South Korea marries 5,000 years of history with a forward-looking creative pulse. In Seoul, Joseon-era palaces sit beside neon-lit K‑pop billboards, while markets steam with mandu, tteokbokki, and sizzling BBQ. A short flight away, Jeju Island offers lava tubes, tea terraces, and glassy beaches shaped by a volcano that still defines the skyline.

Expect a nation of food lovers: kimchi in countless styles, charcoal-grilled bulgogi, seafood jjigae, and fluffy bungeoppang on chilly nights. “Kimjang,” the winter tradition of making and sharing kimchi, is UNESCO-listed—so when a local presses a second side dish on you, it’s hospitality in action.

Practical notes: pick up a T‑money transit card, and you’ll glide through subways and buses. Tap water is generally safe, contactless payments are widely accepted, and tipping isn’t customary. Check palace closures (many are closed Tuesdays) and bring your passport for the DMZ. Seasonal swings are real—pack layers in spring and fall.

Seoul

Seoul is a study in contrasts: Gyeongbokgung’s sweeping hanok roofs, café culture in Ikseon-dong’s alleys, and design-forward Seongsu. Food is the city’s throughline—from Myeong-dong street snacks to slow-smoked galbi at late-night BBQ houses.

• Top sights: Gyeongbokgung Palace and the changing of the guard, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong tea houses, Namsan Seoul Tower, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seongsu’s indie boutiques, Hongdae’s music scene.
• Dining snapshot: charcoal BBQ (samgyeopsal, galbi), comforting samgyetang chicken ginseng soup, knife-cut kalguksu, and market staples at Gwangjang (bindaetteok, mayak gimbap).
• Fun fact: The Han River’s 27 bridges are a favorite local date-night backdrop—grab a picnic and watch the Banpo fountain show in warmer months.

Where to stay (Seoul): Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. Neighborhood picks: Myeong-dong for first-timers, Insadong for culture, Hongdae/Yeonnam for nightlife, and Gangnam for sleek comforts.

How to arrive: Fly into ICN or GMP. Search fares on Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. From ICN, the AREX Express to Seoul Station takes ~43 minutes (about $8–10); the All-Stop train takes ~60 minutes (about $4–6). Taxis run 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.

Getting around: Seoul’s subway is fast and bilingual. For intercity trains in Korea, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Touchdown, Myeong‑dong Bites, and a Streamside Stroll

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop through Myeong-dong’s pedestrian lanes. Snack your way through hotteok (brown sugar pancakes) and skewered dak-kkochi. For coffee, try Fritz Coffee Company City Hall for butter croissants and single-origin pours.

Evening: Walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream under lantern-lit bridges. Dinner options: Myeongdong Kyoja (hand-cut kalguksu and mandu since 1966), or Wangbijib Myeong-dong for marinated galbi grilled at your table. Nightcap at Amazing Brewing Company (Euljiro) for Korean craft beer.

Day 2: Palaces, Hanok Rooftops, and a Gangnam Night

Morning: Enter Gyeongbokgung when gates open; time your visit for the guard ceremony in front of Gwanghwamun. Pop into the National Palace Museum if you’re keen on court artifacts. Brunch near Bukchon at Onion Anguk (in a renovated hanok) for soboro bread and cold brews.

Afternoon: Wander the lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village, then browse calligraphy and ceramics in Insadong. Stop for traditional tea at Dawon (smooth jujube tea) or Suyeon Sanbang if you prefer a quieter garden setting.

Evening: Join this guided Gangnam walk that pairs a temple visit with one of Seoul’s most photogenic libraries and dinner-worthy K‑BBQ: Seoul Temple & Starfield Library Gangnam K‑BBQ. Expect Bongeunsa’s lantern-studded courtyards, the Starfield Library’s soaring book walls, and a meaty finish.

Prefer a DIY dinner? Maple Tree House (Itaewon) chargrills thick-cut pork neck; Yeontabal in Gangnam specializes in marinated short ribs with smoky depth.

Day 3: The DMZ and the Story of a Divided Peninsula

Morning–Afternoon: Take a full-day excursion to the Demilitarized Zone for context on modern Korea. This option includes Camp Bonifas/Greaves and the 3rd Tunnel: JSA DMZ and 3rd Tunnel Tour Camp Greaves. Bring your passport; dress modestly; itineraries can change due to security conditions.

Evening: Back in Seoul, decompress with a bowl of budae jjigae at Nolboo and crispy fried chicken at Gyeyeolsa (try the yangnyeom glaze). If you have energy, ride the Namsan cable car for night panoramas from Seoul Tower.

Day 4: Markets, Cooking Class, and Hongdae After Dark

Morning: Hit Gwangjang Market early to watch mung beans ground into batter for bindaetteok. Sip a flat white at Center Coffee (Seongsu) with Han River views, then browse Seongsu’s indie shoe ateliers and pop-ups.

Afternoon: Learn to cook like a local with market shopping + hands-on recipes (think japchae, kimchi, or bulgogi): Korean Cooking Class with Grocery Shopping at Seoul Local Market. It’s a delicious window into ingredients and kitchen culture.

Evening: Explore Hongdae’s buskers and live clubs. Dinner at Saemaeul Sikdang (7-minute pork) is fast, fiery, and fun; follow with honey-soaked hotteok from a street cart. For cocktails, Vinyouel in Yeonnam blends vinyl listening with seasonal sips.

Jeju City

Jeju is South Korea’s beloved “honeymoon island”—a volcanic paradise with lava tubes, tangerine orchards, and beaches that swing from emerald shallows to craggy basalt. The haenyeo (women divers) still harvest abalone and sea urchin the traditional way.

• Top sights: Hallasan National Park, Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), Manjanggul Lava Tube, Seopjikoji coast, Hyeopjae and Gwakji beaches, O’Sulloc Tea Museum.
• Flavors: Jeju black pork (heuk-dwaeji) grilled over briquettes, abalone porridge, hairtail stew, and peanut ice cream on Woljeongri Beach.
• Good to know: Jeju weather shifts quickly—bring a light shell. Renting a car is common, but private drivers make coastal loops easy.

Where to stay (Jeju City): Search island-wide stays on VRBO and Hotels.com. Standout resorts: The Shilla Jeju (classic seaside luxury), Lotte Hotel Jeju (family-friendly with expansive pools), and Hotel RegentMarine The Blue (convenient for Dongmun Market).

Getting there: Fly GMP → CJU (~1 hour; fares from ~$40–100 most seasons). Compare tickets on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Morning departures maximize your island time.

Day 5: Fly to Jeju, Market Grazing, Coastal Golden Hour

Morning: Depart Seoul for Jeju on an early flight (aim for 8–10 a.m.). Taxis from CJU to city hotels take ~15–25 minutes.

Afternoon: Check in, then graze at Dongmun Traditional Market: abalone kimbap, hallabong (tangerine) juice, and crispy okdom (tilefish). Coffee at Coffee Museum Baum’s city branch for beans roasted island-style.

Evening: Dinner on black pork: Heukdonga grills thick, marbled cuts with crunchy kimchi; Dombedon is another local favorite with sizzling platters. Stroll the Yongyeon Cloud Bridge at dusk for reflections over jade-green water.

Day 6: East Jeju UNESCO Day by Private Car

Use a driver-guide to cover the east’s headliners comfortably: Jeju Island Popular Sightseeing Private Car Charter Tour (5/9 hours). Craft a loop like this:

• Seongsan Ilchulbong: Climb 20–30 minutes for crater-edge views; mornings are clearest.
• Manjanggul Lava Tube: A cool, otherworldly walk through a UNESCO-listed tunnel of basalt.
• Seopjikoji: Wind-swept cliffs with a lighthouse and cinematic sea stacks.
• Woljeongri Beach: Shallow, milky-turquoise waters and peanut gelato at a beachfront kiosk.

Lunch ideas: Myeongjin Jeonbok for abalone porridge and grilled abalone; Haenyeo House for sea urchin bibimbap when in season. Back in town, try gamgyul (tangerine) makgeolli with seafood pancakes.

Day 7: West Coast Beaches, Tea Fields, and Aewol Cafés

Morning: Head to Hyeopjae and Geumneung Beaches for powdery sand and Biyangdo views. Simple breakfast at a beach shack—think egg toast and iced americanos.

Afternoon: Continue to O’Sulloc Tea Museum to sample green-tea soft serve and stroll low, fragrant fields. If you prefer caves and gardens, Hallim Park bundles both in one tidy visit.

Evening: Cruise the Aewol coastal road. Café-hop between Bomnal (sunset magnets and strong brews) and coastal roasteries tucked into basalt. Dinner on grilled hairtail stew near Nohyeong or a second helping of black pork at Jeju Bada Hwaro, where the embers leave a perfect char.

Day 8: Hallasan Morning or Seaside Loitering, Fly Out

Morning: If you want a leg-stretcher, hike the first section of Hallasan’s Eoseungsaengak or Yeongsil trails for sweeping lava landscapes in 1.5–2 hours round-trip. Otherwise, linger over bakery sets at Pain de Planet or hit a last café by the harbor.

Afternoon: Taxi to CJU for your flight. If you’re connecting in Seoul, consider time for a meal at the airport or plan lounge access upon arrival at ICN. Compare return flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-On in Seoul (swap into Day 4 evening or Day 2 night)

For a private, build-your-own city day in style, consider: Seoul VIP Private Tour by Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class Chauffeur.

Daily Food & Coffee Cheat Sheet

• Breakfast/Cafés: Onion Anguk (hanok café), Fritz Coffee Company (butter croissant), Center Coffee (river views), Bomnal (Jeju sunset café).
• Lunch: Myeongdong Kyoja (noodles), Tosokchon (samgyetang near Gyeongbokgung), Gwangjang Market (bindaetteok), Myeongjin Jeonbok (abalone).
• Dinner: Wangbijib or Yeontabal (BBQ), Maple Tree House (Itaewon), Heukdonga or Dombedon (Jeju black pork), seafood stews near Nohyeong.

City-to-City Transport Summary: Seoul → Jeju: morning flight ~1 hour, typical fares ~$40–100; book via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Within Seoul, the subway and Trip.com Trains (AREX to airport) keep you moving efficiently.

In eight days, you’ll stand beneath palace eaves, taste fire-kissed BBQ, and walk a lava tunnel older than memory. Seoul energizes; Jeju exhales. Together they form a South Korea itinerary you’ll talk about for years.