20 day itinerary
South Corea
Itinerary
A 20-day trip to South Korea sounds like a dream! With a relaxed pace in mind, I’ll create an itinerary that allows you to soak in the culture, history, and natural beauty of this amazing country. Let’s dive in!
Day 1: Arrival in Seoul
- Morning: Arrive at . Take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) to Seoul Station.
- Afternoon: Check into your hotel and freshen up. Head to for lunch and some shopping.
- Evening: Stroll through and visit for panoramic views of the city.
Day 2: Explore Seoul
- Morning: Visit . Don’t miss the changing of the guard ceremony!
- Afternoon: Explore , a traditional Korean village with beautiful hanoks (traditional houses).
- Evening: Dinner in , where you can try traditional Korean dishes. Explore the art galleries and shops.
Day 3: More of Seoul
- Morning: Visit the .
- Afternoon: Head to the trendy neighborhood of . Enjoy street performances and visit quirky cafes.
- Evening: Experience the nightlife in or relax at a traditional jjimjilbang (Korean spa).
Day 4: Day Trip to DMZ
- All Day: Take a guided tour to the . Visit key sites like the and the .
- Evening: Return to Seoul and enjoy a quiet dinner.
Day 5: Travel to Busan
- Morning: Take the KTX train to Busan (about 2.5 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into your hotel and head to . Relax and enjoy the seaside.
- Evening: Dinner at a seafood restaurant along the beach.
Day 6: Explore Busan
- Morning: Visit the , known for its colorful houses and artistic vibe.
- Afternoon: Explore and try some fresh sashimi.
- Evening: Walk along and enjoy the view of the Gwangan Bridge.
Day 7: More of Busan
- Morning: Visit , a serene Buddhist temple in the mountains.
- Afternoon: Head to the .
- Evening: Enjoy a quiet dinner and perhaps catch a movie at a local cinema.
Day 8: Travel to Gyeongju
- Morning: Take a bus or train to Gyeongju (about 1 hour).
- Afternoon: Visit , a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Evening: Explore the ancient tombs at and enjoy a peaceful evening.
Day 9: Gyeongju
- Morning: Visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore , especially beautiful in the late afternoon light.
- Evening: Try some local Gyeongju bread (Hwangnam bread) for dessert.
Day 10: Travel to Jeonju
- Morning: Head to Jeonju (about 2.5 hours by bus).
- Afternoon: Check into your accommodation and explore .
- Evening: Enjoy Jeonju bibimbap for dinner, a local specialty.
Day 11: Jeonju
- Morning: Visit the .
- Afternoon: Try your hand at making traditional Korean paper (Hanji).
- Evening: Relax at a local tea house.
Day 12: Travel to Incheon
- Morning: Travel to Incheon (about 3 hours).
- Afternoon: Visit Chinatown and enjoy some delicious Chinese-Korean fusion food.
- Evening: Stroll along the .
Day 13: Explore Incheon
- Morning: Visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the and its modern architecture.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 14: Travel to
- Morning: Fly to (about 1 hour).
- Afternoon: Check into your hotel and visit the .
- Evening: Enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant.
Day 15:
- Morning: Hike , the highest peak in South Korea.
- Afternoon: Visit for stunning views.
- Evening: Relax at your hotel or explore local nightlife.
Day 16:
- Morning: Visit the , a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Afternoon: Relax at one of Jeju’s beautiful beaches, like .
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional Korean BBQ dinner.
Day 17: Travel back to Seoul
- Morning: Fly back to Seoul.
- Afternoon: Visit the and explore the shops.
- Evening: Dinner in Dongdaemun and enjoy the night market.
Day 18: Seoul
- Morning: Visit the and its Secret Garden.
- Afternoon: Explore the trendy area of and visit .
- Evening: Enjoy a K-pop concert or show if available!
Day 19: Relax in Seoul
- Morning: Take a leisurely stroll along the .
- Afternoon: Visit the for some nature time.
- Evening: Have a farewell dinner at a traditional Korean restaurant.
Day 20: Departure
- Morning: Last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
- Afternoon: Head to for your departure.
And there you have it! A lovely, relaxed 20-day itinerary in South Korea that balances exploration with downtime. Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to take lots of photos! If you have any specific interests or adjustments, feel free to let me know!
