South Korea
6 Best Religious Sites in South Korea
The temples, churches and sacred sites travelers rate highest across South Korea, with what makes each worth the trip.
Ranked by traveler review volume across 357 tracked places in South Korea. Updated monthly.
Bongeunsa Temple
Religious site · SeoulFree entryBongeunsa Temple is a tranquil oasis amidst the skyscrapers of Gangnam, Seoul's bustling business district. Founded in 794 during the Silla Dynasty, it has been rebuilt and expanded over centuries.
Read our full guide →Myeongdong Cathedral
Religious site · SeoulMyeongdong Cathedral is the national cathedral of the Archdiocese of Seoul, located in the Myeongdong neighborhood.
Read our full guide →Jogyesa
Religious site · SeoulJogyesa is the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located in downtown Seoul near Insa-dong and Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Read our full guide →United Nations Memorial Cemetery
Religious site · BusanThe United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan is the only UN cemetery in the world, established in 1951 to honor soldiers who died in the Korean War.
Read our full guide →Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, Daegu
Religious site · DaeguOur Lady of Lourdes Cathedral stands as one of Daegu's most iconic religious landmarks, with its striking Gothic Revival architecture featuring red brick walls, pointed arches, and twin bell towers.
Read our full guide →St. Paul's Cathedral, Incheon
Religious site · IncheonSt. Paul's Cathedral stands as one of Korea's oldest Catholic churches, constructed in 1897 by French missionaries.
Read our full guide →
Good to know
What is the best-known of the temples, churches and sacred sites in South Korea?
Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul is the most reviewed, with 1,336 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 temples, churches and sacred sites is worth going out of your way for?
Jogyesa in Seoul rates highest at 4.4 out of 5 across 1,074 reviews. Smaller crowds than the headline entry usually explain the gap.
Which city in South Korea has the most temples, churches and sacred sites?
Seoul, with 3 on this list, ahead of Busan on 1. 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 temples, churches and sacred sites 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.
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