Best time to visit
52 things to do in South Korea
Seaweed Soup for Birthdays
The idea to eat seaweed after giving birth might have been borrowed from whales, today seaweed soup is also eaten for birthdays to honour mothers
Ginkgo Nuts
When fruit from the outside smells like puke or poo, it's hard to believe the inside can be better, but you'll never know without trying
Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeon Deung Hoe)
Established over 1,300 years ago, this annual Buddhist lantern festival brightens the hearts and skies of both Korea and the world
Cool Down with Patbingsu
Instead of traditional ice cream, Koreans have another ice dessert for hot summers—shaved ice topped with sweet red beans
Haeundae Polar Bear Swim Festival
Thousands of "polar bears" gather in the south of Korea every winter to bathe in the freezing sea water
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Winter festival provides an excellent way to beat the cold—enjoy ice fishing along with ice racing competitions and other amusing festivities
Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital
Psychiatric hospitals are creepy in general and abandoned ones twice as creepy, and when they also have a reputation of being haunted—that's even worse!
Winter
Siberian winds bring cold and dry weather, and snow creates gorgeous landscapes and winter sport opportunities
Birdwatching during Spring and Autumn Migrations
South Korea offers rich birding grounds to observe a variety of species, some of which are hard to see anywhere else in the world
Lotus Flower
At the lotus festival one can walk among thousands of flowers, drink lotus flower tea, learn how to make lotus flower soap and paper, and so much more
Haeundae Sand Festival
This event is all about sand art, beach sports, and night parties at the seaside
Sunflowers
A chance to enjoy the view in a field of sunflowers occurs just once in a long while—for a few weeks in the summer
Autumn
Locals name this the season of a high sky and fat horses, and it's especially loved for superb hiking in the autumnal mountain forests
Hangwa
If you miss Chuseok festival in mid-September, your hunt for bright-coloured Korean confectionary won't be easy
Boryeong Mud Festival
Ten days of mud-packed activities are an excellent chance to wake up the inner child in you
Cherry Blossom
South Korea is blessed with cherry blossoms that turn the country into a fairy tale every spring
Hiking High Season
The numerous mountains of Korea are home to gorgeous treks, Buddhist temples, cute squirrels, and other forest critters
Pine Mushrooms (Songi)
Pine mushrooms are treasured in Korea not just for their subtle flavour and limited availability, but also as cancer preventors
Monsoon Season
Even though Japan and China do a great job protecting Korea from natural disasters, a typhoon or two may still sometimes reach South Korea
Spring
This season is famous for budding flowers in Korea's vivid parks and mountains
Summer
Even though hot and humid, this season is still delightful both at the beaches and in the mountains
Gochang Moyang Fortress Festival
Walk three times around the fortress with a stone on your head—and you'll live a long, happy, and healthy life ever after
Poppy Fields
A meadow of red wildflowers set amidst the mountains is the perfect place for your mind and soul to relax
Pohang International Fireworks Festival
If you're into fireworks and other festivities, you're going to like this mix of sparkling clouds, live concerts, and art
Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve
South Korea is home to one of the world's largest coastal marshes which boasts a vast field of tall reeds
Gimje Horizon Festival
If you've never tried anything like maneuvering a cart driven by a cow, or catching grasshoopers, this festival offers some new funny experiences
Skiing and Snowboarding Season in South Korea
Mountains occupy nearly three-quarters of the country's territory, which makes it a great skiing destination
Suneung Entrance Exam Fever
On the examination day, friends and parents gather at school gates to pray for examinees and cheer them up—all want to pass the exam with a perfect score
Traditional Villages (Agricultural Season)
Fly away from the city buzz to enjoy peaceful rural surroundings, the indigenous lifestyle, and the living ancient traditions of Korea
Chuseok (Harvest Moon Festival)
Chuseok is the Korean version of American Thanksgiving—an important holiday, when locals leave for grandma's house in the countryside to follow ancient traditions and, most importantly, to feast on abundant homemade delicacies
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival
You'll be amazed at the amount of lanterns and their style diversity, but this is more than just a matter of beauty
Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival
The image of a parting sea evokes a figure of Moses and the Red Sea, but in the Korean version the miracle happens to a woman at the Yellow Sea
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Paradoxically this is one of world's most militarized areas, labeled the scariest place on Earth, and still drawing lines of curious tourists
Gwangalli Eobang Festival
This festival is about fishing activities, cultural performances, and a spectacular night show of 30 fishing boats with torches
Jeju Fire Festival
A scary, and at the same time majestic spectacle—the sight of burning island is
Flowers in the Garden of Morning Calm
The oldest private garden in Korea showcases 5,000 plant species, 20 themed sections, dozens of scenic walkways, and a series of festivals held throughout the year
Andong Mask Dance Festival
Get ready for your heart to burst with excitement at this exuberant celebration of the Korean tradition
Watch Squirrels and Chipmunks
According to a local belief, meeting one of these little fellows can bring you luck
Damyang Bamboo Festival
Experience the versatile applications of bamboo in fishing, cooking, alcohol brewing, and more at the vibrant bamboo festival in Damyang
Beach Season
The beaches of South Korea are delightful in terms of scenery and entertainment
Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo)
While Korea and Japan try to solve the ownership issue, these small rocky isles inhabited by a single Korean family draw tens of thousands of tourists
Fugu (Puffer Fish or Blowfish)
Every year six people die from eating this fish. If you get thrills from life risks, you are welcome to challenge your fortune
Green Tea Fields
Check where your favourite beverage comes from and don't forget to try some green tea ice cream and green tea noodle soup
Persimmon Harvest and Gotgam Making
Fresh juicy persimmon is good, but dried fruit ('gotgam') might appeal to you even more
Canola (Yuche) Bloom on Jeju Island
Scenic colorful landscapes show that spring has arrived in South Korea
Azaleas
You may occasionally see beautiful pink mountainsides in Korean movies, but reality is often better than the pictures
Fake Funerals
How about discovering the joy and meaning of life through experiencing your own fake funeral?
Seoul POPCON
Korea's largest convention of pop culture and entertainment industry
Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX)
One of the most important aviation events in Asia
Seoul Jazz Festival
Top jazz festival in Asia and one of the largest annual music events in South Korea