The painted tiered roof of a traditional palace gate against a blue sky, Seoul, South Korea

Itinerary

Ten Days in South Korea

Inspiration for your next adventure

Seoul's palaces and night markets, a temple stay in the mountains, Silla-era tombs in Gyeongju and fish so fresh it moves in Busan. A trip built around the best food in Asia that most people have not tried yet.

Who this is for

Curious eaters who want to go beyond Korean barbecue at home. You will happily sit at a market stall, try anything once, and pair a palace in the morning with a night market after dark.

The shape of the trip

Where you sleep, and the rhythm of the days

Seoul, 4 nights · Gyeongju, 2 · Busan, 3

Seoul is busy and brilliant, Gyeongju is quiet and historic, and Busan is a seaside finish. The high-speed train links all three. The splurge is a temple stay, a night in a Buddhist monastery with early prayers and a vegetarian meal.

Where to go and what to eat

The places

01 · 4 nights
Seoul
Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace, where visitors in hanbok, traditional dress, enter free, then wander the hanok houses of Bukchon, quietly, because people live there. Eat bindaetteok, mung bean pancakes, at Gwangjang Market, and Korean barbecue in Mapo. See the design shops of Seongsu, and go to the DMZ on a guided tour; the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom remains closed to visitors. Save an evening for a dinner at one of the city's modern Korean tasting menus.
02
A temple stay
Many Buddhist temples across the country welcome overnight guests. You will join the monks for evening and dawn ceremonies, learn temple etiquette, and eat a vegetarian meal in silence. It is the quietest night of the trip.
03 · 2 nights
Gyeongju
The capital of the Silla kingdom for nearly a thousand years, often called a museum without walls. See the grassy royal tombs of Daereungwon, the Bulguksa temple and the Seokguram grotto, both UNESCO sites, and walk the cafés of Hwangnidan-gil. Gyeongju is about two hours from Seoul by high-speed train.
04 · 3 nights
Busan
Korea's port city, built on hills over the sea. Eat raw fish at Jagalchi, Korea's most famous fish market, walk the painted streets of Gamcheon Culture Village, and spend an afternoon on Haeundae beach. Fly home through Busan's airport, usually with a connection, or take the KTX back to Seoul in about two and a half hours.
05
Before you go
US travelers have been exempt from Korea's online travel authorization, the K-ETA, through the end of 2026. Unless that exemption is extended, apply for one on the official site before a 2027 trip. Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays.

My take on South Korea

South Korea is an absolute powerhouse of a destination where ancient history and ultra-modern futurism collide in the most seamless way possible. You can spend your morning wandering through centuries-old royal palaces and quiet temple courtyards, and your evening getting lost in neon-lit alleyways, sprawling night markets, and cutting-edge digital art spaces.

The food scene alone is worth the trip, from sizzling Korean barbecue and bustling street food stalls to incredible neighborhood coffee shops and fine dining. Whether you're basing yourself in the hyper-fast energy of Seoul, exploring the coastal beauty and historic temples of Busan, or escaping to the volcanic landscapes of Jeju Island, it is a country that completely captivates you and leaves you wanting more.

A busy pedestrian shopping street lined with signs, South Korea

My take

Worth it, and what to skip

Worth it

A food tour in Seoul on your first night. You will know what to order for the rest of the trip.
The temple stay. It is a world away from Seoul, and it is the night people talk about most.
Spring or fall. Cherry blossoms in April, and the leaves turn in late October and November.

Skip it

Bukchon before 10am or after 5pm. The busiest lanes are closed to visitors then, out of respect for the people who live there.
Peak summer. July and August are hot and humid, with monsoon rain from late June through July.