2 Weeks in South Korea: 2 itineraries

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Everything a traveller may want on a trip is available in South Korea. It has a rich history, great culture, incredible food, warm and welcoming people, and exceptional tourism infrastructure.

In addition, it is a nation of contrasts, with tourist destinations ranging from modern skyscrapers in Seoul, including the Lotte World Tower, to historic Royal Palaces, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace. There are surely plenty of places to see during your 2 weeks in South Korea

South Korea is a country in Eastern Asia that takes up the Southern portion of the Korean peninsula. It is situated between the Sea of Japan (East Sea), the Korea Strait in the south, and the Yellow Sea in the west. It is bordered by North Korea. In addition, China and Japan have marine borders with each other.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING SOUTH KOREA

4 images - cherry blossom tree, Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul downtown, and Seongsan Ilchulbong - 2 Weeks in South Korea

For newcomers, South Korea can be somewhat daunting. It can get busy with millions of tourists and residents filling the country. It’s crucial to learn how to navigate to help you save time on your trip, which is why I’ve curated this in-depth guide you can incorporate into your vacation.

Some essential tips include getting around, the best places, the ideal season to visit, widely used payment methods, and more. I also suggest learning a few basic Korean phrases to help you communicate your needs.

If you want to be centrally positioned and close to regions where you can find some entertainment and delectable food nearby, I recommend staying in Seoul’s Myeongdong or Hongdae.

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Where to start and end

Depending on your preference, you have two options on where to start and end your trip in South Korea. You can begin your journey in either Seoul and finish it on Jeju Island or start in reverse. Both of these are good choices since these destinations hold international flights. 

When is the best time to go to South Korea

The spring (March-May) season’s highlight is the cherry blossom’s annual reappearance and one of the busiest seasons in the country. Head to the beach or mountains to avoid the heat and rain in the summer (June–August). After the humid heat and summer rains have passed, South Korea bursts into colour, and festivities take centre stage during the fall season(September-November).

Chuseok, or the autumn harvest festival, is the second major holiday in Korea and usually falls in September. If you’re into skiing or snowboarding, the winter season, December to February, is perfect. All travellers can benefit from South Korea’s four distinctive seasons, which provide various perks all year long.

Are 2 weeks enough for South Korea

If you have 14 days in South Korea, you can explore the mainland and the charming Jeju Island. This is plenty of time to see the vibrant cities of the country, learn about the culture and history, and of course, stuff yourself with tasty local dishes.

I honestly think 2 weeks is just perfect. If you have more than that, I recommend you take a flight to Japan or other neighbouring countries to avoid having too much time on your hand and finding yourself feeling a little underwhelmed. For example, you can spend 3 weeks in South Korea and Japan.

CHECK OUT: 2 weeks in Japan and 2 weeks in the Philippines

Getting around

A rechargeable transportation card should be one of your first purchases once you arrive in South Korea, as they are less expensive than single-journey tickets. The most convenient method of transportation in big cities is the subway, where there are systems in Busan, Daegu, Seoul, Gwangju, and Daejeon.

Furthermore, KORAIL runs Korea’s rail network, which is also a great option when travelling between major cities. You should also look at booking a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Seoul to less the hassle.

South Korean taxis are inexpensive, and most Korean taxi drivers have a basic understanding of English. If you’re planning to include Jeju Island in your itinerary, the best way to reach there is by plane. The only time renting a car is preferred is when you want to venture far from the usual path, such as exploring Jeju Island.

Language and currency

South Korea’s official language is Korean, often known as Hangul. Most of the hotel staff and some street food vendors will be able to speak decent English, considering they encounter tons of tourists. You can also make use of gesturing when trying to order food.

The Korean won (KRW) is South Korea’s official currency. Credit and debit cards are widely used, while e-wallets like KakaoPay are preferred for e-commerce. If you are wary of travelling with a lot of cash, this will be a good option because most Korean stores accept any credit card.

However, you will need to bring some money if you find yourself at an open market or shopping at apparel markets like Dongdaemun Market.

Visa and COVID-19 policy

South Korea offers visa-free for travellers with passports from most parts of North America, Latin America, Europe, Southern Africa, Oceania, some countries in the Gulf Coasts and Northern Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan. Visas are valid for between 30 to 180 days.

Those who are not mentioned must secure a travel visa in advance.

South Korea is now open (as of October 2022) to foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated. There are still protocols in place, but it’s a straightforward process. Make sure you have your vaccination card (+booster) and fill out the Health Questational and Travel Record Declaration, which you can do pre-departure.

This will generate a unique Q-code which must be presented upon arrival in South Korea. Those who do not show any COVID-19 symptoms can leave the airport after the immigration process.

People who are showing symptoms will have to go through a mandatory test. If the test shows negative, you are free to go. For those with a positive result, you might quarantine for 7 days in your hotel, residential place, or care facility. Visit South Korea’s official website for COVID-19 regulations.

What is the average cost for 2 weeks in South Korea

The average per person per day is around $80, which equals $1,100 for 2 weeks. If you are on a tight budget but don’t mind staying in hostel dorms, you can squeeze your cost to $50 per day, which goes up to $700 for 14 days.

If you have a budget of $2,000 for the entire 2 weeks can be a luxury trip. You can travel comfortably and stay in nicer hotels and dine at finer restaurants.

Your flights to and out of South Korea are not included in these prices and your travel insurance. This is also calculated for a single person. So, if you’re travelling with a partner or friend, you can share a room and save some money.

Other basic travel tips

When you are ready to arrange your trip, you might feel overwhelmed by the number of travel websites out there. I personally understand that many people prefer to have the option for flexible cancellation in case of plans changing or some emergencies.

Below is a list of travel services I enjoy using. A lot of them (not all) have a great cancellation policy in place and offer plenty of choices depending on your budget.

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENT
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS (EUROPE)
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
BOOKED TOURS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
RETURN TICKET
HOSTELS
AIRPORT PICK UP
CRUISES
BIKE RENTAL

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN SOUTH KOREA

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN SOUTH KOREA ITINERARY

Some people visit South Korea just to see Seoul, but it’s not the only big city worth travelling to. South Korea boasts many fascinating towns from North to South. I’ve created two sample itineraries that you can alter to meet your unique 2 weeks in South Korea trip and assist you in making your own.

The locations you can visit for specific days are shown below. To make the most of your two weeks in South Korea, I also included a section about what you can do in each city. It’s not meant to be followed precisely. You can change it as you go.

Itinerary #1: First-timer (Seoul, Jeonju, Busan, Jeju Island)

Now that Korea has opened its borders to travellers, you can return to South Korea and fulfil your K-Drama and K-pop fantasies. A place with lots to see, cuisine to taste, and activities to experience. There is always plenty to do in South Korea, from ancient cultures to trendy modern cafés.

If you only have a limited amount of time and want to see the main attractions in Seoul, this two weeks in South Korea itinerary is for you. Explore Seoul’s nightlife, travel to Jeonju, the Joseon dynasty’s spiritual centre, chase the sunrise in Busan or unwind to the crashing waves and mountain climbing on Jeju Island.

Get ready for various meals in restaurants and street vendors, including Grilled Pork and Cheese Tteokbokki.

Seoul for 5 days

N Seoul Tower, perched on the edge of Mount Namsan and rising about 500 meters, offers breathtaking views of the city. For a glimpse of traditional Korean architecture and culture, you can check out the stunning Bukchon Hanok Village. First constructed in 1935, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is the greatest of Seoul’s five royal palaces.

You can take a day trip to Incheon’s Chinatown, one of the city’s main highlights. Another option is to go on a day trip to Sokcho, the coastal town of South Korea’s Eastern side, where you could visit Mount Seorak, the most famous mountain in the city.

2 images - Seoul Skyline at night and Bukchon Hanok Village

Jeonju for 3 days

The grandest Hanok Village in Korea is in Jeonju, and it’s a beautiful place to stroll around with its lovely pavilions, fountains, and statues, which visitors may take Instagrammable shots of.

You can also visit the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, located in a picturesque courtyard bordered by numerous historically significant buildings and monuments that have been conserved. Like in Seoul, tourists may also rent a Hanbok, a traditional Korean outfit.

The quickest train travel time is by KTX high-speed train, which is around 1 hr 35 min with a distance of 237 km (147 miles). The train also provides bathroom facilities, spacious seats, and vending machines. You can enjoy the scenic ride, and the amenities and relax.

Busan 3 days

Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city, with stunning resorts along its coastline. Explore the Beomeosa Temple and the village of Gamecheon, which is similar to Korea’s Santorini but has a European feel.

The country’s leading commercial seafood market, Jagalchi Market, is a must-visit for seafood lovers, and several nearby restaurants will prepare your purchase for you to eat there.

Travelling from Jeonju to Busan by plane would be ideal as it usually takes roughly 1 hr 5 min to reach your destination. Alternatively, you can take a train along Osong Station in around 2 hr 54 min. The total distance between the two cities has been estimated at 244 km (152 miles).

2 images Busan port and Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeju for 3 days

With 18 wave pools, spas, rapids, and slides, Shinhwa World is the largest outdoor and indoor waterpark on Jeju island. For Fast & Furious fans, don’t miss the exhilarating cart ride experience at Wind 1947. It’s a 1,947-meter course and one of the most extended tracks in the country that offers beautiful Mount Halla views as you travel down.

Jeju Island is a great place to end your 2 weeks in South Korea trip where you could enjoy these fun experiences with your family or friends. Jeju Island is massive, so it’s best to rent a car here to discover all parts of the island.

If you’re tight on a budget but still want to go on a food adventure, Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market is your best option, as it houses 140 street vendors and over 200 shops. There are direct connections between Jeju and Busan. However, you can catch a flight that only takes 55 min.

Itinerary #2: Off-the-beaten Path (Seoul, Sokcho, Gunsan, Mokpo, Yeosu, Jeju)

South Korea is a beautiful country with enthralling historic cities, villages, and stunning natural scenery. While some destinations are more popular, like Busan’s beaches and Seoul’s royal palaces, other hidden gems are still waiting for you to explore.

Here are my top off-the-beaten-path locations in the country that you’ve probably never heard of. Although most of these sites are somewhat distant from the usual tourist attractions, the majority will be well worth the trip.

Seoul for 4 days

The best street food market in Seoul, Gwanjang Market, brings together a wide variety of street food vendors under one big roof with rows of food kiosks selling every type of Korean food you can think of.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, often known as the DDP, is one of Seoul’s top aesthetic locations and features 25,550 white LED roses illuminated at night. You can also swing by The Lotte World Tower skyscraper, the tallest structure in South Korea and one of Seoul’s newest tourist destinations.

A unique neighbourhood, Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village features sculptures and street art depicting Disney princesses and other figures from fairy tales and more. To get better photo chances, I advise you to go here early in the morning.

When you arrive in Sokcho, one of the many seaports you will see is Daepo Port, where a Korean drama entitled “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” was filmed.

2 images - Dolsan Park and Mokpo Gatbawi Rock -

Gunsan for 2 days

The only existing Buddhist temple in South Korea built in the Japanese style is Dongguksa Temple. Island hopping is another favourite activity from Gunsan, considering that there are 20 islands along the Gunsan coast, but Daejangdo, Jangjado, Seonyudo, and Munyeodo are the most well-known.

Another must-visit attraction is the Seonyudo Zip Line, which offers an adrenaline-pumping experience and a panoramic view of Seonyudo Beach with a mountainous backdrop.

The train journey from Seoul to Gunsan is around 1 hr 54 min, covering a distance of 179 km (111 miles). Another option is to go on a 3 hr 28 min-bus ride from Seoul to Gunsan.

Mokpo for 2 days

If you’re a K-drama fan, you’ll definitely want to visit Hall 1 of Mokpo Modern History since this is where the popular K-drama, Hotel Del Luna, was filmed. Exploring a traditional market is one of my favourite methods to learn more about the locals’ way of life.

There are many markets in Mokpo, but you should go to Dongbu Market, the biggest traditional market in the city with 375 shops. With a 3.23km length, the Mokpo Marine Cable Car is the longest in Korea, offering the best views of the city, sea, and mountains.

You can expect the trip from Gunsan to Mokpo, which spans 132 km (82 miles) by train to take 1 hr 38 min. The bus ride from Gunsan to Mokpo via Daeya Bus Terminal is around 2 hr 20 min.

Yeosu for 3 days

Yeosu is a coastal city in the Southwest of Korea, and this is where you’ll find the Yeosu Sky Tower, a former factory that was converted into an observatory tower. Here, you can relax in their cafe while taking in the view of Yeosu as you sip a cup of coffee.

You can also spot the tallest statue of Yi Sun-Shin, a historically renowned Korean military general during the Joseon Dynasty, in Jasan Park. You can ride the ocean cable that travels to Dolsan Park at the peak of Jasan Park, and the view at night is particularly stunning as the lights of Dolsan Bridge begin to glow.

It takes an average of 2 hr 54 min to arrive from Mokpo to Yeosu by train, over an estimated 116 km (72 miles). Whereas the fastest bus service between Mokpo and Yeosu takes around 2 hr 30 min.

2 images - Yongmeori Coast and Jeongbang waterfall

Jeju for 3 days

Jeongbang, one of Jeju’s most prominent waterfalls, serves as the only waterfall in South Korea whose water empties into the sea directly. If you’re into marine life, you should visit Aqua Planet Jeju, which is home to 48,000 marine animals, including sharks, otters, and walruses.

Just a few blocks away from Aqua Planet Jeju, you’ll find Seopjikoji, a beautiful beach with red volcanic ash rock formations.

Korean dramas frequently film at the Hyeopjae Beacon Fire Station on the summit, which has appeared in shows like Orange Marmalade and Boys Over Flowers.

I recommend travelling by plane from Yeosu to Jeju since it will only take 1 hr as compared to a ferry journey which is roughly 5 hr 50 min.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SOUTH KOREA

Now that you know which itinerary you want to follow or the places you want to see, it’s time to show you a list of a great number of places to see in South Korea. From historical sites and places to learn about Korean culture, hiking trails and food locations – it’s all here.

Seoul

Jeonju

  • Jeonju Hanok Village
  • Wansan Park
  • Gyeonggijeon
  • Nambu Market
  • Pungnammun Gate
  • Jaman Mural Village
  • Korea Expressway Corporation Arboretum
  • Jeonju National Museum
  • Royal Portrait Museum
  • Gaekridan-gil Road

Busan

Jeju Island

  • Book a bus tour for convenience – east bus tour or west bus tour or south us tour (all tours include lunch)
  • Manjanggul Cave
  • Seongsan Ilchulbong
  • Yonhduam Rock – join a photo session and guided tour
  • Hallasan Mountain / National Park
  • Udo Island
  • Cheonjeyeon Waterfall
  • Camellia Hill Botanical Garden
  • Hamdeok Beach
  • Museum of Sex and Health
  • Jeongbang Waterfall
  • Hyeopjar Beach
  • Lee Jung Seob Art Gallery
  • Hwanguji Coast
  • Seogwipo Forest of Healing
  • Yongmeori Coast
  • Songaksan Dullegil / 송악산 둘레길
  • Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road
  • Osulloc Tea Museum
  • Jeju Olle Trail – Route 13
  • Geum Oreum
  • Hallim Park
  • Saebyeol Ohreum (Lonely Tree)
  • Ttrabi Oreum
  • Seongeup Folk Village
  • Jeju Rail Bike

Gunsan-si

  • Gunsan Modern History Museum
  • Gyeongamdong Railroad Town
  • Sinheung-dong Japanese House (Hirotsu House)
  • 장항스카이워크 Bridge
  • Eunpa Lake Park
  • Saemangeum Seawall

Mokpo-si

  • Mokpo Gatbawi Rock
  • Mokpo Natural History Museum
  • National Research Institute of Maritime
  • Morko Modern History Hall
  • Jeollanam-do Agricultural Museum
  • Noeul Park
  • Mokpo Marine Cable Car
  • Yudalsan
  • Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial

Yeosu-si

  • Dolsan Park
  • Geomosan Hyangilam
  • Yeosu EXPO Ocean Park
  • Jongpo Marine Park
  • Yeosu Ocean Rail Bike
  • Angel Mural Village
  • U-World Luge Theme Park Yeosu
  • The Ocean Waterpark

MUST-TRY KOREAN DISHES, DRINKS, AND SNACKS

3 images - Bibimbap, Bingsu, and Tteokbokki

Food in South Korea is another reason why a lot of people travel here. The street food is top-notch without costing too much. During your trip, make sure to try at least 3-5 street food and dine at a high-rated restaurant to try the famous Korean barbeque.

  • Bibimbap (mixed rice with vegetables)
  • Tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup)
  • Chueotang
  • Kimchi (chilli pickled cabbage)
  • Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
  • Gogigui (Korean BBQ)
  • Jajangmyeon (wheat noodles with bean sauce)
  • Daeji Bulgogi (pork bulgogi)
  • Naengmyeon (cold noodles)
  • Samgyeopsal
  • Jjinmandu (steamed mandu dumplings)
  • Haejangguk (hangover soup)
  • Bingsu (shaved ice)
  • Songpyeon (rice cakes)
  • Dasik (tea cookies)
  • Dalgona (sponge candy)
  • Bokbunja ju
  • Soju

ACCOMMODATIONS

I also include a quick list of the best places to stay in South Korea – categorised by city. There are also options for affordable hotels to luxurious ones.

Seoul

Jeonju

Busan

Jeju Island/City

Gunsan

Mokpo

Yeosu

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN SOUTH KOREA

South Korea is undoubtedly a place that offers it all, whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, cutting-edge culture, significant city life, or an escape from it. With its pristine beaches, charming cafes, accessible street markets, and majestic royal palaces, no wonder South Korea is a famous filming location for K-dramas.

This country is also a haven for makeup and skincare enthusiasts, with many cosmetic stores and treatment facilities at affordable prices. You can even explore Korean boutiques in search of unique items and rummage through their wide selection to get a sense of Korean fashion.

I hope this guide of 2 weeks in South Korea made you feel excited to check out this wonderful country.

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Experience South Korea in two weeks: explore Seoul's bustling streets, Jeju Island's natural wonders, and Gyeongju's historic sites. Enjoy delicious cuisine, vibrant pop culture, and traditional tea houses. A perfect blend of modernity and tradition awaits. via @twoweektraveller

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