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Top 15 Must-Visit Destinations in South Korea (Beyond Seoul)

· 6 min read
Elena Vance
Elena Vance
Editor-in-Chief & Logistics Expert

Seoul is a world-class city. It has palaces, K-pop, and neon lights. But staying only in Seoul is like visiting the US and never leaving Times Square.

South Korea is a land of dramatic mountains, ancient fortresses, and foggy tea fields. It has coastal cities where grandma divers catch seafood by hand, and bamboo forests so quiet you can hear the wind.

The country is compact and connected by high-speed trains (KTX), meaning you can reach almost anywhere in under 4 hours.

If you’re ready to see the real Korea, step off the beaten path. Here are the top 15 destinations you simply cannot miss.

Top 15 Must-Visit Destinations in South Korea (Beyond Seoul)

The "Must-Visits" (The Big Two)​

If you only have time for one trip outside Seoul, pick one of these.

1. Busan: The Coastal Metropolis​

Busan is Korea’s Miami or Los Angeles. It’s gritty, loud, and bursting with energy.

  • Why Go: For the beaches, the fresh seafood, and the unique hillside villages.
  • Highlights:
    • Haeundae Beach: Korea's most famous strip of sand.
    • Gamcheon Culture Village: A kaleidoscope of colorful houses stacked on a steep hill (pictured above).
    • Jagalchi Market: A massive fish market where you can eat sashimi fresh from the tank.
  • Getting There: KTX from Seoul Station (2.5 hours).

2. Jeju Island: The Hawaii of Korea​

A volcanic island south of the mainland, Jeju feels like a different country. It has its own dialect, culture, and climate.

  • Why Go: For nature that looks prehistoric. It’s a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
  • Highlights:
    • Hallasan Mountain: Hiking the highest peak in South Korea (an extinct volcano).
    • Seongsan Ilchulbong: A crater rising out of the sea for unmatched sunrises.
    • Waterfalls: Cheonjiyeon and Jeongbang falls are iconic.
  • Getting There: 1-hour flight from Gimpo Airport (World’s busiest air route).

Time Travel: Ancient History​

3. Gyeongju: The Museum Without Walls​

For 1,000 years, Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom. It’s unmatched for history buffs.

  • Highlights:
    • Daereungwon: Giant grassy mounds that are actually royal tombs.
    • Bulguksa Temple: A masterpiece of Buddhist architecture.
    • Donggung Palace: See it at night when it reflects perfectly in the pond.
  • Getting There: KTX to Singyeongju Station (2 hours).

4. Andong: The Soul of Tradition​

If you want to see how Korean aristocrats lived 500 years ago, go to Andong.

  • Highlights:
    • Hahoe Folk Village: A living UNESCO village where people still live in traditional thatched-roof houses.
    • Mask Dance Festival: Home of the famous Hahoe masks.
    • Jjimdak: The birthplace of the spicy soy-sauce braised chicken dish.
  • Getting There: KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni Station (2 hours).

5. Suwon: The Fortress City​

The easiest day trip from Seoul.

  • Highlights:
    • Hwaseong Fortress: Walk along the massive walls that encircle the city center.
    • Flying Suwon: Ride a tethered hot air balloon for a view of the fortress.
  • Getting There: Subway Line 1 or KTX from Seoul (30 mins).

Coastal Escapes: East Sea & South Sea​

6. Sokcho: Mountains Meet the Sea​

Located in the northeast, Sokcho is the gateway to Korea’s most famous mountain.

  • Highlights:
    • Seoraksan National Park: Jagged granite peaks and autumn foliage.
    • Abai Village: A settlement founded by North Korean refugees, famous for "Abai Sundae" (squid sausage).
  • Getting There: Express Bus (2.5 hours).

7. Gangneung: The Coffee Capital​

Just south of Sokcho, Gangneung is hip, young, and caffeinated.

  • Highlights:
    • Anmok Coffee Street: A beach lined entirely with independent coffee roasters.
    • Jumunjin Beach: The bus stop from BTS’s "Spring Day" album cover.
  • Getting There: KTX from Seoul Station (2 hours).

8. Yeosu: The Romantic Night Sea​

Famous for a song literally titled "Yeosu Night Sea," this port city is pure romance.

  • Highlights:
    • Yeosu Cable Car: Passes right over the open ocean.
    • Nangman Pocha: A street of tent bars (pojangmacha) serving seafood by the water.
  • Getting There: KTX to Yeosu-Expo Station (3 hours).

9. Tongyeong: The Naples of Korea​

A port city dotted with hundreds of islands.

  • Highlights:
    • Skyline Luge: Ride a cart downhill with an ocean view.
    • Dongpirang Mural Village: One of the original mural villages in Korea.
  • Getting There: Bus from Seoul (4 hours).

Picturesque Nature​

10. Suncheon: The Ecological Capital​

If you love wetlands and birds, this is your paradise.

  • Highlights:
    • Suncheon Bay National Garden: A massive, manicured garden.
    • Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve: Walk on boardwalks through endless fields of golden reeds.
  • Getting There: KTX to Suncheon Station.

11. Boseong: Green Tea Fields​

Just a short bus ride from Suncheon.

  • Highlights:
    • Daehan Dawon: Terraced green tea fields carved into a mountainside. The scent of green tea is everywhere.
    • Green Tea Ice Cream: A must-try at the gift shop.
  • Getting There: Bus from Gwangju or Suncheon.

12. Damyang: The Bamboo Forest​

  • Highlights:
    • Juknokwon: A sprawling bamboo forest. The air here is noticeably cooler and fresher.
    • Metasequoia Road: A stunning tunnel of towering trees.
  • Getting There: Bus from Gwangju.

Urban & Cultural Gems​

13. Jeonju: The Foodie Heaven​

Ranked by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy.

  • Highlights:
    • Jeonju Hanok Village: The largest collection of Hanok houses in a city center.
    • Bibimbap: This is where the dish was invented.
    • Street Food: Grilled cheese skewers, baguette burgers, chocopie.
  • Getting There: KTX to Jeonju Station.

14. Chuncheon: The Lake City​

Also known as the romantic getaway for Seoulites.

  • Highlights:
    • Nami Island: Famous for its tree-lined paths (made famous by Winter Sonata).
    • Dakgalbi: Spicy stir-fried chicken. Chuncheon has an entire alley dedicated to it.
  • Getting There: ITX Train from Yongsan (1 hour).

15. Pohang: The New Hotspot​

Recently famous due to the drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and a crazy sculpture.

  • Highlights:
    • Space Walk: A walkable rollercoaster track (yes, you walk on the loop-de-loops) high above the park.
    • Homigot: A giant bronze hand rising from the ocean.
  • Getting There: KTX to Pohang Station.

Which One Should You Pick?​

  • If you like History: Gyeongju, Andong, Suwon.
  • If you like Taking Photos: Busan (Gamcheon), Jeonju (Hanok), Boseong (Tea).
  • If you like Hiking: Jeju, Sokcho.
  • If you like Food: Jeonju, Busan, Sokcho.

South Korea is small enough that you can easily combine these. A popular route is Seoul -> Jeonju -> Gyeongju -> Busan.

Need to figure out the logistics? Check out our How to Travel South Korea on a Budget to see how to move between these cities cheaply.