If you’re planning a trip to South Korea and want to experience both city culture and coastal charm, this 8-day South Korea travel itinerary covers everything Seoul and Busan have to offer. Explore palaces, seaside temples, hidden gems, and dine at some of the best restaurants in South Korea with this guide.
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Day 1: Arrival in Seoul
After a 15-hour flight, I arrived in Seoul and checked into the Moxy Insadong Hotel around 6 PM. I was excited to receive an upgraded room since I am a Bonvoy Gold member. I loved the location of this hotel and the room was clean, quiet, and had a comfortable bed. I would definitely recommend this hotel.
After arriving to the hotel, I grabbed a Korean corn dog from a nearby street vendor which was the perfect intro to Korea’s street food scene. I ended the evening at the hotel’s rooftop bar, enjoying the city views before heading back to my room to rest up for the adventures ahead. I ended up waking up at 3 am feeling hungry, so I headed to 7 Eleven to try some goodies. I grabbed a beef bulgogi kimbap, milk bread, and a red pepper tuna onigiri with the onigiri being my favorite.
Day 2: Gyeongbok Palace, Hanok Village, and more.
I joined a guided tour that began with the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung, one of Seoul’s most famous palaces. From there, we explored Bukchon Hanok Village. This neighborhood is architecturally beautiful, but very crowded with security that will shush you even when you whisper. Afterwards, we stopped by a ginseng museum and a lookout point with panoramic views of the city. At the end of the tour, they dropped us off at Gwangjang Market to get food on our own.
After the market, I wandered around Ikseondong, one of my favorite Seoul neighborhoods. You’ll find narrow alleyways, boutique shops, and cozy cafes. I grabbed some soufflé pancakes at Flipper’s before heading back to my hotel for the night.
Day 3: DMZ Tour & Korean BBQ Night
Day 3 was dedicated to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Tour, a fascinating and educational experience. I highly recommend adding a stop at the Majang Lake Suspension Bridge. It’s peaceful and scenic while being less crowded than the other suspension bridge option.
After returning to the city, I treated myself to Korean barbecue at Hongojib. South Korea can be a challenging place for solo diners, but Hongojib was solo diner friendly. You have your own individual booth where you cook your meat and order your meal from a tablet. I loved the food and how convenient it was so much that I came back a second time.
Day 4: Cafe Hopping & Changdeokgung
The next morning, I stopped by Acorn Studio to get a caricature drawn. This was a fun and affordable way to get a unique souvenir. I spent the afternoon cafe hopping in Ikseondong, soaking up the atmosphere and decadent desserts.
Later, I visited Changdeok Palace, and I highly recommend getting tickets to the Secret Garden tour. It’s serene and beautifully landscaped. Personally, I preferred Changdeokgung over Gyeongbokgung for its natural beauty.
For dinner, I had an amazing Hanwoo steak meal at Anyway Beef. This was easily one of the best meals of my trip. The service was impeccable, the meat was melt in your mouth tender, and it was affordable! Make sure to book reservations in the Catch Table app.
Day 5: Arrival in Busan
I took the train to Busan, South Korea’s coastal gem. Today was a more relaxed day where I explored the Haeundae Traditional Market before strolling along Haeundae Beach. Make sure you get hotteok from the blue stand pictured below. It was by far one of the best things I ate during my trip. The mix of seaside relaxation and local market culture made for a perfect first day in Busan.
Day 6: Busan City Tour & Sunset Views
This was a full day of exploring Busan’s best sites on a guided city tour. This full day tour was amazing and I highly recommend it. We started at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a stunning seaside temple perched along the coast. Afterwards, we walked around Songdo Beach. Next, we visited Gamcheon Culture Village, an artists’ neighborhood known for it’s colorful houses. We stopped by Jagalchi Fish Market for a fresh seafood lunch and then went to BIFF square. The final stop of the tour was at a park with some beautiful skyline views. The sightseeing in Busan is very spread out and this tour made it easy to see a lot in one day, so make sure to add it to your South Korea travel itinerary.
After arriving back at my hotel, I ended the day at Busan X the Sky, where I watched the sunset over the city skyline. Make sure you go at sunset so you can get two incredible views as the city lights up after the sun goes down. Here is a link for a discount ticket to Busan X the Sky.
Day 7: Sky Capsule & Cherry Blossoms
On my last full day in Busan, I had lunch at Ribs of Legend, a solo diner friendly restaurant with an amazing view of Haeundae Beach. Afterwards, I headed to Blue Line Park for my scheduled Sky Capsule ticket.
I booked my ticket in person that morning. I arrived about 15 minutes before opening and I was able to buy a ticket for later in the day even though it was sold out online. The scenic coastal ride was peaceful and fun. I was worried it might be overrated, but I loved it! Make sure you read my Sky Capsule guide before you go!
Instead of visiting one of the crowded cherry blossom festivals, I used Google Maps to find quieter cherry blossom spots nearby. Exploring them on my own was peaceful and a lovely way to end the day.
Day 8: Omakase Lunch & Airport Stay
Before heading back to Seoul, I enjoyed an omakase lunch at Nao Sushi. This omakase was the best sushi I ever had in my life and you have to add it to your South Korea travel itinerary. Make a reservation on the Catch Table app and check out the video below to see the multi-course meal.
Since I had an early morning flight, I stayed at the Nest Hotel near Incheon Airport, and it turned out to be the nicest airport hotels I’ve ever experienced. I was upgraded to a room with a balcony and a view of the mountains. I treated myself to some room service before bed.
Final Thoughts and Adjustments
As a solo female traveler, I found South Korea to be very easy to navigate and safe. A week was a good amount of time to explore both Seoul and Busan. If you would like to adjust this South Korea travel itinerary, I would suggest adding more days in Seoul and/or visiting Jeju Island.