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South Korea is one of those countries where ten days can give you a great first introduction without rushing from place to place every day.
I first lived in South Korea while studying abroad in Busan, and I’ve since returned several times to travel around the country. On my most recent trip in 2026, I revisited both Seoul and Busan, so this itinerary combines some of my longtime favourites with places and activities I’ve experienced more recently.
This 10-day South Korea itinerary gives you five days to explore Seoul before travelling south to Busan, with a day trip to historic Gyeongju along the way. Compared with my shorter one-week route, you have more time to explore each city, experience neighbourhoods beyond the major sights, and fit in activities such as a colour analysis, the Han River, and a Korean baseball game.
It is still a fairly active itinerary, but you won’t need to change hotels every couple of days, which I think makes it a great route for a first trip to South Korea.
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Day 1: Myeongdong, Street Food, Gangnam and the Starfield library
Start your 10 days in South Korea by exploring Gangnam, one of Seoul’s most famous neighbourhoods. Your first stop is the Starfield Library inside COEX Mall, which you have probably already seen in photos. The huge bookshelves are pretty impressive, and it’s completely free to visit.
Since the library is inside COEX Mall, you can also spend some time shopping or grab a coffee here. It’s also a good place to visit if you happen to have a rainy day in Seoul.
Afterwards, walk across the road to Bongeunsa Temple. I really like the contrast here because you go from this massive, modern shopping centre to a traditional Buddhist temple within just a few minutes.
Before leaving Gangnam, you can also stop at the Gangnam Style statue outside COEX. There is even a screen where you can play the song, so of course you have to recreate at least some of the dance moves while you’re there.
Later in the afternoon, head to Myeongdong. This is one of my favourite areas in Seoul and a really fun place to spend your first evening in the city. There are loads of shops, restaurants and cafés, but one of the main reasons to visit in the evening is the street food.
Try some Korean snacks such as tteokbokki, hotteok or kimchi pancakes, and spend some time browsing the shops afterwards. A lot of them stay open quite late, so there’s no need to rush.
If you want some more ideas for your time in the city, have a look at my guide to the best things to do in Seoul.
Where to stay in Seoul
For this itinerary, I recommend staying in Myeongdong. It’s very central and well connected, which is particularly useful when you only have a few days to explore Seoul.
On my most recent trip, I stayed at PhilStay Myeongdong in a capsule-style room. I really liked it as a solo traveller because it gave me more privacy than a normal hostel dorm without the cost of a full hotel room.
If you’d rather stay in a regular hotel, Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong is another option in the same area.
Myeongdong isn’t your only option, though. Hongdae, Itaewon and a few other parts of the city can also work really well depending on what you want from your trip. I compare all of them in my guide to the best areas to stay in Seoul.
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Changdeokgung and Insadong
Start Day 2 of your 10 days in South Korea at Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces and probably the one I would prioritise if it’s your first time in the city.
Before entering the palace, you can rent a Hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, from one of the many rental shops nearby. I did this when I visited Gyeongbokgung and really enjoyed the experience. There are loads of different designs to choose from, and you can usually also get your hair styled to go with it.
Another bonus is that you can enter Gyeongbokgung Palace for free while wearing a Hanbok.
After exploring the palace, walk to Bukchon Hanok Village, one of Seoul’s best-known areas for traditional Korean houses. The neighbourhood is filled with narrow streets and traditional hanoks, with great views across the rooftops towards modern Seoul.
Bukchon is still a residential neighbourhood, so keep noise levels down and follow any signs restricting access to particular streets.
From Bukchon, you can continue to Changdeokgung Palace, another of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces. It’s close enough to walk, so it fits nicely into this part of the itinerary without having to travel across the city.
Changdeokgung is particularly known for its Secret Garden, so if you still have plenty of time, this is worth adding to your visit. That said, I don’t think you necessarily need to spend hours exploring two palaces in one day. If you’ve had enough after Gyeongbokgung, you can also skip Changdeokgung and spend longer exploring the surrounding neighbourhoods instead.
Finish the afternoon around Insadong, where you’ll find lots of traditional shops, tea houses, restaurants and places to pick up souvenirs. It’s a nice area to wander around without having another major attraction to rush towards, and you can easily find somewhere nearby for dinner afterwards.
Having 10 days in South Korea means you can dedicate a full day to this part of Seoul rather than squeezing Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon in between several other attractions. If you only have a week available, my 7-day South Korea itinerary follows a faster route through the country instead.
Day 3: Take a day trip from Seoul to the DMZ
For Day 3 of your 10 days in South Korea, take a day trip from Seoul to the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone) between South and North Korea.
The DMZ is a 4-kilometre-wide zone separating North and South Korea and stretches for around 250 kilometres across the Korean Peninsula. Visiting was one of the most interesting experiences from my time in South Korea, and I learned a lot more about the Korean War and the ongoing division between the two countries.
Most DMZ tours from Seoul start early in the morning, so expect to be at the meeting point at around 7 am. The exact itinerary can vary depending on the tour and current restrictions, but you’ll usually visit several important sites throughout the day.
One of the first stops is typically Imjingak Park, where you can find several monuments and exhibits connected to the Korean War and the division of Korea.
Another highlight is the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, an underground tunnel discovered in 1978. You can walk down into part of the tunnel yourself, although be prepared for a fairly steep walk back up!
Most tours also visit Dora Observatory, where you can look across the DMZ towards North Korea. On a clear day, you can see parts of the landscape on the other side of the border through the binoculars.
I joined a tour that also included the option to visit Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, which made the day a little longer but was worth adding, in my opinion.
I highly recommend the DMZ tour I joined. It was really informative and ended up being one of the most memorable days from my time in South Korea. If you want to do the same tour, I recommend booking it in advance, particularly if your dates aren’t very flexible.
You’ll usually arrive back in Seoul later in the afternoon, so I wouldn’t plan another major attraction for this day. Grab some dinner and have a more relaxed evening before continuing with your 10-day South Korea itinerary tomorrow.
Day 4: Eunpyeong Hanok Village, colour analysis, Hongdae and N Seoul Tower
Start Day 4 by heading a little further outside central Seoul to Eunpyeong Hanok Village. I visited Eunpyeong on my most recent trip to Seoul and really liked it. It’s much quieter than Bukchon, with traditional hanok houses and some beautiful views towards Bukhansan in the background.
It does take a little longer to get here than many of Seoul’s main attractions, which is why I probably wouldn’t prioritise it if you only had a couple of days in the city. But with 10 days in South Korea, you have enough time to explore beyond the main tourist areas.
Afterwards, head back towards central Seoul for a personal colour analysis. This is a really popular experience in South Korea and involves finding out which colours work best with your skin tone, hair and overall colouring. You’ll usually also get recommendations for things like makeup shades, jewellery and hair colours.
I had my colour analysis done at Cocory, and I found it really interesting. If, like me, you have a habit of buying clothes and then wondering why the colour doesn’t look quite right on you, it can actually be pretty useful!
There are lots of places offering colour analysis in Seoul, but appointments can fill up, so I recommend booking in advance if you definitely want to do it.
And if you’re planning on getting any beauty treatments, facials or skincare treatments in Seoul, I recommend having a look on Creatrip. You can book treatments at foreigner-friendly clinics beforehand, which makes the whole process a lot easier if you don’t speak Korean.
Afterwards, head to Hongdae, one of Seoul’s liveliest neighbourhoods. Spend some time exploring the shops, cafés, photo booths and arcades, or just wander around the main streets and see what you find.
Hongdae is also one of Seoul’s main nightlife areas, so you could easily stay here into the evening. For this 10-day South Korea itinerary, though, I recommend leaving before sunset and heading to N Seoul Tower.
N Seoul Tower sits on Namsan Mountain and has some of the best views over Seoul. You don’t necessarily need to go up the tower itself, as there are already several viewpoints around the base. But if you want to see the city from even higher up, you can also visit the observation deck.
If you can time your visit around sunset, you’ll get to see Seoul during the day before watching the city light up as it gets dark.
If you want to visit the observation deck, I recommend getting your N Seoul Tower ticket beforehand, particularly if you’re visiting at a busy time.
Day 5: Museums, the Han River and Banpo bridge at night
For your last full day in Seoul, start at the War Memorial of Korea, which is one of my favourite museums in the city and completely free to visit.
The museum covers Korea’s military history, with a large part dedicated to the Korean War. There are also plenty of exhibits outside, including military aircraft and tanks. I would allow at least a couple of hours here, although you could easily spend longer if you’re particularly interested in the history. Keep in mind that it is xlosed on Mondays.
From here, you can also visit the National Museum of Korea, which I visited on my most recent trip to Seoul. It’s another huge museum and covers a much broader range of Korean history, art and culture.
I wouldn’t try to see absolutely everything in both museums, though. They are massive, and you still have more planned for today. If museums aren’t really your thing, choose whichever interests you most and spend a little longer there instead.
Afterwards, head towards the Han River for a completely different side of Seoul. You can rent a bike and cycle along the riverside paths, which is a really nice way to spend a couple of hours after several busy days of sightseeing.
A popular activity is to get some Ramen at a nearby convenience store, and it is by the Han River.
Once it gets dark, make your way towards Banpo Bridge. During the warmer months, you may be able to catch the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, when water and lights are projected from the bridge over the Han River. Check the current operating schedule before planning your evening around it, as the fountain doesn’t run year-round and can be affected by weather or other conditions.
Afterwards, head back to your accommodation and get some rest because tomorrow you’ll be leaving Seoul and travelling to Busan for the second half of your 10 days in South Korea.
Day 6: Travel to Busan and explore Gwangalli Beach
After five days in Seoul, it’s time to travel south to Busan, South Korea’s second-biggest city and still my favourite city in the country.
You can travel from Seoul to Busan by either train or express bus. The KTX takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and is the fastest option, while the bus takes about 4 hours but is usually a little more affordable. Buses in South Korea are also really comfortable, so both are good options depending on your budget and how much time you have.
I’ve travelled between the two cities by both train and bus, so check out my guide on how to get from Seoul to Busan if you want to compare options before booking. You can also book your transport from Seoul to Busan through Klook.
Once you arrive in Busan, make your way to your accommodation. I recommend staying around Gwangalli Beach, which is still my absolute favourite area of the city. You get the beach, loads of restaurants and cafés and, most importantly, some amazing views of Gwangan Bridge at night.
On my most recent trip, I stayed directly by Gwangalli Beach in a private capsule-style room with an ocean view. I really liked it as a solo traveller because I still had my own private space without paying for a full hotel room. You can read my Gwangalli Beach hotel review if you’re considering staying there too.
If you want to stay in Gwangalli, I recommend booking your accommodation early, especially if you’re visiting over a weekend. Otherwise, Haeundae Beach is another great option and probably the most popular area for first-time visitors to Busan. It’s only around five metro stops from Gwangalli on Line 2, so it’s still easy to travel between the two areas. You can browse accommodation in Haeundae here.
If you’re still not sure which area is right for you, have a look at my complete guide to where to stay in Busan, where I compare Gwangalli, Haeundae, Seomyeon and Nampo-dong.
Don’t plan too much sightseeing for today. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Gwangalli Beach, get some food nearby and stick around to see Gwangan Bridge once it lights up at night. If you arrive on a Saturday, you may also be able to catch the drone show over the beach.
If you arrive early enough and still want to fit in another activity, you could also take a yacht cruise in Busan in the evening. I did one on my most recent trip and really enjoyed seeing Gwangan Bridge from the water. I wouldn’t consider it a must-do during your 10 days in South Korea, but it’s a fun extra if you can fit it into your schedule.
Day 7: Nampo, Gamcheon Culture Village and Busan Tower
For your first full day in Busan, explore Nampo and Gamcheon Culture Village, where you’ll find quite a few of the city’s main attractions.
Start by taking the metro to Nampo Station and head into Lotte Department Store Gwangbok, which is connected to the station. Make your way up to the observation deck on the 13th floor for some really nice views over Busan and the harbour. Best of all, the viewpoint is completely free.
From here, walk towards Jagalchi Fish Market, one of Busan’s most famous markets. Even though I don’t eat seafood myself, I still think it’s an interesting place to walk around and experience a completely different side of the city.
Continue towards BIFF Square, where you’ll find plenty of street food stalls. Make sure to try ssiat hotteok, Busan’s version of the popular Korean sweet pancake filled with seeds. Nearby, you can also wander through Gukje Market before continuing with your day.
Next, make your way to Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the places I would definitely include on a first trip to Busan. The colourful neighbourhood is built into the hills, with narrow streets, murals, little shops, cafés and plenty of viewpoints over the surrounding area.
Take your time walking around rather than just stopping for a couple of photos. There are lots of smaller streets to explore, and you can stop at one of the cafés along the way if you need a break.
If you only had one day in the city, this is also one of the areas I would prioritise. My one-day in Busan post covers Gamcheon and this part of Busan in more detail if you want some more ideas.
Later in the afternoon, head back towards Nampo and Yongdusan Park, where you’ll find Busan Tower. Since you’ve already had a free view over the city from Lotte Department Store, I don’t think going up Busan Tower is necessarily a must. But if you still have some time and want another view over Busan and the harbour, you can head up around sunset.
If you’d rather skip the tower, spend some more time around Nampo or head back towards Gwangalli or wherever you are staying for dinner instead.
And if you’re looking for even more ideas while you’re in the city, have a look at my guide to the best things to do in Busan.
Day 8: Songdo Air Cruise, Huinnyeoul Culture Village and Arte Museum
Start Day 8 of your 10 days in South Korea by making your way to Songdo Beach. Before taking the cable car, have a walk along the beach and check out the Songdo Cloud Trails, which extend out over the water.
Then it’s time for one of my favourite things to do in Busan: the Busan Air Cruise. The cable car takes you across the water from Songdo Beach to Songdo Sky Park, with some amazing views over the beach, coastline and city along the way.
You can choose between a regular cabin or one with a glass floor. I personally think the views are worth it either way, but if you want the full experience, you can book your Busan Air Cruise ticket here.
Once you reach Songdo Sky Park, don’t just take the cable car straight back. There are several things to see on this side, including the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge.
You can also follow the forest trails towards the viewpoint overlooking Dudo Island. I really liked this part because you get away from the busier cable car area and get some beautiful views along the coast.
After taking the cable car back, continue to Huinnyeoul Culture Village. This colourful neighbourhood is built along the cliffs of Yeongdo and has little streets, cafés and some really nice views over the sea. It’s another side of Busan that you don’t get around Haeundae or Gwangalli, and it fits particularly well into this day because you’re already exploring this side of the city.
If you still have some time afterwards, head to Arte Museum Busan on Yeongdo. I visited it on my most recent trip and really enjoyed it. The museum is filled with large-scale immersive digital art installations, with different rooms combining projections, sound and light.
Arte Museum is indoors as well, so you could also switch the order around if the weather isn’t great or prioritise it over Huinnyeoul on a rainy day.
Day 9: Take a day trip from Busan to Gyeongju
One place I definitely recommend visiting while you’re in Busan is Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom and one of South Korea’s most historically important cities.
Gyeongju is home to royal tombs, ancient temples and other historic sites, so it feels completely different from the few days you’ve just spent exploring Busan.
You can travel from Busan to Gyeongju independently, but the main attractions are fairly spread out once you get there. If you only have one day available, I recommend joining an organised tour instead. That’s what I did, and it made it much easier to see several different parts of Gyeongju without having to figure out the transport between them myself.
The tour I joined included Bulguksa Temple, Yangdong Village, Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Woljeonggyo Bridge, as well as some time around central Gyeongju.
There are different pick-up points around Busan, so check which one works best depending on where you’re staying. As I was staying around Gwangalli Beach, I chose the Haeundae pick-up point. My organised day tour from Busan to Gyeongju left at around 11 am and we arrived back in Busan at around 9 pm, so expect this to take up most of your day.
I really enjoyed the tour and would recommend it if you want to see as much of Gyeongju as possible without having to organise all the transport yourself. You can book the same Gyeongju day tour I joined here.
If you’d rather explore independently, have a look at my guide on how to get from Busan to Gyeongju, where I explain the different ways to travel between the two cities.
Day 10: Haeundae, Songjeong Beach and Spa Land
For your final day in Busan, head to Haeundae Beach, Busan’s most famous beach and one of the main areas you should see before leaving the city.
Spend some time walking along the beach and have a look around Haeundae Market, which is just a short walk away. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and street food here, so it’s also a good place to grab something to eat before continuing.
From Haeundae Beach, walk towards Mipo Station, where you can explore the coast using the Haeundae Blue Line Park.
You have a couple of options here. The colourful Sky Capsules travel between Mipo and Cheongsapo and are probably the most famous way to experience this stretch of coastline. They can sell out, though, so I recommend booking your Sky Capsule in advance if you definitely want to do it.
There is also the Haeundae Beach Train, which travels further along the coast and continues all the way to Songjeong Beach. I really like Songjeong if you want to see a quieter side of Busan, and the beach is particularly popular for surfing.
You can find all the different transport options in my guide on how to get from Haeundae to Songjeong Beach, including how to use the Beach Train and public transport.
After exploring the coast, make your way back towards Centum City. It’s only a few metro stops from Haeundae on Line 2 and is home to the massive Shinsegae Centum City department store. Even if you don’t want to do any shopping, it’s worth having a look around (and definitely check out the food court).
Then, finish your trip at Spa Land Centum City, which is located right by the department store. After ten pretty busy days of travelling around South Korea, I honestly can’t think of a better way to end the itinerary.
Spa Land is a Korean jjimjilbang with lots of different saunas, thermal rooms, relaxation areas and spa facilities. I spent around four hours here on my most recent trip to Busan, so give yourself plenty of time rather than trying to squeeze it into an hour at the end of the day.
You can read my complete Spa Land Centum City guide before you go, where I explain what to expect, how to get there and what the experience is actually like.
And then that’s it: after ten days of Seoul, Busan and Gyeongju, you have definitely earned a few hours at the spa!
Alternative: Watch a Lotte Giants baseball game
If the Lotte Giants are playing a home game while you’re in Busan, I would also really recommend trying to fit a game into your itinerary. It’s still one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in the city.
Korean baseball games have such a fun atmosphere, with chants and songs for the different players, and you’ll probably have at least one of them stuck in your head afterwards.
The baseball season generally runs from spring until autumn, but whether you can attend obviously depends on the home schedule. I wouldn’t specifically save your final evening for baseball, as the original itinerary did. Instead, check the schedule before your trip and move things around if there’s a home game while you’re in Busan.
You can find everything you need to know in my guide to attending a Lotte Giants baseball game in Busan.
Is 10 days in South Korea enough?
And that concludes my 10-day South Korea itinerary! I think ten days is a really good amount of time for a first trip, giving you enough time to properly explore Seoul and Busan while also fitting in a day trip to Gyeongju.
Of course, there is plenty more to see in South Korea, but this route gives you a good mix of big cities, history, beaches, food, and some unique experiences without changing accommodation every couple of days.
Only have a week? Check out my guide to spending one week in South Korea instead. It follows a more condensed route through Seoul and Busan, with a day trip to Gyeongju, for anyone who doesn’t have the full ten days available.
And if you have any questions about planning your trip, feel free to leave a comment below!
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