6 Best Places to Visit in Korea for an Unforgettable Korean Holiday from India

South Korea is a tantalising slice of the Orient that is fondly called the ‘Land of The Morning Calm’. Thoroughly modern, engaging and thrilling, the country beckons travellers from all across the globe with its dynamic cities, technological marvels, delicious cuisine, popular K-Pop culture, unique nightlife and some of the best attractions.

The Korean Peninsula also flaunts its natural scenery and is known for its amazingly well-preserved traditions, misty pine-clad mountains and emerald green rice paddies.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a fashionista, a nature lover or an admirer of history, on your trip, there are plenty of choices and several places to visit in South Korea.

If you’re planning a trip to South Korea from India in the coming months but don’t know where to go, we’re here to make your travel planning a whole lot easier.

In this list, you will find some of the best places to visit in South Korea along with some exciting things to do. Let’s begin!

1. Seoul

What better destination to begin your Korean journey in the country than it’s buzzing capital - Seoul. It’s a modern, vibrant, world-class destination that is a must on your South Korea package. It’s a buzzing urban expanse where you’ll find a heady mix of ancient traditions coupled with cutting-edge technology that will instantly appeal to you. Add to the mix Buddhist temples, gorgeous city parks, trend-setting youth culture, tasteful design, extraordinary architecture and cultural landmarks. You’ll also find numerous places to shop, eat, drink and relax. What’s more, there are many places to visit in Seoul which are famous like Gyeongbok-gung, Deoksu-gung, Changdeok-gung, Namsan Park, the N Seoul Tower and more.

We have curated a list of the must visit attractions in Seoul to help you make the most of your trip.

One of the country’s largest cities, cosmopolitan Seoul is with its serene temples to neon-lit bar streets offers something even for the most adventurous traveller.

2. Busan

One of the biggest cities in South Korea, Busan offers a compelling fusion of ancient Buddhist temples, tropical beaches and majestic mountains, making it one of the best tourist places in Korea.

Must-Do, See and Visit In Busan

While in Busan, you can take in the endless panoramic views of the city with a hike up to the top of Jangan Mountain. For a lesson in history and some panoramic views, take a walk to Haedong Yonggung Temple. It’s nestled in the hills and mountains and overlooks the Sea of Japan. Most other temples are beautiful, but its views make this one even more breathtaking.

Haeundae Beach is a popular spot which is bustling through the day with a variety of activities. There’s a path by the side of the beach to trek to a viewpoint and catch the views of Gwangan Bridge. It’s best to go after sunset as the bridge will be lit up.

Other than its natural beauty and cultural beauty, other cosmopolitan offerings include Centum City, the world’s largest department store, the Busan International Film Festival, one of Asia’s biggest, which takes place every year in the month of October and more than 450 spas where you can try the jjimjilbang culture (Korean bathhouse). Over 20 of the spas use natural spring water.

Other places of interest to visit include:

• Taejongdae - A natural park with magnificent views of the ocean
• Jagalchi Market - A market known for fresh seafood. You can eat at the stalls or take away.
• Busan Tower - A 120-meter tall tower with stunning views
• Gamcheon Culture Village - A stunning, colourful village where the pathway leads you to different street art, sculptures and more! *MUST DO*

• Nampodong Market - A market with everything you need from clothes to food and more.

Ideal Stay Duration: 3 to 5 days

If you’re planning a trip, here’s an itinerary by one of our travel experts for spending 48 hours in Busan.

3. Jeju Island

Jeju Island is known as the ‘Islands of the Gods’ and although it’s a must-visit place in Korea, it has developed its own unique history, architecture, linguistic traditions and traditional dress.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, then this is one of the places to visit in South Korea that will sweep you and your loved one off your feet. The stunning beaches, the lava tubes and caves and the lush greenery will leave you in bliss. To add a little fun to the mix, you can visit the numerous tourist attractions and amusements parks in Jeju.

Must-Do, See and Visit in Jeju Island

Seongeup Folklore Village is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local culture, and Glass Castle is a theme park that comes with magnificent sculptures made from glass.

For a one-of-a-kind adult-only experience, head to Loveland. It’s a theme park which consists of romantic exhibits and certainly an odd but racy encounter. If that’s far too adventurous for you, head to O’Sulloc Tea Museum and learn all about the famous traditional tea culture of South Korea.

Being a paradise for nature lovers, there’s plenty to do that involves nature:

• Climb to the top of Mount Hallasan, one of Korea’s highest mountains and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site
• Picnic around the beautiful Cheonjeyeon Waterfall
• Seongsan Ilchulbong or Sunrise Peak is a picturesque site for views of the sunrise

• Visit Jeongbang Falls, one of the only falls in the continent to fall into the ocean
• One of the longest lava tunnels, Manjanggul cave is also a UNESCO World Heritage site

Ideal Stay Duration: 3 Days

4. Gyeongju

A coastal city in South Korea, Gyeongju was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla. Your trip to South Korea from India is incomplete without pit stopping at this coastal city of South Korea. Gyeongju’s heritage extends back to more than a thousand years and you will find a rich selection of historical and cultural attractions like ancient sites, relics and ruins.

Must-Do, See and Visit In Gyeongju

Don’t end your Korea vacation without visiting the Gyeongju National Museum, which houses a plethora of valuables such as the ancient 23-ton Emille Bell cast.

Other UNESCO World Heritage sites that you can drop by are Anapji Pond or Woji Pond and Bulguk-sa Temple Tumuli Park, both will truly make your trip memorable.

If you’ve got time on your hands, nothing like stopping by the following attractions:

• Seokguram Grotto a man-made cave temple with a Buddha statue which is deemed to be one of the most remarkable Asian Buddhist artworks in existence

• Daereungwon Tumuli Park, although a place of burial, the surrounding area is beautiful and worth visiting

• Gyeongju Folk Craft Village is a complex of 45 traditional houses where artisans live and sell their local crafts like ceramic figurines, Silla-style earthenware and more

Ideal Stay Duration: 3 Days

5. Jinhae

Jinhae has a small population of over 300,000 people and makes for a quiet place to spend a few days during your trip to South Korea. This little district in Changwon City if full of surprises.

Must-Do, See and Visit in Jinhae

It’s one of the best places to visit in South Korea, especially if you’re travelling in spring when you can catch the annual cherry blossom festival. For 10 days of spring, the entire city will effortlessly flaunt its cherry blossom trees in full bloom and create Instagrammable spots everywhere you look, especially the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. Along with the trees, there is more going on like cultural performances, picnics and food stalls. Read all about South Korea’s cherry blossom festival.

While Jinhae’s appeal is the cherry blossom, there’s more to the place than meet the eye.

Yeojwacheon Stream is a beautiful place to spend a few hours whiling away time, reading a book, and clearing your head. If you come during the cherry blossom season, you can see the trees in their bloom. If not, the stream is a beautiful place by itself. The decorative lights come on at around 7 pm and create a stunning atmosphere and sight.

Gyeonghwa Station is also known as Cherry Blossom Road for on either side of the street and train track you’ll find cherry blossom trees. Apart from that, there are plenty of food vendors so you can eat to your heart’s content.

If time permits, here are some of the South Korea tourist places to visit:

• Jinhae Dream Park is a huge park with different zones, perfect for spending a few hours
• A few hours from Jinhae is Gimhae Lotte Water Park, a fun theme park for the entire family

Ideal Stay Duration: 2 Days

6. Jeonju

Once, Jeonju was the unrivalled spiritual capital and the pinnacle of the Joseon Dynasty. Today, Jeonju is brimming with a multitude of temples and museums, making it one of the best places to visit in South Korea for culture vultures and history buffs.

Must-Do, See and Visit in Jeonju

Jeonju Hanok Village is perfect for a taste of both history and culture where you can even spot traditional homes from the early 20th-century. The village is also known for its locally made soju which is an alcohol made from rice, wheat, or barley and the traditional Hanji paper.

The Jeonju National Museum is remarkable and houses an array of artefacts. 

Other than all this, Jeonju is known as the food capital of South Korea and famed for its gastronomy and food industry. Koreans say “eat once in Jeonju and you’ll be spoilt for life.” The origin of the popular Korean dish, bibimbap (a dish with rice, sautéed veggies, meat and more) is here and they have a bibimbap festival too!

A few fun things to do in Jeonju are:

• Set out to search for best bibimbap.
• Indulge in a gastro-tour
• Dine and wine in traditional Korean style

Ideal Stay Duration: 2 to 3 Days

Of course, there are plenty of other places to visit in South Korea like:

• Chuncheon - If you are fond of K-dramas, you can relive the scenes from a popular soap opera, ‘Winter Sonata’ here. Apart from this, it’s also known for its culinary delights and attractions like Soyang Dam and Cheongpyeong-sa Temple.   

• Suwon - It’s the perfect place to visit in South Korea for those who want to immerse in the country’s culture and history. Visit Hwaseong Fortress, a fortress dating back to the Joseon Dynasty and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. There are other magnificent fortress walls and architectural gems that you shouldn’t miss. Don’t forget to dig into the tastiest dish around here - the marinated short ribs.

• Andong & Hahoe Folk Villages - The beautiful, rural and peaceful surroundings of Andong are a stark contrast to Seoul’s buzz. You can see how Korean tradition unfolds at Hahoe Village. Both the places are an amazing opportunity to seep into the local culture and learn a few things about the rich heritage of Korea.

While South Korea isn’t the number one destination for most people, there are plenty of reasons why you should visit the country at least once.

South Korea has everything you can ask for from a country - historic cultural attractions, hiking trails, stunning scenery, endless shopping, mouth-watering food, every single day will give you an adrenaline rush.

Before you look to go to other countries, why not check an Asian destination off your bucket list?

If you’ve got some time on your hands, pick from one of our South Korea packages for a memorable trip which includes everything from the best places to visit in South Korea to foods to try and attractions to visit. Contact our travel specialist today.