You want to go to South Korea for your next trip and are not sure which itinerary to take? That's pretty good news, because I have for you the best places you need to visit at least once in your life!
Being a solo backpacker since I was 19, I had the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of this beautiful peninsula that is South Korea.
In total, I recorded 3 trips to the country of the morning calm, which allowed me to have visited most of the main most tourist cities.
I also went off the beaten path to find some spots that few people talk about on the Internet.
This is therefore an opportunity for me to offer you what seems to me to be one of the best itineraries to fully enjoy South Korea from all angles!
On the program, I will show you this beautiful peninsula with a fresh perspective that stands out from other classic itineraries.
Here, I am going to focus on a journey that combines both discovery and human encounters.
Because in my opinion, it is the perfect combination to allow you to create wonderful memories and to be able to tell them to your friends and family.
So without further ado, let me guide you on your future 3-week trip to South Korea!
What is the budget for a return flight to Seoul?
If you are going to go to Seoul from Paris, then the average price is around 800€ round trip. Everything will depend on whether you want to leave during the high season or during the off-season.
In normal times, I advise you to leave during the off-season because in my opinion it is the best time to leave and enjoy your visits with as few tourists as possible.
Flights will be much cheaper, and you may even find cheap airline tickets. This can go down to 600€ for a round trip. But as with everything, don't expect the highest quality service at this price.
Here is the list of “low-cost” airlines for cheap flights to South Korea :
- China Eastern
- Air China
- Finnair
- lufthansa
- BATCH
- Turkish Airlines
If you have time for stopovers and want to save money on your tickets, you can choose Finnair, Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines, which in my opinion are much better than Chinese airlines.
On the other hand, if you can afford it, choose big companies such as Air France-KLM, Asiana Airlines or Korean Air. For my part, I have already taken the first 2 on long haul flights because you can find tickets at more than affordable prices (around €800), especially during the off-season. In addition to direct flights, the service is really good.
When to go to South Korea?
Just like in France, South Korea has 4 seasons, each as interesting as the others. For my part, I mainly went there between the months of September and December. Instead, I am going to detail my personal experience here.
Going to South Korea in September
According to me The best time to go to South Korea. During this period, the heat starts to be less felt and the climate becomes much more pleasant. It is also the month when all tourists end up going home.
Going outside is no longer hell because you can fully enjoy your stay. If you like hiking in the mountains, spending time at the beach, or just walking around to visit the city, then this is the ideal time!
Going to South Korea in November
It was the month I went to South Korea for the first time. It is a season where it is gradually starting to get cold. We then go from a temperature of about 20° C. to 10° C.
After crossing the Korean Peninsula from Seoul to the south, I particularly enjoyed the fall colors throughout my trip, making each visit unique. It is not surprising to see tourists coming to admire the red and orange leaves of which South Korea is famous for having the most beautiful landscapes during this season.
In advance, you will have to prepare your suitcase or travel bag by bringing warm clothes with you in order to avoid catching a cold along the way.
Going to South Korea in December
Quite honestly, it's the least pleasant season for those who don't like the cold. Temperatures are rapidly dropping to minus in Seoul. The sensation can quickly become unpleasant if there are freezing winds.
The first snow is starting to fall, and you will discover another side of the country under a magnificent white layer. On the other hand, if you head south, the temperatures are a bit milder.
Bring a thick coat, boot-type shoes, and warm clothes with you because you will peel them off.
I do not necessarily recommend visiting South Korea during this period., because even if the tickets are cheaper, it is not worth going there if you are going to walk for a long time in the cold.
Itinerary and budget for 3 weeks in South Korea
Above, I am offering you a complete itinerary for a 3-week trip to South Korea if it is the first time you are going there.
I did not include Jeju Island, although it is also known by foreign tourists. First of all because I have not visited it yet, and in my opinion, it is not a priority given the feedback I have heard.
With just 8 cities, you'll already have enough for your eyes on every level. As well as nature, gastronomy, encounters and cultural visits, you will then have seen the vast majority of South Korea.
Of seoul worms Sokcho by Express Bus: ~16€
Of Sokcho worms Gangneung by Regional Bus: ~5€
Of Gangneung worms Pohang by Express Bus: ~22€
Of Pohang worms Gyeongju by Regional Bus: ~3€
Of Gyeongu worms Busan (Haeundae beach) by Regional Bus: ~7€
Of Busan worms Suncheon by Express Bus: ~ 10€
Of Suncheon worms Boseon by Regional Bus + Local Bus (A/R): ~12€
Of Suncheon worms Jeonju in KTX: 19€
Of Jeonju worms seoul (Central City) by Express bus: ~15€
Summing up, you will spend a total amount of €109 for a 3-week itinerary in South Korea. Tell me what you think about it in the comments of the article, but quite honestly, I think it's really cheap considering the number of cities you will visit!
Of course, you will also have to count the cost of transport for your trips within the city. When visiting Seoul and Busan, don't forget the expenses associated with the subway and local buses. I think you will have to add at least €30 to that.
In the end, you will only spend 139€ during your entire stay while having visited the different facets of this beautiful country: culture, gastronomy, and encounters along the way if you opt to stay in guesthouses/ youth hostels.
Seoul - 4 days
Seoul is of course the capital of South Korea. If you're coming from France or any other country on a long-haul flight, you'll land at Incheon International Airport, a city just outside Seoul.
You should know that Seoul is very well served in terms of public transport. You will therefore have no trouble getting around to different places within the city.
When it comes to visits, I prefer a minimum of 4 days on site. This is the time needed to visit the main tourist sites and discover the most popular districts of the capital.
In this case, I recommend my complete article on Seoul for a 3 to 4 day itinerary which lists all the things I have done, both the main tourist places and places that are not very frequented by foreigners.
Having visited Seoul 3 times since my first trip to South Korea in 2019, Seoul has become somewhat familiar to me.
Here are my favorite places and neighborhoods in Seoul in a nutshell:
- Insadong district and Ikseondong
- Bukhansan National Park (full article)
- The Myeongdong neighborhood
- Namdaemun Market
- Gwangjang Market
- Mount Namsan
- Hongdae district
- Itaewon district
Simply stroll through these neighborhoods, and let yourself be tempted by the various street-food stands, shops and traditional restaurants in a very dynamic atmosphere!
Sokcho - 2 days
Get out of the big city of Seoul for a bit, and come and discover Sokcho, a quiet city known for its famous Seoraksan National Park. Several hiking trails are accessible to you with different levels of difficulty!
Sokcho is above all a place inhabited by an elderly population who live mainly from street businesses, including in particular its famous fish market located in the heart of the city.
Also discover a local restaurant offering you a very high quality Korean barbecue at a very affordable cost recommended by a local I met in my hostel at the James Blue Hostel: the Galpungjib Sokchojeom Restaurant.
If you want to know more about things to do in this city, I invite you to read my complete article on Sokcho for a 2 day itinerary.
Gangneung - 2 days
Gangneung is not really a city that many people talk about, because its location is not very suitable for a classic route that many tourists do: Seoul - Busan then Gyeongju among others.
Except that if you leave from the city of Sokcho, know that you will only haveAn hour's trip To smash everything in the bus.
On site, you will find many historic sites including the famous Ojukheon as well as the Seongyojang House.
Within the city, I also had the opportunity to participate in a local festival where only Koreans gathered to celebrate the country's folk traditions and cultural heritage. It happened from September 29 to October 10, 2022.
But Gangneung is also a coastal city with the most beautiful beaches and a street entirely dedicated to coffee shops. A real pleasure for lovers of the sea and coffee!
Pohang - 1 to 2 days
Above all a very local city, there are mainly workers in the industrial sector.
why Pohang is so little known to tourists? I think simply because few people know what there is to do in this city that I consider to be a hidden gem in South Korea.
And for good reason, a famous Korean company is located there and has made Pohang its headquarters: Posco.
In terms of visits, Pohang has nothing to envy to its neighbors Gangneung or Gyeongju, but you have to know how to look for places well.
If you like watching the sunrise, then that's good news, as Pohang is known for being the first city to be able to see the first rays of the Sun from Mount Gonlyun.
Pohang is also a coastal city with its famous Yeongildae beach and its pavilion. Not far away is the Space Walk, built by the Posco company and representing a snake made of steel.
Stroll along the coast to enjoy the sea breezes while drinking a good coffee that you can buy on the way.
When we don't know anyone to tell us secret places, Pohang quickly becomes an unattractive city. Except that I am lucky to have a Korean friend there for showing me the most hidden corners that only the locals know about!
That's why I did a complete article on Pohang for a 2 day itinerary so that you have a better view of it.
Gyeongju - 2 days
Continue your way from Pohang to the city of Gyeongju. Only 1 hour away by bus, you will reach South Korea's famous museum city.
You should know that Gyeongju is a very old city and has a very important historical past for the Korean population.
You have to go back to the time of the Kingdom of Silla in the years 503 to understand the hidden treasures preserved in the city over time.
There are numerous burial mounds housing the tombs of the most important emperors of Korea and scattered all over Gyeongju.
Finally, do not miss the opportunity to visit the very ancient Bulguksa Temple. Consisting of several complexes, each with a particular meaning in the Buddhist religion, you will discover a very colorful temple decorated with numerous multi-colored lanterns.
To find out more about the city, I suggest you go to my Full article for a 2-day itinerary in Gyeongju.
Busan - 4 days
Enjoy 4 days in South Korea's second largest city, Busan. This is the time needed to discover all the things it has to offer.
If you like to wander around in a relatively mild climate almost all year round and discover a new side of Korean culture, then you will surely fall in love with it.
With sound Gamcheon Cultural Village located on the heights of the hills and a view of Busan, its magnificent beaches where you can walk along the coast including the Haeundae Beach or else Songjeong Beach for surfing, its numerous street-food stands in The BIFF district, or are there magnificent temples on the coasts Haedong Yonggungsa, you won't have time to get bored!
So it's easy to get lost with the numerous tourist spots in such a big city. That's why I made one Full article on Busan for a 3 to 4 day itinerary.
Busan is not only about visits, but it is also events all year round to allow you to share the festive atmosphere of the city of Busan with the Korean population: international film festivals, fireworks from the beach, concerts and many others.
It is not for nothing that there are a lot of expatriates moving there because of its dynamic atmosphere because there is always something happening in Busan both day and night.
Suncheon and Boseong - 2 days
Take 2 days to disconnect from big cities and breathe pure air at Suncheon and Boseong.
Located both in southwest South Korea, take the bus from Busan to reach your destination in around 4 hours.
The main attraction in Suncheon is its nature reserve where you can walk across a river full of tall plants. This is a short hike allowing you to access the top of the Yongsan Observatory and admire a beautiful sunset.
As for Boseong, you will have the opportunity to discover and taste green tea from local agriculture in all its forms: cake, ice cream and drink. There you will find a green tea field where you can cross it and take beautiful photos in the heights of the field.
I recommend staying in Suncheon for your 2 days to give you more time to admire the sunset and return to your accommodation more easily. It is also the best choice for making a return trip to Boseong by local bus as well as for the rest of your trip.
Indeed, the two cities are not neighboring, you will have to take the train and the local bus to get there.
Jeonju - 1 day
Before returning to Seoul, I recommend that you take a trip to the most famous traditional Hanok village in Jeonju.
Located 1.5 hours away by train from Suncheon Station, so you won't have a hard time getting there by public transport.
The traditional Hanok Village of Jeonju, located in the city of Jeonju in South Korea, is a historical treasure that dates back to the time of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). This village is famous for its cobbled streets lined with traditional Korean houses, called hanok, which have been carefully preserved to reflect the architecture and lifestyle of that distant era.
The village's history dates back over 600 years, when Jeonju City was the capital of the Jeolla region during the Joseon dynasty. At that time, many high-ranking noblemen and officials built hanoks in the region, making Jeonju a thriving cultural and artistic center.
This is why I invite you to finish your trip in style by strolling through the streets of the village so that you can immerse yourself in its atmosphere.
Return to Seoul - 1 to 2 days
You have had your eyes full for almost 3 weeks, and do you want to go home filling your suitcase with souvenirs or do you want to buy clothes? So that's good news, I'm going to list 3 neighborhoods where you can do your last purchases in Seoul:
- Insadong district For everything that is small traditional keepsakes
- Myeongdong district when it comes to Korean clothing, cosmetics and sweets of all kinds.
- Hongdae district for trendy clothing designed for young people
- The Starfield COEX mall In the Gangnam district to buy books, pretty chic products and a few small souvenirs.
Take some time to relax as you stroll through these neighborhoods, sit in the many cafes in the area and eat traditional Korean dishes to enjoy the last moments in South Korea!
