5 Places You Must Visit in South Korea

South Korea is one of my favorite countries of all time. I spent a little over 2 years here working and was able to see much of this beautiful country. While it is a relatively small country, it is packed with tons of things to see and do. Here are 5 places you must visit in South Korea in no particular order.

1) Seoul

This is a no brainer. The capital and livest city in the world in my opinion. You could easily spend 4 or 5 days here. Seoul has everything: great restaurants, nightlife, history, culture, fashion, you name it. I doubt you’ll find too many people who do not like Seoul as a tourist destination.

2) Jeju Island

Jeju Island is an island off the Korean Peninsula known for its beaches, scenic views, and relaxing atmosphere. Think of it as South Korea’s version of Hawaii. Jeju is the perfect get away and the temperature is typically pretty nice all year round. Flights to Jeju can also be pretty cheap depending on when you buy them.

3) Busan

Busan, South Korea’s second largest city and a beach town that rivals Seoul. While Busan isn’t as live as Seoul nor as big, many will argue it is even better. Personally, Busan is one of my top 3 favorite cities in the world. I can’t quite pinpoint why exactly, but I fell in love with this place from the first time I visited in 2011. Busan is an even mix between a large and small city. Busan has a number of places to visit aside from the beach. Gamcheon Village and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple are two of my favorites!

4) Gyeongju

The former capital of the Silla kingdom and a great place for those interested in history. Gyeongju has a number of historical sites and a really cool village that dates over 500 years. It gives you insight on what life looked like back then.

5) Jirisan National Park

The largest and most famous national park in the country. Jiri mountain, one of South Korea’s 3 holy mountains, offers great hiking opportunities and is excellent for outdoor lovers. The hike to the peak is HARD, but worth the view!

Of course, there tons of other places I would recommend if you’re visiting South Korea, but these are just my top 5. I hope you enjoy them!