I was delivered in South Korea and moved to the United States whenever I was 5 years old. I've traveled rear nearly all twelvemonth since.
Usually, whenever group ask me for South Korean journey recommendations, what they really desire are ideas for things to do in Seoul.
I can comprehend why tourists flock to the chief city of South Korea: Seoul has culture, technology, lots of entertainment, and amazing manner and cuisine.
However, if you ask me, you're missing out if you don't sojourn several of the other, lesser-known cities that contribute to South Korea's heartbeat.
Here are four of my favorite cities to sojourn in South Korea that aren't Seoul.
I continually go the extend for Busan
About four hours south of Seoul lies Busan. Growing up, my family visited this city complete the summer to swim, soak up the sun, and eat incredibly fresh seafood.
You don't have to treat Busan exclusively as a warm-weather getaway, though: My favorite period to sojourn Busan is really in the fall, whenever the days are sunny and the nights are breezy alongside sea-salt air.
My favorite destination in Busan is Gamcheon Culture Village, a steep incline dotted alongside hundreds of colorfully painted homes.
During the Korean War, refugees archetypal settled in this area. Later, Gamcheon was restored and enhanced alongside brightly colored exterior coat to diagram tourism.
Today, Gamcheon Village stands as a cherished landmark in Busan, anywhere visitors can get misplaced in the twisted alleyways and bask stunning views overlooking the hilly scenery.
I additionally powerfully propose that anyone who visits Busan dedicate one dawn to waking up first and observing the sunrise complete Haeundae Beach.
In my opinion, the perspective solitary can cleanse distant any negative feelings, equal for a concise moment.
When you're in Busan, don't ignore to inspect out the Jagalchi Market for outstanding seafood and the Nampo-dong Food Alley for the best street food.
Suwon is a chill day trip from Seoul
If you desire to remain in Seoul for most of your trip but crave an uncomplicated day trip alongside a laid-back vibe, Suwon is your answer. Whenever I obtain the hour-and-a-half-long bus trip, excitement brews in my stomach.
The chief attention of this extremely chill city is the Hwaseong Fortress, a towering stone-and-brick stronghold that passes through the center of Suwon. It was built in the 18th hundred years to defend the city, and in 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
I affection to stroll the dimension of the stronghold — since of the deficiency of high-rise buildings, it's an outstanding way to obtain in the city's scenery, which includes a mix of traditional houses, cozy small cottages, and low-rise manufacturing buildings.
Running alongside the dimension of the historic site, the city has many unassuming, adorable cafés anywhere you can get delicious coffee drinks and desserts.
It's nice to sit downward exterior one of them and endure track of time, soaking up the beautiful street art that paints the alleyways of Suwon.
Gyeongju is affluent alongside history
Once the chief of the ancient Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is filled alongside landmarks that bring the country's profound former to life.
From the expansive Bulguksa Temple and the mystical Seokguram Grotto to the ancient regal tombs scattered throughout Tumuli Park, the city offers a rare glance into Korea's regal former and Buddhist origins.
Strolling through Gyeongju, particularly in the afterward hours of the day, immerses you in a peaceful blend of quiescent ponds and lantern-lit walkways.
You can't depart Gyeongju without trying Hwangnam-ppang, a small gentle pie filled alongside saccharine red-bean filling. This treat is a local specialty of Gyeongju — so much so that locals and visitors mention to it as Gyeongju bread.
You can discover this treat at assorted food shops and vendors throughout the city.
Incheon is additional than fair an airfield hub
Anyone who flies into South Korea volition immediately acknowledge Incheon, at smallest by name. It is residence to the country's largest global airport.
Long before the airport's innovation in 2001, though, there was the Incheon harbor through which products from China arrived and were sold.
The harbor additionally paved the way for the institution of Incheon's Chinatown, anywhere the blend of Chinese and Korean flavors endures in the neighborhood's small slew of standout restaurants.
I propose taking a stroll through the streets and alleyways of the neighborhood during munching on street food. I'm personally partial to the elephantine fried dumplings and tanghulu, or skewers of sugar-coated fruit, that I've enjoyed there.
If you have a chance, bask a sit-down meal of jjajangmyeon, a Chinese-Korean dreary bean noodle dish, and soak up several of the bustling area's former and culture.
This narrative was initially published on December 24, 2025, and most lately updated on October 19, 2026.
Read next
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Justine Lee is a freelance author and publishing company who specializes in food, lifestyle, culture, and journey content. She is the erstwhile Associate Food & Drink Editor at Parade anywhere she worked on stories concerning community fig recipes, cooking techniques, and accelerated food. Prior to that, she was the Recipe Production Coordinator at The Kitchn anywhere she assigned, wrote about, produced, and equal developed the site’s formula content. Her byline has appeared in a figure of outlets including—but not constricted to—Apartment Therapy, Simply Recipes, King Arthur Baking, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Food52 and The Wall Street Journal. She has been featured in The New York Times. She divides her period between New York City and Seoul.
