Best things to do in South Korea

21.07.2023 - 07:40 / roughguides.com

South Korea’s cities are a pulsating feast of eye-searing neon, feverish activity and round-the-clock business. Here you can shop till you drop at markets that never close. Or feast on eye-wateringly spicy food, get giddy on a bottle or two of soju, then sweat out the day’s exertions at a night-time sauna. In this guide with have collected the best places to visit and best things to do in South Korea.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Korea , your essential guide for visiting South Korea .

Tea may have ceded ground to coffee across the nation, but Seoul’s traditional Insadong district still has dozens of secluded tearooms serving traditional brews.

Tea is big business in Korea. Unfortunately, most of the drinking takes place at home or work, though Insadong in Seoul has dozens of interesting tearooms and there are some gems outside national parks and in Jeonju’s hanok district. Green tea is by far the most popular, though if you find your way to a specialist tearoom, do take the opportunity to try something more special.

Participating in South Korean tea ceremony — one of the best things to do in South Korea© mnimage/Shutterstock

Relax by the lake as kings once did at this secluded “Secret Garden”, which nestles at the back of a UNESCO-listed palace in central Seoul. Seriously consider putting a visit to this place on your list of things to do in South Korea.

The palace’s undoubted highlight is Huwon (후원), usually referred to in Seoul’s tourist literature as the “Secret Garden”. Approached via a suitably mysterious path, the garden is concealed by an arch of leaves. In the centre is a lotus pond, one of Seoul’s most photographed sights, and alive with flowers in late June or early July.

Find more accommodation options to stay in Seoul

Huwon, Seoul © Alon Adika/Shutterstock

One of the best things to do in South Korea for cultural purposes is visiting Jeonju Hanok Village. Here you can sleep in a traditional wooden hanok house heated from underneath by gentle flames, in one of Korea’s most agreeable cities.

Jeonju’s main attraction is undoubtedly its splendid hanok village, a city-centre thatch of largely traditional housing. Highlights here include a cathedral, an ancient shrine and a former Confucian academy, as well as museums for calligraphy, paper and wine; musical pansori performances are also frequent, and you may even be able to participate in traditional activities such as weaving or lantern making.

Find more accommodation options to stay in Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village in South Korea © ST_Travel/Shutterstock

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