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Introducing South Korea

South Korea captivates travelers with its unique blend of traditional and modern cultures. This vibrant peninsula nation offers a diverse range of experiences from the bustling metropolis of Seoul, with its high-tech subways and pop culture, to the tranquil Buddhist temples and historic palaces tucked away in the countryside. South Korea's landscapes are equally varied and beautiful, ranging from the volcanic Jeju Island to the stunning Seoraksan Mountain peaks, and the scenic coastal city of Busan. Visitors can immerse themselves in the country's rich history in Gyeongju, sample local cuisine in a Seoul food market, or explore the art scenes in the rustic village of Andong. All these elements combine to create an unforgettable Korean experience that appeals to adventurers, history buffs, and food lovers alike.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 13 days · 14 days

South Korea Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Best of South Korea: Seoul, Andong, Busan & Jeju Island - 10 Days

Explore South Korea's cultural highlights and natural wonders on this 10-day itinerary. The adventure begins in Seoul, where you'll explore the urban culture and street food scene. Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) next before continuing to historic temples in Andong. Discover the beautiful coastline of Busan, then fly to Jeju Island to marvel at the spectacular scenery and take in views from the country's highest peak.

Best of South Korea & Japan: Seoul, Busan, Tokyo & Kyoto - 14 Days

See the best of South Korea and Japan as you cross the two nations by car, plane, and train. Learn about culinary traditions at busy markets in Seoul and Busan, then explore volcanic Jeju Island's gardens and mountains. Jet off to Tokyo for Mount Fuji views and pop culture, and ride a bullet train to Kyoto for a tea ceremony and hike before indulging in street food in Osaka.

South Korea K-Drama Tour: Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju & Busan - 10 Days

Immerse yourself in Korean drama on this 10-day tour of South Korea. You'll visit the country's most famous locations, featured on film, from Seoul to Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Busan. Marvel at the capital's Gyeongbokgung palace and N Seoul Tower, then discover European-themed villages and the UNESCO-listed Seokguram Grotto. More movie-worthy highlights include Jeonju's ancient hanok houses, Daerengwon Tomb Complex, and Busan's Gamcheon Cultural Village.

Discover South Korea's Western Coast Natural Wonders - 7 Days

From bamboo forests to mountain summits, discover some of South Korea's natural wonders along the peninsula's western coast. Touchdown in Seoul and admire the extensive grounds of Gyeongbokgung palace before heading south to explore Taeanhaean National Park and soaring over Daecheon Beach by sky bike. After checking out the traditional houses of Jeonju Hanok Village and wandering Damyan's lush bamboo forests, you'll take in the extraordinary views of Jirisan National Park.

South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Busan & Jeju - 7 Days

Explore South Korea's diverse culinary traditions from cities to islands on this seven-day tour by train, car, and air, from Seoul to Busan to Udo. Learn Korean flavors and ingredients in a cooking class, and explore the vast Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul. Board a train south to Busan and then join locals at Jagalchi Fish Market, buying seafood cooked to order. Then fly to tranquil Udo for beach time and village life to end your adventure.

South Korea K-Drama Tour of Seoul - 5 Days

Experience a taste of South Korea's "Hallyuwood" as you hit the sights of Korean drama scenes on this five-day trip. You'll tour some of Seoul's most famous locations, which feature heavily in popular South Korean movies and TV shows. Visit ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Mountain, and the iconic N Seoul Tower—you'll even have the chance to ride rollercoasters at Lotte World. Head out of the city for more K-drama hotspots, from European-themed villages to the tree-lined parks of Nami Island.

Make the Most of Your Time in South Korea

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
How Many Days to Spend in South Korea

A 10-day visit is recommended for South Korea. The small size of the country, combined with good roads, multiple domestic airports, and excellent public transportation, makes it...

South Korea Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest South Korea Content

Signature Seoul & Geumsunsa Temple Stay - 6 Days

Experience the highlights of South Korea's capital, including an immersive temple stay, with this six-day Seoul getaway. See the traditional changing of the guard at the palace of Gyeongbokgung, learn about more recent Korean history at the DMZ, and take in the views from atop the iconic N Seoul Tower. Spend a night with the monks at Geumsunsa Temple, then end your trip amid the city's best cafés, bathhouses, and street food markets.

South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Jeonju, Gwangju, Busan & Jeju - 13 Days

Love exploring new cultures through your taste buds? You'll explore local markets in five different cities and learn to cook plenty of traditional dishes with this 13-day foodie adventure through South Korea. Start by following tantalizing smells and sizzling sounds in Seoul's markets and alleyways before moving on to the country's culinary capital, Jeonju. Continue making your way south, exploring seaside Busan, before wrapping things up among the tangerine groves and tea fields of Jeju Island.

South Korea's UNESCO Treasures & Temple Stay - 10 Days

Discover some of South Korea's UNESCO-listed wonders during this 10-day journey. See palaces and temples in Seoul, make your own Korean name stamp, and learn some traditional recipes before admiring ancient relics in Gongju and Buyeo. Spend a memorable night at the Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan National Park before transferring to Gyeongju, South Korea's "museum without walls." Finally, return to Seoul via a walk along the ancient fortress walls of Namhansanseong.

South Korea Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
2 Weeks in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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10 Days in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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1 Week in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for South Korea
active 6 hours ago

Jessica Wang

My philosophy is that travel is about personal reflection and growth, about meeting people of different cultures, taking in the beauty of nature, and experiencing authentic activities. Let me know...

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active 5 hours ago

Christine Liu

I have a deep passion for exploring and traveling, as it allows me to encounter new cultures, meet new people, and witness the incredible diversity of our world. I have traveled to more than 30...

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active 4 hours ago

Hilda Yang

Travel is my greatest passion—it awakens my senses, connects me with nature's wonders, and continually deepens my appreciation for our diverse world. Every journey through Japan reveals new layers...

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active 12 hours ago

Judy Zhang

My travel story began with a solo backpacking trip to Singapore—what started as a personal escape quickly became a lifelong passion. Since then, I’ve helped travelers discover the heart of East...

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Trip Reviews for South Korea

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Highly recommend kimkim Travel / Odynovo Tours for your next South Korea / Asia trip!
South Korea | Apr 2 - Apr 13, 2026

Larry G.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Apr 15, 2026
Kimkim Travel / Odynovo Tours was an excellent company to work with and Christine Liu, my travel specialist, was very friendly, professional and helpful throughout all stages of my trip, from planning through return. She helped schedule changes and provided great tips as well. All the guides and drivers were very trustworthy, kind and professional. April Lee guided me in Seoul and was friendly and made great suggestions, including trying on Hanok style clothing at the Palace, which was fun... Read more

Kimkim Travel / Odynovo Tours was an excellent company to work with and Christine Liu, my travel specialist, was very friendly, professional and helpful throughout all stages of my trip, from planning through return. She helped schedule changes and provided great tips as well. All the guides and drivers were very trustworthy, kind and professional. April Lee guided me in Seoul and was friendly and made great suggestions, including trying on Hanok style clothing at the Palace, which was fun and memorable. Joe guided me through Jeonju and Gyeongju and had a wealth of information about history and many facets of the areas we traveled in, he was a very friendly and trustworthy and professional guide. Ryan Lee guided me through Busan and showed me many areas of that great city, providing information only someone from the area would know; he was also friendly, professional and trustworthy. The drivers, Mr. Yoon, Mr. Shin and Mr. Kang were also excellent and professional and friendly. The trip was very enjoyable and I highly recommend kimkim travel / Odynovo Tours if you want to go to South Korea & Asia. One of my favorite excursions was to Yongin Dae Geum Park to see where some historical K dramas were filmed, and the guide, Anna Kim was also very friendly and helpful. How many ways can I say great and thank you!

Hotel Review
Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong
Seoul

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong is centrally located and has very friendly and professional staff, with excellent food and a very pleasant atmosphere. I highly recommend it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Half Day Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park ( join in )
Seoul

This is a beautiful location and it's fun to personally visit a historical set where many K dramas are filmed. The guide, Anna Kim, was very friendly and helpful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Christine Liu
Christine Liu
Local specialist in Seoul and Japan | Replied on Apr 16, 2026
Hi Larry,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
I’m so glad we made your trip smooth and enjoyable. A special thank you for mentioning April Lee, Joe, Ryan Lee, Anna Kim, and the drivers, Mr. Yoon, Mr. Shin, and Mr. Kang. We will make sure to pass along your kind words to each of them. It’s wonderful to know that their professionalism and guidance left such a positive impression on you across Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Busan. Hearing that you highly recommend us for South Korea...
Read more

Hi Larry,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
I’m so glad we made your trip smooth and enjoyable. A special thank you for mentioning April Lee, Joe, Ryan Lee, Anna Kim, and the drivers, Mr. Yoon, Mr. Shin, and Mr. Kang. We will make sure to pass along your kind words to each of them. It’s wonderful to know that their professionalism and guidance left such a positive impression on you across Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Busan. Hearing that you highly recommend us for South Korea and Asia means the world to me. It was a pleasure helping you, and I’d love to assist with your future travels.
Warmly,
Christine

Christine Liu + KimKim Team = Easiest 5-Star Review Ever!
South Korea | Mar 27 - Apr 7, 2026

Deborah Q.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 14, 2026
It was a pleasure working with Christine Liu in planning our first-ever trip to South Korea. She listened to our interests and budget in planning our 12 days visiting Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Her prompt and thoughtful responses to the numerous and myriad questions we had over the few months of planning were greatly appreciated. She was ever patient with two women who peppered her with questions and requests! Similarly our private guides in Seoul (Billy), Busan (Fred), and on Jeju... Read more

It was a pleasure working with Christine Liu in planning our first-ever trip to South Korea. She listened to our interests and budget in planning our 12 days visiting Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Her prompt and thoughtful responses to the numerous and myriad questions we had over the few months of planning were greatly appreciated. She was ever patient with two women who peppered her with questions and requests!

Similarly our private guides in Seoul (Billy), Busan (Fred), and on Jeju (Yuna) were excellent. Of course we expected them to be knowledgeable, experienced guides as a baseline. But ALL THREE demonstrated keen interest in ensuring we enjoyed ourselves, anticipated our interests and accommodated us without disappointment. E.g. searching for the best salt bread, guiding us through markets with a "local" feel, helping us rent our hanbok, taking plenty of photos, making thoughtful suggestions on how to maximize our experiences, and more. Also a shout-out to our medical concierge (James) and translator (Clara) who were indispensable in arranging our day of K-beauty treatments. With only one-day, James helped select a very excellent medical clinic for non-invasive facial treatments and scalp treatments. BTW, all highly effective and enjoyable.

I have already recommended KimKim to friends who are interested in engaging travel planning and I will not hesitate to utilize KimKim again as well. As a retiree in my early 70's, it is comforting to know I have a trusted travel company that can help ensure a smooth, safe, and enjoyable trip when venturing into new countries - especially when a potential challenge with a foreign language is a factor.

Thank you KimKim! Thank you Christine! Thank you Billy, James, Clara, Fred, and Yuna! I will never forget my experiences in South Korea; in large part and thanks to your guidance!

Local specialist: Christine Liu
Christine Liu
Local specialist in Seoul and Japan | Replied on Apr 17, 2026
Hi Deborah, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review — it truly means a lot to me and to all of us. And really, I should be the one saying thank you. From the very beginning of planning with you and Joyce, to all the messages and little updates you shared along the way, it felt like I was traveling a bit with you too — which made the whole experience even more special on my end. Thank you again for your trust, your warmth, and all the conversations we shared... Read more

Hi Deborah,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review — it truly means a lot to me and to all of us.

And really, I should be the one saying thank you. From the very beginning of planning with you and Joyce, to all the messages and little updates you shared along the way, it felt like I was traveling a bit with you too — which made the whole experience even more special on my end.

Thank you again for your trust, your warmth, and all the conversations we shared along the way. I’ll always remember I have a special connection in San Francisco — wishing you all the very best.

Warmly,
Christine

Great trip. Thanks for being flexible when w...
South Korea | Mar 29 - Apr 5, 2026

M
Mitch S.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2026

Great trip. Thanks for being flexible when we needed to change things because of my mom's medical emergency.

Our two guides were great. Sebastian, in particular, was one of our favorite guides of all time.

Local specialist: Jessica Wang
Jessica Wang
Local specialist in South Korea | Replied on Apr 15, 2026
Hi Mitch, Thank you so much for your feedback—it truly means a lot to us 😊 We’re really happy to hear that you had a great trip, and especially that our flexibility during the unexpected medical situation helped make things easier for you and your family. I truly hope your mom is doing well now. It’s also wonderful to know you enjoyed your guides, and I’ll be sure to pass your special feedback to Sebastian—he will be very happy to hear that he was one of your favorite guides of all... Read more

Hi Mitch,

Thank you so much for your feedback—it truly means a lot to us 😊

We’re really happy to hear that you had a great trip, and especially that our flexibility during the unexpected medical situation helped make things easier for you and your family. I truly hope your mom is doing well now.

It’s also wonderful to know you enjoyed your guides, and I’ll be sure to pass your special feedback to Sebastian—he will be very happy to hear that he was one of your favorite guides of all time!

Thank you again for traveling with us and for your trust. We would love to welcome you again on another journey in the future.

Warm regards,
Jessica

Why travelers love kimkim

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