12 Very Best Cities in South Korea to Visit
South Korea is (still) an underrated travel destination – but incredible to explore! From stunning hiking trails, islands like Jeju and the best cities in South Korea to visit, there’s a slice of the peninsula that everyone will love.
Most people who do decide to travel to South Korea often only explore
With that in mind, I wanted to share some of my favorite and best cities in South Korea I visited since I moved here in 2015. From sprawling mega-cities like
Seoul
Almost every trip to South Korea likely starts (or ends) in
There is so much to see and do in
Top 5 Places To See in Seoul
Where to stay
Busan
Even though Busan is the second largest city in Korea (after
Top 5 Places To See in Busan
Where to stay
Gyeongju
History buffs are going to love Gyeongju. In fact, the city is often referred to as Korea’s “museum without walls” because Gyeongju has more tombs, temples, pagodas, Buddhist statuary and palace ruins than any other city in all of South Korea. It’s a lovely place to visit and should be on every Korea travel itinerary.
Top 5 Places To See in Gyeongju
Where to stay
Jeonju
As the birthplace of both the Joseon dynasty and Korea’s most well-known dish, bibimbap (rice, egg and vegetables with a hot sauce), Jeonju is one of the best cities in South Korea to visit. Most people visit the hanok maeul area, which is filled with traditional wooden homes. Be sure to stay overnight and sleep in a hanok – Korean style!
Top 5 Places To See in Jeonju
Where to stay
Jeju
Jeju Island is one of Korea’s best domestic travel destinations that locals and visitors love. Besides its beautiful beaches, Jeju also offers lush countryside and some of the best seafood restaurants you can find.
Top 5 Places To See in Jeju
Where to stay
Gangneung
Top 5 Places To See in Gangneung
Where to stay
Incheon
While most visitors only head to Incheon to catch a plane out of Incheon International Airport, it’s actually worth exploring South Korea’s third-largest city on a day trip from
Top 5 Places To See in Incheon
Where to stay
Suwon
Suwon is the largest city in Gyeonggi-do province. The city is home to Hwaseong Fortress, a World Heritage–listed fortification dating back to the 1700s. In fact, Suwon served as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty and is therefore one of the best cities in South Korea to visit if you are into history.
Top 5 Places To See in Suwon
Where to stay
Paju
Because of Paju’s close proximity to the North/South Korean border, there are many U.S. and South Korean army bases are set up in the area. On top of that, visitors can explore various historic sites that played a large role in the Korean War, including an observatory allowing you to see North Korea with the naked eye.
Check out this DMZ and Third Tunnel Tour from Seoul.
Top 5 Places To See in Paju
Where to stay
Yeosu
The center of Yeosu city is often described as nothing special – but its shoreline, filled with cliffs, islands and peninsulas, makes up for that and is truly breathtaking. Yeosu served as an important naval base in the 1500s when Japanese invaders were fought off by famous Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, whose statues and replicas of his turtle ships can be seen all around town. It’s one of the best cities in South Korea in terms of scenic seaside landscape.
Top 5 Places To See in Yeosu
Where to stay
Andong
Andong is the capital of Gyeongsangbuk-do and makes a great base for exploring the numerous historic and cultural attractions in the surrounding area. The city of Andong itself is known for its mackerel, strong soju (Korean alcohol made of rice), wooden masks and ancient sites.
Top 5 Places To See in Andong
Where to stay
Boseong
If you are a tea lover, Boseong is going to be among the best cities in South Korea to visit for you. The county around Boseong is actually the largest green tea producer in all of Korea. Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation is one of the main attractions, where you can sample green teas and explore Korean green tea fields. Every year, Boseong also holds a Green Tea Festival in spring.
Check out: Boseong Green Tea Festival 1 Day Tour – from
Top 5 Places To See in Boseong
Where to stay
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