While I lived and taught English in South Korea for two full years, I took every opportunity to visit and see a lot of the best places this lovely country has to offer. But sadly, not everyone has as much time to explore the land of the morning calm.
So I’ve taken everything I know about my second home and put it into this comprehensive 2 weeks in South Korea guide in hopes it inspires you in your travel planning!
One of the best things about travel in South Korea is the great public transportation, allowing travelers to see a good amount of the country efficiently and comfortably in only 2 weeks.
There are also some of the cutest and best hostels in South Korea that I’ve had the pleasure of staying in that satisfied my need for a good night’s rest for an affordable price. Not only that, but the food, the hiking, the culture – it’s all fantastic. I have a feeling you’re going to love your two weeks Korea.
Are you spending only 1 week in South Korea? I have a guide for that too! As well as a comprehensive list of the best South Korea travel tips.
Read More Korea Travel Guides:
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
How to Spend 2 Weeks in South Korea.
4 DAYS IN SEOUL
Of course Seoul needs to be top of the list when planning your South Korea 2 week itinerary! Spending time exploring Seoul means eating delicious food, cafe hopping, and indulging in fabulous shopping and self-care. Prepare your palette and your belly to be perpetually full as you cafe and restaurant hop from one unique establishment to another.
Seoul also has many cultural and historical gems for visitors to learn a bit about what this country has been through in the past – it’s actually quite a bit! While this list is by no means an end all be all list to how to see and explore Seoul, it’ll give you a good start to the main attractions while you spend your 14 days in South Korea.
The view of Seoul and the fortress walls from Inwangsan
Must-Do Attractions in Seoul
The 5 palaces of Seoul
Seoul’s most popular attractions are its two biggest palaces, Gyeongbokgung – the main and most impressive palace – and Changdeokgung, the second oldest most famous for its beautiful secret garden.
Rent a hanbok for a classic traditional experience, and for free entrance into the palace grounds!
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village is a beautiful blast from the past tucked away in an unsuspecting part of the city, a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace. Come early to beat the massive crowds and go on the self-guided walking tour.
Be sure to use quiet voices and respect the homes of the local residents who still live there today!
Get Naked at a Jjimjilbang
You guys, jjimjilbangs are life and I want everyone to consider bucking up the courage to get naked and go to the public bathhouses in Korea because they are AMAZING. Baths are separated by gender, and the thing to do is get a scrub where an older woman will rub you raw. You’ll walk out feeling soft as a baby’s bottom and oh so relaxed.
Read more about the naked truth about jjimjilbangs!
Gwangjang + Namdaemun Markets
Gwangjang and Namdaemun are both regarded as some of the largest and oldest traditional markets in Seoul! Gwangjang is best known for delicious food such as a mung bean pancake, build your own bibimbap, and kimchi dumplings (all yummy!). Namdaemun is the place to go for affordable souvenirs.
Of course these are just two of the many traditional / night markets in Seoul!
Climb to the top of Namsan Tower
Namsan Tower is located in Itaewon, the international district of Seoul, and offers fantastic views overlooking Seoul’s skyline. I recommend going right before sunset to catch day and night views and hopefully a pretty sunset – pollution depending!
Even More Things to Do in Seoul
As this is a massive two week itinerary for South Korea, I don’t want to bore you too much with the details – but there are definitely so many more amazing things to see in Seoul! Here’s a bucket list of more things to consider while spending your four days in Korea’s capital city!
- Roam the neon streets of Myeongdong for the city’s best shopping and to sample street food from local vendors who set up shop on the pedestrian streets.
- Marvel at traditional and modern art at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
- Party it up in Itaewon after dark and visit local favorite bars like The Bungalow, Bermuda Triangle, Southside Parlor, and more.
- Get brunch in Hongdae and spend half a day shopping and enjoying local street performances by aspiring dancers and singers as well as the Trick Eye Museum, Nanta Show, and the delicious restaurants in Hongdae too because there are so many!
- Visit Insadong, Seoul’s traditional district and sip tea at a traditional tea house, visit the poop cafe at the cute Ssamzigil Mall, and more!
As I said, there are a million and one things to do in Seoul! Glance over this long list of my faves and for an idea of more non-touristy options during your visit to Seoul.
1 DAY TRIP TO THE DMZ
The DMZ, or Korean Demilitarized Zone, is the border between North and South Korea, created as a buffer zone at the end of the Korean War. Since the war is technically still ongoing – although no true military fighting occurs today – this area is a politically charged separation between the two countries.
As tourists, you can come visit the DMZ, JSA (The Joint Security Area where meetings are held), and other historic sites in the area.
Things to note for tours to the DMZ:
- Departs from Seoul.
- Typically starts early in the morning and ends in the afternoon (the tour we did specifically met at 7:00 am and we got back around 3:00 pm).
- Koridoor is one of the best rated and priced options but there are other companies to choose from. This may be one of the only English tours as well.
- Be sure to book months in advance to get the spot that works best for you.
- Check for updates as right now South Korea and North Korea are going through landmark meetings which may affect the opening of parts of the DMZ. We were told tours had been cancelled the week prior to ours so we were very lucky! Tensions between the two countries are ALWAYS changing.
- You need your passport for the tour – don’t forget it!
- You need to wear conservative clothing and take caution to follow the rules when visiting the border.
2 DAYS IN SEORAKSAN NATIONAL PARK
If you’re a nature buff and love hiking, I really recommend a visit to Seoraksan National Park. Even if you’re not that into hiking, I still recommend a visit anyways. There are hiking trails and attractions for folks of all fitness levels and the park really does offer the best nature in the country.
For those who wish to stay and take full advantage of the trails, there are many guesthouses surrounding the park entrance as well as in the nearby main coastal town of Sokcho.
Things to do in Seoraksan National Park
- Bisondae Valley – an easy trail for all levels
- Ulsanbawi iconic view – a moderate/difficult hike with a lot of stairs, but worth it if you’re up for the challenge. Takes 2-3 hours round-trip.
- Geumganggul Cave – a moderate and very steep, but short, hike to a cave carved into the steep face of the mountain. Offers amazing views and the cave is occupied by a monk
- Daecheongbong Peak – the highest in the park. Only if you have the time and are an avid hiker. This hike can take the better part of a day to complete depending on the trail.
- Cable Car
- Sinheungsa Temple
There are many hiking trails in Seoraksan to consider if the above aren’t for you! Hiking in South Korea in general is pretty killer, so be sure to check out all the best hiking options before finalizing your South Korea itinerary.
How to get to Seoraksan National Park
Rent a car: This is by far one of the most convenient ways of getting to the park, but also one of the more pricier options. The drive is just under three hours and there is parking available at the entrance.
Renalcars.com is a great search engine for finding the cheapest rentals in any country.
Take a bus: Taking a bus to Seoraksan is a bit of a mission, but it’s possible and will be your cheapest option. The buses to Seoraksan leave from the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal which is in front of the Gangbyeon Station. Take a bus bound for Sokcho.
The ride will take a little more than 3 hours to get to Sokcho. Once at the Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, transfer to the local bus 7 or 7-1 bound for Seoraksan National Park. This remaining leg is about 30 minutes of travel.
If you need any assistance once you get to Sockho, there is a tourist info center outside the Sokcho Bus Terminal that can help you find your way. For more help on how to buy bus tickets in Korea, I have a step by step process for you handy!
Go on an organized tour: Now this is something I must admit I’ve never done personally, but there are many tours operating to the park that may be good for those looking for nature but not so keen on renting a car and going it alone.
Trazy is reputable tour company that has many tours in the country and they have a tour specifically to Seoraksan you can consider. There are other companies as well.
– OR –
1 DAY IN JEONJU, GYEONGJU OR ANDONG
If hiking or nature really isn’t your thing, don’t fret! There are also many cute and Korean towns boasting lots of cultural gems to explore during your 2 weeks in South Korea. I personally recommend Jeonju, Gyeongju or Andong for a day (or two) trip. But there are many other destinations in Korea perfect for a 2 day visit.
The lovely rooftops of the Hanok village in Jeonju
2 DAYS IN BUSAN
Busan is quite a lovely place! Located along the coast, Korea’s second largest city offers ocean views, vibrant atmosphere and a great night life. It’s definitely a must-visit place on any 2 week trip in South Korea itinerary and is super easy to get to from Seoul.
Things to do in Busan
- Gamcheon Culture Village
- Jalgachi Fish Market
- Lotte Department Store Observation Deck
- Seomyeon ‘Downtown’ Area
- Haeundae Beach + Gwangalli Beach
- Songdo Beach / Amnam park
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple by the ocean
- Hiking Jangsan Mountain and other awesome hiking trails in Busan
Check out my Busan Travel Guide for even more in-depth Busan travel tips and things to do!
The oh so colorful Gamcheon Culture Village
4 DAYS IN JEJU
Jeju Island is lovingly known as the “Hawaii of Korea” by the locals. While I must sadly share that the landscape of Jeju really isn’t as beautiful or epic as Hawaii (the nickname is a bit misleading), it’s still a wonderful escape to nature that is vastly different from the mainland. If you have the time and are spending 2 weeks in South Korea, I recommend making the trek to visit Jeju Island.
There are many direct flights you can take to get to the island that depart quite often from all major airports in Seoul. You can also opt to take a four hour ferry that departs from the southern city of Mokpo, however it’s quite a journey to get there from Seoul or Busan.
Things to do in Jeju
- Hike Hallasan Mountain
- Visit Loveland
- Walk along the Olle Trails
- Visit a funky musem like the Teddy Bear Museum
- Soak up some sun on the beach – Jungmun and Gwakji are the most popular
- Go inside the Manjanggul lava cave
- Check out the Jusangjeolli Cliffs
- Hike Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak
For more of the best things to do in Jeju, peep my recommendations!
The stunning cliffs along Olle 8
How to take the train in Korea.
- You can purchase tickets online or in person at the counter or machines
- Ticket machines at the station only accept Korean domestic cards
- You can use international cards at the counter at the station
- Trains leave pretty spot on time so don’t be late or you could miss your train!
- There are a few train options – KTX (fastest train, most expensive), SRT (fast train, slightly cheaper), ITX (medium speed train, slightly cheaper), Mugunghwa (slow train and cheapest)
- You can buy a Korail rail pass but it may not be worth it if your 2 weeks in South Korea itinerary doesn’t involve the train enough. Be sure to calculate the total price of the individual routes on your itinerary compared to the cost of the rail pass before purchasing.
- Most Koreans buy their tickets the day of or the day before. Be sure to book at least half a day beforehand to make sure you get the ticket you want.
How to take the bus in Korea.
- Kobus is the website for bus information and ticket reservations but it’s only in Korean. The English site BusTago shows the schedule but doesn’t allow tickets to be purchased. You can also purchase tickets on the Korean website BusTerminal.
- You can also pick up any bus tickets in person at the bus terminals which I honestly think is the easiest way!.
- Buses are affordable and plentiful. Between popular destinations buses typically leave every hour. Less frequently for less popular areas.
- Most Koreans book their tickets the day before or the day of. I recommend booking at least the day before just to guarantee you get the bus you want. Especially for the routes with less frequent departures.
- The bus terminals in Seoul are:
- Seoul Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널)
- Central City Bus Terminal (센트럴시티터미널)
- Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울종합터미널)
- Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal (서울남부터미널)
Read more about how to buy bus tickets in Korea.
There you have it! My ultimate guide for how to spend two weeks in Korea!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
What are your top destination recommendations for 2 weeks in South Korea? Share below!
This is a great itinerary! I got back from my first visit to South Korea recently and already cannot wait to return. I also wanted to mention that I was able to use my international visa card on the ticket machines at all stations (Jeonju, Boseong, Namwon). It was only in Gwangju that the card didn’t work but I think that might have had something to do with my bank.
That’s great to know, thank you for sharing!! I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Korea!!