Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Ketki Gadre
Had enough of fast-paced city life and want to get out and experience a different side of Korea? These day trips from Seoul are perfect if you are in the mood for quiet countryside, scenic hikes, national parks, or even a trip right up to an international border.
Whether you are spending one day in Seoul or a week, there comes a point when you want to get out of the city and do something different and offbeat. Out of all the things to do in Korea, taking a few day trips from Seoul is non-negotiable.
While the place for day trips can vary depending upon the season because let’s face it, every season has its own charm in Korea, there are some that are amazing all year round. So no matter which month you are visiting, you will enjoy the trip.
Do keep a look out for official updates about festivals and pop-up events that come up in various seasons.
Table of Contents
DAY TRIPS FROM SEOUL
DMZ
While the DMZ Tour from Seoul is one of the most popular trips, it lives up to the hype and deserves a spot on your itinerary.
A visit to DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone, is a history lesson in understanding the geopolitical tensions between North and South Korea at the same time exploring one of the most unusual attractions you’ll ever visit – an underground tunnel.
There are strict rules to be followed – you can only enter the DMZ on an organised tour with a licensed guide and bus, and the experience starts feeling serious right from the checkpoint.
Passports are checked by army personnel before you’re allowed in. Once inside, you will be visiting the ‘Third Infiltration Tunnel’, a tunnel originally dug by North Korea as a secret passage into the South. It was discovered and barricaded and has now been opened for visitors.
More rules follow here. You can’t carry bags, cameras, or phones into the tunnel. It’s just you, your clothes, and a helmet as you walk down into the narrow passage. The tunnel slopes downward and gets quite tight in places. At the end, there’s a barricade, and just a short distance beyond that lies the North Korean border.
Another place on the itinerary is the Dora Observatory where you get to peek into North Korea through binoculars, and spot a few guards and locals going about their day. It’s surreal, bizarre, and incredibly fascinating all at once.
Note: Skip the tunnel if you feel claustrophobic.
Check out these DMZ Tours on Klook
DMZ Tour; Suspension Bridge & NK Defector Meet up
DMZ Tour from Seoul: 3rd Tunnel, North Korea View & UNESCO Valley
Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm
Nami Island is your answer if you’re looking for a relaxed, nature healing or a family picnic. While most popular for autumn foliage, Nami Island has something in every season.
Nami Island is 63km from Seoul and can be visited via a guided day tour from Seoul, shuttle bus or by train or car. I recommend taking a Nami Island tour from Seoul as it includes the admission fee to the island, a central Seoul pick-up and drop-off, plus a knowledgeable local guide with local insights.
Check out these tours
The tree-lined paths are the highlight of Nami Island. The long, symmetrical avenues of Metasequoia and Ginkgo trees feel cinematic, and definitely make the instagram photo amazing.
You can also rent a bicycle and explore at your own pace. The island is compact, and cycling lets you escape the crowded spots and discover quieter corners along the river.
If you are a k-drama fan, you cannot miss the iconic areas where many scenes of Winter Sonata were filmed. If you are not, there are ample cafes to sip the ever favourite Americano overlooking the charming Han river.
Keep an eye out for peacocks, squirrels, and other animals that roam freely around the island. You can also go sculpture and installation hunting that may take you to unexpected and beautiful corners of Nami.
Mount Seoraksan
Seoraksan National Park is easily one of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll see in South Korea. While a long one, it is absolutely doable as one of the day trips from Seoul.
Most group tours to Mount Seoraksan run for 14+ hours, so it’s definitely a full-day commitment. If you have more time on hand, you may want to consider staying overnight at Sokcho. This is certainly helpful if you are going to hike the next day and want to wake up fresh.
Once you’re in the park, there’s plenty to choose from depending on how active you are and what all you want to indulge in. The cable car is a great option if you want those epic mountain views without committing to a full hike. The cable car takes you up to a viewpoint with stunning panoramas and a clear look at the famous Ulsanbawi Rock.
Other places covered during the group tours are Naksansa Temple on the coast, perched right by the sea; it adds a completely different, serene vibe to the day. Other places also include scenic waterfalls like Biryong and Towangseong.
If you’re into hiking then there are hikes for all levels, from easy walks to serious climbs. The Ulsanbawi hike is incredible but pretty intense, so squeezing it into a quick day trip can be a bit ambitious unless you’re moving fast.
Mount Seoraksan is popular in autumn as the whole place turns into a riot of reds, oranges, and golds as well as in spring as the paths are lined with cherry blossom trees.
Check out these tours on Klook
Seoraksan & Naksansa Temple Full-Day Guided Tour
Suwon
Suwon is one of those super easy day trips from Seoul that doesn’t need a lot of planning, and yet the rewards are amazing.
Hop on a KTX from Seoul Station and reach Suwon in just about 30 minutes, perfect if you want to make the most of your day and return back in late evening.
Suwon has this really nice mix of old-world charm and modern city life, but the real star of the show is Hwaseong Fortress. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that wraps around the city. What makes it special is how well it’s preserved — you’re not just looking at ruins, you’re actually walking along long stretches of fortress walls, passing gates, watchtowers, and pavilions that once protected the city.
Walking the walls is easily the best thing to do here. At some points, you get sweeping views of the city on one side and the historic structures on the other, which is such a cool contrast. You can do short sections or take on a longer walk if you’re up for it. There are also little details along the way, like archery spots and old defense structures, that make it feel more alive than your usual historic site. And the best part? It’s completely free to explore.
For a totally different vibe, head to the Starfield Library inside Starfield Mall. It’s huge, beautifully designed, and honestly feels like a movie set. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth popping in just to take it all in.
With all this walking, one is bound to get hungry! Suwon is famous for its take on dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken marinated in gochugaru sauce with veggies). Head to any cafe and order dakgalbi with soju.
Check out these day trips from Seoul to Suwon on Klook
Seoul Korean Folk Village & Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Day Tour
Hwaseong Fortress, Starfield Suwon Library, Gwangmeyong Cave tour
Suwon Hwaseong & K-Drama Small Group Tour
Jinhae
If you are heading to South Korea in spring then I am sure you want to see Korea cherry blossoms in its glory. While Seoul has amazing options to chase sakura spots, there are even more amazing places outside of Seoul.
For a few days every spring, Jinhae turns into a pink paradise, so if you love cherry blossoms then Jinhae has to be on your list. Jinhae is home to over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees – meaning they are literally all over the town – from the highway to the city, railway station, streets, streams and of course food.
No wonder it is the most popular cherry blossom spot in Korea, and most Koreans travel here for a glance and a photoshoot! It also hosts the beautiful Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.
Gyeonghwa Station (blue train with rows of blooming trees that stretch along the old railway tracks), Yeojwacheon Stream (stream is beautifully lined with cherry trees on both sides, forming a delicate canopy of blossoms overhead) and Anmingogae Hill (4-kilometre road covered entirely with cherry blossom trees on both sides) are some of the most popular places in Jinhae for cherry blossoms.
While Jinhae is much closer to Busan, it takes approximately 4-4.5 hours from Seoul. Small group tours are the best option in this case.
Check these tours
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is often called the “Museum Without Walls,” thanks to its incredible spread of archaeological sites, royal tombs, ancient temples, and observatories, many of which are recognized under the UNESCO listing. Which makes it one of the best day trips from Seoul.
Hop on a KTX from Seoul station which will take you to Gyeongju in 2 hours. This will give you an entire day to explore Gyeongju. You can easily do this trip yourself without the need to book a group tour. Gyeongju is very easy to navigate and one can explore it unhurriedly, taking their time.
Start with the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, where massive grassy burial mounds rise out of the ground, giving you a sense of the Silla dynasty’s royal past. Just nearby is Cheomseongdae Observatory, one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia.
Spend the late afternoon at Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond. The palace ruins reflected in the still water, especially when lit up at night, create one of the most beautiful scenes in the city.
Post sunset, Hwangnidan Street is perfect for a slow wander, lined with charming cafés, boutique shops, and restored hanok houses that blend old and new beautifully. Hwangnam bread and Cheese coin bread are the speciality of Gyeongju.
If you have more than one day in Gyeongju, head to Bulguksa temple. The premises are in full bloom in spring with cherry blossom trees giving it a surreal atmosphere.
READY TO PLAN DAY TRIPS FROM SEOUL?
One of the best things about planning day trips from Seoul are the umpteen options on places for travellers of all interests and ages! And depending upon your mode of transport, whether you are a slow or fast traveller there are options of using trains and subways, or a guided tour that offers pick up from your hotel.
From scenic hikes and peaceful botanical gardens to cultural spots and fun, family-friendly experiences, the variety is huge. Just keep the season in mind while planning and no matter where you go, you will have a great time.
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