South Korea marries dynastic history with breakneck innovation. Ancient palaces, Confucian hanok lanes, and Buddhist temples sit beside glass towers, K-pop billboards, and late-night markets. This 10-day itinerary distills the country’s range—Seoul’s cultural core, Busan’s seaside energy, and Jeju Island’s volcanic landscapes—into a smooth, scenic loop.

Expect big flavors: charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ, street snacks like tteokbokki and hotteok, Busan’s pork-and-rice soup, and Jeju’s black pork and abalone porridge. Cafés are a national pastime—order a hand-drip at a specialty roaster and watch the city swirl by. Markets like Gwangjang and Jagalchi still define the daily rhythm, where vendors plate family recipes perfected over decades.

Practical notes: Pick up a T-money transit card for subways and buses; Naver Map and KakaoMap work better than Google for navigation. Check K-ETA/visa requirements before you go. For intercity travel, the KTX train and quick domestic flights keep your schedule flexible; book via Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights, or compare on Kiwi.com.

Seoul

Seoul is a living palimpsest: Joseon-era palaces cast long shadows over galleries, designer flagships, and food alleys where steam spills into neon. Spend mornings under tiled eaves and afternoons in concept cafés, then chase night views from hilltop towers and riverside parks.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung Palace and the changing of the guard, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, Gwangjang Market, N Seoul Tower, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Lotte World Tower’s Seoul Sky, COEX and Bongeunsa Temple.
• Dining highlights: Myeongdong Kyoja’s knife-cut noodles, Tosokchon’s ginseng chicken soup, old-school BBQ at Samwon Garden, market bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), and late-night pajeon with makgeolli in Jongno.
• Café culture: Onion Anguk for rustic pastries in a hanok, Fritz Coffee Company for serious roasting, and Anthracite for single-origin pours.

Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO): Splurge at The Shilla Seoul or family-friendly Lotte Hotel World. Great value at Hotel 8 Hours or Hostel Haru. Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Seoul) or apartments on VRBO (Seoul).

Getting in: From Incheon Airport, take AREX to Seoul Station (45–60 min) or a taxi (60–90 min). Compare flights on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights.

Day 1: Arrival, Myeongdong Bites, and City Views

Morning: Fly into Incheon or Gimpo. If you haven’t booked, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com for last-minute options.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Myeongdong’s pedestrian lanes. Snack on tteokbokki, skewered fish cakes, and egg bread; sit down at Myeongdong Kyoja for signature kalguksu noodles and mandu—comforting, garlicky, and beloved since the 1960s.

Evening: Ride the cable car or hike up to N Seoul Tower for panoramic city lights. On the way down, stroll Cheonggyecheon Stream’s illuminated paths and grab soft serve at a street stall.

Day 2: Royal Seoul—Palaces, Hanok Lanes, and Tea

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Onion Anguk, set in a minimalist hanok. Tour Gyeongbokgung at opening; time the changing of the guard. Pop into the National Palace Museum if you love court artifacts.

Afternoon: Meander Bukchon Hanok Village, then head to Insadong for brush shops and calligraphy paper. Lunch at Tosokchon—their ginseng chicken soup fuels the day. Pause for green tea at a traditional tearoom like Dawon tucked behind galleries.

Evening: Dinner BBQ in Gangnam at Samwon Garden (since 1976; thick-cut marinated galbi). Cap the night in Apgujeong/Cheongdam with pastry and a pour-over at Anthracite or a cocktail bar along Dosan Park.

Day 3: Modern Seoul—COEX, Bongeunsa, and Lotte World Tower

Morning: Hand-drip at Fritz Coffee Company, then explore COEX’s Starfield Library. Cross to Bongeunsa, a serene temple that pre-dates the skyscrapers around it.

Afternoon: Lunch on bossam and kimchi at a Gangnam favorite, then shop Garosu-gil boutiques. Before sunset, ascend Lotte World Tower’s Seoul Sky for glass-floor views over the Han River.

Evening: Splurge tasting menu at Mingles (book well ahead) where seasonal Korean ingredients meet refined technique. Post-dinner, stroll the Han riverside or take a short night cruise.

Day 4: Markets, Euljiro Alleys, and Jongno Nights

Morning: Dive into Gwangjang Market: try bindaetteok griddled to order, mayak gimbap, and a bowl of yukhoe (beef tartare) with pear. Coffee at Coffee Libre or a backstreet Euljiro roastery.

Afternoon: Explore Ikseon-dong’s narrow hanok lanes—tiny ateliers, indie perfumeries, and dessert cafés abound. Snack on hotteok or a seasonal bingsu.

Evening: In Jongno, pair crispy seafood pajeon with milky makgeolli at a classic jeon house, then peek into Euljiro Nogari Alley for cheap lager and fried fish in a workers’ district turned after-hours hangout.

Busan

South Korea’s second city curves along bright beaches and rugged headlands. It’s a place for temple sunrises, seafood auctions, coastal hikes, and nights under the lit span of Gwangan Bridge.

• Top sights: Haeundae and Gwangalli Beaches, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Gamcheon Culture Village, Songdo Skywalk and cable car, Jagalchi Market, BIFF Square, Jeonpo Café Street.
• Food to try: Dwaeji gukbap (pork-and-rice soup), milmyeon (wheat noodles), live and raw seafood at Jagalchi, ssiat hotteok (seed-stuffed pancakes).
• Cafés and bars: Waveon Coffee (coastal architecture and views), Coffee MOMOS, local brews at Galmegi Brewing, sundowners at HQ Gwangan.

Where to stay: Search beachfront and city-center stays on Hotels.com (Busan) or apartment-style options on VRBO (Busan).

Getting there from Seoul: Morning KTX from Seoul Station to Busan Station takes ~2.5–3 hours; fares from about 59,800–83,700 KRW (~$45–$65). Book via Trip.com Trains.

Day 5: Seoul → Busan, Jagalchi Market, and Gwangan Bridge

Morning: KTX to Busan; drop bags at your hotel. Espresso at Coffee MOMOS near the station if you need a pick-me-up.

Afternoon: Feast at Jagalchi Market. Pick assorted sashimi (hoe) and shellfish from vendors; upstairs eateries slice and serve with seaweed, perilla, and gochujang. Walk to BIFF Square for ssiat hotteok oozing with brown sugar and seeds.

Evening: Head to Gwangalli Beach. Watch the bridge light show and dine on crispy fried chicken and beer by the sand, or slurp milmyeon at a local spot. Nightcap at HQ Gwangan or a Galmegi Brewing taproom.

Day 6: Haeundae, Haedong Yonggungsa, and The Bay 101

Morning: Sunrise at cliffside Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Coffee with ocean views at Waveon Coffee in Gijang—modern concrete, roaring surf, and balanced roasts.

Afternoon: Explore Haeundae Market, then try a hwetjip (raw fish house) for sliced flounder and sea bream. Lounge on Haeundae Beach or paddleboard if weather cooperates.

Evening: Stroll The Bay 101 marina for skyline photos. Dinner on grilled eel at Anga (buttery and rich with sweet soy). Finish with gelato along Gunam-ro.

Day 7: Gamcheon Art, Songdo Skywalk, and Jeonpo Café Street

Morning: Color-drenched Gamcheon Culture Village: murals, tiny galleries, and hillside alleys. Grab a hot Americano from a rooftop café with a view.

Afternoon: Walk the glass-floored Songdo Skywalk and ride the marine cable car over the bay. Late lunch in Seomyeon’s dwaeji gukbap alley—try Ssangdoongi Dwaeji Gukbap for a silky broth customized with salted shrimp and chives.

Evening: Café-hop along Jeonpo Café Street, then tuck into spicy stir-fried octopus or a cozy jjigae spot. Craft beer back near Gwangalli if you want the sea breeze.

Jeju Island (Jeju City + Coasts)

Jeju is Korea’s volcanic Eden: cratered peaks, lava tubes, tangerine orchards, black-rock shores, and women sea divers harvesting abalone and sea urchin. It rewards slow drives, coastal walks, and sunset dinners of charcoal-grilled black pork.

• Top sights: Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), Manjanggul Lava Tube, Hallasan National Park, Aewol Coastal Road, Hamdeok and Hyeopjae Beaches, Osulloc Tea Museum.
• What to eat: Heuk-dwaeji (black pork), jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge), gogi-guksu (pork noodle soup), hairtail and tilefish stews, tangerine desserts.
• Cafés by the sea: Bomnal (Aewol), Delmoondo (Hamdeok), and breezy espresso bars along the Handam Coastal Walk.

Where to stay: Resort classics include The Shilla Jeju and Lotte Hotel Jeju; for city convenience, Hotel RegentMarine The Blue. Compare more on Hotels.com (Jeju City) or home rentals on VRBO (Jeju City).

Getting there: Fly Busan → Jeju (~1 hr; from ~$35–$120, frequent departures). Book on Trip.com Flights or compare via Kiwi.com. Renting a car is the easiest way to explore; buses connect major sights if you prefer transit.

Day 8: Busan → Jeju, Aewol Coast, and Black Pork

Morning: Fly to Jeju and pick up your car or plan bus routes. Drop bags in Jeju City or the Jungmun resort area.

Afternoon: Cruise the Aewol Coastal Road. Espresso and carrot cake at Bomnal Café with waves crashing below; walk the lava-rock Handam Coastal Trail between tide pools and modern cafés.

Evening: Dinner on charcoal-grilled Jeju black pork at Heukdonga or Donsadon. Order thick belly cuts with local salts, perilla, and kimchi; pair with a crisp local lager.

Day 9: East Jeju—Sunrise Peak, Lava Tubes, and Hamdeok Beach

Morning: Aim for sunrise or early climbs at Seongsan Ilchulbong. Breakfast on abalone porridge or stone pot rice at Myeongjin Jeonbok on the east coast.

Afternoon: Explore the UNESCO-listed Manjanggul Lava Tube—cool, cathedral-like chambers showcasing Jeju’s volcanic past. Continue to Hamdeok Beach for turquoise shallows and a lazy swim.

Evening: Sunset coffee or mojito at Café Delmoondo right on the sand. Back in Jeju City, try gogi-guksu (pork noodle soup) at Samdae Guksu for a comforting, porky finish.

Day 10: Hallasan Mini-Hike, Tea Fields, and Departure

Morning: Stretch your legs on the short Eoseungsaengak Trail in Hallasan National Park (about 30–60 minutes round trip) for crater and coast views without a full-day commitment.

Afternoon: Head west to the Osulloc Tea Museum and surrounding green tea fields for soft-serve and souvenirs. If you’re flying out today, plan an afternoon departure; there are frequent hops to Seoul Gimpo/ICN—check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If time allows, a quick final meal near the airport—hairtail stew or a last plate of black pork—before wheels up.

Logistics at a Glance

• Intercity transport: Seoul → Busan KTX (~2.5–3 hrs, from ~$45–$65) via Trip.com Trains. Busan → Jeju flight (~1 hr, from ~$35–$120). Jeju → Seoul flight (~1 hr 10 min).
• Airport transfers: In Seoul, AREX or taxi; in Busan, subway to Haeundae/Gwangalli; in Jeju, car rental recommended or airport buses to major hubs.
• Payments: Cards widely accepted; keep small cash for markets. T-money works across metros and most buses nationwide.

Across ten days you’ll trace South Korea’s full spectrum: palace courtyards and market alleys, beach sunsets and lava caves, temple dawns and glittering skylines. With efficient trains and short flights, the country shrinks to a series of vivid, delicious days you’ll talk about for years.