8 Best Seoul (South Korea) Day Trips
Check out the best Seoul day trips in my new guide! Getting out of the big capital city for at least one day is a must to see more local culture and try new things!
I always recommend taking a few day trips from any major city because it really allows you to explore more of the country. Sometimes big cities can be full of tourist attractions, so taking some day trips allows you to leave the business behind and explore more landscapes.
South Korea is a stunning country full of different cuisines, cultures, and nature. This makes taking a few Seoul day trips even more worthwhile!
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Visiting Seoul, South Korea
As the capital of South Korea, Seoul is the country’s cultural center. It’s also famous for being the center of K Pop Music and K Drama films.
Most visitors to Seoul never want to leave because of the amazing cuisine, the endless shopping, and the many cultural attractions around the huge city.
Once you’ve completed your Seoul itinerary, add a day or two at the end for some amazing day trips.
Ready to check out the best Seoul day trips? Here are the top ones not to miss!
- See the border between North and South Korea at the DMZ
- Learn about Prince Joengjo at the Hwaseong Fortress
- Take a hike in Naejangsan National Park
- Ride some rollercoasters at Everland Theme Park
- Visit the micronation of Nami Island
- Check out the stunning views in Bhukansan National Park
- Climb to the top of Mount Seorak
- See traditional Korean life in Andong
1. The DMZ
The DMZ is the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. It’s one of the best day trips from Seoul, especially for those interested in the intense history between the two different sides of the Korean Peninsula.
You should book a tour as most solo visitors without a tour guide are not allowed to enter the zone. Make sure to bring your passport and be prepared to go through military checkpoints, as there are several.
There are a number of different DMZ tours highlighting different aspects of the DMZ and the area. Here are some popular options.
There is also a small village located near the border called Imjingak Park. The memorial altar is vital to check out. Many South Koreans that have relatives or villages in North Korea come here to pay respect to their families that they can no longer see or talk to.
The 3rd infiltration tunnel is also a popular place to visit in the DMZ. It’s 358 meters underground, so it’s definitely not for those that are claustrophobic. However, if you don’t have any issues with small places, going down into the tunnel allows you to see the spaces North Korea digs to launch attacks on the South.
If you’re interested in a half-day or full-day visit option, check out this tour. And this DMZ tour is private, just for your group!
2. Hwaseong Fortress
You can visit this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site just an hour south of Seoul. The most popular thing to do is walk along the fortress wall. It’s 3.4 miles long, so you can get in a workout visiting. Or you can walk along a short section before turning back.
King Joengjo built the fortress in the late part of the 18th century. It was partly built to defend the city and as a memorial to his father, Prince Jangheon.
Hwaseong Fortress is located in South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Suwon-si, Jangan-gu, 영화동 320-2. The hours depend on the season, so please check the calendar before planning your trip. Tickets are 1,000 won (about $1 USD).
3. Naejangsan National Park
There are many national parks just a few hours from Seoul. Nawjangsan is one of the most beautiful parks, with many hiking trails. If you can only come here for a day, you will need to take the high-speed KTX train.
The bus takes about half a day to get to this national park. So if you take the bus, you will need to spend the night near the park and head back to Seoul the next day.
While you can visit Naejangsan National Park any time of the year, most Koreans will tell you that it’s the best in autumn when the leaves start to change colors.
Naejangsan National Park is located at 936 Naejangsan-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. It’s open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It cost 3000 won to enter (about $2.30 USD).
4. Everland Amusement Park
If you want to get an adrenaline rush while in South Korea, come to Everland Theme Park. It’s also one of the best day trips from Seoul for those traveling with kids.
Everland Amusement Park is the biggest theme park in South Korea. It’s much busier and better than the small amusement park, Lotte World, located in Seoul.
Everland is only about an hour away from Seoul, so it’s an easy day trip. There are many different rollercoasters as well as rides for smaller children.
They also have fun parades in the afternoon, but the ones around Christmas and the holiday season are the best!
Everland Theme Park is located at 199 Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. They are open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are 58,000 won (about $45 USD) for adults and 46,000 won (about $35 USD) for children.
5. Nami Island
Located right in the middle of the Han River, this tiny island is one of the best day trips from Seoul. South Korea recognizes the small island as a micronation, so you need your passport to enter.
They even have their own currency and flag, so it really feels like you’re in another country. I recommend booking a tour of the island so the guide can take you to all the best spots.
You can also use their transportation with a tour rather than taking the public bus.
Since you can use a private shuttle with a guide, and they can take you to all the notable spots, you can do Nami Island in half a day and then return to Seoul for dinner and nightlife.
Here is a map of Nami Island. It costs 14,000 won to enter the island (about $11 USD).
6. Bhukansan National Park
While South Korea has many national parks, Bhukansan is the only one located in the Seoul metro area. It’s the closest national park to the city, so it’s a very popular place to visit, both for Seoul locals and expats.
The main activity in the national park is hiking, with trails ranging from easy to very difficult.
Most people choose one of these hiking trails as they lead to the best views:
- Bukhansan Direct Peak Ascent: Just as the name says, the trail takes you to the top of Bhukansan Mountain. It’s a 3.2-mile point-to-point trail with incredible views at the top.
- Baegunbongammum: This 2-mile out & back hike is a little challenging in some places, but you can take it slow to make it to the top.
- Bukhansan Main Route: Try this 5.3-mile point-to-point trail if you have some energy and want to spend a good portion of the day hiking. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete and has spectacular city views.
7. Naksansa Temple and Mount Seorak
If you’ve seen photos of South Korea, you probably already know about the stunning landscape, including snow-capped mountains and large trees with leaves changing colors.
To immerse yourself in the nature of South Korea, take a trip to Naksana Temple and Mount Seorak. These places are close together on the east coast, so you can visit them on the same day.
You can also book a guided tour to make seeing both places easier.
Most tours go to Mount Seorak first, where the shuttle will take you to the mountain. Then you can take a hike to see incredible views. Most tours use the Biryong trail because it takes less than an hour and is one of the more accessible trails in Seoraksan National Park.
If you want to explore more of the national park, go on your own rather than taking a guided tour.
Seoraksan National Park is located at South Korea, Gangwon-do, Sokcho-si, Seoraksan-ro, 833 KR. It’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance cost 3,500 won (about $3 USD).
After the mountain, you can head to Naksana Temple. The temple is huge and stunning, so most people spend at least two hours here.
Naksana Temple is located at 100 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea. The entrance is 4000 won (about $3 USD).
8. Andong
Seoul might be a very modern city, but there are other cities and locations around the country that are still very steeped in tradition. Andong is one of the best places to come if you’re interested in the traditional culture of Korea.
The city is known for its many open-air heritage museums. Also famous Hahoe Folk Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The residents still live a very traditional life, including sleeping in homes with thatched straw roofs.
If you’re a fan of Soju (an alcoholic beverage), I recommend touring the Andong Soju Museum. You can learn about the production process and why it’s such an important drink in South Korea.
You can also check out the Andong Maskdance Festival if you’re here in September or October. They have dance shows where the participants wear intricately decorated masks and traditional Korean clothing.
Top Things to Do in Seoul
Even though you now have an amazing list of the top day trips from Seoul, you might still need some recommendations on what to do in Seoul.
You can read my full guide on the best activities around the city here.
- Take a stroll in Namsan Park. When the weather is nice in Seoul, taking a stroll through Namsan Park is a must. The N. Seoul Tower is also here if you go to the top and see some incredible city views.
- Shop in Insadong. This district in central Seoul is the perfect place to buy everything from traditional Korean clothing to ceramics to locally grown herbal teas. Spend a few hours wandering down the alleys before stopping into a cafe or teahouse for some lunch.
- Take a tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can enter more than 300 buildings and learn about the history of the Joseon dynasty.
- Party in Hongdae. If you’re interested in nightlife or entertainment while in Seoul, Hongdae is the place to go. Karaoke bars are also a big thing in this part of town. Many tourists also come here to get souvenirs as there are many street vendors, and the prices are lower compared to the larger markets.
- Take a cooking class. Korean cuisine is incredible, and there is nothing better than taking a cooking class to learn to make your favorite dishes. You can also do a food walking tour if you prefer to eat rather than learn to make the dishes.
- Eat at the local Noryangjin Fish Market. This inexpensive market is the best place to come to try some amazing Korean seafood dishes. They have everything from shellfish to whole fish to octopus.
How to Get to Seoul
Seoul has a large international airport where you can fly from just about any location. Check for flights going to Incheon International Airport (ICN).
If you’re flying from Europe or North America, you might have a few connections, but flying into Seoul is still very easy. You can use Emirates Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Korean Air.
When to Visit Seoul
The city is absolutely breathtaking in the spring when the cherry blossoms and other flowers are in full bloom. March to May are the best times to see the flowers, and the weather is also very mild.
Autumn from mid-September to mid-November is also a nice time as all the leaves in the city and the national parks change colors making for a stunning backdrop for photos.
Don’t Miss These Seoul Day Trips!
Ready to take some Seoul day trips? Please add some of these amazing places to your South Korean itinerary!
If you have a few extra days to take some day trips, spend one in a national park and the other day visiting a temple or other historical site. This way, you can see more of the culture and nature of South Korea.
Which of these Seoul day trips are you planning to do?
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