Korea Route

Korea itineraries

Korea in 10 days: Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan, Jeju

A 10-day route through Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju: the classic first trip to Korea, with each day built around one area and the train or flight between cities.

At a glance

Day 1 · Seoul: Palaces and hanok alleys

Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace (closed Tuesdays; the guard ceremony is at 10:00 and 14:00), then walk up through the hanok houses of Bukchon. Lunch and tea in Insadong, and an evening in the small lanes of Ikseon-dong.

Where to stay: Stay around Myeongdong or Jongno for the palaces, or Hongdae for nightlife; both have direct trains from Incheon Airport.

Day 2 · Seoul: Secret Garden, markets and Namsan

Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden in the morning (closed Mondays; book the garden tour). Lunch at Gwangjang Market (mung bean pancakes), street food in Myeongdong, and N Seoul Tower for the sunset.

Day 3 · Seoul: Hongdae, Yeonnam and the Han River

Cafés and vintage shops in Yeonnam-dong along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, lunch at Mangwon Market, then the river: a picnic and convenience-store ramyeon at a Han River park. Back to Hongdae for street performers at night.

Day 4 · Seoul: Seongsu, Gangnam and the Lotte World Tower

Seongsu-dong's warehouse cafés and pop-up stores, a walk in Seoul Forest, the Starfield Library at COEX, and the view from the Lotte World Tower at dusk.

Day 5 · Gyeongju: The old royal capital

Travel day: Seoul to Gyeongju. Trains, buses and flights

Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto in the morning, the royal tombs of Daereungwon and the cafés of Hwangnidan-gil in the afternoon, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond lit up after dark.

Where to stay: Stay near Hwangnidan-gil to walk to the tombs and night views; Bulguksa is a bus or taxi ride away.

Day 6 · Busan: Haeundae and Gwangalli

Travel day: Gyeongju to Busan. Trains, buses and flights

Haeundae Beach, then the Blueline Park sky capsule along the cliffs to Cheongsapo. In the evening, Gwangalli Beach under the lit-up Gwangan Bridge.

Where to stay: Stay in Haeundae for the beach, or Seomyeon or Nampo to be central and closer to Busan Station.

Day 7 · Busan: Old Busan: Gamcheon, Jagalchi and Nampo

The painted hillside of Gamcheon Culture Village, raw fish upstairs at Jagalchi Market, ssiat hotteok in BIFF Square and Gukje Market, then the cliffs of Taejongdae on Yeongdo.

Day 8 · Jeju: East Jeju: Seongsan and Udo

Travel day: Busan to Jeju. Trains, buses and flights

Sunrise or morning climb up Seongsan Ilchulbong, the ferry to Udo island (rent an e-bike there), and beach cafés at Woljeong-ri.

Where to stay: Rent a car if you can: buses are slow outside the towns. Split your stay between Jeju City and Seogwipo, or stay in one and drive.

Day 9 · Jeju: South Jeju: waterfalls and Jungmun

Cheonjiyeon Falls in Seogwipo, the hexagonal lava columns and beaches of Jungmun, and Seogwipo Olle Market for dinner.

Day 10 · Jeju: West Jeju and Jeju City (or Hallasan)

The Aewol coast road and its cafés, the green water of Hyeopjae Beach near Hallim, and Dongmun Market's night stalls in Jeju City. Fit hikers can climb Hallasan instead (a full day; book the trail online).

Before you go

Make it yours: pick your dates and hotel, and get every subway and bus step for these days.

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