Pavilion in the pond at Gyeongbokgung Palace with autumn foliage and mountain at background while crimson maple tree in the upper foreground, Seoul, South Korea, 2014

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South Korea

From Seoul's glittering nightlife to Seoraksan National Park's vertiginous hikes, South Korea offers the traveler a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture and history.

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Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Start planning your trip

Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Gyeongbokgung
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Like a phoenix, Seoul’s premier palace has risen several times from the ashes of destruction. Hordes of tourists have replaced the thousands of government…
Changdeokgung
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The World Heritage–listed Changdeokgung is the most beautiful of Seoul's five main palaces. You must join a one-hour guided tour to look around. English…
Jeonju Hanok Maeul
Jeonju
This maeul (village) has more than 800 hanok (traditional wooden homes), making it one of the largest such concentrations in the country. Virtually all of…
Leeum Samsung Museum of Art
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Amid the celebrity-owned apartments on the leafy southern slope of Namsan is Korea's premier art gallery. Beautifully designed and laid-out, it balances…
Seongsan Ilchul-bong
Jeju-do
This majestic 182m-high, extinct tuff volcano, shaped like a giant punchbowl, is one of Jeju-do's most impressive sights and a Unesco World Heritage site…
Hwaseong
Suwon
The World Heritage–listed fortress wall that encloses the original town of Suwon is what brings most travellers to the city. Snaking up and down Paldal…
Deoksugung
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
One of Seoul's five grand palaces built during the Joseon dynasty, Deoksugung (meaning Palace of Virtuous Longevity) is the only one you can visit in the…
Hahoe Folk Village
Gyeongsangbuk-do
This delightful traditional riverside village – a Unesco World Heritage site – is a place to commune with the traditional fabric of old Korea and, in the…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Exciting South Korea has endless things to do, see, experience and eat. Here are the must-do experiences in South Korea.

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Things to Know

Before your trip to this cultural powerhouse, read our tips for navigating the etiquette, transportation options, safety concerns and more in South Korea.

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Transportation

Here’s everything you need to know about transportation cards, accessible travel and taking planes, trains and buses.

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Visa Requirements

Do you need a visa to enter South Korea? Read our guide to find out.

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Money and Costs

If you’re looking to travel to South Korea on a budget, follow this money-saving guide, from advice on SIM cards to tips on transit.

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Best Road Trips

South Korea might not leap out as the obvious place for a road trip, but the back roads reveal a different side to the peninsula. Here are our top trips.

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