Between a tteokbokki stall and a temple on the sea Korea is waiting for you
Pick a region and get all of its guides.
Every season has its own reason to come.
Korea is a table too: meat grilled over charcoal, steaming bibimbap, kimchi with every meal and K-pop in the background. Do not leave without knowing what to order and where to sit.
Every city, palace, beach and mountain from our guides, on one map.
All the best places in South Korea, in one guide with photos and tips.
The core guides to start from.
When to visit South Korea: cherry blossoms in spring, fiery autumn foliage, hot festival summers and crisp ski winters, month by month, with the best times for weather, crowds and value.
How to get around South Korea: the KTX bullet train, city subways, buses and taxis, the all-in-one T-money card, domestic flights to Jeju, driving, and the map apps you actually need.
A traveller guide to Korean food: barbecue, stews and street food, the free banchan side dishes, kimchi and fermentation, what to order for beginners, drinking culture and simple table etiquette.
A first-timer guide to Jeju: the volcano and lava tubes, the best beaches and waterfalls, coastal walking trails, the island food, how to get there and get around, and how many days you really need.
A first-timer guide to Busan: the beaches worth your towel, the colourful Gamcheon hillside village, the roaring Jagalchi fish market, temples on the sea, nightlife, day trips and how to get there from Seoul.
A first-timer guide to Seoul: the neighborhoods that matter, palaces and hanok lanes, where to eat and shop, nightlife done right, the best day trips, and how to ride the metro like a local.
Browse everything by what you are planning.
Many nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. Before you fly, check whether you need the online K-ETA travel authorisation or fall under a temporary exemption, and make sure your passport is valid. Our arrival guide has the full details.
Spring (late March to April, the cherry blossom season) and autumn (October to November, when the leaves turn) are the most beautiful and comfortable. Summer is hot and humid with a rainy season, and winter is cold but great for skiing and for fewer crowds.
Korea is pricier than Southeast Asia but cheaper than Japan. The currency is the won (KRW) and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Pick up a T-money transit card for the metro and buses. A good local meal runs around 8 to 12 dollars.
Korean food is built around rice, vegetables, seaweed and grilled meat, so there is always plenty to choose from. Barbecue, bibimbap and kimchi are everywhere, side dishes come free with most meals, and vegetarians will find tofu and vegetable dishes on most menus. Our food guide breaks down what to order.
Public transport is excellent: fast KTX trains between cities, and an easy metro in Seoul and Busan with English signage. Apps like Naver Map and Kakao Metro replace Google Maps, which is limited in Korea, and an eSIM sorted in advance means navigation works from the moment you land.
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