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South Korea itinerary in 10 days | Detailed itinerary
South Korea has become an increasingly popular destination, although it is still very unknown compared to its neighbor Japan. And its popularity is not surprising. Korea fuses the modernity of its great cities with the serenity of its ancient traditionsOn this 10-day route through South Korea we will get to know the bustling and surprising Seoul, the coastal landscape of Busan and the historic cities of Gyeongju and Jeonju, the origin of the most important dynasties that have reigned in this part of the world.
There is also you An alternative route to discover Jeju Island in case you prefer a trip more focused on nature and beaches.
Korea is not a destination to travel to visit and photograph the most famous monuments, It is a place to live and experience, mingle with Koreans and be amazed as you try to understand such a different culture and try delicious dishes.
- Summary of the 10-day Korea Itinerary
- What to know before your trip to South Korea
- South Korea in 10 days | Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1 – Arrival in Seoul and first contact with South Korea
- Day 2 – Exploring Seoul and its palaces
- Day 3 – Exploring Seoul (and the DMZ)
- Day 4 – Seoul and transfers to Busan
- Day 5 – Touring the eastern part of Busan
- Day 6 – Busan West Area
- Day 7 – Gyeongju, the most curious tombs in the world
- Day 8 – Gyeongju and transfers to Jeonju
- Day 9 – Jeonju. The most traditional city on this 10-day route through South Korea
- Day 10 – Transfer to Seoul and return home
- Alternative itinerary for your 10-day South Korea tour, Visit Jeju Island
Summary from the 10-day Korea Itinerary
We leave you a Brief summary of the route through South Korea in 10 days. Please note that at the end of the article you will find a Alternative route to visit Jeju Island as well.
- Day 1: Arriving in South Korea and first contact with Seoul
- Day 2: Cultural route through Seoul
- Day 3: Visit to the DMZ (border with North Korea)
- Day 4: Local markets and transfer to Busan
- Day 5 and 6: Visit to Busan
- Day 7: Transfer and tour around Gyeongju
- Day 8: Gyengju and transfer to Jeonju
- Day 9: jeonju
- Day 10: Return to Seoul to finish the 10-day South Korea route and fly home
What to know before your trip to South Korea
Before starting with the itinerary through South Korea, we leave you some articles that we have written with Tips and preparations which will surely be very useful to you.
- 📲 How to get internet in South Korea
- (I.e. Best travel insurance for South Korea
- 🧳 What to bring to South Korea, Complete checklist
- ✈️ Tips for traveling to South Korea (How to get around, what is the best portal to find hotels and activities, social norms…)
ᐈᐈ You may be interested in reading… Best travel cards abroad and not pay commissions (Updated 2026) ✅
South Korea in 10 days | Day by day route
Day 1 – Arrival in Seoul and first contact with Korea from the south
To get to South Korea the most common way is Landing at Incheon Airport Located just outside Seoul, the city centre is approximately one hour away and there are various means of transport available. getting from the airport to SeoulThe fastest and also cheapest way is with the online ticket of the Arex train which goes to Seoul Central Station. This station is very well connected to the rest of the city by public transport and there are also plenty of taxis at the door so getting to your hotel will be easy.
Important: All public transport in the country can be paid for with a single card called T-Money which you can get at any convenience store like 7-Eleven. This card can only be recarto be paid in cash. ▶ Guide to getting around Seoul
The amount of things to do and see in Seoul is endless and you could spend weeks without getting bored. But after a long trip and being your first hours in a new country It's best to start with something calm.
For example you can go for a walk around Ikseon-dong, a small neighborhood of hanoks (traditional Korean houses) that have been converted into shops, cafes and restaurants. In addition, for us it is the best area to stay in Seoul.
A few blocks away is the Chongmyo Shrine, a place where religious rituals were held for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It closes at 6 pm so you shouldn't leave it for the last minute, but you can also visit it the next day.
⭐ If you arrive early to Seoul and are not exhausted from the trip, you can discover many things to do around the city reading the 30 best places to see in Seoul.
Day 2 – Exploring Seoul and its palaces
Our favorite way to start the day in Seoul is with a coffee at one of the hundreds of Cute cafes in Seoul. Then set course for the Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace, the largest palace in the entire country and an essential stop on this 10-day route through South Korea. You can't miss the changing of the guard which takes place every day at 10am at the door.(⚠️ the palaces are closed on Mondays)
💡Curiosity:In Korea it is quite typical to rent a traditional costume called hanbok to visit historical places.If you wear hanbok you don't pay entrance fee!
Continue visiting the Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighborhood with well-preserved traditional houses and with good views of the city. If you are an early riser, go to the palace early to see it with few people.
Afternoon between temples and commercial districts
At lunchtime you cancaryou to Insadong, a lively shopping street for a walk. In this area is the Jogyesa Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple filled with lanterns and a good place to try some typical Korean dishes.
In the afternoon you can visit the Changdokkung Palace, The buildings are much less impressive than those of Gyeongbokgung Palace but the complex is huge and is full of garden areas.
There is no better way to end the first full day of traveling around Korea in 10 days than in Myengdong, a very lively street full of street food and shops of all kinds in the purest Korean style.
Day 3 – Exploring Seoul (and the DMZ)
When you think of South Korea, it is very common for its neighbouring North Korea to also come to mind. These two countries have been in conflict since 1950 and their border is one of the most militarised in the world. This border has become a One of the most famous tourist attractions in South Korea, the demilitarized zone receives thousands of tourists every year. It is a place that you can only visit on a guided tour, you have all the information at How to visit the DMZ.
If you're not interested in this place, it's best to dedicatecar The third day entirely in Seoul.
▶ Detailed itinerary Seoul in 3 days (with or without visiting the DMZ)
Afternoon with views of all of Seoul
Before three o'clock you will be back in Seoul and you can take advantage of seeing the changing of the guard at 15:30 p.m. Sungnyemun, one of the ancient gates of the wall to see in Seoul. Right next to Deoksugung Palace and the Jeongdong Observatory, a free viewing point from where you can see the palace and town hall square from a different angle.
For the sunset it is ideal climb to Namsan, a mountain in the middle of the city crowned by the Seoul TowerYou can do it by cable car, bus or on foot. The views of the whole city are incredible and the atmosphere is great, with both tourists and locals coming up to enjoy the show.
To top off a full day, head to the Hongdae University District, it's a bit far away but it's worth it. At night the atmosphere is spectacular, there are lots of people singing live and you'll find a great variety of bars and restaurants. If you haven't already, it's a good place to try Korean barbecue, you can take a look at our recommendations for where to eat well and cheap in Seoul.
Day 4 – Seoul and Transfers to Busan
You can start by visiting the Market Gwangjang, the most famous in Seoul for the stellar appearance of some of its stalls in the Netflix Street Food series and other Korean ones. You can take advantage of trying the Hottok for breakfast, a typical cinnamon sweet that is very tasty. Or really almost anything, there are many types of food inside.
From street food we go to Gangnam, the most elitist neighborhood in the city to see the Starfield library inside the COEX shopping center, where there is also a sculpture in tribute to the song Gangnam Style and the Bongeunsa Temple, full of lanterns and a 23-meter Buddha figure, as it is somewhat elevated the views are also cool.
Transport to Busan
In the afternoon we continue the route through Korea in 10 days towards Busan, the second most important city in Korea and its coastal capital. Getting around South Korea It is simple and quite cheap, it only takes 3 hours and you can buy tickets 1 month in advance on the official website. korail or through Trip.com.
Day 5 – Touring the east of busan
The city of Busan has a rather strange layout due to the large distance between the various places of interest. That's why The best thing to do is to divide the days by zones. y stay in different neighborhoods of Busan which we recommend. On the first day you can visit the eastern part of Busan, which is known for its beaches and is more of a vacation spot.
You can take bus 181 to see the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple with a privileged location facing the sea and surely the most beautiful one you will see during your 10-day route through South Korea.
Beach areas and great atmosphere in Busan
In this area of the city there is also Dongbaek Park, a beautiful green area which we loved for a walk along the seafront. There are a couple of good spots to enjoy the views and take some photos of the skyscrapers that stand out over the beach. The most famous beach in Busan It is also here, it is called Haeundae and it's your best chance on this 10-day South Korea itinerary to take a dip in the sea.
It is bordered by a beautiful promenade with many skyscrapers among which Busan X the Sky building stands out that has a Observation deck on the 100th floor which can be climbed.
At the end of the beach you will find Mipo Station, where you can catch the most famous colorful trains in Busan. They are known as Sky Capsules and they cover a distance of about 2 kilometres on rails that are high up from where you have views of the entire coast. You can do the same route as the Sky Capsules on foot with similar views.
For dinner you can go to the traditional Haeundae market or Gunam-ro street, where there are also plenty of restaurants. After dinner, head back to the beach, where dozens of singers, magicians and musicians take over the seafront with their shows.
Day 6 – Zone west of busan
On the opposite side of Busan is another of the city's epicenters. One of the most famous places to visit is the Jalgachi fish market, the largest in the entire country. On the ground floor they sell all kinds of fish and seafood and on the second floor they can cook for you whatever you bought downstairs.
It is one of the best opportunities for eat fresh seafood This 10-day route through South Korea is a must, but be warned, it's a very... caror to do so. Due to its popularity, since the product is 100% fresh, the prices are higher than other seafood restaurants in the city.
Next to Jalgachi Market you will find Lotte Shopping Mall. If you like shopping this is a good opportunity, but what you will find most I recommend you go up to the roof from where you will have views of the entire port and much of the city. Every hour on the hour there is a light show in the fountain inside, but it is nothing special.
One of the most curious places in Busan is the Gamcheon neighborhood, a neighborhood that received thousands of refugees from the Korean War and that after years of decay has been renovated by painting its facades in bright colors.
Night on the shopping streets of Busan
End the day at Nampo shopping streets and some of its markets such as that of Bupyeong Kwangtong where you can find many really cheap food stalls. You can spend hours walking around the neighborhood and seeing some of its most curious streets like BIFF street where there are many food stalls during the night.
Furthermore, Nampo is undoubtedly for us the best area to stay if you visit Busan in 2 days.
Day 7 - Gyeongju, the most curious tombs in the world
After just 1 hour by bus from Busan you arrive in Gyeongju, the former capital of the country. famous for its royal tombs and one of the places with the most history on the 10-day route through South Korea.
There's a lot what to see in Gyeongju, but without a doubt the great essential is the park of the tumuli, an enclosure full of grass-covered hills which hide ancient tombs of kings and nobles of the Silla dynasty. In the middle of the park there is a modern building that stands out quite a bit, access to its interior is free and you can see a recreation of the interior of the tombs.
We also highly recommend you to enter to the National Museum from Gyeongju (free), to understand the historical importance of this city and see objects that accompanied kings on their journey to the afterlife.
One of our favorite places in the city was the Woljeonggyo Bridge, a historic bridge made entirely of wood. Right in front there are some stones that cross the river, it is the best place to photograph this spectacular bridge.
At dusk you can go to the grounds of donggung palace, a beautiful place thanks to its enormous pond that surrounds the pavilions of the old palace. It is especially popular to visit at night by the reflections of the lighting on the pond. Afterwards, I recommend having dinner at the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village, the most beautiful hanok district in Gyengju.
Day 8 - Gyeongju and transfers to Jeonju
This eighth day of the route through South Korea in 10 days before saying goodbye to Gyeongju you can Go to Bulguksa Temple declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the most beautiful and important in the country. It is a gigantic complex built in the 8th century during the Silla dynasty, and the surrounding garden areas are an oasis of peace.
In the afternoon, take a bus from Gyeongju Station to Jeonju. Chunma Express and Jeonbuk Express operate this route 4 times a day directly and take about 3 hours. If you run out of tickets, you will have to take an alternative route with a stop at Dongbu Negeori. This takes a little longer, but is not a big problem.
Day 9 - jeonju. The most traditional city on this 10-day route through South Korea
Jeonju is one of the most traditional cities in the entire country. It is very famous for its Hanok Village, that is, its neighborhood of traditional houses. By now, you will have seen this type of construction in many other places, but Jeonju boasts the largest group of hanoks in the entire country, with more than 700 hanoks.
Most of the city's attractions are concentrated in the area of Hanok Village which makes it very easy not to miss anything and to be able to move around on foot easily. You will need a day to visit the main places in jeonju.
The visit begins with the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, the most historic place in the entire city. Then you can go for a walk around the Nambu market. You also can't miss the Jaman Mural Village, which was a run-down neighborhood that was renovated by being completely decorated with murals.
One of the most traditional experiences you can live during this route through South Korea in 10 days is sleeping in a hanok, and Jeonju is the ideal place for this. Although you have been warned that the futons are not very soft, it is a cool experience to sleep in a traditional house.
Day 10 - Transfer to Seoul and back home
To return to Seoul from Jeonju can Go by train, which takes 1:30h or by bus, which takes just under three hours. As this is the last day of your 10-day South Korea itinerary, we recommend leaving early to avoid possible delays or problems getting to your flight on time.
If you still have time until your flight, we leave you more ideas at 30 places to see in Seoul, such as the Namdaemun Market or the Korean War Museum. A last stroll through Ikseoendong and its cafes or simply wandering around Seoul is not a bad idea either. Or even if you have some time left the whole day you can go to Suwon and its wall.
If you prefer Include Jeju Islands in your 10-day trip to South Korea Keep reading as we leave you with an alternative itinerary to include in your route.
Alternative itinerary for your route through South Korea in 10 days, Visit Jeju Island
If Jeju Island is one of your main reasons for traveling to South Korea, don't worry because we have a perfect alternative itinerary to get to know this wonderful island. To put it in context, Jeju is a island of volcanic origin which combines turquoise water beaches, jungle areas and volcanic landscapes. Thanks to this varied mix, it has been declared one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Jeju Island is perfectly connected by public transport, even if you are travelling for a few days The ideal way to travel around the island is by rental car.Another recommendation is to change hotels every day, Jeju is quite big and this way you won't waste so much time travelling.
This would be the alternative route to include two and a half days on Jeju Island:
- Day 1: Seoul
- Day 2: Seoul
- Day 3: Seoul
- Day 4: Transfer to Busan and tour Busan
- Day 5: Busan
- Day 6: 1-day trip to Gyengju
- Day 7: Fly from Busan to Jeju and start the road trip
- Day 8: Jeju Island Tour
- Day 9: Jeju Island Tour
- Day 10: Fly from Jeju to Incheon and back home
We leave you a brief summary of what we would do these 3 days in Jeju.
First day in the South of Jeju
After picking up your rental car drive to the south of the island. Here are some of the best things to see there:
- Yongmeori and Sanbang Mountain: Path that runs along the coast full of cliffs and volcanic formations.
- Cheonjeyeon Waterfall: Three-tiered waterfalls in an area of dense vegetation
- Jusangjeolli Cliffs: A nice short trail through cliffs of volcanic rock columns.
- Jeju Olle Trail 10: This is a beautiful stretch of a network of trails that crosses the entire island.
Second day in Jeju: Craters and Cliffs
Continue around the island and explore the entire eastern area. Some essential stops are:
- Seopjikoji: Stunning cliffs and a glass house.
- Seongeup traditional village: Place where people still live in traditional houses.
- Manjanggul Cave: A lava tunnel of more than 13 km declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is 1 km open to the public that you can enter.
- Sangumburi Crater: A volcanic crater of more than 2km surrounded by vast green fields.
- Seongsan Ilchulbong Crater: Known as the Peak of Dawn, it is ideal to sleep nearby so you can go see the sunrise after a short hike.
Third day in Jeju Island
Spend your last day in Jeju enjoying its Turquoise water beaches of the north such as Hamdeok Beach, Gimnyeong, Woljeongri Beach Samyan well known for its black sand.
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Haenyeo Museum to learn more about Jeju's sea women, who were great divers.
Stay overnight near the Airport to be able to catch your flight back to Seoul.
I hope this 10-day itinerary through South Korea has given you ideas and helped you organize your next trip. To read more about each specific place You can access all the articles what do we have of South Korea or see our featured stories from InstagramThank you for reading and happy travels!
