Planning a 2 week South Korea itinerary can feel overwhelming. With cities like Seoul and Busan, and nature destinations like Jeju Island, it’s not always clear how to structure your trip or what to prioritise.

In this blog, I’m sharing my complete day-by-day South Korea travel itinerary, based on my trip in May. This route covers Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island, including exactly what we did each day, how we travelled between destinations and what I would recommend after experiencing it myself.

If you’re looking for a realistic and detailed South Korea itinerary, this guide will help you plan your trip step by step.

Day 1: Arrival in Seoul & first exploration

We landed in Seoul late in the morning and decided to take an Uber from the airport to the city. It’s one of the easiest ways to reach the centre and, in our case, cost around €30. An even cheaper option would be taking the AREX train (around €7 per person), but after such a long flight, we simply did not have the energy for it.

After checking in and taking some time to rest, we kept the rest of the day very relaxed. We took the Namsan cable car (about €8-9 euro’s per person) up to N Seoul Tower, which gives you a beautiful first view over the city. Around the tower, you’ll also notice thousands of so‑called “love locks”. Couples write their names or a small message on a lock and attach it to the fences as a symbol of their relationship. You can actually buy these locks on the spot (usually around €5 to €10), write something on it and leave it behind.

From there, we walked down towards Myeongdong. This area is known for its street food and shopping streets, making it the perfect place for a first evening in Seoul. I tried a shrimp skewer and some amazing strawberry mochi, which instantly made me excited for all the food we would discover during the rest of the trip.

Day 2: Seongsu, Jogyesa Temple and lantern festival

We started our day in Seongsu, one of the most creative neighbourhoods in Seoul. Our first stop was Somidam, where I tried an iced ube latte, which was honestly one of the nicest drinks I had during the trip. It’s a great place to start your day if you’re planning a morning of café hopping.

After that, we visited HAUS NOWHERE and continued exploring the area, hopping between different concept stores like the Miffy Store, Gentle Monster and Blue Elephant. Seongsu is perfect for this kind of slow exploration as everything is quite close together and each store has its own unique concept.

For lunch, we stopped at Onion, one of the most popular bakery cafés in Seoul. I went for a strawberry croissant, which not only looked beautiful but also tasted amazing. It’s definitely worth a stop, but keep in mind that it can get quite busy.

In the afternoon, we moved towards Jogyesa Temple where lanterns were already displayed for Buddha’s Birthday. From there, we walked along Cheonggyecheon stream through Jongno, where the streets were filled with festival stalls. In the evening, we went to Dongdaemun to watch the lantern parade. This was without a doubt one of the highlights of the entire trip. Afterwards, we had a simple but really good dinner at Labab Kimbap, which was the perfect way to end the day after such a busy schedule.

Day 3: Palaces, traditional Seoul and Hongdae

This day was all about cultural highlights and exploring different sides of Seoul.

We started early at Gyeongbokgung Palace to avoid the crowds. The entrance fee was less than €2 per person, which honestly makes it one of the best value experiences in the city. If you want a more unique experience, you can also rent a hanbok nearby for around €10 to €20. When wearing a hanbok, entrance to the palace is completely free, which makes it even more fun and worth considering.

After visiting the palace, we walked through Bukchon Hanok Village, where you can see traditional Korean houses and get a feel for what Seoul used to look like. For lunch, we went to Dotori Garden, which ended up being my favourite lunch spot in Seoul. The setting is very calm and green, making it the perfect place to take a break from the busy city. Expect to pay around €12 to €20 per person, depending on what you order.

In the afternoon, we explored Ikseon-dong, wandering through its small streets filled with boutiques, cafés and hidden shops. This area is perfect if you enjoy slow exploring and discovering unique places along the way.

In the evening, we headed to Hongdae, which has a completely different vibe. It’s lively, full of street performances, shops and great food spots. We got a caricature drawn at Acorn Caricature, which was such a fun and unique souvenir to take home. We went for Korean BBQ, which cost around €20 to €30 per person, depending on what you order, but is definitely one of those must-do experiences in Seoul.

Day 4: Day trip to Seoraksan National Park

We booked a guided day trip via GetYourGuide, which included Seoraksan National Park, Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm. We paid around €70 per person, which honestly felt worth it considering how much we covered in just one day and how early the departure was.

The day itself was quite intense but really enjoyable because of the variety. Seoraksan offered completely different landscapes compared to Seoul, and it was nice to be surrounded by nature for a while. Around midday, we stopped for lunch where we had Korean BBQ, which was a nice break during such a full day.

One of the highlights for me was Nami Island. This small island is especially known for its tree-lined paths and became famous after the Korean drama Winter Sonata was filmed here. It has a very romantic and peaceful atmosphere, making it a popular spot for couples and photographers. Instead of taking the regular ferry, we decided to do the zipline (around €30 per person), which was such a fun and unique way to arrive. From above, you already get a great view of the island and surroundings, which makes the experience even more memorable.

We also visited the Garden of Morning Calm, which is a beautifully landscaped garden with themed areas and seasonal flowers. It’s definitely a nice and relaxing stop, especially if you like nature, but for me it wasn’t the highlight of the day compared to Seoraksan and Nami Island.

Even though it’s a long day with early departure and late return, it’s definitely worth including if you want to see more of South Korea beyond the cities without having to organise everything yourself.

After returning to Seoul in the evening, we kept things simple and stayed close to our accommodation.

Day 5: Travel to Busan

We left Seoul and took the KTX high-speed train to Busan, which was honestly one of the easiest parts of the entire trip. The train is fast, comfortable and takes you directly from city centre to city centre, which makes it much more convenient than flying. Tickets cost around €33 per person, depending on the time and how early you book.

After arriving in Busan, we checked into our hotel, After Chapter Hotel, located near Gwangalli Beach. This ended up being a great base because of the more relaxed vibe and the beautiful view over the Gwangan Bridge, especially in the evening when it lights up.

In the evening, we took the Sky Capsule along the coast, which is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Busan. The capsule slowly moves between Mipo and Cheongsapo along an elevated track with panoramic sea views. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs around €25 per person, and it’s especially nice around sunset. It’s best to book this in advance since it’s very popular. One important thing to know is that the time slot you select when booking is not the exact departure time, but the time you’re allowed to line up. The queue can get quite long, especially towards sunset, so if you want to catch that golden hour view, it’s really important to book a slightly earlier time slot.

After arriving in Cheongsapo, we decided to walk back towards Mipo, which turned out to be a really nice coastal walk with great views along the way.

Once back in Haeundae, we had dinner at Haeundae LCT Restaurant, where we tried abalone for the first time. It’s a local seafood specialty and definitely something worth trying if you’re in Busan.

Day 6: Rainy Day in Busan, Spa & Gwangalli

Our second day in Busan didn’t go exactly as planned because of the weather, but it actually turned into a really relaxing day. We started with breakfast at Crispy Outside, one of the few places that opens early. It’s a great spot if you want a proper breakfast instead of convenience store food. Expect to pay around €8 to €12 per person.

Since it was raining, we decided to go to Spa Land, which is located inside Shinsegae Centum City, one of the largest department stores in the world. The spa is huge and includes different themed saunas, relaxation areas and hot baths. Entry costs around €15 to €20 per person, depending on how long you stay, and it’s honestly one of the best things to do in Busan on a rainy day.

Afterwards, we spent some time walking around Shinsegae, doing a bit of shopping and just exploring the mall, before heading back towards Gwangalli Beach.

Even though the weather wasn’t great, I still went for a run along the beach, which has a very different, more local vibe compared to Haeundae. In the evening, we had dinner at Mipo-jib, where I tried grilled eel. This is a popular dish in Busan and worth trying if you want something more local.

Day 7: Gamcheon, Markets & Gwangalli at Night

We started the day with breakfast at Working Holiday, a really nice brunch spot that I would definitely recommend. After that, we headed to Gamcheon Culture Village, known for its colourful houses built along the hillside. It’s a fun place to explore with lots of small streets, viewpoints and photo spots. While walking around, we stopped at Asteroid B612 for an iced coffee, which was the perfect little break.

From Gamcheon, we continued to BIFF Square, one of the best areas in Busan for street food. I tried a Korean corndog filled with cheese, which is definitely a must-try. We then walked to Jagalchi Fish Market, where you can find fresh seafood and local food stalls. It’s a great place to get a taste of Busan’s food scene.

Later in the afternoon, we visited Dakbatgol Mural Village, which feels a bit more local and less crowded compared to Gamcheon. One of the highlights here is the Somang Wish Stairs and the small monorail, which takes you up the hill for a great view.

In the evening, we had dinner at Salmon Brothers, before heading back to Gwangalli Beach. This was without a doubt my favorite meal of the whole trip! I had delicious steak tartare and salmon sashimi.

At night, the beach has a completely different atmosphere. There was a “Sea of Light” installation along the shore, and combined with the illuminated Gwangan Bridge, it made the whole area feel really special. It’s definitely one of the nicest evening spots in Busan.

Day 8: Temples, Coastal Hike & Relaxing Afternoon

We started our last full day in Busan with breakfast at Esso Bar, a nice spot for coffee and a light breakfast.

After that, we took an Uber to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in South Korea because of its unique location along the coast. Unlike most temples that are in the mountains, this one is right by the sea. Entry is free, but it can get very busy, so going early is definitely recommended.

Next, we planned to do the Igidae Coastal Walk, which offers amazing views along the cliffs and coastline. Normally, you should start at Dongsaengmal, but our Uber dropped us at a different point, so we accidentally started the hike from the wrong side. It still worked out, but it’s something to keep in mind if you want to follow the route properly. The walk itself is beautiful and completely free, with several viewpoints along the way. It’s a great activity if you want to combine a bit of nature with your time in Busan.

In the afternoon, we went back to Gwangalli Beach and spent some time relaxing. We also used the pool at our hotel, which was a really nice way to slow down after a few busy days.

Day 9: Jeju east coast and Buddha’s Birthday

After a few days in Busan, we headed to the airport in the late afternoon for our flight to Jeju island.

We flew from Busan to Jeju in the evening with Air Busan (around €55 per person including luggage). The flight itself only takes about one hour, which makes it a very easy and efficient way to reach the island.

After arriving in Jeju, we immediately picked up our rental car at the airport. We booked this in advance through Enterprise, which cost around €170 for four days. This is something I would really recommend, because Jeju is much bigger than it looks and public transport is quite limited if you want to follow a flexible itinerary.

From the airport, we drove about one hour to our accommodation in Seogwipo, located in the south of the island. The drive itself already felt very different compared to Busan, with a much calmer atmosphere and less traffic. Since we arrived in the evening, we didn’t plan any activities and kept the rest of the night simple. This ended up being the perfect way to start our time in Jeju without feeling rushed after a travel day.

Day 10: Exploring the East Side of Jeju

After arriving the evening before, we started our first full day in Jeju by heading towards the east side of the island. We drove to Seongsan Ilchulbong, one of the most famous landmarks in South Korea and definitely one of the must-do things on Jeju. The entrance fee is around €3 per person if you want to hike up to the crater. There is also a free viewpoint near the entrance where you might spot the Haenyeo divers, the traditional female divers of Jeju. We chose to hike up, but honestly, the crater itself is not the most impressive part. The views during the walk are what really make it worth it.

Afterwards, we had lunch at a local restaurant near the area, 성산일출봉손칼국수, where I ordered a cuttlefish seafood pancake. It was honestly one of the best things I ate on Jeju.

In the afternoon, we continued to Seopjikoji, a beautiful coastal area with wide open sea views. It’s the kind of place where you just walk around, take your time and enjoy the scenery. We made a stop at Floyeast Bakery Cafe, where I had salt bread and coffee. This turned into a bit of an obsession during the trip.

From there, we drove to Soesokkak, which has a completely different atmosphere. Instead of cliffs, you’ll find calm water surrounded by volcanic rocks and greenery. You can go kayaking here, but even just walking around is worth it. To end the day, we visited Jeongbang Waterfall, one of the only waterfalls in the world that flows directly into the sea. Entrance is around €2, and it’s very easy to access.

Day 11: Waterfalls, Cliffs & Rainy Day Stops

Our second full day in Jeju came with a lot of rain, so we had to adjust our plans. We started with Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, which has a very different vibe compared to Jeongbang. It’s surrounded by greenery and feels a lot calmer and more peaceful. Entrance is around €2.

After that, we visited Jusangjeolli Cliff, which was one of the most impressive natural sites on the island. The volcanic rock formations along the coast are very unique, and even in bad weather, it was still worth visiting. Entrance here is also around €2.

Since the rain got heavier, we decided to head to Osulloc Tea Museum. It’s more of a combination between a shop, café and tea fields rather than a traditional museum, but still a nice place to spend some time. I tried the matcha cheesecake, which was definitely worth it, and bought some snacks to take home. Later in the day, we visited Sangbanggulsa Temple, which was one of the most impressive temples of the entire trip. It’s built directly into a massive rock, which makes it feel very different from other temples we visited.

We also tried to visit Wonang Falls, a waterfall where you can swim, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible because of the weather.

In the evening, we had dinner at 요망진부엌, where we ate tonkatsu. Afterwards, we stopped at Ruddy’s for a coffee, which turned out to be a really cosy place to end the day.

Day 12: Jeju → Seoul & Final Explorations

On our last day, we flew back to Seoul around midday with Jeju Air (around €65 per person). If you have some extra time before your flight, it’s actually worth exploring a bit of Jeju City since it’s close to the airport. You can visit places like Dongmun Market for local snacks, or stop by Dodu Rainbow Coastal Road for a quick, photogenic stop. Make sure to leave enough time to return your rental car and get to the airport without stress.

After arriving in Seoul, we checked into our hotel and spent the afternoon exploring a more modern part of the city. We visited Starfield Library and Bongeunsa Temple, both free to enter, and then walked around Apgujeong and K-Star Road. In the evening, we had dinner at Samjangj Apgujeong in Gangnam. Even though it’s known for Korean BBQ, I actually went for something different: a dish with octopus and a rice bowl with seaweed. It was honestly so good and a nice change from all the BBQ during the trip.

Day 13: Last day and flight home

We used our final morning for some last shopping, including a stop at Olive Young for skincare. After that, we headed to the airport for our return flight to Brussels, again with a stopover in China.

How to get around South Korea

Transport in South Korea is very efficient once you understand what works best where. In Seoul, the metro works perfectly and can be combined with Uber. In Busan, Uber is often more convenient because of the distances. Between cities, the KTX train is the best option, and on Jeju, renting a car is essential. Also make sure to download Naver Maps, as Google Maps does not work well for navigation.

Where to stay in South Korea

Choosing where to stay in South Korea depends a lot on your itinerary, as each destination has a different layout.

In Seoul, we stayed in an Airbnb near Myeongdong (Dongho-ro area), which was a great base to explore the city. It’s central, well connected by metro and close to both shopping areas and cultural sights. Expect to pay around €70 to €120 per night for a similar stay.

In Busan, we stayed at After Chapter Hotel near Gwangalli Beach. This was one of my favourite locations during the trip. Gwangalli has a more relaxed and local vibe compared to Haeundae, and the view of the Gwangan Bridge at night is beautiful. Prices here are usually around €80 to €120 per night.

In Jeju, we stayed in an Airbnb in Seogwipo, which worked perfectly for our itinerary. It was a cosy apartment with a bathtub on the terrace, located right next to a 7 Eleven (onigiri every day). We paid €201.87 for three nights, which is about €65 to €70 per night (you have to pay extra for the bathtub).

Final thoughts: is this South Korea itinerary worth it?

This 2 week South Korea itinerary gives you a perfect mix of city life, culture and nature. You explore the energy of Seoul, the coastal atmosphere of Busan and the unique landscapes of Jeju Island, all in one trip.

If I would plan this trip again, I would follow almost exactly the same route.

Read my other articles on South Korea here!