Korean cities to visit
that are not Seoul
It’s a well-known fact that if you really want to discover a country, you have to visit more than just its capital. Don’t get me wrong, I love visiting capitals. These cities are always dynamic and lively, and have a lot to offer to tourists and travelers. Their approachability is what I love, but also what I hate.
Capital cities are often similar to each other (at least on the same continents), and they’re a bit like a microcosm within the country.
Anyway, if you’re planning to go to Korea, spend some time in Seoul, but also visit the countryside and other big cities!
Here’s a selection of places to visit in Korea!
Check this mymaps to see the points of interest of each city!
Gyeongju 경주시
This city is of great importance in Korean history. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom, which lasted 1,000 years, from 57bce to 932 CE.
The city’s cultural and archaeological heritage is still very much alive, making Gyeongju an open-air museum. It’s also a tourist destination for Koreans, especially during holidays like Chuseok.
You can start your visit on the main street, Hwangnidan-gil, which is very pleasant to stroll along, with its many restaurants and aesthetic boutiques. Then simply connect the dots on my maps that you’d like to visit to prepare for your journey.
While you’re here, you should take time to visit Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site). You’ll have to take a bus from downtown and walk a bit, but it’s well worth it! I took 2 days to visit the city: the first day for the city center, the second day to go to Bulguksa Temple. However, I believe you can do it in one day, but you might have to hurry a bit if you want to see everything!
Gyeongju is a very peaceful town. Even if it has become a bit touristy, it still has a very special atmosphere. Nature is calm and beautiful, and the architecture is well-preserved. Take your time to appreciate this city steeped in history!
Jeonju 전주
Jeonju is a city known for its gastronomic heritage. Indeed, Jeonju is renowned for its top-of-the-range bibimbap. I recommend this address, but don’t hesitate to try out any other restaurants you come across!
More than just food, this city also boasts a beautiful architectural heritage. Lose yourself in the Hanok village and discover some lovely stores and restaurants. If you’re in this area and fancy a noodle soup, head to Veteran. They make extraordinary Kalguksu. But I’m still talking about food. I encourage you to take a look at the map to see which point you might be interested in visiting! There are some beautiful temples/traditional buildings near the water like Hanbyeokdang Pavilion or Jeonju Hyanggyo. It’s a very nice and calm area.
The Deokjin Park is quite famous in Jeonju. This park offers a beautiful walk on the water, where, if you come in the right season, you can wander among the water lilies. There’s also this majestic little traditional wooden building that is a library. Although far from sumptuous, this place offers a special atmosphere, the discreet beauty of the carvings, and the light color of the wood create a magnificent, peaceful landscape.
Back to my favorite part: the food. There’s a great little night market here, offering a variety of Korean and international dishes. I had a very good bulgogi taco made by a man who lived in Paris for 10 years, a real mix of cultures. If you still have a little time, you can visit the traditional Korean paper-making workshop or the alcohol museum, both of which are located near the Hanok village. Both are quite small and have retained their authenticity.
Andong Hahoe Historical Village 안동 하회마을
Before entering the village, stop off at the Hahoe Byeolsingut Mask Dance Training Center. This is where traditional Korean mask dance is performed, and it’s truly impressive to watch!
You can then enter the village (there might be an entrance fee around 5000won per person) and stroll through the narrow streets of this beautiful village, characteristic of the Joseon dynasty.
The path along the water on the way back to the exit is breathtaking. You can see the rugged cliff fall into the calm water and walk on the sand. Take your time while you’re here! This is a place of simple beauty that held me spellbound. If you go there in autumn, you’ll see magnificent colors of gold and orange.
If you want to take a break from the city, this is the place to be! It shouldn’t take more than half a day.
Busan 부산
Busan is a huge, bustling city! Moving from one neighborhood to another, I felt like I was in another city.
However, I really enjoyed the city, especially the seaside!
Among the things I recommend you visit is the Gamcheon Culture Village, which is a must see. This area offers magnificent views and is really fun and charming to visit. There’s even a pathway set up for tourists which is pretty cool, but if you prefer, you can also go for your own walk. Another place I loved was Gwangalli beach. Again, it’s not very original, but it’s not famous for nothing. You can stay on the beach and have a picnic and spend the whole night here! There’s a great atmosphere and the sunset offers magnificent colors!
I’d also recommend eating at the seafood market for some really fresh fish, taking a little hike at Igidae Waterside Park and visiting the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple.
I haven’t had the chance to visit much of Busan, but you can check out my map to see other places you might be interested in, or just check out other blogs 🙂
Daegu 대구
Deagu holds a special place in my heart. It’s not a very “pretty” city, but it has a lot to offer! As it’s not touristy, you’ll get a more authentic view of what life is like in Korea, but my opinion is a little biased. In Deagu, there are several districts to visit: Downtown, the university district, E-World and Apsan Mountain.
In the downtown area, you’ll find lots of good restaurants and stores! On the roof of the Dongseong-ro Spark shopping mall, there’s an amusement park offering a magnificent view, this landscape is pretty crazy. Next door, there’s a street ideal for nightlife, which you can find on mymaps.
To see nature, you need to go to Apsan Mountain. You can walk or take the cablecar. The view is magnificent, especially if you go at sunset!
If you’re passing near KNU University, you should definitely visit the campus! You can walk around freely and enjoy the parks. There’s an area to the north of the university where students go out to eat, and you’ll find a wide choice of restaurants and some cute pubs.
For food, you should go to the Soemun market. Check the time on the navermap to find out when it’s open. During the day, there are plenty of stalls, and you’ll be able to sample many specialties. You won’t see many foreigners, which makes the visit even more authentic.
If you want to have some fun, you should spend an afternoon at E-World. This is a charming amusement park. The roller coasters and general atmosphere are excellent, you should definitely go there if you have time!
To see more things to do in Daegu, check my map!
