While Seoul is the Republic of Korea’s largest and most vibrant city, the fun activities to do in South Korea that are available to you are not limited to the capital.
If you’re planning a trip to South Korea, you may have wondered, “What to do in Korea?” at some point.
When you visit South Korea, you can participate in a variety of enjoyable activities. Many aspects of South Korea are fascinating, ranging from its history and culture to the country’s development over time.
The Korean Peninsula (North and South Korea), as well as Jeju Island and other islands surrounding the peninsula, make up Korea. South Korea’s relationship with its neighboring country, North Korea, is one of the most fascinating aspects of the country, and it makes us all curious about their history.
Another feature is the country’s history, which spans the Joseon Dynasty to the present-day Republic of Korea. Koreans’ lifestyles have changed dramatically from the Joseon Dynasty to the present day, but they have preserved Korean culture admirably.
K-pop, cosmetics, food, and a thriving tourism industry are just a few of the things that make Korea famous around the world.
The activities and attractions listed below are just a few of the many available in South Korea. These will give you a taste of Korean culture, from the contemporary to the traditional.
10 activities to do in South Korea
1. Pay a visit to the border between the two Koreas
Let’s start with something you won’t be able to do anywhere else in the world but South Korea. A war in the 1950s split the peninsula between North and South Korea, according to history. Despite the fact that the two Koreas are technically still at war, the border between them is open to tourists all year.
The parts inside the demilitarized zone, however, can only be seen by joining a tour group. You have the option of going to the DMZ (demilitarized zone) or the JSA (joint security area), or combining the two into one big trip.
It’s a must-see trip for anyone visiting South Korea, as it’s both culturally rich and exciting, as well as relaxing. Apart from crossing the border, you might be interested in visiting the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, which was built to honor the veterans and victims of the war that gave birth to modern Korea.
2. View Everland’s Attractions
Everland is a massive amusement park located near Seoul, South Korea. It has a small zoo, the world’s steepest wooden rollercoaster, and a variety of other fun activities to do in South Korea which are divided into zones.
Seeing and doing everything at the amusement park can easily take up an entire afternoon from your schedule. Caribbean Bay, one of South Korea’s most exciting water parks, is right next to Everland, and it’s possible to combine the two theme parks into one trip – but start with Caribbean Bay because their slides close earlier.
Both Everland and Caribbean Bay frequently have excellent foreigner discounts.
Magic Island, which is located within Lotte World, is another notable amusement park or theme park that you should visit. Lotte World is a well-known recreation complex in Seoul.
There are numerous other theme parks (both indoor and outdoor) in Korea for tourists to enjoy, including,Aiins World theme park, Gyeongju World theme park, Seoul Land theme park, and Eco Land theme park.
3. Take a look at the K-pop scene
South Korean music, particularly K-pop, is well-known around the world. It’s nearly impossible not to be surrounded by K-pop in South Korea, from music played everywhere to CD signing events held in the middle of plazas to merchandise stores and even advertisements for beauty products. Concerts are also held on a regular basis! One of Korea’s most popular exports is K-Pop.
If you are a big fan, you may want to attend a concert or music show featuring your favorite artist or group. Even if you don’t know much about K-pop, there are free or low-cost concerts held all over South Korea every week where you can get a taste of the local popular music culture.
4. Visit some of the traditional villages
While much of South Korea has become urbanized, traditional villages with traditional Korean houses can still be found throughout the country, most notably in Jeonju. It’s a fantastic way to learn about Korean history.
With its streets lined with cute cafes, restaurants, and shops, and the option of staying overnight in one of the traditional houses, the latter will make for a fun visit.
For a few dollars, you can dress up in traditional costumes and make the most of your afternoon stroll around the village! Furthermore, if you travel during the spring, find a good spot with white cherry blossoms while wearing your beautiful rented costumes, and this makes for a lovely photograph-worthy moment.
5. Try a variety of Korean dishes
Although it is now possible to sample Korean cuisine in many countries outside of South Korea, there is no better place to do so than in South Korea! Of course, authentic Kimchi and Korean BBQ should be first on the list! Don’t forget to try the classic pairing of beer and South Korean fried chicken.
Apart from the well-known Korean BBQ, Kimchi, and fried chicken, South Korea has a diverse range of exotic and delectable cuisine. South Korea’s food culture is extremely diverse, with regional specialties. So there’s always something new to try, from street food vendors to fine dining establishments!
6. Visit a nightclub
The nightlife in South Korea, particularly in Seoul, is unparalleled. The clubs are open until the wee hours of the morning and are almost always packed. If you ever plan a trip to Seoul, make sure to check out the clubs, especially if you’re into that kind of scene.
When visiting South Korea, most clubs will play either hip hop or EDM. If you’re in Seoul, the most popular clubbing districts are Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam, which all have very different vibes.
Clubbing is an unquestionably enjoyable way to spend the evening with your friends.
7. Hike to the top of a mountain
Hiking is a popular pastime among South Koreans, and there are plenty of mountains to hike in no matter where you are in the country.
Late October to early November is widely regarded as the best time of year to go hiking in South Korea, when the mountains are blanketed in full, colorful leaves. There are many beautiful hiking trails in Korea. It doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to seeing nature!
Bukhansan, Seoraksan, and Hallasan are three of South Korea’s most well-known mountain hiking trails.
8. Boryeong Mud Festival is a must-see
If you happen to be in South Korea during the summer, this might be something that piques your interest. Despite the fact that it was created by a South Korean cosmetics company, it appears to be popular among foreigners.
The Boryeong Mud Festival, held on South Korea’s Western Coast, lasts ten days and includes mud wrestling, mud swimming, mud massages, and other fun activities to do in South Korea.
9. Bicycle tour of Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a city in Korea’s southwest that offers a variety of sights to see and visit throughout the year. And what better way to see them all than on a bike through the city’s bike-friendly streets?
During the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons, this part of South Korea is especially beautiful. On your next trip to Korea, you might want to try biking around the area.
10. Spend the night in a temple
An overnight temple stay is another great activity to add to your bucket list for South Korea. For a day, live the life of a monk in South Korea!
These temples can be found all over South Korea, though the majority of them are located near mountains. It’s not as simple as it sounds, but spending the night in a temple is both relaxing and rewarding.
There are so many interesting places to visit in South Korea that you won’t have time to get bored! Take advantage of the opportunity to travel outside of Seoul and see what else the country has to offer.
5 activities to do in South Korea (Seoul)
Even if you’ve lived in Seoul for a long time or are planning your first or second visit, there’s never a shortage of fun things to do there. However, if you go online and search the topic, many sources will tell you the same thing, especially if you are new to the country and language.
As a result, it’s easy to get the impression that Seoul is devoid of things to do or see.
11. Dongdaemun is a great place to spend the night
You heard me correctly! Dongdaemun is the place to go if you want to stay out all night but not in the traditional sense of partying. Their plazas are open until 5 a.m., and the Megabox movie theater is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Isn’t it true that shopping and going to the movies have never sounded like fun?
12. Bukchon Hanok Village is a must-see
As previously stated, a visit to Bukchon Hanok Village is a must-do for anyone visiting Korea, particularly Seoul. This is the ideal opportunity to combine South Korea’s traditional culture and architecture with eating at charming cafes and restaurants.
And, because this traditional housing village in South Korea is right in the heart of the city, you’ll be able to see firsthand how beautifully traditional and modern Seoul coexist!
13. From the bus, take in the sights of the city
Take the Seoul City Bus Tour to see a lot of the major attractions in one go if you want to maximize the number of enjoyable activities to do in South Korea during your stay. There are several route options available, you can get on and off wherever you want, and the bus ticket costs only 10,000won.
14. While wearing a hanbok, have a photoshoot
There are shops all over Bukchon Hanok Village where you can rent a lovely hanbok for a few hours (13,000won) or the entire day (26,000won). Make the most of your traditional clothing by having an amateur photoshoot with your friends at historic sites or grand palaces built in Seoul! The entrance fee will be waived if you dress up in a hanbok.
If you still have time after seeing the palaces, take a hanbok-clad stroll through the city. Your magnificent outfit is making everyone envious.
Beautiful cherry blossoms in the background, of course, will make the scene complete. If you travel in the spring, you’ll find beautiful blossoms all over the place, making it easy to find a suitable location for your photographs.
15. Explore the Palaces
Seoul is a fantastic city to visit if you want to see the past collide with the present. The city is well-developed while still retaining traces of its past. They have preserved the king’s palace in various locations throughout the city, despite its highly modern surroundings. Pieces of their history can also be seen at Korea’s national museum, which is also located in Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung Palace (home to the National Folk Museum), Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Changgyeonggung Palace, and Unhyeongung Palace are five grand palaces in Seoul that are all close enough to see in one day!
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the five grand palaces and one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations. There is also a National Museum there. So, if you want your trip to be both educational and enjoyable, you should put that first on your list.
Even if you didn’t rent that hanbok from fun thing #3, a visit to one of these palaces will keep you entertained for the rest of the afternoon. Don’t worry if you’ve already seen some of them; each season in Seoul brings a new kind of beauty to these palace grounds.
