The Perfect Korea Itinerary With Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju (2022) – One Week Travel Guide
South Korea has grow to be considerably of a rising star within the tourism scene lately owing partially to the proliferation of Korean TV reveals and pop music. The cities of Seoul and Busan undoubtedly attraction to people who like seeing fairly and cute issues and it’s in all probability not stunning that the customer demographics right here dis-proportionally lean in the direction of females. If you might be considering of visiting South Korea and wish to have a sensible itinerary to cowl each Seoul and Busan, allot a minimum of 5 or 6 days. If you might be additionally visiting Jeju, you’ll want so as to add 2 or 3 extra.
The two main cities of Seoul and Busan are essentially the most intuitive locations to discover throughout a visit to South Korea – Seoul for its cosmopolitan vibe and conventional tradition and Busan for its seaside stylish. This journey information goals to indicate you ways these cities could be completed in as little as every week.
Day 1 – Seoul City Center
Tip: Google Maps doesn’t work properly in South Korea particularly in navigating strolling instructions and public transport route. Instead, obtain Naver Maps which even reveals you the bus timings and fares. This is particularly useful since a lot of the public buses round South Korea don’t include English indicators.
If that is your first time in Seoul, begin the day with a tour of the palaces. Seoul has 5 palaces however the ones actually value exploring are Changdeokgung, Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugong.
gyeongbokgung
A really useful path to take is one which begins at Gyeongbokgung. If you go to sporting a hanbok (Korea’s conventional costume – you may take a look at right here for hanbok leases), the admission price is waived. While right here, make certain to go to the far again the place the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, which is constructed on a synthetic island, is situated. Many guests miss it as a result of distance however it’s properly value a photograph cease particularly throughout autumn when the encompassing foliage flip shiny pink and yellow. Other highlights within the palace advanced embody the Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru.
bukchon hanok village
From right here, you may make an exit on the facet gate and stroll round ten minutes to achieve Bukchon Hanok Village. Back within the day, nearly the whole thing of Seoul was made up of those conventional single-storey housing. Nowadays, you may solely discover them in small pockets with the primary space being right here. It’s a pleasant place for a stroll particularly for those who come right here with a rented hanbok with the age-old buildings serving as excellent backdrops for selfies.
marinated uncooked crab at keunkiwajip
One of the extremely really useful locations for lunch close by is the Michelin-starred Keunkiwajip (62 Bukchon-ro 5 Gil, Open each day besides Monday 11AM to three:30PM, 5PM to 10PM) for its marinated uncooked crab. This place is normally very busy and my advice is to come back right here early in any other case it might take you round half-hour to get a desk.
the view from jeongdong observatory
After lunch, head to Changdeokgung, the most important of Seoul’s 5 palaces. The spotlight right here is the chic secret backyard – one other standard autumn viewing spot. Alternatively, you may as well take a look at Deoksugung which is close to Seoul’s metropolis corridor. Make certain to drop by Jeongdong Observatory (free, 9AM to 9PM throughout weekdays, till 6PM throughout weekends) for a pleasant chicken’s eye view of town – with each conventional and fashionable buildings complimenting that view.
Devote the evenings for buying. Many of Seoul’s buying districts are open comparatively late particularly throughout weekends. Popular night time haunts embody Myeongdong with its vary of road trend and toiletries, Hongdae with its youth-oriented clothes manufacturers in addition to Dongdaemun for wholesale/bazaar-type attire shops that open till well beyond midnight.
dongdaemun design plaza
If you do determine to go to Dongdaemun, a cease proper by the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (open each day besides Mondays, 10AM to 7PM, til 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays) is a should. Tours of the interiors are supplied however the place is simply as value visiting for its imposing metal exterior. It is particularly atmospheric at night time when the construction is floodlit and the grass fields adjoining to it have these digital flowers which are additionally lit up.
Day 2 – Southern Seoul & Gangnam
Tip: If you propose to go to a number of palaces, museums and the N Seoul Tower, it’s possible you’ll want to think about getting the Discover Seoul Pass. In complete, there are 36 points of interest you can go to freed from cost. You can purchase right here for a 15% low cost.
Start the day at Seoul’s upscale Gangnam – a district stuffed with high-end boutiques, cosmetic surgery clinics and well-heeled metropolis folks. It is understood in some circles because the Beverly Hills of South Korea. A well-liked cafe to take a look at on this space is Cafe Dior (464 Apgujeong-ro, Open from 11AM to 8PM each day). Cafe tradition meets trend on this well-appointed cafe.
From the cafe, Garosugil is only a brief experience away. The buying road is stuffed with loads of luxurious manufacturers in addition to big-name shops comparable to a devoted Apple Store and extra. The road is particularly engaging in autumn when the gingko timber by the pavements flip yellow.
After having your fill at Garosugil, head additional east to Galleria, a luxurious shopping center in Gangnam. The spotlight right here is the basement deli and meals courtroom which is stuffed with loads of conventional Korean eats. The place is a well-curated affair with lots of Korea’s finest unbiased snacks / meals locations introduced collectively. Even the meals courtroom right here is really useful for its kimchi soup, bibimbap in addition to seafood stews.
After a brief lunch at Galleria, head to Starfield Library (free, open each day from 10AM to 10PM) at Starfield Coex Mall. The venue is understood for its humongous 2-storey tall bookshelf which has been featured aplenty in social media. There are over 50,000 books and magazines right here however I doubt if most individuals who come right here are literally bookworms.
pandoro from cafe onion
If you will have time to move to only one cafe throughout your time in Seoul, let that place be Cafe Onion (open each day from 8AM to 10PM, from 10AM on Saturdays and Sundays). Housed in a seemingly rundown industrial constructing, the place has attracted guests from far and vast for its instagram-worthy aesthetic and scrumptious pastries. While right here, don’t miss the Pandoro, a towering Italian bread stuffed with powdered sugar.
view from n seoul tower
Late afternoon is a good time to take a look at Namsan Seoul Tower (each day 10AM to 11PM, til midnight on Saturdays). Located in a forested space in the course of town, it’s an incredible place from the place you may respect Seoul’s skyline. If you might be questioning if it’s value going up the tower versus simply appreciating the view from the car parking zone, my take is sure – the upper view is definitely rather more photogenic. During spring and autumn, the upper view additionally permits you to respect the colourful foliage round Namsan itself. The admission price to the tower is 16,000 Won however you will get a 50% low cost by reserving right here.
Day 3 – Excursions From Seoul / Seoul’s Neighborhoods
If you might be considering of visiting Nami Island, allocate a full day for the tour. You can select to do it your self however for comfort, it’s possible you’ll wish to take a direct bus which might do Nami Island mixed with Petite France. They may even deal with the day’s itinerary for you. Whichever possibility you select, you’ll discover that taking a shuttle bus there may be certainly lots simpler than the DIY route.
If a day journey to Nami Island doesn’t attraction, you may as well enterprise to a few of Seoul’s different fascinating neighborhoods. Here’s a rundown of districts value testing:
mountaineering in suseong dong valley
- Buam-dong – Still comparatively unexplored by overseas guests however Buam-dong is rapidly gaining floor for its artwork and design hubs and unbiased cafes interspersed with pure areas. Highlights right here embody Changuimun (the unique metropolis gate), the cafes Club Espresso and Lumberjack in addition to Whanki and Seoul Museums. Nearest metro: Jahamun-gogae
- Seochon – Personally, my favourite amongst Seoul’s much less recognized districts, Seochon was the place the nobles used to dwell again within the Joseon Dynasty. You will discover lots of clothes boutiques right here in addition to the Sejong Village Food Street however the actual gem is the Suseong-dong Valley the place locals usually go for nature walks. Nearest metro: Gyeongbokgung
- Itaewon – A really foreign-centric district as American troopers usually come right here throughout their leisure time. Today, it’s residence to loads of worldwide eating places, cafes and boutiques.
Day 4 – Busan
Take a morning prepare experience to Busan (you should buy prepare passes right here) – South Korea’s second largest metropolis. Depending on which prepare you are taking, the general journey experience would require 2.25 to 2.50 hours so it’s undoubtedly doable to do Busan as a day journey for those who’re pressed for time, albeit a rushed one.
Many of Busan’s foremost vacationer points of interest are situated not too removed from Busan Station (the place trains from Seoul cease). Just a few blocks south is 40 Steps, a 450 meter road lined with statues and different picture opps, together with a 40-step stairway. The space has been refurbished just lately and is meant to mirror life in Korea within the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties.
inside jagalchi market
From right here, Jagalchi Market (nearest metro: Jagalchi Station) is a brief hop away. The considered consuming freshly reduce octopus with their tentacles nonetheless wriggling in all probability stands as probably the most iconic journey photos regarding South Korea and that’s precisely what this bustling seafood market is understood for. Less adventurous eaters produce other choices as properly. There’s a wide selection of fish, crab and different shellfish accessible which could be chosen for cooking and served to be eaten on the eating tables upstairs.
gamcheon cultural village
Next up on one’s Busan guidelines is Gamcheon Culture Village. Some name it Korea’s Santorini which I believe is a little bit of a stretch. It shares extra similarities with the blue metropolis of Jodhpur nevertheless as most of the homes are painted in comparable shades of sunshine blue. You can spend round 1 to 2 hours right here relying on curiosity degree. You’ll discover outlets and murals scattered across the village in addition to cafes and museums. There can be an elevated view level right here which is a well-liked spot for marriage ceremony shoots and panoramic photographs of the village.
If you might be in Busan just for a day journey, you may finish right here and return to Seoul. Otherwise, head to the beneath.
Day 5 – Busan Outskirts
seokbulsa temple
If you might be up for some mountaineering, take a look at Seokbulsa Temple situated round Geumjeongsan, a mountain vary not removed from town middle. If you might be coming as a bunch, it would make sense to take a taxi up and ask the motive force to attend for you. Admission to the temple grounds is freed from cost and guests come right here for the Buddha niches carved on the rocks. It is just not thought of a serious temple in Korea however I’ve to say these carvings are among the many most spectacular I’ve seen within the nation.
Tip: Within the final neighborhood of Haeundae is Dalmaji-gil which has loads of artwork galleries, cafes and eating places. If you might be in Busan in the course of the weekend, take a look at the Dalmaji Art Flea Market from 2PM to 9PM. You can discover handicrafts, teapots, baggage and different creations by native artists.
After a morning hike, it’s time to chill off by the coast. Busan’s attraction to Koreans lies in its comparatively milder climate and seashores. If you might be in Busan in the course of the summer season months, you may discover Haeundae Beach (nearest metro: Haeundae Station) comparatively full of weekenders from Seoul. While it’s undoubtedly a well-liked vacationer spot in Busan, I might not say Haeundae Beach is a must-see particularly for those who come from a tropical nation. If you might be within the space, I might as an alternative counsel testing the Busan SEA LIFE Aquarium close to the seaside or Busan Cinema Center (nearest metro: Centum City Station) with its metallic exterior and wave-like roof and mini-light present. It is an particularly great spectacle at night time.
yonggungsa temple
Another place to go to within the japanese a part of town is the Yonggungsa Temple. While Korea has no scarcity of temples, what makes this place stand out is its scenic seaside location. The temple is actually perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the coast which makes it one in every of Busan’s most photogenic spots. To get right here, take the metro to Haeundae Station then switch to bus 181.
Day 6 – Gyeongju
anapji pond in gyeongju
Another purpose to go to Busan is that it serves as a wonderful base from which to discover Gyeongju, the capital of the traditional kingdom of Silla and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a plethora of historic websites that may simply take up one entire day of exploring. Highlights in Gyeongju embody:
- Bulguksa Temple – Considered one of many foremost temples of Korea, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is taken into account a masterpiece of Buddhist Art. The Dabotap pagoda which is discovered within the temple grounds is featured within the 10 Won coin.
- Seokguram Grotto – Probably the closest Korea has to an “Indiana Jones” sort of archeological website, guests go inside a cavern to witness a big stone sculpture of the Buddha. Of all of the locations in Gyeongju, it’s in all probability the Seokgruam Grotto that impressed me essentially the most. It’s too unhealthy pictures is just not allowed inside.
- Cheomseongdae Observatory – An historical astronomical observatory constructed in the course of the Silla interval within the seventh century.
- Tumuli Park – A big space stuffed with mounds representing the tombs of the previous kings of the Silla interval. This was how Korea’s royalty was buried again within the day and you could find different burial mounds scattered throughout Korea (together with North Korea).
- Anapji Pond (Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond) – Particularly photogenic when visited within the night whereas the buildings are floodlit, in the present day Anapji Pond exists in a garden-like state with cherry blossoms within the spring and pavilions which are immaculately mirrored by the nonetheless waters from the pond.
To get to Gyeongju from Busan, you may both take the bus (round a 40 minutes experience) from the bus terminal or alternatively, you may e book a guided day tour to Gyeongju that takes you thru the vacationer points of interest listed above.
Getting to Seoul From Incheon International Airport
The Airport Express (AREX) prepare is my most well-liked method of getting from Incheon International Airport to town because it’s comparatively quick, cheap and there are frequent departures. Do word that if you’re flying with Korean Air, you get a reduction on prepare tickets so it’s smart to maintain your boarding go. Alternatively, you may as well e book on-line right here to get a 25% low cost for the AREX ticket to Seoul.
Another solution to get to town is by one of many airport buses which take nearly 1.5 hours however the plus level is that it drops you off at various places round Seoul. If your resort is close to one of many airport bus stations, then it might make higher sense to journey by bus.
Getting to Busan From Incheon International Airport
There was once a direct KORAIL prepare from Incheon International Airport to Busan but it surely has been discontinued. If you may’t fly in/out of Busan to your property metropolis instantly, your finest wager is to take the AREX to Seoul Station (~ 1 hour) then take a direct prepare from Seoul Station to Busan Station (~2.5 hours).
Getting to Busan From Seoul (City Area)
From Seoul to Busan (and vice versa), you will have a few choices together with prepare, aircraft, bus or automotive rental. These are the professionals and cons of every of those choices:
- Best general: South Korea’s KTX trains are finest general in getting between Seoul and Busan. The trains are quick, with the shortest experience being round 2 hour 15 minutes. Economy class tickets value about 59,800 Korean Won. Busan’s foremost station is within the metropolis itself, not removed from Jagalchi Market. You can buy rail passes right here.
- Fastest: Flying is theoretically the quickest. The aircraft experience lasts simply lower than an hour however you’ll have to think about attending to the airport an hour earlier than. Once you attain Busan, you’ll additionally have to think about that Busan’s Gimhae Airport is within the outskirts and also you’ll once more want some type of transport to get to town middle.
- Cheapest: If you might be on a funds and don’t thoughts being on the highway for a pair extra hours, you may take the bus. A bus experience between Seoul to Busan takes simply over 4 hours and prices about 30,000 Korean Won. Buses will drop you off at Busan’s Central Bus Terminal which is on the northern fringe of town. There is a metro station right here – Nopo – which might take you to town middle for an inexpensive worth. However, for those who plan on avoiding the metro on account of heavy baggage, and so forth; you’ll have to notice that it’s fairly an extended cab experience to town and it’s possible you’ll find yourself paying an additional 20,000 Korean gained or extra for the taxi journey.
- Car leases: Car leases have gained in reputation within the pandemic period as some people favor to reduce interactions with strangers throughout their journey. South Korea is a comparatively straightforward place for driving. Just ensure you have your worldwide license. You can take a look at automotive leases in Korea right here.
Travel Tips for Seoul and Busan, South Korea
- Travel Insurance (required): South Korea now requires arriving passengers to have journey insurance coverage with minimal KRW 30mio protection. If you reside in Singapore, take a look at Starr Travelead, one of many least expensive journey insurance coverage. They have a promotion that comes with S$10 money rebate that helps to offset the insurance coverage value. If you might be based mostly elsewhere, you may take a look at Worldnomads as they’ve fairly an intensive protection, even together with private accidents into their checklist of advantages.
- Navigation: As talked about beforehand, I can’t stress the assistance that Naver Maps offers in navigation and even bus schedules. Make certain to obtain the English model of this app.
- Changing Money: In Seoul, among the best locations to alter cash is that this cash changer in Myeongdong close to the Chinese Embassy. The full deal with is: 26 Myeongdong 2-gil, Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea and they’re open each day from 9AM to 9PM. Otherwise, you may as well get fairly good charges from the branches of the large banks. In Busan, you may equally change overseas foreign money on the massive banks or within the space round Jagalchi Market.
Where to Stay in Seoul and Busan
Seoul – If you favor to remain someplace nearer to the buying district, you may take a look at the Stanford Hotel Myeongdong. The resort is situated simply subsequent to Euljiro-1 station. Rooms are clear and value-for-money. The property can be comparatively new. For someplace nearer to sightseeing spots, I can’t suggest mid-priced Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun sufficient. The resort is inside strolling distance to Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon Hanok Village. I completely cherished with the ability to conveniently return to the resort within the afternoons for some siesta time as I took breaks between sightseeing. Rooms are of modest measurement with understated stylish decor, taking inspiration from the long-lasting The Shilla Hotel. You can even test the very best costs for different Seoul lodges right here.
Busan – The southern metropolis is usually thought of by locals as a resort vacation spot and that’s likewise apt for guests as a way to function a little bit of distinction to the hustle and bustle of Seoul. While in Busan, I like to recommend the extremely instagrammable Hilton Busan situated within the metropolis outskirts. The curve-y interiors mirror the seaside location of the resort. Just a phrase to notice – you may get too snug right here that you simply wouldn’t wish to go away the resort anymore. For a less expensive possibility, you may take a look at Baymond Hotel situated a brief stroll from Haeundae Beach. You can even test the very best costs for different lodges in Busan right here.
