How long should I visit Gyeongju? What exactly do you do once you get there?
1 to 2 days are ideal for discovering the essentials of Gyeongju: Bulguksa Temple, the Daereungwon funeral complexes, the Kyongju Observatory and its park, not to mention its famous traditional Hanok houses that wind their way along the main Hwangnidan Street.
You will discover my optimal itinerary, my budgets by category, the best periods to visit, and my best advice to avoid tourist traps!
How many days to visit Gyeongju?
2 days are enough to discover the essentials of Gyeongju. This will give you time to fully explore the city without missing out on the must-see places. Also, enjoy a night in real Hanok for an even better cultural immersion!
1 day may also be possible if you want to go back and forth from Busan for example. Preferably leave early in the morning and late at night so you can go all around the city without missing anything.
💡 MY OPINION : I spent 2 days in Gyeongju, and that's enough for everything there is to see. I took my time to stroll through the alleys of the historic center, stop by the Bulguksa Temple and enjoy the night to eat in local restaurants.
What is the budget for Gyeongju?
The average daily budget in Gyeongju varies from €20 (backpacker) to €100 (comfort) per person. Count on average around €50 per day for an average budget stay including accommodation, meals, transport and activities.
💰 TOTAL BUDGET FOR 2 DAYS
• Backpacker : 50-70€
• Balanced : 110-150€
• Comfort : 150-180+
📊 MY REAL BUDGET (2 days, 2023)
• Lodging : 24€
• Food : 40€
• Transport : €5
• activities : €10
→ Total : €79 for 2 days
💡 MY OPINION : In 2 days, I managed to get by for less than €40 per day. It was more than enough for me to be able to do all the visits and really enjoy Gyeongju from different perspectives, without depriving myself at all. Perhaps my only regret would be not having tried the one-night adventure in a Hanok, especially since the prices are not very high!
Gyeongju 2 Day Itinerary
Here is my optimized itinerary for 2 days in Gyeongju, tested in 2023. This itinerary covers the historic center and Bulguksa Temple while maintaining a pleasant pace without constant errands.
Day 1: Discover the historic center of Gyeongju
🌅 MORNING
• Visit to Daereungwon Funeral Complex - Duration: 1 hour - Price: 2€
→ Take your time at the funeral complex to take beautiful photos and also visit the Cheonmachong tomb
• Visit to Cheomseongdae And its park - Duration: 1h30 - Free
→ It is the oldest observatory in Gyeongju. Then walk through the park to Woljeonggyo Bridge to discover a truly magnificent bridge with scarlet and greenish colors.
🍽️ BREAKFAST
• Catering of your choice : take-away snack or restaurant
→ If you have time, take a break to eat well at the restaurant. You will find several around Hwangnidan-gil Street. Otherwise, I advise you to buy some snacks in supermarkets (CU24, GS25, etc.)
🌆 AFTERNOON
• Visit to Bulguksa Temple - Duration: 1h30 - 2€
→ Take bus 11 which will take you directly to the temple in about 1 hour. You can take it from the historic center From here.
• Visit to Donggung Palace - Duration: 1h - 2€
→ By taking the same bus again, you can get off in front of the palace.
🌙 EVENING
• Walk in the historic center - Duration: unlimited
→ I recommend that you stroll around the main street Hwangnidan-gil at night, because it is in this area that there are a lot of entertainment, restaurants and nice little shops to find small souvenirs
• Recommended dinner : Bonhang Gukbap () - 8€
→ In my opinion, a restaurant that I really recommend to eat their soup which has a lot of flavor, and especially to end the evening in style!
💤 NIGHT
• Sleep in a traditional Hanok house - €50+
→ There are several accommodations that offer these types of experiences. You have to count at least €50 for a private room.
• Recommended accommodation : Dorandoran Guesthouse
Day 2: Morning walk to Gyeongju and departure to Busan
🌅 MORNING
• Walk in the city - Duration: 1 hour - Price: 2€
→ Take time to stroll around the historic center again in the morning and eat breakfast before you leave. For my part, I had eaten hither.
• Departure to Busan - Duration: 1:00 - 5€
→ Take your bus at the bus station located hither
Where to stay in Gyeongju? My best neighborhoods
The best neighborhoods to stay in Gyeongju are around the district Hwangnam-dong to be in the heart of tourist places, the district Nodong-dong to be away from tourists but still very close to the tourist area.
My accommodation recommendations
🏨 MY CHOICE (personally tested)
📍 Doobaki Guesthouse
• Neighborhood : Nodong-dong
• Type : Hostel/Guesthouse
• prix : €12/night
• ✅ Strengths : Price, convenience, proximity to historic center, friendly common area
• ❌ Weak point : Dorm room quite outdated, shower in the room to be shared
• Reserve : Via Booking.com
💰 MEDIUM BUDGET OPTION
📍 Dorandoran Guesthouse
• Neighborhood : Hwangnam-dong
• Type : High-end guesthouse
• prix : ~50-80€/night depending on the period
• ✅ Strengths : Very fair price, in the heart of the historic center, traditional Hanok accommodation
• ❌ Weak point : The size of the room is quite small
• Reserve : Via Booking.com
💎 COMFORT OPTION
📍 Siwoowadang
• Neighborhood : Hwangnam-dong
• Type : High-end hotel
• prix : ~100€/night depending on the period
• ✅ Strengths : Affordable price for 2 people, in the heart of the historic center, traditional Hanok accommodation
• ❌ Weak point : SHORT
• Reserve : Via Booking.com
Where to eat in Gyeongju? My best addresses
The historic center of Gyeongju is home to the vast majority of restaurants, street foods and cafes of all kinds. On every street corner, you can eat any traditional Korean dish. The most difficult thing is going to be having to make a choice!
💡 Tip of the day: I recommend walking around the main street Hwangnidan-gil, and let yourself be carried away by your desires. Be sure to check the reviews on Google Maps first to avoid tourist traps.
Specialties not to be missed
🥘 A MUST TRY
1. 10 won bread - A coin-shaped cake from the city of Gyeongju - Where: Gyeongju 10 Won Bread
2. Korean fried chicken - The famous Korean chickens with their crunchy texture on the outside, and tender on the inside - Where: Thankyou Fried Chicken
3. Jjamppong - Korean style Chinese noodles with seafood - Where: Hwangnam Jjamppong
Practical information for visiting Gyeongju
🌡️ WHEN TO LEAVE?
Best periods : Spring and Fall
Printemps (March-May): It's a good time to discover Gyeongju under its flowery trees. Also take advantage of a mild temperature to enjoy your visits.
Summer (June-August): It's the hottest time, with temperatures around 30°. I do not necessarily recommend this season to visit South Korea.
Fall (sept-nov): The best period in my opinion. Because the colors of the trees change, and the atmosphere is much more pleasant.
Winter (Dec-Feb): The atmosphere is a bit more gloomy with fairly cold temperatures. I also don't recommend visiting Gyeongju at this time of year.
💡 My opinion : I went to Gyeongju twice (October and December). I clearly preferred the month of October for its climate and its colorful landscape. In December, it was cold, and I did not find it very pleasant to walk for a long time in temperatures close to 0.
✈️ HOW DO YOU GET THERE?
Since seoul :
• Train : ~50€, duration 2h10, companies: KTX (fast train)
→ Book your train ticket here
• Bus : ~20€, duration 3h30, companies: Inter-regional bus
→ Book your bus ticket hither
Since Busan :
• Bus : ~6€, duration 1h, companies: Bus Intercity
→ Book your bus ticket hither
🚇 HOW DO YOU GET AROUND?
• Public transport : The local bus is the main means of travel in the city. I recommend taking it to go to Bulguksa Temple. Count around €2 for a return trip.
• On foot : The best way to visit the historic center of Gyeongju.
💡 My advice : I recommend combining the bus and walking for the best experience.
📱 INTERNET AND TELEPHONE
• WiFi : Very inaccessible, unless you go to coffee shops
• Local SIM card :
→ For 15 days: ~27€ with unlimited data
→ For 20 days: ~30€ with unlimited data
• Recommended SIM card : Reserve your SIM card with unlimited data in advance here
🗣️ LANGUAGE
• Language (s) : Korean
• Spoken English : In some areas yes, including the historic district of Gyeongju
• Useful words :
- Hello: Annyeonghaseyo
- Thanks: Gamsahabnida
- How much does it cost: Eolmayeyo?
- The addition please: Gyesan Haejuseyo
🏥 HEALTH AND SAFETY
• Vaccines required : No
• Drinking water : Yes
• security : In general, South Korea is a country with a high level of security. The only thing you have to be careful about is not to hang out alone in nightclub-type places.
📄 FORMALITIES
• Visa required : No
• Maximum number of days allowed in South Korea : 90 days
• Valid passport : I recommend at least 6 months to be large in case of problems.
• Required documents : It is no longer necessary to complete the K-ETA electronic document until December 2026.
Frequently asked questions about Gyeongju
❓ Is Gyeongju expensive?
Gyeongju is not an expensive city, unlike Seoul. With an average daily budget of €30 per person, you can easily enjoy it without depriving yourself. If you are a backpacker, you can even get away with less by staying in hostels or guesthouses.
❓ Is Gyeongju dangerous for tourists?
Gyeongju is not dangerous for tourists. Standard precautions are sufficient: do not walk alone at night (especially if you are a woman), be wary of people who approach you and ask for a service. I have traveled there twice and had no problems.
❓ What is the best time to visit Gyeongju?
In my opinion, the best period is the fall season. The reddish colors of the trees make the city of Gyeongju very photogenic. Otherwise, I also recommend spring for its milder temperatures, and the flowering of plants and flowers.
❓ Do you have to speak Korean to visit Gyeongju?
No, Korean is not essential. If you have a conversational level of English, you can make yourself understood. Nevertheless, simple Korean basics like saying “Good morning”, “Thank you” and some important everyday phrases are very much appreciated. In my opinion, it is a way of being interested in culture and showing a certain respect for the local population.
❓ Can you drink tap water in Gyeongju?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink in Gyeongju, and in general, drinkable in South Korea. Instead, choose bottled water, because even though it can be drunk, it is highly chlorinated.
❓ What is the budget for 2 days in Gyeongju?
For 2 days, count on average around €50 per person depending on your travel style: €20 in backpacker mode, €50 in average comfort, +€100 in comfort mode.
❓ Where is Gyeongju located?
Gyeongju is located in North Gyeongsang Province, in the south-east of South Korea. The city is best known for its history dating back to the Shilla era (57 BC — 935 AD according to Wikipedia), a major era for the country in terms of its reunification.
❓ What souvenirs to bring back from Gyeongju?
The best souvenirs are personalized postcards, stationery and some pretty keychains that can be found in small local shops. Preferably avoid buying certain souvenirs from tourist shops, as many are imported from China. Souvenirs budget: 10-20€.
My tips for a successful trip to Gyeongju
✅ TO DO
• Find accommodation in the historic center near Hwangnam-dong, or even closer in Nodon-dong or Noseo-dong
• For a better cultural experience, choose Hanok-type accommodations if you can afford
• If you want to avoid the crowds, I advise you to do the Bulguksa Temple early in the morning
• It is best to visit Gyeongju during the week instead of during the weekend. Housing generally costs less
• Plan to book museum tickets in advance if you want to avoid the line
❌ TO AVOID
• Do not buy your souvenirs in tourist shops. Instead, choose more local locations like Here for example
• Overly flashy restaurants are not always the best based on feedback. You'll pay for the luxury of the place, but the food won't be as good as you think.
• Taxis are not useful in the city. Everything can be done on foot and by bus.
My final opinion on Gyeongju
I really like Gyeongju because of its history. There are monuments that are over 1000 years old and that take us on a journey into the past. The walks in the heart of the center, especially in the evening, are what I enjoyed a lot more.
The atmosphere is very friendly and much quieter than in Seoul, which leaves me with a very good impression of the city. I, who like to have my coffee, is a place that has several with traditional decorations that are all unique in their kind.
Is Gyeongju worth a visit after all? The answer is yes, without hesitation! It is even strongly recommended to include it in your travel itinerary in South Korea. 2 days are enough to see most of the city.
