Best time to visit South Korea
The best time of year to visit South Korea is during the spring and autumn months of March-May and Sept-Nov. The daytime temps are mild and there is less of a chance of rain. The cheapest time to go (when we were there) would be in the winter (Nov-Jan), however, unless you are a person who loves being cold all of your vacation (we were lucky enough to visit during an arctic cold snap that brought temps to a bone chilling -22C/-7F), we’d suggest visiting another time. Coming from Hong Kong, where the winter temps were 21C/72F, we were slightly unprepared. After a few days of shivering we decided to buy some winter supplies at the Lotte Department Store, and then fully enjoyed the rest of our trip!
- Visa Info: If you are a U.S citizen, South Korea does not require an e-visa (K-ETA) or visa if you’re staying less than 90 days. If you are not a U.S citizen, please check this website to see your country’s specific entry requirements.
How to travel around Korea
South Korea has amazing public transportation (trains, buses and taxis) so you won’t need a car there. When you arrive at the airport, you can purchase a single use bus ticket from a kiosk to get to your accommodation or take the train straight from the airport. However, if you are staying a few days in Seoul, make sure you buy a T-Money card.
- T-Money Card– Can be purchased from convenience stores like 7-11, CU or the Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center. After loading it (at a convenience store or ATM), you can use it to pay for all transport, including most taxis, and for items purchased at convenience stores.
- ***No Google Maps! Google Maps doesn’t really work here, instead use the Naver map app.
5 Days in South Korea
Here is our detailed itinerary for 5 wonderful days in Korea. While we primarily focused on Seoul this trip, if we had more time we’d love to check out other areas. We’ve heard great things about Jeju Island and Gyeongju from our Korean friends.
Day 1: Explore Myeong-dong
Where we stayed:
We chose to stay at this hotel due to it’s amazing location. It’s walkable to a lot of the city’s main attractions and right near all of the street food in Myeong-dong. This neighborhood is in a central location near the main palaces, N Seoul Tower, Hanok village, and more. It is also a great place to walk around and do some shopping. One downside of this neighborhood is that it is very touristy and busy. If you’d rather get a more quiet and authentic Korean experience we would recommend you stay in a different area.
After checking into our hotel we explored the area and tried some street food!
For dinner we tried to go to BHC Chicken, but after being told the wait was over an hour, decided to go to BB.Q Chicken Myeongdong Star for some delicious Korean fried chicken. This restaurant has a lively and casual atmosphere, and delicious fried chicken, so we would recommend it over waiting at the more touristy places. Since this is a busy area there was a very long wait time for most restaurants so it’s best to plan ahead and make reservations!
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace
After grabbing a quick breakfast, we headed out for the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The palace was built in 1395 during the Joseon dynasty. It costs about $2.50 USD to enter, but if you dress up in a traditional Hanbok then admission is free. This was a huge palace with a lot of areas to explore. We loved seeing the people dress up, despite the frigid temperatures, as it really added to the ambiance. We highly recommend doing one of the free guided tours as it really helps to hear the palace’s history, but make sure to check the official website for what time they start as they are offered only a few times daily.
- Be sure to stay for the changing of the guard ceremony that happens at 10am and 2pm every day except Tuesdays!
After admiring the palace, we tried to have lunch at Samcheongdong Jukkumi Kalguksu, which once appeared on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. After spending some time trying to find it, and eventually realizing it had gone out of business, we warmed up with some delicious Budae Jjigae at Mukshidonna Samcheongdong in Jongno-gu.
Advice: A few restaurants that we originally tried to go to in Seoul were either closed or had changed locations, so it’s always good to have a backup nearby in case that happens to you.
After getting back from our long day of walking, we ended the night with a few beers at Euljiro Brewing. We definitely recommend this bar if you’re looking for a place with a fun and hip vibe, and a good selection of beer.
Day 3: DMZ Tour
We met up with a tour group at 7am and headed off to the DMZ. The tour was so informative and took us to a few places in the DMZ including the 3rd infiltration tunnel, where we got to go underground through the tunnel that North Korea tried (and failed) to build to invade South Korea (better luck next time?), and the Dora Observatory where we had a view of Kaesong (in North Korea), and the freedom bridge.
- Tour Info: DMZ Tour (The provider is highly recommended)
- Duration: About 8 hours
- Places visited: DMZ, Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory (also an option to go on a red suspension bridge)
- The tour also gives you an opportunity to purchase North Korean Won, and Ginseng Products.
- Our tour guide (Nancy) provided us with so much information during the tour and any down time we had (like the bus ride there). For example, when arriving at the DMZ, you’ll notice there’s a small amusement park next to the freedom bridge. Nancy explained to us that the younger generations have no connection with the freedom bridge, although it’s still common for older generations to visit it and say a prayer for their families, you’ll often see the kids heading towards the amusement park.
We spent the rest of the night walking through different parts of Seoul and admiring the Christmas lights. We were surprised at how festive it was.
Day 4: Bukchon Hanok Village; Gwangjang Market; National Museum of Korea
The next day we headed to the Jongno district to see the Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighborhood with traditional Korean style houses that date back to the 14th Century. There’s a self guided walking tour that you can do by following the circles on the ground. This place get’s crowded and is a stop for many group tours, so it’s best to get there early. Stop by Artist Bakery for breakfast on the way!
Next we went to Gwangjang Market which is a huge market where you can try various street food but also can buy clothing and other goods. There’s a lot to see/explore here.
- Foods we recommend: Gimbap, Tteokbokki, Banquet Noodles. Also Hotteok! If you’re visiting in the winter, it was our favorite thing to have if we were craving something sweet. It’s a pan fried pancake filled with gooey cinnamon and brown sugar, and is sold (not just at this market) but in street food stands all over the city.
Another great place to try in Gwangjang is Buchon Yukhoe , as recommended by our friend Derek who travels to Korea any chance he gets (and is also a huge foodie). He says the beef tartar is amazing and there’s always a long line out front so you can’t miss it!
After the market we made our way to the National Museum of Korea (Cost: Free!). This museum is a great place to spend a few hours, especially on a rainy day, to learn about Korea’s history and its different dynasties. It also has other really interesting ancient history exhibitions including artifacts from Mesopotamia and other countries.
Next was dinner at Myeongdong Kyoja Main Store. Walking into the building you are immediately met with a long line of hungry people eagerly waiting for a nice warm meal. Even though the line will be long do not fret as it moves pretty fast and is totally worth it! While they only have 4 items on the menu, they do each of them very well.
Local Tip: When your broth is feeling lonely and you want some extra fillings, feel free to ask for some extra rice as its free and isn’t advertised.
Day 5: Shopping; Starfield Library; Samneung Park; drinks at Josun Palace
Our last day we started the morning off with some shopping and coffee in Itaewon-dong, a trendy neighborhood known for its many shopping and dining options. We stopped at One in a Million, a cozy cafe, to get our caffeine fix. We decided to order Korea’s favorite coffee drink, Americano, which you will see people drinking (iced) even through the harsh winter.
After heading to Gangnam we stopped by Starfield Library, a large, unique looking library with many coffee shops surrounding it. While this was a nice place to take a break, we wouldn’t recommend going out of your way for this.
Instead, check out Samneung Park, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you can see the royal tombs of King Seongjong, Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong. It felt surreal looking at royal tombs from the 15th century in a place that is surrounded by the modern buildings of Gangnam.
We ended the night with some cocktails at the 1914 Lounge & Bar at Josun Palace. The drinks are amazing and the views of the city are incredible.
Conclusion
After visiting for just 5 days, we were already talking about when we would be able to return. Korea is hip, bustling, and a lot more western than it’s neighbors, although it still retains its unique culture. The food was delicious and exciting, people were friendly, and it’s a very tourist friendly place, especially with the various public transportation options and the street guides (people in red) that are there to assist you if needed. We can’t wait to go back.
If you’re interested in seeing more about Korea, feel free to check out our Youtube video posted below!