8 Reasons To Love South Korea: Food, Culture, Festivals & More!

This guest essay was originally written by Chris Walker-Bush of Aussie on the Road, who lived in South Korea for two years. Chris also appeared in Nomadic Samuel’s historical Top 100 Travel Blogs rankings. Samuel also lived and taught in Korea, and the practical sections have been expanded and updated while preserving Chris’s original experiences, opinions and first-person voice.

I think we all remember our first time with fondness. We look back at that first awkward kiss or that first game that turned us into a fan, and it brings a nostalgic smile to our faces. These are the moments that stick with us—milestones that shape who we are and remind us how thrilling it is to experience something new.

The same holds true for travel. My first tentative steps out of the relative comfort of Australian life took place in the chill November winds that whipped around Incheon International Airport.

That sudden gust of cold air signalled the start of a new chapter, one filled with unfamiliar places, people and adventures that would soon feel like second nature. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, knowing that nothing ahead was predictable.

Thus began my two-year love affair with the peninsula country that likes to call itself the Land of the Morning Calm.

But don’t be fooled by the serene nickname. South Korea is rarely all that calm.

It is a country of packed subway carriages, late-night restaurants, mountain trails crowded with pensioners in professional-grade hiking gear, neon entertainment districts and cafés that appear to have been designed by somebody who considered ordinary coffee shops an unforgivable failure of imagination.

Quiet temples coexist with cities that continue deep into the night. Hiking trails begin near subway stations. Centuries-old palaces sit within sight of glass towers, convenience stores and apartment complexes large enough to qualify as towns in their own right.

Korea was not merely another destination I passed through. It was where international travel stopped feeling like an abstract dream and became part of everyday life. I worked there, travelled around the country, developed favourite foods, learned enough about its rhythms to become comfortable and accumulated the kind of small memories that stay with you long after you leave.

8 Reasons to Love South Korea

Too few people include South Korea on their travel itineraries, but I hope reading through my reasons for loving the country will maybe get you to rethink your travel plans and give the often-forgotten Asian country a chance.

That “forgotten” label is less accurate than it once was. Korean food, television, cinema, music and skincare have travelled impressively well. Plenty of people now arrive with a long list of dishes to eat, filming locations to visit and products they intend to purchase in quantities that will later need explaining at airport customs.

Even so, Korea is much more than K-pop and kimchi. It is a place where mountains meet megacities, a shared dinner can turn into an entire night out and public transport makes crossing the country considerably easier than the subway map initially suggests.

There are a lot of reasons why Korea will always hold a special place in my heart, but below you’ll find the eight that stand out above all others.

#8 – Getting Around South Korea Is Remarkably Easy

Getting around South Korea is criminally easy.

The country’s fantastic bus network reaches major cities, smaller communities and plenty of places that are not directly connected by rail. Intercity buses are generally comfortable and well organised, while local buses fill in the gaps left by subway systems.

I would not preserve any old promise that you can reach virtually anywhere in Korea for a specific dollar amount. Prices change, exchange rates move and travel articles have a bad habit of pretending money has remained frozen since publication. The durable point is that buses remain one of the more affordable ways to travel around the country.

While buses are cheap and plentiful, they aren’t the only way of getting around. The train network, including the super-fast KTX, connects many of Korea’s major cities. A direct Seoul-to-Busan journey takes roughly three hours, which makes combining the country’s two largest cities realistic even on a relatively short trip.

Sitting on the train and watching the landscape whizz by is an experience in itself. One moment you are surrounded by apartment towers and road infrastructure; the next you are passing wooded hills, farmland and smaller towns before another dense skyline appears.

Larger cities also boast subway networks of their own. Those in Seoul and Busan are particularly useful. Station names and numbers are clearly marked, transfers are colour-coded and announcements on major lines are generally made in Korean and English.

The Seoul subway map can look like somebody emptied a box of coloured electrical cables onto the wall. After a couple of journeys, the logic starts to reveal itself.

Make a mistake and the consequences are rarely dramatic. You get off, cross the platform and travel back in the opposite direction. You may lose ten minutes and a small portion of your dignity. Both are recoverable.

Taxis can also be reasonably affordable compared with those in many Western cities, although traffic can erase some of that advantage during busy periods. Having your destination written in Korean or pinned in a local mapping app avoids the traditional game of repeating an English place name at progressively greater volume.

A Few Modern Transport Basics

• Buy a rechargeable transit card: T-money and other compatible cards can be used across much of the bus and subway network. They are widely sold at airports, stations and convenience stores.
• Download a Korean mapping app: Naver Map and KakaoMap are generally more useful for local navigation than relying exclusively on Google Maps.
• Use KTX when time matters: High-speed trains make sense for journeys such as Seoul to Busan when your itinerary is short.
• Use buses for broader coverage: Intercity and express buses often reach destinations that are less convenient by rail.
• Book busy departures ahead: Trains and buses can fill during weekends and Korean public holidays.

For a classic first trip involving Seoul, Busan and perhaps Gyeongju, you do not need to rent a car. Jeju and more rural itineraries are where having your own vehicle becomes significantly more useful.

#7 – Jeju: South Korea’s Volcanic Island Escape

While mainland Korea is not without its charms, the semi-tropical island of Jejudo off the southern coast is a drawcard all of its own.

Jeju offers a slower pace of life for travellers looking to enjoy natural scenery away from the intensity of the mainland’s largest cities. “Slower” is relative, of course. Jeju is one of Korea’s favourite domestic holiday destinations, and popular roads and attractions are not immune to crowds.

A volcanic island littered with lava tubes, volcanic craters and black-sand beaches, Jeju is sometimes labelled the “Korean Hawaii.” And while it might not be quite the tropical paradise that Hawaii is, there’s certainly a lot to love about the island.

Jeju’s volcanic landscape is not merely a tourism slogan. Hallasan, Seongsan Ilchulbong and parts of the island’s lava-tube system form the UNESCO-listed Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes property. Across the island you will also encounter oreum—smaller volcanic cones that give Jeju much of its distinctive rolling landscape.

Grassy Sangumburi Crater is worth a look, but Seongsan Ilchulbong, better known as Sunrise Peak, takes the cake with some absolutely stunning views. Reaching the top gives you a broad view across the sea, nearby villages and the crater itself.

The Manjanggul Lava Tube is pretty impressive as well. Walking through a cool underground tunnel created by ancient lava flow feels like entering a completely different version of the island. Access can be affected by maintenance and conservation work, so check its current status instead of assuming an old travel article has done that job for you.

Jeju’s appeal is not limited to geology. Coastal roads, waterfalls, stone walls, seafood restaurants and the island’s famous haenyeo diving culture give it an identity distinct from mainland Korea.

Its status as a tourist spot means there are plenty of restaurants, resorts and deliberately eccentric attractions. Jeju Loveland and Gimnyeong Maze Park represent the playful side of the island, while black pork, abalone porridge and grilled fish give you more serious reasons to arrive hungry.

Jejudo is accessible by plane—fast, but boring—or on the more entertaining ferry. I preferred the leisurely route and the atmosphere aboard crowded Korean ferries that could include karaoke, restaurants, gaming rooms, saunas and live performances.

That was part of the fun for me, but flying is considerably simpler for most short itineraries. Ferry routes and timetables vary, and the ferry is not automatically the romantic answer once you factor in port transfers and limited holiday time.

Once you arrive, buses connect the island’s main centres and attractions, but Jeju is one place where renting a car can genuinely improve the trip. Attractions are spread out, and attempting to chain several rural sites together by public transport can turn a leisurely island day into a small logistics dissertation.

Jeju City is convenient for the airport and northern side of the island. Seogwipo makes more sense for many southern waterfalls, coastal sights and resort areas. Neither is universally “best.” Pick the base that reduces the amount of the island you need to cross every morning.

BOOKING OPTION: Compare hotels and guesthouses in Seogwipo on Booking.com for easier access to southern Jeju, waterfalls and the Jungmun area.

TOUR OPTION: Browse current Jeju sightseeing tours on GetYourGuide if you want to cover several spread-out attractions without renting a car.

#6 – Korea’s Drinking Culture and the Night That Refuses to End

This may not appeal to every traveller, but Korea is truly a land where you can indulge your inner alcoholic.

That line belongs to an older, rougher era of travel blogging. I still think it captures something recognisable about Korea’s nightlife, even if nobody needs to treat it as a personal challenge.

The drinking culture is lively, social and closely connected to food. Soju is the most recognisable Korean drink, but it shares the table with beer, makgeolli, fruit wines and an increasingly broad range of local spirits and craft beer.

While Korean beer wasn’t much to write home about during my years there, there were a number of imports available to complement the local selection that included soju, makgeolli and plum wine.

The nightlife is king in Korea. Rare are the bars with curfews, and the options cover almost every base: tiny neighbourhood drinking establishments, crowded foreigner-friendly bars, clubs, late-night restaurants and full-service noraebang karaoke rooms.

Even convenience stores stock a good selection of booze. I spent many a summer afternoon camped out front of a 7-11 sipping suds.

A Korean night out often unfolds in stages. Dinner becomes drinks somewhere else. Drinks become karaoke. Karaoke becomes another meal because apparently the first meal has now been legally erased from the record.

The attraction is not necessarily any one bar. It is the shared momentum of the night and the sense that nobody is quite ready to be the first person to suggest going home.

Public drinking has traditionally been more accepted in Korea than in many countries, which is why you may see people having beer beside the Han River or at a beach picnic. That does not mean alcohol is permitted everywhere without restriction. Local rules, designated no-drinking zones and laws against disorderly behaviour still apply.

Drinking Etiquette Without the Panic

• When an older person pours you a drink, receiving it with both hands is a polite gesture.
• People commonly pour drinks for each other rather than filling only their own glasses.
• You do not have to keep pace with everybody else. Eat, drink slowly and switch to water or something non-alcoholic when you need to.
• Soju is easy to underestimate. The hangover is less interested in cultural exchange.

You can enjoy Korea’s nightlife without drinking heavily—or drinking at all. Shared food, late-night cafés, karaoke and the general spectacle of a Korean entertainment district remain entertaining when your glass contains something innocent.

#5 – Korea’s History Still Lives Beside the Modern Country

While Korean history may not be quite so well known to Westerners as that of neighbouring Japan or China, there is still a rich and proud history on the peninsula that stretches back centuries.

Successive kingdoms and dynasties, regional conflict, Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War and the country’s rapid post-war transformation have all left visible layers. You encounter them in palace complexes, fortress walls, royal tombs, Buddhist temples, traditional neighbourhoods and museums.

A great number of historic Korean buildings have been damaged, destroyed or rebuilt at different points in their long histories. Invasions, fires, colonialism and war all played a part.

What remains is not a perfectly untouched time capsule. Korea’s historical sites are more complicated than that. They have been reconstructed, restored, reused and interpreted by successive generations.

Daewonsa Temple near Gwangju offered the kind of peaceful mountain setting that first comes to mind when many people imagine Korean Buddhism. Temple visits can provide a quiet pause between Korea’s louder experiences, while organised temple-stay programmes offer a more structured introduction to meditation, monastic routines and Buddhist meals.

Another highlight is Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, perched dramatically beside the ocean. Most famous Korean temples are associated with mountain settings, which makes the combination of temple architecture, coastal rock and crashing waves especially memorable.

It is also extremely popular. Arrive expecting mystical solitude at midday and you may instead share the path with tour groups, selfie sticks and several thousand other people who had precisely the same spiritual idea.

In Seoul, Gyeongbokgung and the other royal palaces provide an accessible introduction to the Joseon period. The changing-of-the-guard ceremony is theatrical and popular, but the larger reward comes from slowing down enough to explore the courtyards, gates and smaller architectural details beyond the main entrance.

Nearby, Insadong Cultural Street offers a visitor-friendly mixture of teahouses, galleries, souvenirs, street food and historical atmosphere. It is commercial—nobody needs to pretend otherwise—but it remains one of the easiest places in central Seoul to connect a palace day with traditional crafts and food.

Gyeongju, Korea’s former Silla capital, is steeped in history for those wanting to look beyond the country’s post-war boom. Royal tombs rise from the city like grassy hills, while temples, pagodas, archaeological remains and museum collections reveal the scale of the Silla kingdom.

Gyeongju is often called an open-air museum. The phrase has been used enough to deserve retirement, but unfortunately it fits. History is not contained inside a single ticketed attraction; it is spread across the wider landscape.

SEOUL TOUR OPTION: Book a Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok walking tour through GetYourGuide if you want historical context rather than simply photographing attractive gates.

BUSAN TOUR OPTION: Browse Busan tours combining Haedong Yonggungsa with coastal and city attractions on GetYourGuide.

GYEONGJU TOUR OPTION: Compare guided Gyeongju and UNESCO day trips on GetYourGuide, including options departing from Busan.

#4 – Korea Has a Festival for Almost Everything

Korea is a country that loves a festival, and they’ve got them for just about everything.

Some events are grounded in religious, historical or agricultural traditions. Others were created more recently to promote local food, natural resources or regional tourism.

The resulting calendar can include blossoms, lanterns, seafood, masks, ice fishing, mud and kimchi. If a town discovers something locally distinctive, there is at least a reasonable chance somebody has already designed a mascot for it.

One of the most famous is the Boryeong Mud Festival, which takes place during summer at Daecheon Beach on Korea’s western coast. It began as a way to promote the area’s mud-based cosmetic products and grew into a large participatory event involving mud pools, obstacle courses, music and a great deal of deliberate mess.

The festival is only one reason to visit the coast. Samuel’s firsthand article about spending a summer weekend at Daecheon Beach captures another side of the area: seafood, beach culture, drinking and escaping the city for a few days.

In spring, Jinhae Gunhangje transforms streets, railway corridors and streamsides beneath enormous numbers of flowering cherry trees. Exact blossom timing is never guaranteed, so flexible planning matters more than treating last year’s peak bloom as an appointment the trees are contractually obliged to honour.

Food lovers will appreciate the Gwangju Kimchi Festival, where regional kimchi traditions become the centre of tastings, demonstrations, sales and hands-on programmes.

The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival has a deeper historical foundation. Its lantern tradition is connected with the Siege of Jinju during the Imjin War, when lanterns were used for signalling around the Namgang River. Today, floating and sculptural lantern displays turn that history into one of Korea’s most atmospheric nighttime festivals.

Planning a Trip Around a Korean Festival

• Confirm dates through the festival organiser or an official tourism source.
• Do not assume cherry blossoms will peak on the same dates every year.
• Reserve transport and accommodation early for nationally popular events.
• Expect weekend crowds and attend on a weekday where possible.
• For Boryeong, bring sunscreen, clothes you are prepared to sacrifice and a waterproof plan for your valuables.

#3 – Hiking Is Part of Everyday Korean Culture

Korea’s natural landscape is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with trails that suit both beginners and experienced hikers. The country’s mountainous terrain provides an opportunity to escape busy city life and connect with nature.

Even for someone like me—who doesn’t consider himself much of an outdoorsman—Korea’s hiking culture made the experience enjoyable.

A naturally mountainous country, Korea has an extensive network of marked trails. Families, groups of friends and solo hikers venture out on sunny weekends, often wearing colourful technical clothing that makes everybody look as though they are attempting Everest rather than catching the subway home before dinner.

It’s not unusual to see elderly hikers equipped with trekking poles and fully loaded backpacks, cheerfully making their way up the trail and overtaking people half their age. Few things dismantle your confidence as efficiently as being passed on a steep incline by an elderly couple carrying a larger lunch than your entire backpack.

One of the most popular hiking destinations is Seoraksan National Park, home to dramatic granite peaks, waterfalls, forested valleys and temples. It is especially celebrated in autumn, when foliage draws enormous numbers of visitors.

Closer to the capital, Bukhansan National Park offers a proper mountain escape without requiring a long journey from Seoul. Depending on your route, you can move from a subway platform to residential streets to forest trail in a surprisingly short period.

What makes hiking in Korea so enjoyable is the sense of community on the trails. Hikers are friendly and may share snacks such as fruit, rice cakes or even a bit of makgeolli with people they meet along the way.

It’s not just about reaching the summit. Long breaks, elaborate packed lunches and socialising are part of the culture. A Korean mountain picnic can make your emergency granola bar feel deeply inadequate.

Marked does not mean effortless. Korean trails can involve steep staircases, exposed granite, slippery roots and rapid elevation gain. Check the forecast, carry water and choose a route that matches your ability. Seasonal closures, wildfire precautions and severe weather can also affect access.

For hikers debating what to carry, the questions discussed in our guide to whether trekking poles are worth bringing on mountain trails still apply in Korea: gradient, stability, knee strain and the terrain underfoot matter more than whether the poles make you look overly serious.

HIKING TOUR OPTION: Compare guided Bukhansan hikes on GetYourGuide, paying close attention to the stated route, elevation gain and difficulty.

#2 – The People and Korea’s Constant Collision of Old and New

You can’t make a list of reasons to love Korea without including its people. The locals play a huge role in shaping the experience of every traveller.

While cultural differences can sometimes create challenges, I found Koreans to be polite, warm and enthusiastic about sharing their country’s traditions and culture.

That is a description of my experience rather than a claim that every Korean behaves in the same way. No country can be reduced to a single national personality without drifting into travel-writing nonsense.

There were misunderstandings, language barriers and moments of frustration alongside the kindness. Living somewhere for two years tends to remove the flattering filter that a brief holiday can preserve.

Still, I repeatedly encountered people willing to offer directions, share food, practise English, recommend a restaurant or pull a foreigner into whatever social occasion was already underway.

Korean culture is a fascinating blend of old traditions and modern influences. It’s not uncommon to see a historic temple sitting in the shadow of a gleaming skyscraper, or to spot someone in traditional hanbok walking down a street filled with coffee shops and convenience stores.

That juxtaposition is not always harmonious, and Korea’s transformation came with enormous pressure and social cost. Yet the speed and visibility of the change remain remarkable.

Neighbourhood markets, family restaurants and old houses coexist with giant apartment developments, high-speed internet, cosmetic stores and a culture of near-constant technological adoption.

There’s also a strong community spirit in Korea. You see it in shared meals, hiking groups, workplace dinners, family gatherings and the way public festivals fill with people.

Teaching English gave both Chris and Samuel a different relationship with Korea than a short holiday could offer. Audrey later shared her own first impressions of teaching English in Korea, including early encounters with Korean food, noraebang, soju and daily life.

Housing also revealed how varied that everyday experience could be. Samuel’s article comparing a modern Korean apartment with an old rooftop shack offers a less polished glimpse of what living and working in Korea could actually look like.

Learning a few basic Korean phrases helps. Annyeonghaseyo for hello and gamsahamnida for thank you will not make you fluent, but they demonstrate effort.

A smile, patience and the willingness to accept that you will occasionally misunderstand each other go considerably further than obsessing over perfect etiquette.

#1 – Korean Food Is the Thing You Keep Missing

If there’s one facet of life in Korea that I miss on a daily basis, it’s the food.

Food plays a central role in Korean social life. Meals are frequently shared, tables fill with side dishes and many foods are cooked directly in front of you.

Eating alone is increasingly easy in Korean cities, but some of the country’s defining dishes still make the most sense when several people gather around one table. Korean barbecue for one is possible. It is simply a less convincing argument for your life choices.

Korean food doesn’t necessarily look like much at first. Rice, soup, grilled meat and a collection of small side dishes may appear straightforward until you begin combining fermented, spicy, savoury, sweet and sour flavours.

Traditional dishes such as bulgogi, galbi and bibimbap are relatively tame introductions to Korean cuisine. Korean barbecue is also an easy entry point: meat grilled at the table, wrapped in lettuce with sauces, garlic and side dishes.

But once you’ve tried the basics, it’s time to dive deeper into the culinary landscape.

Me? I miss spicy dakgalbi—chicken stir-fried with vegetables and chewy rice cakes—savoury pajeon pancakes and street treats such as twigim, eomuk fish cakes and Korean toasties.

Walking through a market such as Gwangjang in Seoul, you’ll encounter tteokbokki rice cakes, hotteok filled with sweet syrup, mung-bean pancakes, gimbap, dumplings, noodles and enough sizzling food to destroy whatever disciplined eating plan you imagined maintaining.

Our Insadong photo essay offers another glimpse of Seoul’s street snacks, tea culture and traditional shopping streets.

Korea also boasts a fascination with coffee shops and bakeries. There’s no shortage of Starbucks clones to pick from, but I’m a fan of Tom N Toms and its sweet or savoury stuffed pretzels.

Cafés provide much more than caffeine. They are meeting places, informal offices, date venues, shelters from humid summers and freezing winters, and sometimes unapologetically elaborate spaces designed around a single concept.

Korean Foods to Try by Situation

FOOD TOUR OPTION: Browse Seoul street-food and market tours on GetYourGuide if you want somebody to explain what you are eating before you commit to an entire plate.

COOKING OPTION: Book a Korean cooking class and traditional market visit through GetYourGuide for a more hands-on introduction.

Turning Eight Reasons Into a Real South Korea Trip

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably at least Korea-curious.

Maybe you’ve watched Korean dramas, eaten bibimbap at home, seen cherry-blossom photographs from Jinhae or imagined riding the KTX between neon cities and mountain temples.

The interest is there. The practical questions are usually what hold people back:

• Where should I base myself?
• How much of the country can I reasonably see?
• Will it feel overwhelming without speaking Korean?

The good news is that Korea can be remarkably manageable once you are on the ground. Transport is extensive, major stations have English signage and convenience stores solve an impressive number of small travel emergencies.

The bad news is that this efficiency tempts people into absurd itineraries. Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju, the DMZ, a temple stay and three festivals in nine days may be technically possible. So is spending the entire trip repacking your suitcase and staring at departure boards.

Choose Your Bases According to What You Love

For a One-Week Trip

Stay primarily in Seoul. Give yourself enough time for palaces, markets, modern neighbourhoods, one mountain or riverside day and perhaps one organised excursion.

Constantly changing hotels will consume too much of a short trip. Seoul is already enormous. You do not need to manufacture additional logistical suffering.

Jongno and the wider historical centre work particularly well for readers drawn to palaces, Insadong, Bukchon and traditional markets. Hongdae suits travellers prioritising nightlife, cafés and youthful street energy. Myeongdong is intensely commercial but convenient for first-time visitors who want central transport connections and shopping outside the door.

SEOUL BOOKING OPTION: Compare accommodation in Jongno on Booking.com for a central base near Seoul’s major palaces, Insadong and historical neighbourhoods.

DMZ TOUR OPTION: Compare current DMZ tours from Seoul on GetYourGuide, checking the exact itinerary and identification requirements before booking.

For 10 to 14 Days

Combine Seoul with one major secondary base. Busan is the easiest all-round choice, while Gyeongju is stronger for history. Jeju works well if volcanic scenery and island travel are central priorities rather than a hurried afterthought.

A sensible rhythm might be five or six nights in Seoul, three or four nights in Busan or Gyeongju and a few additional nights on Jeju only when you are comfortable adding a flight or ferry.

You’ll see less on paper than somebody racing between six hotels. You may remember considerably more.

In Busan, Haeundae works for beaches, modern hotels and easier access to the eastern coastline. Nampo and the older city centre make more sense for Jagalchi Market, BIFF Square and a grittier urban atmosphere. Again, there is no universally correct answer. Choose the part of Busan you actually intend to explore.

BUSAN BOOKING OPTION: Compare hotels in Haeundae on Booking.com for beach access and a convenient eastern Busan base.

Gyeongju deserves more than being treated as a rushed collection of historical objects between two train journeys. Staying overnight gives you time to walk around the tomb areas and illuminated heritage sites after day-trippers have begun leaving.

GYEONGJU BOOKING OPTION: Compare current Gyeongju accommodation on Booking.com if you would rather stay overnight than compress the former Silla capital into a hurried day trip.

A Few Practical Things Worth Knowing

Check Entry Rules Through the Official Source

Visa-free access and Korea Electronic Travel Authorization requirements depend on your passport and can change. Check the official Korean government and the relevant Korean embassy or consulate before booking anything non-refundable.

Do not rely on a years-old FAQ, including one attached to an otherwise excellent travel article. Immigration rules are not improved by nostalgia.

Use Local Navigation Apps

Naver Map and KakaoMap are useful for subway routes, buses, walking directions and locating businesses. Having mobile data through an eSIM, local SIM or pocket Wi-Fi makes daily travel considerably easier.

Expect Four Very Different Seasons

Spring and autumn receive most of the praise, and for good reason. Summer can feel like being wrapped in a hot, damp towel, while Korean winters are not interested in whether your home country technically also experiences cold weather.

Neither season is automatically bad. Summer brings beaches, outdoor nightlife and festivals. Winter makes hot stews, cafés, bathhouses and heated floors feel like major cultural achievements.

Do Not Fear the Language Barrier

You can travel through the main tourist regions with limited Korean. English appears throughout major transport systems, and translation apps can handle many smaller interactions.

Save important addresses in Korean, learn a few polite phrases and accept that pantomime will occasionally become part of your communication strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting South Korea

How many days do I need in South Korea?

Seven days is enough for a focused introduction to Seoul with one or two day trips. Ten to fourteen days allows you to add Busan, Gyeongju or Jeju without turning every other day into a transfer.

Should a first trip include Seoul only or Seoul and Busan?

With one week or less, Seoul alone is a reasonable choice. With ten days or more, Busan provides an effective contrast through its beaches, seafood markets, coastal neighbourhoods and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.

Is public transport easy without speaking Korean?

Yes, particularly in Seoul and Busan. Subway systems use station numbers, colour-coded lines and multilingual signage. Local mapping apps, mobile data and a rechargeable transport card make the experience much easier.

What is the best season for festivals and hiking?

Spring is ideal for blossoms and many outdoor festivals, while autumn generally offers the most comfortable hiking conditions and colourful mountain scenery. Summer has major events such as Boryeong but also brings heat, humidity and rain.

Which Korean foods are easiest for first-time visitors?

Bibimbap, bulgogi, galbi, Korean barbecue, gimbap and pajeon are approachable starting points. People who enjoy spice can move on to tteokbokki, kimchi jjigae and dakgalbi.

What should I book in advance?

Reserve fixed-date KTX journeys during busy periods, accommodation for major festivals and any tour with limited departures. Festival dates, blossom conditions, attraction closures and immigration requirements should all be checked close to departure rather than assumed from an older article.

Why South Korea Keeps Pulling People Back

The best thing about South Korea is not that you can tick it off in one trip. It is that the country changes as your familiarity grows.

On a first visit, you may bounce between palaces, famous markets, observation decks and crowded entertainment districts. On a later trip, you begin seeking specific neighbourhoods, favourite dishes, quieter temples, obscure cafés and places that do not fit neatly onto a checklist.

Eventually, you may find yourself riding the subway half-asleep with your headphones in, no longer treating every moment as an attraction and feeling strangely at home.

You don’t need perfect Korean, a bottomless budget or a K-drama wardrobe to enjoy the country.

You need a rough plan, a bit of curiosity and a willingness to climb a few subway stairs, follow the smell of grilling meat and see where the night goes.

Maybe I’m a little bit biased because I called Korea home for two years, but I see a lot of reasons to love the place. There’s a great blend of old traditions, temples and cultural quirks alongside the fact that the country became one of the world’s fastest-developing technological powers.

Have you been to Korea? What did you love about the place?

Connect With Chris

This guest essay was written by Chris Walker-Bush, the traveller behind Aussie on the Road and co-creator of Multiple Nerdgasms, a site dedicated to tabletop role-playing and other geeky pursuits.

Chris and Samuel share an enthusiasm for travel and both spent several years teaching in South Korea. Chris’s writing combines destination information, humour, personal reflection and the perspective that comes from spending long enough in a country for it to become more than a trip.

You can also browse the Nomadic Samuel YouTube Travel Video Archive for additional Korea videos covering food, markets, neighbourhoods and everyday travel experiences.