a big deal in the South as many Koreans had family in the north who they hadn’t seen since the two Koreas split many decades ago.
Elsewhere you have a couple of cool statues to see including one of King Sejong. He’s a local hero and is best known for creating the Korean alphabet which is used across the country today.
There are also many places to eat around here. There’s a lot more to see, but after a long flight, you may have no more time on day one.
Day 2: Seoul
Start the second day of your South Korea travel itinerary by heading back to near where you were yesterday.
And walk straight to Bukchon Hanok Village.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Get here early, because it’s a super busy spot which is packed with tourists, therefore it’s best to enjoy whilst it’s quieter.
is a place with many traditional Korean homes which make a perfect backdrop for your pictures. And Bukchon is the most famous one.
Bukchon is more about scenery than things to do. This village is on a steep hill, but the views of the surrounding palaces are spectacular.
Ikseondong Hanok Village
Ikseondong doesn’t quite look as impressive as Bukchon, but it has a lot more in terms of activities.
You won’t find a shortage of restaurants here, with Korean food available as well as several international cuisines. Cafes are dotted all over the village and you can find some small bars here too.
Some of the activities include gaming at Saeseoul arcade, taking pictures in one of the many photo booths in the village, going to a shooting range or checking out a pop-up store that changes theme on a regular basis.
Ikseondong is one of my favorite places to visit in South Korea.
Visit a Themed Cafe
In the evening, wind down by going to one of Seoul’s many theme cafes. You have Boing Cafe which resembles the inside of an airplane, Cheong su Dang which is based on a bamboo forest, and the unique Nuldam Space, where you can write letters to your future self, which the cafe will send you at a date of your choosing.
There are many more fun options. Seoul is a cafe lover’s dream!
Day 3: Seoul
On the third day of your South Korea trip itinerary, it’s time to head to the heart of the capital city.
Namsan Tower
Probably the best viewpoint in Seoul. You can hike up Namsan Mountain, or catch a cable car which will take you to the base of the tower.
The views are good from the base regardless of whether you want to pay $15 to enter the tower or not.
There are also traditional Korean martial arts performances during the day which take place outside the tower. These are fun to watch and draw large crowds.
Myeongdong
The most popular destination in central Seoul, and for good reason.
Myeongdong is a major shopping district with everything ranging from giant shopping malls to smaller independent shops, and tourist stores with typically Korean themes such as K-pop.
Shopping isn’t even the however. That comes in the form of the night markets which are always lively and full of sweet and savoury food. Don’t miss out on Myeongdong.
Day 4: DMZ Tour
One of the best things to do in South Korea is to visit the DMZ.
The demilitarized zone is a large area surrounding the heavily-fortified North Korean/South Korean border, and it’s interesting to visit.
Without a tour you can only go to Imjingak Park. You need a tour to visit the most interesting areas.
The best of the bunch is Dora Observatory, from where you can look across the border into the north using binoculars. You may even catch the North Korean guards smoking!
There are several tour companies that you can easily find online, and day trips from Seoul are easy to find.
Day 5:
Whilst travelling solo in South Korea, one of my highlights outside of the capital was Beopjusa Temple.
Take a bus from Seoul to Songnisan in the country’s center, and enjoy the short trek towards this stunning Buddhist temple complex, complete with a giant Buddha statue outside.
This is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most impressive in the country.
Spend a few hours walking around the buildings and observing Korean Buddhists in prayer.
Chances are, you won’t find many other foreign tourists here,
Also Read About:
6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Teaching English in Korea
Day 6: Daegu
From Songnisan, head to the city of Daegu next. You can easily get there by bus, although you may need to use a translation app for help unless you speak Korean, as English isn’t widely spoken outside of Seoul.
Donghwasa Temple
Arguably the most scenic Buddhist temple in South Korea, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Buddhist temples are some of the most impressive places to see in this country.
Take a bus from Daegu up to the temple, and then walk up a short trail to get here.
There is a large Buddha statue in the center with several traditional Korean buildings surrounding it. There’s even a small museum down below where you can learn more about the temple and Korean Buddhism in general.
Walk a little further and you will reach a second series of buildings with all sorts of smaller Buddha statues surrounding them.
You can even stay overnight here if you wish and learn from locals about Korean Buddhism.
If you were wondering what to do in South Korea outside of Seoul, there are few better places than this.
Duryu Park
Elsewhere in Dageu, don’t miss out on this giant park, which has some spectacular views as well as many events taking place on a regular basis.
If you come to Korea at the right time of year (usually April), you can even see the cherry blossoms here.
Otherwise, it’s a nice place to just take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the lake, theatre performances or some of the many sports facilities located in the park.
Day 7: Seoul
In your South Korea itinerary 7 days is not enough to see everything. But you will need to return to the capital for your flight home, as most other airports have limited flight options outside of East Asia.
Besides, there is still a lot to see in Seoul, so you don’t need to worry about what to do in South Korea during your final day here.
Gangnam
End your time in the country by taking a free walking tour of the district made famous by the song “Gangnam Style”.
The tour will generally stop in 3 major locations. One is a statue of crossed hands doing the “Gangnam Style” gesture. Your guide will explain the history of the song and how it put South Korea on the global tourism map.
You will also head to Starfield Library, one of the most picturesque buildings in the capital.
The main event will be Bongeunsa Temple, another Buddhist temple, which your guide will give you a good explanation of. You will start by walking past large statues of the Heavenly Kings which are found at the entrance to many such temples. Then you make your way up to a series of buildings including a large prayer hall. Walk to the top of the complex and you will be greeted by another awesome Buddhist statue.
Heading Home
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and that includes your time in South Korea!
You will need to go to Seoul Station near Myeongdong to catch the express train back to Incheon Airport ready for your flight out of Korea.
If you follow this itinerary, I guarantee you will have a good time.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
What Else Should I Know Before Visiting South Korea?
The Koreans love using their own technology, which means several of your favorite apps have a lot of limitations in this country.
Google Maps is very limited out here. You can still access the app, but key features such as offline maps and the ability to estimate your walking distance between two places have been removed.
Instead, download the Korean map applications Kakao Maps and Naver Maps. Neither is perfect, and both can be a little fiddly if you don’t understand Korean, but they are what you will have to use out here for a fully-functioning map.
Another popular travel app that is less useful here is Google Translate. Whilst it does still work, the English-to-Korean translations just aren’t very good and often come up with nonsense words and phrases.
Instead, use the local translation app Papago. It’s far from perfect, but it’s better than Google Translate.
Lastly, use the taxi app Kakao T. It works across most of the country, whereas Uber does not. Even in the cities where you can use Uber, the cars you receive are generally Kakao T vehicles anyway. If you have a choice between apps, you can compare which is cheaper for essentially the same service.
Is South Korea Safe?
Yes, this is one of the safest countries in the world and you will have nothing to worry about here.
Crime is almost non-existent, especially violent crime and theft. Respect and honour are important in Korean culture.
Don’t be put off traveling here because of what you hear on the news concerning North Korea. The locals aren’t worried at all. There have been tough words exchanged for years, without any real issues occurring.
Perhaps the biggest problem is the cold weather, which can be extreme in the winter months from December to February. Make sure you wear your warmest clothing at this time of year and you should be fine.
Visiting Korea in the Spring (March-May) or Autumn (September-November) is advised for the best possible experience.
Looking for somewhere to stay in South Korea? Check out these options!
Daegu Gyeong`s Hostel
Insadong R Guesthouse
Kimchee Busan Downtown Guesthouse
South Korea Travel Guide Planning
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in South Korea?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Author Bio
Alex is the founder of “Adventure to Every Country”, a travel blog sharing safety tips, itineraries, country-specific advice, things to do and more which he learns on his quest to visit every country in the world.
He has been travelling since January 2019 and will continue to share tips and stories from all across the globe.
He has previously lived and worked in the UK, South Korea and Italy and now travels full time.
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