South Korea vacations 2024 & 2025

Royal palaces and temples, volcanic peaks, avant-garde cities, traditional markets, a poignant history, and lively contemporary culture collide in South Korea. It’s a country where ancient traditions sit alongside cutting-edge technology, and temple visits are as popular as karaoke bars and cat cafes.

You could wander city markets for a taste of everyday life, take a tour of Seoul’s street food stalls, or explore K-pop culture on a tour of modern Seoul. Learn about the Korean War and its lasting legacy on a tour of the North Korean border zone, or hike up volcanic cones, around basalt cliffs, and through lava tubes on eastern Jeju island.

You can learn about ancient history in the Bulguksa Royal Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, explore a whole town dedicated to art and crafts, or simply relax on the beach in designer style.

South Korea’s hotels have a sleek design and lofty standards and range from themed boutique hotels to modern, minimalist retreats, and international chains. For example, you could stay in a stylish, five-star hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul, a high-rise, high-tech tower on the waterfront in Busan, a large, international-style hotel with spa, gym, and pool, or a boutique hotel with a silver-screen theme.

You’ll also find large waterfront resorts on the coast with contemporary design and pools, spas, and often water sports. For more ideas take a look at our places to stay in South Korea.

South Korea’s highlights include the dynamic capital Seoul, beachfront Busan, imperial Gyeongju, and volcanic Jeju island. Most visitors arrive in Seoul, a multi-faceted city where 14th-century palaces butt up against massive malls, traditional markets, karaoke bars, and gleaming skyscrapers.

From here, you can take a trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the no-man’s land that separates North and South Korea, to learn about the region’s complex history. Head to Gyeongju, the imperial capital for almost 1,000 years, to visit palaces, pagodas, and temples, or Busan for markets, hot springs, and time on the beach.

For more outdoor activities, Jeju island offers the chance to hike up South Korea’s highest peak, explore volcanic craters and lava caves, or watch the island’s female free divers harvest oysters, abalone, and clams right off the beach.

It takes around 16 hours to fly from the East Coast of the US to South Korea, and around 13 hours from the West Coast.

The time zone in South Korea is UTC+9 hours. Daylight Savings Time isn’t observed.

The best way to get around in South Korea is by high-speed train. The high-speed rail network links major cities and is efficient and comfortable. Combined with a private driver and guide to take you to regional destinations, you’ll be able to get to all the main attractions with ease.

US citizens don’t need a visa to enter South Korea for stays up to 90 days, but you may be asked for evidence of an onward or return ticket. Citizens of other countries should check their visa requirements. We recommend our partner Visa Central.

US citizens are currently exempt from the requirement for a Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) and will be until December 2024. Prior to this, electronic travel authorisations could be obtained cheaply and easily online. You can check up-to-date requirements on the K-ETA website.

Your doctor can give you immunization advice for travel to South Korea, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you arrive in South Korea and have at least two blank pages.