Last Updated on December 16, 2025 by Ketki Gadre
South Korea is on everyone’s bucket list for various reasons – k-pop, k-drama, k-food, k-culture, everything has come down to Korea. So if you are looking to tick the highlights, these are all the unmissable things to do in South Korea!
Whether you are going to South Korea for a few days or spending a month, visiting the island of Jeju, the big cities like Seoul or Busan or smaller towns like Gyeongju, there is something for every traveller.
And once your mobile knows you are planning a trip to South Korea, your social media algorithm will flood with the most amazing things to do in South Korea. While it is possible to get overwhelmed, I have put together the most popular and unmissable things.
So here’s a list of all the South Korea bucket list things worth ticking.
Table of Contents
THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH KOREA
Twirl under a Cherry Blossom Tree
There’s something magical about standing beneath a canopy of white and pink petals, as the breeze scatters blossoms like confetti. Twirling under the tree feels like stepping straight into a dreamy K-drama scene.
Cherry Blossoms bloom around March end and stay until mid-April, and one of the best cities to see them is Jinhae. Other popular cities are Seoul, Jeju Island, Gyeongju, Busan, Daegu and Chuncheon.
✦ Recommended Read: Best Places to view Cherry Blossoms in South Korea
Get a photoshoot in a Hanbok Dress
Wearing a pastel-shaded Hanbok makes you instantly feel like Korean royalty, especially when wandering around palaces with grand backdrops. Every photo turns into a keepsake that feels timeless and deeply cultural.
Hanbok photoshoots are most popular in Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea and Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul and Gamcheon Village in Busan and Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju.
Walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream
This famous stretch of calm in the middle of bustling Seoul is where you’ll find office workers unwinding and couples strolling. The sound of running water paired with city lights creates an almost cinematic contrast.
Read a book, walk or simply sit at the banks to enjoy the breeze on your face.
Enjoy a cafe hop
Cafes in Korea offer an immersive experience with seasonal pop-ups, beautiful aesthetics, and food that is too cute to eat. While the locals survive on Iced Americanos from coffee shops, the cafes across the country are worth visiting.
With its narrow alleys filled with quirky cafés and boutique shops, Ikseon Dong feels like an endless treasure hunt.
Similarly, there are cafes with views of Namsan Tower, Seokchon Lake, Lotte Tower in Seoul and Sky capsule, Gamcheon village, Busan Tower in Busan.
Get lost in Seoul Forest
Wandering here feels like escaping into a green sanctuary without leaving the city. From deer feeding spots to art installations, it’s both peaceful and playful.
Seoul Forest especially comes alive in spring with its cherry blossom trees and in autumn with autumn foliage. The summer features Hydrangeas.
Check out the view from Namsan Tower
Seoul city looks beautiful from a vantage point, and what better view than the N Seoul Tower?
The climb or cable car ride up Namsan rewards visitors with panoramic cityscapes that sparkle brighter at night. Standing on the observatory deck, Seoul feels infinite.
Stay in a Hanok House
The creak of wooden floors and the smell of traditional paper doors make staying in a Hanok an experience of stepping back in time. It’s rustic, serene, soul-soothing and one of the best things to do in South Korea.
Hanoks are traditional wooden Korean houses, and it is possible to stay overnight in these in most cities of Korea – Seoul, Busan, Jeongju, Gyeongju, Jeju, etc.
Take a DMZ Tour for a Real History Lesson
Visiting the DMZ is surreal—equal parts tense and eye-opening. Standing on the border, you realise how history still breathes heavily in the present.
DMZ Tour from Seoul is a half-day tour, and only licensed operators are allowed to do it with guides.
✦ Recommended Read: DMZ Tour from Seoul
Try the Ssiat Hotteok in Busan
One bite of this piping hot pancake oozing with brown sugar, nuts, and cinnamon instantly warms you up. Busan’s street vendors make it an unmissable snack between seaside walks. And while Hotteok is available in all Korean cities, the one in Busan hits different!
Enjoy Korean food with Soju
Pairing sizzling Korean barbecue or spicy stews, or Bibimbap, with an ice-cold bottle of soju feels like the most authentic way to have dinner in Korea.
Korean food has taken the world by storm, and no matter which dish you try, soju is the companion for it.
Shop till you drop at Myeongdong
While every city in South Korea that you visit has amazing shopping options (like BIFF square in Busan) but Myeongdong hits different.
From skincare hauls to quirky K-fashion finds, Myeongdong is retail therapy at its peak. From flagship stores with exclusive products to street-side stalls, there is everything you want in Myeongdong. The neon signs and bustling street food carts add to the amazing vibe.
Lock your Love at the Love Lock Bridge
Clipping a tiny padlock on the bridge while looking out over Seoul is both cheesy and endearing. If you are heading to Namsan Tower in Seoul, adding a love lock is what a lot of couples do. It’s one of those simple yet symbolic gestures that makes you smile.
Slurp Ramen at 24×7 Ramyeon Library
Did you know it is considered rude to eat ramen silently? Not kidding! Slurping loudly is the way to devour ramen.
Picking a ramen packet, cooking it instantly, and slurping at communal tables feels oddly liberating. It’s ramen culture in its purest, most comforting form.
While there are convenience stores every 100 meters in all Korean cities, a special Ramyeon Library that is open 24×7 and unmanned by staff is viral. Pick from the stacks of ramen, add your favourite fresh ingredients, pay at the booth and enjoy the slurpy goodness.
Click your pictures at Photobooths
Photobooths are oddly very popular in Korea. And they are everywhere – malls, railway stations, on the streets. The photobooths are at a whole new level, with cute props, soft lighting, and instant prints that make every snapshot feel special.
Try the Banana milk and coffee at the convenience store
While coffee culture is loud, with stars advertising various coffee chains, the packaged coffee in plastic pouches tastes oddly good.
Get an ice cup, add banana milk and coffee to this to get the most amazing sweet combo ever.
It’s cheap, cheerful, and oddly addictive.
Explore the cafes and stores of Gamcheon Culture Village
The pastel-colored houses stacked on hills look like a painting come alive.
Every lane hides a new mural, gallery, or quirky café that invites you in. Climb those stairs, buy that souvenir because Gamcheon is one for the books!
Read at Starfield Library in COEX Mall
More of an Instagram stop than a library, but there are people actually reading at Starfield Library.
With its soaring bookshelves that feel almost cathedral-like, this library is both grand and intimate. Sitting here with a book makes you forget you’re inside a mall.
Visit the Joseon Royal Tombs
Walking through the royal tombs is a humbling reminder of Korea’s rich dynastic past. The royal tombs are scattered over 18 locations, with many of them located as far as 40 kilometres from Seoul.
Ride the Haeundae Sky Capsule
Gliding along the coastline in the colourful Sky Capsule gives visitors sweeping views of Busan’s turquoise waters. Stretching 4.8 kilometres along the shore, the sky capsule is an elevated line, and there is also a scenic coastal railway that offers unforgettable views of the sea.
The Sky Capsule, Busan features colourful, retro-style capsules that run between Mipo Station and Cheongsapo Station, while the Beach Train continues farther along the coast to Songjeong Station.
Watch the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain Show
As the fountains light up and dance to music, the Han River transforms into a stage.
The Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is a show wherein water jets arc gracefully from the bridge, illuminated by multicoloured lights that dance in sync with music.
Watching the fountain show feels both romantic and playful, as the rainbow hues reflect off the river and create a scene that’s magical. So if you’re planning to catch this stunning spectacle, aim for April through October, and check official websites!
Each fountain performance is approximately 20 minutes long, and the schedule may be subject to change or cancellation due to poor weather conditions such as strong winds, heavy rain, or high turbidity in the river.
Walk through the Jagalchi Fish Market
Step into Korea’s largest seafood market and you’ll be greeted by rows of stalls bursting with the day’s freshest catch.
Tanks bubble with live crabs, eels, and shellfish, while the salty air mixes with the aroma of grilled fish sizzling right on the street.
Purchase your favourite and get inside the market building, and on the third floor, see it being cooked in front of you. It can’t get fresher than this!
Spend a Day in a Jjimjilbang
Korea’s bathhouses, called jjimjilbang, are not just spas; they’re an entire culture, and they are present everywhere.
Start with a hot soak or sauna, then slip into the soft pyjamas provided and move between heated rooms, each with its own temperature and vibe.
You’ll see families napping, friends snacking on eggs and sweet rice drinks, and travellers like you letting time drift away. It’s equal parts wellness, relaxation, and people-watching paradise.
Busan has the biggest jjimjilbang, where there are enough activities to keep you busy for an entire day.
Picnic at the Han River
Few things feel as local as spreading a picnic mat along the Han River with ramen and cold beer in hand. Which is why it is one of the unmissable things to do in South Korea.
As the city’s skyline lights up, boats glide by and bikers zoom past while groups of friends laugh under the open sky. On weekends, the riverbank turns into a festival-like scene with live performances and street vendors.
It’s Seoul’s way of slowing down without ever losing its vibrant pulse.
Explore the Buddhist temples
Amid the buzz of modern Korea, temple gates open into another world. Ornate wooden beams painted in vivid colours, incense swirling in the air, and monks chanting softly create a sense of peace that lingers.
Whether it’s the mountainside serenity or a hidden temple in the city, each one offers a pocket of stillness.
For a deeper immersion, join a templestay and live as monks do. Days here revolve around meditation, chanting, mindful eating, and the simplicity of sleeping on floor mats in quiet rooms. The temple food, humble yet nourishing, reflects a philosophy of balance and respect for nature. I participated in the Beomeosa Temple Stay, Busan, and it was lovely.
Go on the Pohang Skywalk
The Pohang Space Walk (sometimes called Skywalk) is a steel sculpture in Pohang, South Korea, offering a unique walking experience 25 meters above the ground, providing panoramic views of the city and Youngil Bay.
Pohang’s Space Walk, the country’s largest walkable art installation, rises gracefully in Hwanho Park and offers sweeping views of the city and the ocean.
Its curving steel form, illuminated at night, reflects Pohang’s identity as the “city of light and steel,” creating an exhilarating blend of art, architecture, and nature
Get hair and skin treatments
In Korea, self-care is serious business, and salons here feel like temples of transformation.
From soothing facials packed with unique ingredients to elaborate hair treatments, every detail is tailored to leave you glowing. Skilled therapists treat skin and hair with the kind of precision you didn’t know you needed.
Myeongdong, Hongdae and Gangnam are bustling areas offering these treatments at upscale clinics undertaken by skilled doctors and staff.
Sing your heart out at Karaoke bars
In Korea, karaoke isn’t just a night out; it’s an experience.
You and your friends get a private room complete with neon lights, snacks, and endless song lists spanning every genre imaginable. By the end of the night, it’s laughter, bad dance moves, and unforgettable memories.
Visit the Kimchi Museum
Kimchi is much more than a side dish in Korea, and the museum is the perfect place to discover its story.
Located in Insadong, the museum showcases how families have passed down fermentation techniques for centuries, experimented with flavours, and also participate in fun immersive activities like painting, digital kimchi making and postcards. The exhibits show kimchi’s role in culture, history, and even health.
Visitors can also enrol in a kimchi-making workshop and take back the kimchi they just prepared.
Try the viral 10 won Bread
Tiny, golden, and filled with creamy custard, this viral street snack is pure joy in a bite.
Shaped like a giant coin, it’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. Grab one fresh off the griddle, still warm, and you’ll understand why it’s become a social media darling.
The one in Gyeongju is especially delicious!
Get a caricature drawn
Street artists in popular districts set up their easels, ready to capture your quirks with exaggerated charm.
As you sit, trying to hold a pose, they sketch quickly, lines flowing with surprising accuracy in under 10 minutes.
Immerse yourself in the K-pop scene
K-pop has taken the world by storm, quite literally. And visiting their favourite band’s office, concerts, and places of filming are one of the reasons to come to Korea.
Begin with a trip to HiKR Ground: a cool and contemporary cultural centre featuring four stories of interactive attractions, including a K-pop museum and a studio where you can film your own music videos. Elsewhere, you’ll discover the iconic YG building in the Hongdae district. This record label has helped foster some of Korea’s biggest K-pop stars, including BLACKPINK and Psy.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA
The best time to visit South Korea depends on the kind of experience you’re after. According to me, spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are ideal.
In spring, cherry blossoms and mild weather turn the cities and countryside into a pastel wonderland, perfect for festivals and outdoor adventures.
Autumn brings crisp air, clear skies, and stunning fall foliage that lights up mountains, temples, and city parks in fiery shades of red and gold.
Summers can be hot and humid with monsoon rains, while winters, though cold, have their own charm if you’re into skiing or snowy landscapes.
FAQs FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH KOREA
Is South Korea worth visiting?
Yes! A thousand times, yes! While it is a relatively newer country, 77 years old, it has an alluring charm that keeps you wanting to visit again and again. With culture, food, and skincare as the highlights, South Korea is definitely worth visiting.
Japan Vs Korea, which is better?
This is an ongoing debate with no clear answer. Having been to Japan and now South Korea, I tend to get asked a lot. The answer is – both. Both countries have unique landscapes, culture and food, and if you are an inquisitive traveller, both countries should be visited.
Is South Korea safe for solo travellers?
Absolutely! It is one of the safest countries in the world. With a low crime rate, CCTV surveillance and efficient police patrol, even solo women travellers can feel at ease post midnight.
How many days are enough for South Korea?
That’s a toughie! To visit the highlights of South Korea, you need at least 2 weeks, and ideally, to cover the whole week, about 3-4 weeks.
SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH KOREA
- South Korea is one of the cleanest countries in Asia, in spite of the tourist influx, so let’s try to maintain the same and be disciplined.
- Do not talk loudly in public transportation.
- Do not write on the palace walls or rocks at the beach. Let’s maintain the pristine heritage.
- Carry your refillable water bottle. Avoid purchasing PET water bottles unless necessary.
- Do not trash areas around the festival, parks or water streams. Use designated areas and the right bins for disposing of waste.
- Be mindful of all the signs and follow them respectfully.
Read more posts from South Korea
- One day in Busan
- Chasing cherry blossoms in South Korea
- Souvenirs from South Korea
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
- Beomeosa Temple Stay
- DMZ Tour from Seoul
- One day in Seoul
- Things to do in Gyeongju
How many things to do in South Korea have you already crossed off? Tell me in the comments below. Is there something you did that I have missed on my list? Tell me in the comments below 🙂
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