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 5 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 6 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 Hilda Yang
active 11 hours ago

Hilda Yang

Travel is my greatest passion—it awakens my senses, connects me with nature's wonders, and continually deepens my appreciation for our diverse world. Every journey through Japan reveals new layers...

read more...
Travel specialist Elizabeth Ei Ma
active 3 hours ago

Elizabeth Ei Ma

Hi, I’m Elizabeth! 🌏 I’m passionate about travel and hospitality—it’s not just my career, but my dream. 🧳✨ With a background in Hospitality and Tourism Management, I’ve explored various countries...

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

We just returned from our two week trip to Korea and had an amazing time! We traveled as a group of seven, including three teenagers and my 81 yr old mom. All the hotels we stayed in were comfortable and well located and all our drivers were experienced and knowledgeable and kind. Jessica was great to work with from day one when we started planning the trip and was always quick to respond to any changes to our itinerary or issues that arise during our trip. Our trip was tricky because we had to make everyone happy, and she listened to my concerns and accommodated everyone's requests. We would highly recommend kimkim and our travel agent Jessica for anyone traveling to South Korea!
South Korea | Dec 23 - Jan 3, 2026

J
Julie H.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2026
We just returned from our two week trip to Korea and had an amazing time! We traveled as a group of seven, including three teenagers and my 81 yr old mom. All the hotels we stayed in were comfortable and well located and all our drivers were experienced and knowledgeable and kind. Jessica was great to work with from day one when we started planning the trip and was always quick to respond to any changes to our itinerary or issues that arise during our trip. Our trip was tricky because we... Read more

We just returned from our two week trip to Korea and had an amazing time! We traveled as a group of seven, including three teenagers and my 81 yr old mom. All the hotels we stayed in were comfortable and well located and all our drivers were experienced and knowledgeable and kind. Jessica was great to work with from day one when we started planning the trip and was always quick to respond to any changes to our itinerary or issues that arise during our trip. Our trip was tricky because we had to make everyone happy, and she listened to my concerns and accommodated everyone's requests. We would highly recommend kimkim and our travel agent Jessica for anyone traveling to South Korea!

Hotel Reviews
NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONDONG 2
Seoul

We liked this hotel a lot. It was clean and had good laundry facilities in the basement which we could freely use. The buffet was nice and the location was good.

Sotetsu Hotels the Splaisir Seoul Dongdaemun
Seoul

The location is great, close to shopping, restaurants, and Dondaemun Plaza where we could watch the fireworks on NY Eve. The staff at the hotel are very friendly and helpful and offer free amenities like hand warmers in the lobby, which was nice. The hotel itself was just ok. Our room wasn't so clean; I found a hair in my bed and the sheets looked dirty too. There was no laundry facility available and it was very difficult to catch a taxi in front of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Oakwood Premier Incheon
Incheon

The most luxurious hotel we have stayed at... Our room was huge, with an amazing view of the city of Incheon from our room on the 52nd floor. We were so pleased it had a small kitchen and washer and dryer in our units so that it felt like home, along with extra amenities like a TV in the master bathtub. The hotel itself is beautifully decorated inside and out and the breakfast buffet was top notch. It is right next to the convention center that has lots of restaurants and shopping. We will definitely stay here again when we come back!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Jessica Wang
Jessica
Jessica Wang
Local specialist in South Korea | Replied on Jan 08, 2026

Hi Julie,

Thank you so much for your kind words and all the authentic feedback! I'm truly happy to hear that your family had such a wonderful time in South Korea. It was a pleasure helping plan a trip that worked for everyone :). Wishing you many more happy travels ahead, and thank you again for your trust and recommendation! Our team is always here for you!

Best,
Jessica

Incredible trip to Seoul & Busan, Korea
South Korea | Dec 21 - Dec 28, 2025

J
Jean Y.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2026
Christine went above and beyond in helping us plan an amazing trip to Korea. She balanced guided tours and free time to visit relatives. We started with a day long tour of Seoul highlights, and she included a beautiful tea ceremony with a local tea expert. We also did a DMZ tour, took a train to Busan, where we did another fantastic city highlights tour, and a day trip from there to Gyeongju to see the Bulguksa Temple and explore the history of the Shilla dynasty. Our guides in Seoul and... Read more

Christine went above and beyond in helping us plan an amazing trip to Korea. She balanced guided tours and free time to visit relatives. We started with a day long tour of Seoul highlights, and she included a beautiful tea ceremony with a local tea expert. We also did a DMZ tour, took a train to Busan, where we did another fantastic city highlights tour, and a day trip from there to Gyeongju to see the Bulguksa Temple and explore the history of the Shilla dynasty. Our guides in Seoul and Busan/Gyeongju were incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and led us to amazing food! All our train rides and transportation were perfectly on time and smooth. Christine, our agent, even surprised us by sending a birthday gift to my child at the hotel. She was the best travel agent and it was the best trip!

Hotel Review
BrownSuites Busan Station

Our apartment-style suite was stylish, spacious, clean, and had an amazing view and our own laundry. But it lacked a front desk, a dedicated hotel restaurant, and daily housekeeping services. The self check-in was a little bit confusing because there were multiple entrances to the two towers. Any questions/issues during our stay were very quickly answered via WhatsApp, but if you prefer a place with standard hotel service and a breakfast buffet, this may not be the best choice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quick walk to Busan train station. A bit far from the Haeundae Beach area.
Staff
Service via WhatsApp was quick and friendly but wish there was more in-person opportunity.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean and beautiful but there was no housekeeping service included.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Gyeongju Tour with National Museum and Bulguksa Temple
Full Day Gyeongju Tour with National Museum and Bulguksa Temple
Busan

I’m so glad we took this day trip from Busan. Gyeongju was such a different experience from the big cities of Seoul and Busan. It had more of a village feel with traditional architecture. The Bulguksa Temple was incredible. We enjoyed the museum on Shilla history. And our very knowledgeable guide and driver, Mimi, led us to an incredible local soon tofu restaurant.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Busan Highlights Tour with Jagalchi Fishery Market
Full Day Busan Highlights Tour with Jagalchi Fishery Market
Busan
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mimi, our guide, was super friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. She was able adjust to our needs flexibly because we arrived in Busan in the early afternoon and couldn’t quite last the full 8 hours out of exhaustion and jet lag. But we still saw the highlights we wanted to see and got back to our hotel exactly when we wanted.
Transport
 Full Day Korean DMZ  Tour
Full Day Korean DMZ Tour
Seoul
Explore Seoul Highlights
Explore Seoul Highlights
Seoul
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Wookie, was knowledgeable, energetic, and friendly. One of the best guides we’ve ever had.
Transport
We rode in a spacious and comfortable van for our family.
Local specialist: Christine Liu
Christine
Christine Liu
Local specialist in Seoul and Japan | Replied on Jan 09, 2026
Hi Jean, Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m thrilled you and your family enjoyed Korea, and I’m so glad the birthday surprise added a little extra joy. Thank you also for your feedback — I will be sure to share it with our guides. We will continue to maintain our professionalism and enthusiasm. Regarding the Busan accommodation, your comments have made us aware of these details. For future travelers, we will provide extra guidance about whether to stay at this apartment-style... Read more

Hi Jean,

Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m thrilled you and your family enjoyed Korea, and I’m so glad the birthday surprise added a little extra joy. Thank you also for your feedback — I will be sure to share it with our guides. We will continue to maintain our professionalism and enthusiasm.

Regarding the Busan accommodation, your comments have made us aware of these details. For future travelers, we will provide extra guidance about whether to stay at this apartment-style hotel, even though it is very close to Busan Station.Thank you for pointing it out.

Planning this trip together with you was truly a pleasure, and we very much look forward to helping you create another amazing journey in the future!

Warmly,
Christine

Not the best
South Korea | Nov 29 - Dec 1, 2025

B
Bryn P.
Kennesaw, GA | Reviewed on Dec 04, 2025
When we arrived to Seoul, we were supposed to have a 4 hour tour coming straight from the airport. However, it was 6.5 hours and we only did 2 of the 5 things listed on the itinerary before forcing to call it quits due to the young children in our group. This day was very poorly planned. We got to the lunch spot, bought a few different items, and were ready to go, but we were told we needed to stay put and wait for 30 minutes until our guide and driver had time to enjoy their lunch. This was... Read more

When we arrived to Seoul, we were supposed to have a 4 hour tour coming straight from the airport. However, it was 6.5 hours and we only did 2 of the 5 things listed on the itinerary before forcing to call it quits due to the young children in our group. This day was very poorly planned. We got to the lunch spot, bought a few different items, and were ready to go, but we were told we needed to stay put and wait for 30 minutes until our guide and driver had time to enjoy their lunch. This was a waste of our time. The guide also told us she’d reach out to her manager to see about a refund for the spots we were unable to hit and I have yet to hear back. If the cable car is known to have lines and you chose to not purchase tickets in advance, why would that not be the first stop?

The second day at the DMZ was amazing. Vincent was great.

Local specialist: Leny Vergara
Leny
Leny Vergara
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Dec 06, 2025

Hi Bryn, thank you for your review, and I hope you’re settled in. I’m sorry for what happened on Day 1—we wish we had known during your trip so we could have fixed it right away. I’ll investigate this with our partner supplier. I’m glad you enjoyed the DMZ tour with Vincent. Thank you, and I’ve reached out to you directly as well.

Warm regards,
Leny

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.