Backpacking South Korea: 16 best places to visit
The most rewarding stops for backpackers in South Korea, ranked and mapped — and real routes through them, written by travellers who went.
Read South Korea stories1
Seoul
Seoul
Palaces, K-pop, neon nights.
2
Busan
Busan
Beaches and a colourful hill village.
3
Jeju Island
Jeju
Volcano, coast, honeymoon isle.
4
Gyeongju
North Gyeongsang
Open-air Silla-dynasty museum.
5
Jeonju
North Jeolla
Hanok village and bibimbap.
6
Seoraksan National Park
Gangwon
Granite peaks and temples.
7
Andong
North Gyeongsang
Mask dance folk village.
8
Incheon
Incheon
Chinatown and island ferries.
9
Suwon
Gyeonggi
Walled Hwaseong Fortress.
10
Gangneung
Gangwon
East-coast beaches and coffee.
11
Tongyeong
South Gyeongsang
Harbour and island cruises.
12
Boseong
South Jeolla
Green tea plantation rows.
13
Damyang
South Jeolla
Serene bamboo forest.
- 14
Yeosu
South Jeolla
Night-lit seaside city.
15
Pyeongchang
Gangwon
Ski slopes and highlands.
16
Daegu
Daegu
Markets and modern culture.
Backpacking routes through South Korea
Real trips through South Korea, drawn on maps by the people who took them.
Seoul and the West: Palaces, the DMZ Edge and Slow Food in Jeonju
A South Korea route through Seoul, Incheon, Suwon's fortress and Jeonju's hanok quarter — T-money tips, jjimjilbang nights and 2026 backpacker costs.
The Southern Arc: Gyeongju, Busan's Beaches and a Jeju Island Finish
South Korea's south by train, bus and budget flight: Gyeongju's tombs, Busan's markets and cliffs, Tongyeong, then Jeju's volcano and lava coast.
Been backpacking in South Korea?
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