Explore South Korea
20 places · 20 dishes · 6 festivals · 20 things to buy — ranked from real traveler data.
Traditional food
See all 20 dishes →The dishes this country is known for — what they are and when to order them.

Chewy rice cakes simmered in a vibrant, spicy gochujang-based sauce, a beloved street food often served with fish cakes and boiled eggs.
Thick slices of uncured pork belly, grilled at your table, then cut into bite-sized pieces and wrapped in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang, and kimchi.

A bubbling stew made with aged kimchi, tofu, and typically pork or tuna, it's a staple comfort food served nationwide and eaten at almost every meal.
Places to visit
See all 20 places →The landmarks and experiences travelers rate highest.
Namsan Seoul Tower, aka the YTN Seoul Tower, Namsan Tower, Seoul Tower or N Seoul Tower, is a communication and observation tower located on the summit of Namsan in central Seoul, South Korea.
Everland is South Korea's largest theme park. It is located at the Everland Resort in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. In 2018, it received 5.85 million visitors and was ranked 19th in the world for amusement park attendance. As of 2010, Everland is measured to be approximately 1,200,000 square yards.
Gyeongbokgung is a former royal palace in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1395, it was the first royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and is now one of the most significant tourist attractions in the country.
Festivals
See all 6 festivals →What’s celebrated and when — dates always spelled out.
Korea's biggest holiday alongside Chuseok. 3-day public holiday when 30+ million Koreans travel to ancestral hometowns (귀성길 gwiseonggil). Seoul empties; traffic on highways from Seoul is legendary. Traditional sebae (bow to elders receiving money), tteokguk (rice cake soup — eating it adds one year to your age), hanbok traditional dress. Many tourist sites free or discounted.
Korea's largest cherry blossom festival with 350,000 trees in bloom. Jinhae's Yeojwacheon Stream and Gyeonghwa Station are iconic photo spots.
Korean Thanksgiving with family gatherings, traditional food, and folk villages.
What to buy
See all 20 items →Local goods and souvenirs with typical prices.
South Korea produces the highest quality roots for energy and immune support.
You can find the latest innovative formulations at local boutiques for half the Western markup.
Small carvings of these volcanic rock guardians protect your home from evil spirits.