18 days in South Korea Itinerary

Created using Klarna Trips South Korea itinerary planner

Make it your trip

Start: Riyadh

Fly

Jeju, Jeju Island

— 4 nights

Fly

Gyeongju

— 1 night

Drive

Busan

— 3 nights

Fly to Gimpo International Airport, Drive to Hwaseong

Hwaseong

— 3 nights

Drive

Seoul

— 5 nights

Fly

End: Riyadh

Thu, Jul 14 - Sun, Jul 31 Edit

S	M	T	W	T	F	S

10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

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Jeju, Jeju Island — 4 nights

Island of the Gods

The main town on the largest of Korea's islands, Jeju, has a volcanic landscape protected by UNESCO. The World Heritage-listed volcanic island includes the country's highest peak, sets of impressive lava tubes and columns, and several crater lakes.

Take a break from Jeju with a short trip to Seongsan Ilchulbong in Seogwipo, about 1h 15 min away. Spend the 15th (Fri) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Hamdeok Beach, step off the mainland to explore Udo, delve into the lush surroundings at Jeolmul Natural Forest Resort, and get outside with Gwakji Gwamul Beach.

Ask Klarna Trips to suggest an itinerary and make planning a trip to Jeju fast, fun, and easy.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Jeju is an approximately 19-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Riyadh to Jeju is 6 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Tue) so you can fly to Gyeongju.

Things to do in Jeju

Parks · Outdoors · Nature · Wildlife

Side Trip

Seongsan Ilchulbong

Find places to stay Jul 14 — 19:

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See South Korea Travel Guide

Gyeongju — 1 night

Museum Without Walls

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Republic of Korea, Gyeongju combines a rich cultural heritage with mountain and coastal scenery.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Wed): appreciate the history behind Seokguram and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Bulguksa Temple.

For photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Gyeongju day trip planning app.

Fly from Jeju to Gyeongju in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, taxi, and train. In July, daytime highs in Gyeongju are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to drive to Busan.

Things to do in Gyeongju

Historic Sites

Find places to stay Jul 19 — 20:

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Busan — 3 nights

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

Busan is known for sightseeing, beaches, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: enjoy the sand and surf at Haeundae Beach, head outdoors with Songjeong Beach, walk around Yongdusan Park, and take in the views from Gwangandaegyo Bridge.

To see maps, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Busan holiday maker website.

You can drive from Gyeongju to Busan in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. In July, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to travel to Hwaseong.

Things to do in Busan

Parks · Outdoors · Beaches · Shopping

Find places to stay Jul 20 — 23:

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Hwaseong — 3 nights

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Hwaseong: Spavis (in Asan), AMI Art Museum (in Dangjin) and The West Sea Protection Hall (in Pyeongtaek).

For where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Hwaseong trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Busan to Hwaseong with the Route module. In July, daytime highs in Hwaseong are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 27°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can travel to Seoul.

Things to do in Hwaseong

Parks · Museums · Spas · Theme Parks

Side Trips

UN Forces First Battle Memorial, Uiwang Nature Learning Park, Spavis, AMI Art Museum, The West Sea Protection Hall

Find places to stay Jul 23 — 26:

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UN Forces First Battle Memorial

4.8

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Seoul — 5 nights

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.

Seoul is known for sightseeing, shopping, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get engrossed in the history at Gyeongbokgung Palace, admire the striking features of Changdeokgung Palace, wander the streets of Insadong, and get a taste of the local shopping with Myeongdong Shopping Street.

To see maps, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Seoul online trip itinerary builder.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Hwaseong to Seoul. In July, daily temperatures in Seoul can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Sun) to allow enough time to fly back home.

Things to do in Seoul

Historic Sites · Neighborhoods · Parks · Museums

Find places to stay Jul 26 — 31:

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South Korea travel guide

4.2

History Museums · Shopping · Parks

Land of the Morning Calm

Though it boasts a history spanning thousands of years, South Korea ranks among the world's most urbanized and modernized countries, with nearly half of its population living in high-rises concentrated in the national capital. In this land of pristine mountain scenery, many South Korea vacations involve some form of winter sports--not surprising for the country that won the bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Curious travelers wishing to get to know South Korea's heart and soul spend only a small part of their holiday in big cities like Busan and Seoul, devoting much of their attention to the tranquil countryside that seems largely untouched by the 21st century.