16 days in Seoul & Busan Itinerary

One of east Asia's major cultural and financial centers, Seoul boasts five World Heritage Sites and a huge selection of museums, temples, shrines, palaces, parks, gardens, and glass-and-steel skyscrapers.

Visit Seoul Central Mosque and Hwahongmun Gate for their historical value. Shop till you drop at Times Square Mall and Jungbu Market. Explore Seoul's surroundings by going to Hyundai Premium Outlet Gimpo (in Gimpo) and National Gwacheon Science Museum (in Gwacheon). Next up on the itinerary: explore the world behind art at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (branch), look for gifts at Kyobo Book Store Gwanghwamun, examine the collection at Bank of Korea Museum, and take an in-depth tour of The Story of King Sejong & The Story of Admiral Yi Sunshin.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Seoul trip itinerary maker website.

New York City, USA to Seoul is an approximately 17-hour flight. Traveling from New York City to Seoul, you'll lose 14 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from New York City in December, things will get little chillier in Seoul: highs are around 38°F and lows about 24°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Busan.

The country's second city, Busan has often been referred to as South Korea's summer capital.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): stroll around Yongdusan Park, kick back and relax at Dadaepo Beach, then view the masterpieces at Tower Gallery, and finally look for gifts at Kiehl's. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head outdoors with Gwangalli Beach, then boost your wellbeing at a local thermal spa, then kick back and relax at Haeundae Beach, and finally make a trip to Haeundae Cinema Street.

Planning Busan trip won't be overwhelming when you use Klarna Trips's itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Seoul to Busan takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Seoul in January, expect Busan to be somewhat warmer, temps between 44°F and 27°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can fly to Seoul.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Myeongdong Shopping Street and Times Square Mall. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace will appeal to history buffs. Spend the 7th (Sat) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Explore Seoul further: make a trip to Insadong, see the interesting displays at 3D Black Art Museum, admire the masterpieces at Seoul Arts Center, and pause for some photo ops at Gwanghwamun Gate.

To find more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, read our Seoul day trip planner.

You can fly from Busan to Seoul in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. In January, Seoul is little chillier than Busan - with highs of 35°F and lows of 20°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 11th (Wed) so you can catch the flight back home.