The Perfect 10-Day Korea Itinerary (2024)

South Korea is becoming one of my favorite countries to visit. I’ve spent as much as a few days to three weeks at a time during each visit.

While you can spend the full 10 days in Seoul, there’s many beautiful cities to add to your 10-day Korea itinerary.

The best cities to visit in Korea will also depend on what season you’ll be visiting plus your interests, which I’ll go over in this post.

Here’s how to spend and plan your 10-day itinerary in Korea, especially for first-time visitors.

If you’re new to South Korea, make sure to read my South Korea travel guide.

Prebook before your Korea trip:

📲 Local sim card or eSIM card from Klook

🚊 Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer | airport bus | AREX train

💳 Buy a pre-loaded T-money card

🚙 Rent a car in South Korea for as cheap as $28 USD a day

🎫 Browse through dozens of available South Korea tours

Table of Contents

The Basics: Getting Around South Korea

A blurred image of locals walking through a subway station in South Korea

▢ Besides Ulsan and Sejong, there are rapid train systems in all major metropolitan cities.

▢ For travel between cities, you can the KTX bullet train, as well as express buses that you can prebook on Klook.

▢ You can purchase single-journey tickets, but I recommend buying a T-money card at the airport or at most convenience stores to pay on trains, buses, and most taxis.

If you’re traveling to multiple cities in South Korea over 2-5 days, it’s easier and cheaper to buy a KTX Pass for unlimited rides.

Best Cities to Visit in South Korea

Regardless of the season, Seoul is a must visit and likely your starting point in Korea.

Here are other popular cities to visit by the seasons:

Spring (cherry blossoms): Jeju Island, Jinhae
Summer: Jeju Island, Busan
Autumn: Gyeongju
Winter: Jeju Island

1. Seoul:

I Seoul You Sign Courtyard at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul Korea

Visit royal palaces, explore various green spaces and parks, and enjoy eclectic shops and nightlife.

🎥 Here’s a playlist of my Seoul vlogs and all of my Seoul blog posts.

2. Busan:

View from a café at Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, South Korea, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of colorful houses densely packed on a hillside, with lush greenery in the background and traditional Korean café décor in the foreground

Busan is the 2nd largest city in South Korea and is known for its beaches and cultural sites.

🎥 Watch my Busan vlogs and check out all of my Busan blog posts.

3. Jeju Island:

A large lava cliff on water called Daepo Jusangjeolli in Jeju Island, perfect for 10-day korea itinerary

Jeju-do is an hour flight south of Busan. Experience UNESCO sites, hiking, beaches, and waterfalls.

🎥 Watch my Jeju travel guide video with everything you need to know before you visit and all of my Jeju blog posts.

4. Gyeongju:

Lit up trees and traditional Korean buildings surrounding Wolji Pond at night in Gyeongju

Gyeongju is one of my favorite cities in South Korea and is worth a visit, especially at night!

Here’s top things to do in Gyeongju.

Summary: 10-Day Korea Itinerary Breakdown

Here are two 10-day Korea itineraries that cover the main and most popular cities in South Korea, with or without flying.

Route #1: Train/Bus + Flying

Day 1-4: Seoul
Day 5-7: Busan
Day 8-10: Jeju Island
Optional: spend last day in Seoul

Route #2: Train/Bus (No Flying) + Day Trips

Day 1-4: Seoul
Day 5-6: Gyeongju
Day 7-10: Busan
Optional: spend last day in Seoul

10-Day Korea Itinerary Route #1: Train/Bus + Flying

This 10-day Korea itinerary takes you to the top 3 cities in South Korea without getting too overwhelmed.

Seoul (4 days)
Busan (3 days)
Jeju Island (3 days)

4 Days in Seoul Korea Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Myeongdong Shopping Street

Tip: depending on the time zone you’re coming from, stay awake by visiting popular sites at night like Myeongdong Shopping Street, Hongdae, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Cheonggyecheon Stream during summer night - Seoul, South Korea

Myeongdong Shopping Street in Seoul with lots of colorful shops on the side

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, DDP at night.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, featuring performers in vibrant red and blue traditional Korean attire with black hats, playing instruments and carrying flags, with onlookers capturing the event.

A long walking street surrounded by small shops and restaurants with tourists walking at Insadong Shopping Street - in top Seoul attractions and places to visit in Seoul

A neighborhood of brown and red traditional Korean houses at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

Day 3: Namsan Park, COEX Mall/Starfield Library, Hongdae at night.

Locks of Love with view of Seoul buildings - Namsan Park, one of the top places to visit in Seoul

A large mall ceiling-high bookshelf filled with books at COEX Mall. Tops places to visit in Seoul

Hongdae Street Performers and a large crowd watching at night in Seoul

Day 4: Downtown Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream ➡️ Train or bus to Busan, stroll beaches in Busan.

Cheonggyecheon Stream during summer day - Seoul, South Korea

Busan locals taking photos of each other on circular lit up swings on the sand at Gwangalli Beach - best beaches in Busan

3 Days in Busan Korea Itinerary

Getting to Busan: Book a 2-hour train to Busan, or a 4-hour bus to Busan.

Day 5: Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan Observatory, Yongdusan Park, BIFF Square & Gwangalli Beach at night.

Patio at a Harry-Potter style store called Art Space Project Shop with pastel homes in the backdrop at Gamcheon Culture Village

View of a white stairs leading to roofto pgarden on an Observatory Deck in Lotte Mall Busan

People sitting on benches watching young man perform on a guitar with lit up white Gwangan Bridge and beach behind him

Day 6: Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Jeoryeong Coastal Walk, Songdo Bay Station, Haeundae Beach at night.

The photograph captures a serene riverside view of Huinnyeoul Culture Village with a striking yellow building featuring blue awnings on the right, adding a pop of color to an overcast day. In the distance, a bridge spans the wide river, connecting the urban skyline dotted with high-rises to the lush green hillside. The juxtaposition of nature and urban development is evident, offering a peaceful yet vibrant cityscape.

A view of cable cars in the air over a path of oval stones in the middle of a sea at Songdo Bay Station in Busan

Lit up colorful heart installation on ground surrounded by flowers - Haeundae Beach Busan Korea

Day 7: Haeundae Beach, Haeundae Blueline Sky Capsule, Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory ➡️ Flight to Jeju Island, stroll downtown.

White sand beach in gray weather with red Haeundae Beach sign

Two colorful capsules of the Haeundae Blueline Park sky train glide along elevated tracks surrounded by lush pine trees, with a calm sea visible in the distance under a clear blue sky in Busan, Korea

View of Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory's extended metal walkway over rocky shores with calm blue sea in Busan, South Korea

3 Days in Jeju Island Korea Itinerary

Day 8: Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Oedolgae Rock, Jeongbang Waterfall, Saeyeongyo Bridge, Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, beaches in Jeju.

A large lava cliff on water called Daepo Jusangjeolli in Jeju Island

A lone light grey long oval-shaped rock in the ocean called Oedolgae Rock in Jeju Island

Day 9: Seongsan Ilchulbong hike, Seopjikoji, Hamdeok Beach, Woljeongri Beach.

The beginning of a hiking trail with a clear view of the Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, on Jeju Island, South Korea. A bright blue sky complements the lush green landscape and the distinctive, craggy peak of the volcanic cone

Crowded shallow beach 0 Hamdeok Beach Jeju Island

A group of four colorful benches on a wooden path in front of a sand beach in Woljeongri Beach in Jeju Island

Day 10: Handam Coastal Walk, Aewol Cafe Street, Hyeopjae Beach ➡️ Flight out or back to Seoul.

View from Aewol Cafe Street near Handam Coastal Road in Jeju with black lava rocks and teal water

A blue and white sign that says Hyeopjae on shallow end of Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju Island Itinerary

*If you’re up to it, dedicate a half day to hike Hallasan Mountain. Guide to hiking the easiest trail, Eoseungsaengak route.

10-Day Korea Itinerary Route #2: Train/Bus (No Flying)

This 10-day Korea itinerary hits the main cities without any flights, and includes time for optional day trips.

Seoul (5 days)
- Optional day trips: Nami Island, DMZ, Suwon, Jeonju
Gyeongju (2 days)
- Optional day trip: Pohang
Busan (3 days)

5 Days in Seoul Itinerary + Day Trips

Tip: You can also split the 5 days by starting with 3 days in Seoul, then save 2 days in Seoul at the end for some shopping.

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Myeongdong Shopping Street

Tip: depending on the time zone you’re coming from, stay awake by visiting popular sites at night like Myeongdong Shopping Street, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, DDP at night

Day 3: Namsan Park, COEX Mall/Starfield Library, Hongdae at night

Day 4: Choose a day trip: Nami Island, DMZ, Suwon, Jeonju.

Day 5: Downtown Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream. ➡️ Bus or train to Gyeongju, stroll downtown and Hwangnidan Street at night

2 Days in Gyeongju

Tip: Read my guide on how to get from Seoul to Gyeongju. Gyeonju’s night views are some of the best views I’ve seen in South Korea!

Day 6: Daereungwon Tomb Complex (Royal Tombs), Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyochon Traditional Village, Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond, Woljeonggyo Bridge at night.

Field of red and yellow flowers and grass Cheomseongdae Observatory Flower Park in Summer in Gyeongju Korea

Lit up red and green Woljeonggyo Bridge at night_Gyeongju South Korea

Day 7: Bulguksa Temple, Bomun Tourist Complex, Gyeongju Tower, Bomun Lake and Pavilion. ➡️ Bus or train to Busan.

Traditional Korean temple with colorful lantern lined on a string in the air - Bulguksa Temple_Gyeongju

Brown bridge with walking path - Bomun Lake and Pavilion Gyeongju Korea

Large temple replica building called Hwangnyongwon Joongdo Tower_Gyeongju

Optional: Take a 35-minute bus to the coastal city of Pohang, where popular kdramas like Hometown Cha Cha Cha were filmed. Here’s how to spend a day in Pohang.

From the top of the Pohang Space Walk, visitors enjoy a stunning view of the coastline and the deep blue sea. A descending metal staircase offers an unobstructed vantage point over the lush greenery and the expansive water, with ships visible in the distance and the city skyline along the horizon. The sunny weather enhances the picturesque outdoor setting.

A boat perched on a hill at Sabang Memorial Park, offering a panoramic view of the sea and coastline. The vessel, painted white with blue and red accents, rests on grass, seemingly ready for an imaginary voyage. A visitor is capturing the moment, highlighting the boat's unique location against the backdrop of a vast, blue sky.

3 days in Busan

Tip: Read my guide on how to get to Busan from Gyeongju. Express bus is the easiest.

Day 8: Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan Observatory, Yongdusan Park, BIFF Square, Gwangalli Beach at night.

Day 9: Huinnyeoul Culture Village, Jeoryeong Coastal Walk, Songdo Bay Station, Haeundae Beach at night.

Day 10: Haeundae Beach, Haeundae Blueline Sky Capsule, Cheongsapo Daritdol Observatory, flight out or back to Seoul.

Final Thoughts: 10-Day South Korea Itinerary

Your time will fly by in Korea, and while you can fit lots of attractions into your 10-day South Korea itinerary, take your time and savor each moment!

To help you save time and maximize your time and stay, you can also prebook tickets and tours:

🎫 Seoul tours

🎫 Busan tours

🎫 Jeju tours

🎫 Gyeongju tours

Have the best time in South Korea!

Basic South Korea Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Best One Day in Seoul Itineraries (+ Hour Breakdown)

Where to Stay in Seoul Based on Your Interests (from a Frequent Visitor)

28 Top Seoul Attractions to Check Out in 2024

My Summer in Seoul Experiences + Tips (Worth it?)

Autumn in Seoul: Top 9 Places to Visit (+ What to Expect)