Personalized trips to South Korea
for independent travelers

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Travelers love kimkim

- ., traveled to in

Introducing South Korea

South Korea captivates travelers with its unique blend of traditional and modern cultures. This vibrant peninsula nation offers a diverse range of experiences from the bustling metropolis of Seoul, with its high-tech subways and pop culture, to the tranquil Buddhist temples and historic palaces tucked away in the countryside. South Korea's landscapes are equally varied and beautiful, ranging from the volcanic Jeju Island to the stunning Seoraksan Mountain peaks, and the scenic coastal city of Busan. Visitors can immerse themselves in the country's rich history in Gyeongju, sample local cuisine in a Seoul food market, or explore the art scenes in the rustic village of Andong. All these elements combine to create an unforgettable Korean experience that appeals to adventurers, history buffs, and food lovers alike.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 13 days · 14 days

South Korea Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Go for a ride in a Sky Capsule tram at the Haeundae Blue Line Park in Busan
Map of Best of South Korea: Seoul,  Andong, Busan & Jeju Island - 10 Days
Best of South Korea: Seoul, Andong, Busan & Jeju Island - 10 Days

Explore South Korea's cultural highlights and natural wonders on this 10-day itinerary. The adventure begins in Seoul, where you'll explore the urban culture and street food scene. Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) next before continuing to historic temples in Andong. Discover the beautiful coastline of Busan, then fly to Jeju Island to marvel at the spectacular scenery and take in views from the country's highest peak.

Discover South Korean history and culture on a cross-country tour, stopping for views at Busan's Songdo Skywalk
Map of  Best of South Korea & Japan: Seoul, Busan, Tokyo & Kyoto - 14 Days
Best of South Korea & Japan: Seoul, Busan, Tokyo & Kyoto - 14 Days

See the best of South Korea and Japan as you cross the two nations by car, plane, and train. Learn about culinary traditions at busy markets in Seoul and Busan, then explore volcanic Jeju Island's gardens and mountains. Jet off to Tokyo for Mount Fuji views and pop culture, and ride a bullet train to Kyoto for a tea ceremony and hike before indulging in street food in Osaka.

Visit famous K-drama filming locations like Jeonju Hanok Village, with traditional buildings
Map of South Korea K-Drama Tour: Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju & Busan - 10 Days
South Korea K-Drama Tour: Seoul, Jeonju, Gyeongju & Busan - 10 Days

Immerse yourself in Korean drama on this 10-day tour of South Korea. You'll visit the country's most famous locations, featured on film, from Seoul to Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Busan. Marvel at the capital's Gyeongbokgung palace and N Seoul Tower, then discover European-themed villages and the UNESCO-listed Seokguram Grotto. More movie-worthy highlights include Jeonju's ancient hanok houses, Daerengwon Tomb Complex, and Busan's Gamcheon Cultural Village.

Damyan Bamboo Forest
Map of Discover South Korea's Western Coast Natural Wonders - 7 Days
Discover South Korea's Western Coast Natural Wonders - 7 Days

From bamboo forests to mountain summits, discover some of South Korea's natural wonders along the peninsula's western coast. Touchdown in Seoul and admire the extensive grounds of Gyeongbokgung palace before heading south to explore Taeanhaean National Park and soaring over Daecheon Beach by sky bike. After checking out the traditional houses of Jeonju Hanok Village and wandering Damyan's lush bamboo forests, you'll take in the extraordinary views of Jirisan National Park.

Explore K-drama filming locations like the sprawling Gyeongbokgung palace
Map of South Korea K-Drama Tour of Seoul - 5 Days
South Korea K-Drama Tour of Seoul - 5 Days

Experience a taste of South Korea's "Hallyuwood" as you hit the sights of Korean drama scenes on this five-day trip. You'll tour some of Seoul's most famous locations, which feature heavily in popular South Korean movies and TV shows. Visit ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Mountain, and the iconic N Seoul Tower—you'll even have the chance to ride rollercoasters at Lotte World. Head out of the city for more K-drama hotspots, from European-themed villages to the tree-lined parks of Nami Island.

Taste the flavors of South Korea from the islands to the city
Map of South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Busan & Jeju - 7 Days
South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Busan & Jeju - 7 Days

Explore South Korea's diverse culinary traditions from cities to islands on this seven-day tour by train, car, and air, from Seoul to Busan to Udo. Learn Korean flavors and ingredients in a cooking class, and explore the vast Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul. Board a train south to Busan and then join locals at Jagalchi Fish Market, buying seafood cooked to order. Then fly to tranquil Udo for beach time and village life to end your adventure.

Make the Most of Your Time in South Korea

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Take in a pansori (genre of musical storytelling) performance of drums and singing
How Many Days to Spend in South Korea

A 10-day visit is recommended for South Korea. The small size of the country, combined with good roads, multiple domestic airports, and excellent public transportation, makes it...

South Korea Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest South Korea Content

See the iconic sights of Seoul and spend a peaceful night in the tranquil Geumsunsa Temple
Map of Signature Seoul & Geumsunsa Temple Stay - 6 Days
Signature Seoul & Geumsunsa Temple Stay - 6 Days

Experience the highlights of South Korea's capital, including an immersive temple stay, with this six-day Seoul getaway. See the traditional changing of the guard at the palace of Gyeongbokgung, learn about more recent Korean history at the DMZ, and take in the views from atop the iconic N Seoul Tower. Spend a night with the monks at Geumsunsa Temple, then end your trip amid the city's best cafés, bathhouses, and street food markets.

Indulge in savory pork bone hot pot with traditional Korean "banchan"
Map of South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Jeonju, Gwangju, Busan & Jeju - 13 Days
South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Jeonju, Gwangju, Busan & Jeju - 13 Days

Love exploring new cultures through your taste buds? You'll explore local markets in five different cities and learn to cook plenty of traditional dishes with this 13-day foodie adventure through South Korea. Start by following tantalizing smells and sizzling sounds in Seoul's markets and alleyways before moving on to the country's culinary capital, Jeonju. Continue making your way south, exploring seaside Busan, before wrapping things up among the tangerine groves and tea fields of Jeju Island.

Explore South Korea's UNESCO-listed sites, such as Namhansanseong, during this 10-day tour
Map of South Korea's UNESCO Treasures & Temple Stay - 10 Days
South Korea's UNESCO Treasures & Temple Stay - 10 Days

Discover some of South Korea's UNESCO-listed wonders during this 10-day journey. See palaces and temples in Seoul, make your own Korean name stamp, and learn some traditional recipes before admiring ancient relics in Gongju and Buyeo. Spend a memorable night at the Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan National Park before transferring to Gyeongju, South Korea's "museum without walls." Finally, return to Seoul via a walk along the ancient fortress walls of Namhansanseong.

South Korea Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 2 Weeks in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map 10 Days in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map 1 Week in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in South Korea - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for South Korea
Travel specialist Jessica Wang
active 2 hours ago

Jessica Wang

My philosophy is that travel is about personal reflection and growth, about meeting people of different cultures, taking in the beauty of nature, and experiencing authentic activities. Let me know...

read more...
Travel specialist Christine Liu
active 2 hours ago

Christine Liu

I have a deep passion for exploring and traveling, as it allows me to encounter new cultures, meet new people, and witness the incredible diversity of our world. I have traveled to more than 30...

read more...
Travel specialist Lisa Sun
active 5 hours ago

Lisa Sun

As a China English-speaking tour guide with 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, I have a deep passion for the travel profession and am dedicated to introducing China's rich culture and...

read more...
Travel specialist Bastien Desonneville
active 28 mins ago

Bastien Desonneville

Hello there I'm Bastien :) I'm 36 YO and i'm passionate by travel, photography and sports. It's been now almost 20 years that i'm organizing tailor made trips to Asia and working as a...

read more...

Related Destinations

Travelers who visit South Korea also visit these destinations

Trip Reviews for South Korea

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

My recent trip to Korea was a trip of a lifet...
South Korea | Sep 16 - Sep 30, 2025

Liz
Liz A.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025
My recent trip to Korea was a trip of a lifetime! I enjoyed every moment of my trip and will always remember all of the places I visited along with all of the incredible tour guides that made the tours so memorable. Jessica, our travel specialist, was very detailed and responsive to all of our questions and requests. She was very professional and courteous and gave me peace of mind for our tours in Korea. Our tour guides were excellent in so many ways. I loved that they had a back-up plan... Read more

My recent trip to Korea was a trip of a lifetime! I enjoyed every moment of my trip and will always remember all of the places I visited along with all of the incredible tour guides that made the tours so memorable. Jessica, our travel specialist, was very detailed and responsive to all of our questions and requests. She was very professional and courteous and gave me peace of mind for our tours in Korea. Our tour guides were excellent in so many ways. I loved that they had a back-up plan whenever the weather changed. They were flexible but made sure that we visited all the places on our itinerary. I enjoyed many of the tours and appreciated their expertise on the history and culture at each attraction/location. They are very well informed and provided great summaries for us. They even offered to take photos of our group and did an exceptional job at taking memorable group photos at each site. Lastly, I appreciated all of their food and shopping recommendations for us to try during our "free" days. In summary, I had an epic trip to South Korea and will definitely come back for a return visit in the future. Many, many thanks, KimKim.

Hotel Reviews
Lotte City Hotel Jeju
Jeju

Great location in the city with great shopping stores and walking distance to restaurants.

Location
Great location in the city with great shopping stores and walking distance to restaurants.
Staff
Staff was courteous and helpful. They helped explain the tour bus route and breakfast crew as attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleaning services were timely and very tidy.
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Haeundae

The room layout was cramped and did not allow for us to relax and stretch out. The bath towels were not soft, and it was hard stepping in and out of the bathtub when taking showers. Some of the USB outlets for our phones in our room did not work.

Authenticity & Character
Have a greeter by the entrance to welcome guests to the hotel; there was no one to greet us upon arrival
Location
Good location to Haeundae Beach and many shops and restaurants in walking distance.
Staff
Shorter wait times to be seated for breakfast
Cleanliness & Comfort
Softer towels, make sure all outlets and USB ports work, remove the big sofa and table to allow for more space in the room
Hilton Gyeongju
Gyeongju

I can see why this hotel is rated 5-stars. It is a beautiful hotel with friendly staff. Our room was spacious and I felt very welcomed. I wished I stayed longer than one night.

Authenticity & Character
We had a nice view of Lotte World amusement park from our room. Breakfast menu offered Korean food which mixed well with the other breakfast items.
Location
The hotel location was good for our tours in Gyeongju before heading out to Busan.
Staff
The breakfast staff was very friendly and helpful during breakfast. They kindly brought my coffee to my table.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel is very polished and our room was very comfortable with great amenities.
Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong
Seoul

This hotel was in a great location and close to many shopping and food places that were all walking distance. The breakfast was delicious, and the staff was courteous and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Breakfast menu was authentic with Korean and western food. It was delicious!
Location
Central location and close to eateries and shopping centers.
Staff
The front desk workers assisted me when I needed an umbrella on raining days. The breakfast crew was courteous and attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleaning services were always done quickly and efficiently.
Local specialist: Jessica Wang
Jessica
Jessica Wang
Local specialist in South Korea | Replied on Oct 21, 2025

Hi Liz,

Greetings from Jessica.

It sounds like you had an absolutely amazing trip to Korea! I'm so glad to hear that every moment was enjoyable and that the tour guides , made such a positive impact on your experience. Their flexibility and knowledge really do make a difference when exploring a new place. It's wonderful that you were able to create lasting memories, especially with the group photos and local recommendations. A trip of a lifetime indeed! Looking forward to help your next trip and take care!
Best regards
Jessica

K-Drama Fan Trip
South Korea | Sep 16 - Sep 30, 2025

Manuelita
Manuelita A.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2025
We had a wonderful trip to South Korea. With the help of our local specialist, Jessica, we planned an itinerary to Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju Island that was filled with K-Drama locations and other must-see Korean sites. Our drivers were all very kind and strong (they had to lift very heavy luggages)! Our guides Taylor, Luke and Clover were kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and excellent photographers. When it rained they were readily prepared with a Plan B. And they even went... Read more

We had a wonderful trip to South Korea. With the help of our local specialist, Jessica, we planned an itinerary to Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju Island that was filled with K-Drama locations and other must-see Korean sites.

Our drivers were all very kind and strong (they had to lift very heavy luggages)!

Our guides Taylor, Luke and Clover were kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and excellent photographers. When it rained they were readily prepared with a Plan B. And they even went out of their way to help us check off many bucket list items that weren’t necessarily part of our itinerary. We loved the time we spent with each and every one of them!

Local specialist: Jessica Wang
Jessica
Jessica Wang
Local specialist in South Korea | Replied on Oct 09, 2025

Hi Manuelita ,
Thank you for choosing KimKim to arrange this trip for you. We deeply appreciate your trust, support, cooperation, patience, and understanding throughout the journey. Our warmest wishes go to you and your family — may happiness and health always be with you. We sincerely hope to see you on your next trip.
Best
Jessica

Activities for every member of the family
South Korea | Jul 10 - Jul 22, 2025

Hannah
Hannah A.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025
Our 13-day trip to South Korea was amazing! Jessica did a great job organizing activities for the entire family; we are a diverse group with varied interests. My child loved the National Palace Museum of Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum, and the National Museum of Korea. My spouse loved the art exhibits: Sculpted Céladon of the Goryeo Dynasty - Gyeongju National Museum and the Arte Museum in Jeju. I loved the varied and yummy food. The highlight of my trip was the cooking class with... Read more

Our 13-day trip to South Korea was amazing!

Jessica did a great job organizing activities for the entire family; we are a diverse group with varied interests. My child loved the National Palace Museum of Korea, the Gyeongju National Museum, and the National Museum of Korea. My spouse loved the art exhibits: Sculpted Céladon of the Goryeo Dynasty - Gyeongju National Museum and the Arte Museum in Jeju. I loved the varied and yummy food. The highlight of my trip was the cooking class with Seoul Foodventure!

All of our guides were lovely and flexible, and helped us pivot when the weather wasn't cooperating or we needed some time to be more still. I would especially recommend Mr. William Jang. He is knowledgeable and kind - it was a real cultural exchange, which is what travel is all about.

We will return to South Korea.

Thank you, Jessica. Thank you, Kimkim.

Hotel Review
Siwoowadang
Gyeongju

This guest house is centrally located in Gyeonju, and so walkable to all the historic locations we wanted to see. It was also the best breakfast we had in South Korea!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jessica Wang
Jessica
Jessica Wang
Local specialist in South Korea | Replied on Jul 30, 2025
Hi Hannah, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that our team was able to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable experience overall. It’s especially heartening to know that you enjoyed the personalized activities we arranged for you, such as the cooking class in Seoul, etc, and that you appreciated the guidance provided by Mr. William Jang. We also truly value your feedback about the hotel. Your insights are incredibly helpful to us as we strive... Read more

Hi Hannah,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that our team was able to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable experience overall.

It’s especially heartening to know that you enjoyed the personalized activities we arranged for you, such as the cooking class in Seoul, etc, and that you appreciated the guidance provided by Mr. William Jang.

We also truly value your feedback about the hotel. Your insights are incredibly helpful to us as we strive to continuously improve our services.

We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on your next adventure!

Best wishes always.
Jessica

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.