South Korea Holidays
Six centuries of palaces and the most switched-on street culture in Asia, an hour's flight from a volcanic island.
Korea is the easiest of the East Asian countries to fall for quickly. Seoul puts a 14th-century palace and a neon shopping street within the same twenty minutes on the metro; you can wear a hanbok into Gyeongbokgung in the morning — it gets you in free — and be eating tteokbokki in Myeongdong by evening.
Beyond the capital, Jeju is the honeymoon island: volcanic craters, black basalt coast, tangerine groves and a sunrise walk up Seongsan Ilchulbong. Busan is the beach-and-seafood counterweight in the south, three hours away by KTX. A week does Seoul plus one of the two comfortably.
Why South Korea
Where to go
A week in Korea
- 1Days 1–2 — Seoul, the old city
Land at Incheon. Gyeongbokgung in hanbok, Bukchon and Insadong, Gwangjang market for lunch, N Seoul Tower at sunset.
- 2Day 3 — DMZ and the modern city
Morning at the Demilitarized Zone and the Third Tunnel, afternoon in Gangnam or Dongdaemun, evening in Hongdae.
- 3Day 4 — Nami Island or Everland
The metasequoia avenue and Petite France, or a theme-park day if you have children along.
- 4Days 5–6 — Jeju
Fly down. Seongsan Ilchulbong at sunrise, Manjanggul lava tube, the Jusangjeolli cliffs and a tangerine farm; a slow second day on the Olle trail.
- 5Day 7 — Seoul and home
Back to Seoul for last shopping in Myeongdong, then the airport express to Incheon.
When to visit
| Window | What it's like | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| March – May | Cherry blossom, then warm and green | Blossom peaks in Seoul in early April, a week earlier in Busan and Jeju. Book early. |
| June – August | Hot, humid, monsoon in July | Beach season in Busan and Jeju. Cheapest fares, but pack for rain. |
| September – November | Clear skies, autumn colour | The most reliable weather of the year. Late October and early November for foliage. |
| December – February | Cold and dry, snow inland | Ski season in Gangwon, ice fishing festivals, and Seoul lit up for winter. Bring real cold-weather gear. |
Good to know
- Money. Korean Won (KRW). Korea is close to cashless — cards work almost everywhere, including buses and taxis. Carry a small amount for markets.
- Transport. A T-money card covers the Seoul metro, buses and taxis. The KTX handles Seoul–Busan in under three hours; Jeju needs a short flight.
- Hanbok. Renting one is not a gimmick — it waives the entry fee at the four main palaces and is the single best photo hour of the trip.
- Language. Less English than Japan outside tourist areas. Papago translates Korean far better than the general-purpose apps.
- Food. Say gogi ppaego juseyo for no meat. Temple cuisine, bibimbap without egg and Itaewon's Indian restaurants cover most needs.
- Etiquette. Two hands when giving or receiving, shoes off indoors, and no tipping — it is genuinely not expected.



South Korea: common questions
How many days do I need in South Korea?
Is Jeju worth the extra flight?
When is cherry blossom in Korea?
Can I do a DMZ tour?
What does a Korea trip cost from India?
Is Korea good for a family trip?
Plan Seoul, Jeju and Busan in one go
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will send a costed itinerary with the visa checklist attached, so nothing stalls at the last minute.