South Korea

12 Best Things to Do in South Korea

One list for the whole country, drawn from 4 cities and ranked by the travelers who went.

Ranked by traveler review volume across 357 tracked places in South Korea, max 3 per city. Updated monthly.

  1. N Seoul Tower

    Landmark · Seoul

    N Seoul Tower, also known as Namsan Tower, stands 236 meters tall on Namsan Mountain in the heart of Seoul.

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  2. Lotte World

    Entertainment · Seoul

    Lotte World is a sprawling entertainment complex in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, encompassing one of the world's largest indoor theme parks, an outdoor adventure park, a shopping mall, a luxury…

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  3. Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Landmark · Seoul

    Gyeongbokgung Palace, also known as Gyeongbokgung, is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon dynasty in Seoul.

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  4. Yongdusan Park

    Park & nature · Busan

    Yongdusan Park sits atop Yongdusan Hill in central Busan, providing a peaceful escape with sweeping views of the city and harbor.

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  5. Gukje Market

    Market · BusanFree entry

    Gukje Market in Busan is a sprawling traditional market that has been a hub of commerce since the 1950s.

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  6. Seomun Market

    Market · Daegu

    Seomun Market is one of Daegu's largest and oldest traditional markets, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.

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  7. Sea Life Busan Aquarium

    Museum · Busan

    Sea Life Busan Aquarium is a major attraction located adjacent to Haeundae Beach, housing over 250 species and 10,000 marine animals.

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  8. Daegu National Museum

    Museum · Daegu

    Daegu National Museum offers a deep dive into Korea's ancient kingdoms, with a focus on the Silla and Goryeo periods.

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  9. Daegu Opera House

    Entertainment · Daegu

    Daegu Opera House is a contemporary performance venue dedicated to the performing arts, particularly opera, ballet, and musicals.

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  10. Incheon Chinatown

    Neighborhood · Incheon

    Incheon Chinatown is a bustling enclave that dates back to the 1880s, when Chinese merchants settled near the port.

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  11. Gonghwachun

    Landmark · Incheon

    Gonghwachun, established in 1905, is a legendary restaurant in Incheon's Chinatown. It is widely recognized as the birthplace of jajangmyeon, Korea's iconic black bean noodle dish.

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  12. Jayu Park

    Park & nature · Incheon

    Jayu Park, meaning 'Freedom Park,' is a hillside green space that commemorates Incheon's role as a gateway to Korea.

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Good to know

What is the best-known of the places to visit in South Korea?

N Seoul Tower in Seoul is the most reviewed, with 67,293 traveler reviews and a 4.5 rating. That makes it the safe choice if you are only fitting in one.

Which of South Korea's places to visit is worth going out of your way for?

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul rates highest at 4.6 out of 5 across 46,460 reviews. Smaller crowds than the headline entry usually explain the gap.

Which city in South Korea has the most places to visit?

Seoul, with 3 on this list, ahead of Busan on 3. The list spans 4 cities in total, capped at three per city so one big city cannot crowd out the rest of the country.

How is this list of places to visit ranked?

By how many travelers reviewed each place, filtered to those rated well enough to be worth your time, drawn from 357 tracked places in South Korea. No one pays to appear on it, and the order is refreshed monthly as new reviews land.

By city: Seoul · Busan · Daegu · Incheon — or check visa rules for South Korea

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