South Korea offers layers of history, culture, and adventure for every traveler. This comprehensive guide to Things to Do in South Korea 2025 offers travelers the best time to visit, top destinations, and immersive activities the best time to visit South Korea, highlights the top destinations in South Korea, and outlines engaging things to do in South Korea; complete with practical tips on experiencing each moment, indulging in Korean food, and navigating entry requirements. All experiences and activities below are exclusively bookable through Leamigo, ensuring your clients enjoy seamless planning and dedicated 24/7 agent support.

Best Time to Visit South Korea

Deciding when to go is the first step in any South Korea travel guide. The best time to visit South Korea is during spring (March–May) when cherry blossoms paint city parks pink and temperatures hover between 13–20 °C.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom lining the pedestrian paths of Yeouido Park in Seoul during spring

Imagine strolling beneath petal-strewn branches in Yeouido Park, pausing for a picnic of kimbap and hotteok from a nearby vendor. Autumn (September–November) is equally magical: fall foliage in Gyeongju’s hills glows gold and red, and crisp mornings are perfect for hiking Seoraksan National Park.

autumn in south korea

Planning during these seasons ensures you experience each activity under ideal conditions and avoids summer’s monsoon rains and winter’s chill.

Entry Requirements & Visa for South Korea

Before your journey, include the K-ETA application in every “all you need to know before you travel to South Korea” checklist. Applying online takes less than ten minutes and costs USD 10. Once approved, the K-ETA remains valid for two years of multiple entries; print your approval email to present at immigration. With K-ETA secured, you can head straight into exploring without visa worries.

Things to Do in South Korea 2025: Tailored Experiences via Leamigo

Leamigo’s activity pages ensure every agent can seamlessly offer clients authentic things to do in South Korea; this guide includes information about the best time to visit South Korea, top destinations South Korea, and Korean food into each experience. Explore the curated encounters below, each bookable exclusively through Leamigo.

Experiences in Seoul

Discover why Seoul attractions top every South Korea travel guide. Leamigo’s Seoul portal brings together city-defining moments:

Visit N Seoul Tower: For breathtaking panoramic views of the city from its 480-meter elevation atop Namsan Mountain. Best visited around sunset, the tower offers daytime views, dazzling city lights at night, and romantic “love lock” terraces. Visitors can reach the tower via cable car, shuttle bus, or a scenic hike, with restaurants and observation decks enhancing the experience. Plan ahead for evening visits on weekends when the tower stays open later.

N Seoul Tower perched atop Namsan Mountain with panoramic views over Seoul city

Han River Bike Picnic Under Cherry Blossoms: Glide beneath petal-strewn branches, pausing at riverside picnic spots stocked with kimbap, tteokbokki, and makgeolli.
K-Pop Dance Class: Master iconic choreography and record a performance video in a vibrant studio setting.
Palace Hanbok Photo Stroll: Rent hanbok and wander Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon Hanok Village for unforgettable cultural portraits.

Colorful streets and traditional hanok houses in Bukchon Hanok Village surrounded by modern Seoul skyline

Leamigo real-time availability and dedicated support make every thing to do in South Korea within Seoul effortless to book. Book Seoul activities:

Experiences in Busan

For coastal charm and Korean food adventures, Busan’s offerings stand out among top destinations South Korea:

Gamcheon Village Mural Hunt & Street Food Feast: Trace colorful murals with local guides before sampling hotteok, mandu, and seafood pancakes at hidden stalls.
Busan Cooking Class: Source fresh market ingredients, then learn to craft bibimbap and jeon pancakes paired with regional makgeolli.
Sunrise Yoga on Haeundae Beach: Welcome the day with gentle stretches as waves lap the shore; ideal during the best time to visit South Korea.

Colorful hillside houses and murals in Gamcheon Culture Village, a popular artistic neighborhood in Busan

Secure these immersive Busan experiences with Leamigo’s transparent pricing and instant confirmations. Discover Busan activities.

Experiences in Gyeongju

Immerse clients in the timeless wonder of Gyeongju, often called a “museum without walls”:

Temple Stay & Dawn Meditation: Join monks for silent meditation, then prepare vegan temple cuisine from foraged greens.
Heritage Bike Tour Among Royal Mounds: Pedal through Tumuli Park at sunrise, stopping at hanok tea houses for makgeolli tastings.
Traditional Craft Workshop: Learn pottery or hanji paper-making from local artisans, connecting directly with Silla Dynasty heritage.

Ancient royal tomb mounds in Tumuli Park, Gyeongju, South Korea, surrounded by green lawns and trees

Leamigo’s Gyeongju offerings combine cultural depth with dedicated client care. Browse Gyeongju activities.

Experiences on Nami Island

Perfect for seasonal splendor and all you need to know before you travel to South Korea, Nami Island experiences include:

Hanbok Photo Stroll: Don traditional dress and wander the Metasequoia lanes; iconic during spring blossoms or autumn foliage.
Riverside Bicycle Tour: Rent bikes and circle the island’s perimeters, pausing for street vendors’ roasted chestnuts and strawberry bingsu.
Pavilion Tea Ceremony: End with a serene tea service by the water, learning about Korean tea culture from local hosts.

Scenic tree-lined pathway on Nami Island, a popular day trip destination near Seoul known for its natural beauty and seasonal foliage

These Nami Island adventures, integral to any things to do in South Korea list, are curated exclusively through Leamigo. View Nami Island experiences.

Explore the best Things to Do in South Korea 2025 through exclusive experiences in Seoul, Busan, and Gyeongju via Leamigo.

South Korea Travel Guide: Food, Dining, and Cultural Highlights

South Korea offers a world of flavors and experiences that keep travelers coming back for more. Exploring South Korean cuisine is an essential part of any trip, whether savoring spicy kimchi or warming bowls of seolleongtang. Beyond the food, there are countless things to do in South Korea; from wandering ancient palaces to cycling along the Han River, ensuring every itinerary is as rich in culture as it is in taste. And when hunger strikes, knowing the best places to eat in South Korea makes all the difference, guiding you from bustling street stalls to refined hanok restaurants.

###Discovering South Korean Cuisine: Crowd-Favorite Korean Dishes

Kimchi: This spicy, fermented cabbage is famous worldwide and accompanies virtually every Korean meal. Except it served as several varieties; cabbage, radish, cucumber; with varying spice levels and textures.

Traditional Korean Kimchi made from fermented napa cabbage seasoned with red chili powder, garlic, and ginger

Bibimbap: A colorful rice bowl loaded with seasoned vegetables, a fried egg, marinated meat (usually beef), and spicy gochujang sauce. It’s both nutritious and visually striking.

Colorful Korean Bibimbap rice bowl with assorted sautéed vegetables, marinated beef, fried egg, and spicy gochujang sauce

Bulgogi: Tender strips of marinated beef grilled to perfection; sweet, savory, and smoky. It’s often accompanied by lettuce wraps and dipping sauces, offering an interactive dining experience.

Korean BBQ bulgogi sizzling on a grill with sesame seeds and scallions

Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly BBQ): Diners grill thick slices of pork belly at the table, wrapping the meat in lettuce leaves with garlic, ssamjang (spicy paste), and rice. This social style of eating is a must-try.

Grilled Samgyeopsal pork belly slices sizzling on a Korean BBQ grill with fresh lettuce and garlic on the side

Tteokbokki: Spicy, chewy rice cakes swimming in a rich red pepper sauce, sold at street stalls and snack bars; it’s Korea’s ultimate comfort street food.

Traditional Korean street food Tteokbokki served hot with scallions and fish cakes in a sizzling pan

Hotteok: Sweet Korean pancakes filled with brown sugar, honey, nuts, and cinnamon; perfect for a quick snack during strolls.

Traditional Korean street food Hotteok with crispy outside and melted cinnamon sugar inside

Korean Fried Chicken: Double fried for extra crispiness, often glazed with soy garlic or spicy sauces, this is a popular late-night snack.

Crispy Korean fried chicken wings coated in sticky soy garlic sauce, garnished with sesame seeds.

Best Places to Eat in South Korea: Local Favorites

Seoul Street Food and Markets:

Myeongdong and Gwangjang Market are prime spots for authentic Korean street food. Wander amid vendors selling tteokbokki, fish cakes, and freshly made hotteok. Gwangjang Market is famous for its bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), yukhoe (Korean steak tartare), and an atmospheric blend of locals and tourists.

Busan’s Jagalchi Fish Market:

Seafood is king here. Enjoy live octopus, abalone, and grilled clams prepared fresh. The market area has casual eateries specializing in Busan’s coastal specialties, including hoe (raw fish).

Jeju Island’s Unique Flavors:

Sample black pork BBQ, prized for its distinct flavor and tenderness. Fresh seafood dishes such as grilled mackerel and sea urchin are local highlights, often enjoyed at seaside restaurants overlooking the ocean.

Traditional Hanok Dining:

For a luxurious cultural experience, try a meal at a hanok (traditional Korean house) restaurant in Seoul or Gyeongju offering hanjeongsik; an elaborate royal-style multi-course meal ranging from 8 to 12 dishes that showcase Korean culinary artistry in presentation and flavor complexity.

Korean Food Etiquette and Tips

Banchan (Side Dishes): Expect a generous array of banchan with every meal. These small dishes are shared communally; never taken from them without offering to others.
Using Chopsticks and Spoons: Chopsticks are used for picking food; spoons for rice and soups. Rest chopsticks on the holder, never sticking them upright into rice, as it resembles a ritual for the deceased.
Sharing is Caring: Korean dining is often communal. Grilled meats and stews are shared by everyone rather than eaten individually.
Ordering Soju or Makgeolli: Ordering rounds of soju (distilled liquor) is customary among groups, and pouring for others shows respect. Makgeolli, a milky rice wine, pairs beautifully with savory pancakes in casual settings.

Cultural Insights & Etiquette

Respectful participation enriches every trip; the local guides of Leamigo ensure to provide cultural briefings to travelers so that they can engage appropriately:

Bowing & Greetings: A slight bow at 15° and the use of both hands convey respect.
Hanbok Etiquette: Learn which colors and styles to choose for palace visits.
Festival Customs: Participate in songpyeon rice cake making during Chuseok.
Tea Ceremony: Experience the art of tea in a Jeju tasting session.

What to Pack for South Korea

Spring/Autumn: Layered outfits, light jacket, walking shoes.
Summer: Breathable clothing, rain jacket for monsoons.
Winter: Insulated coat, thermal layers, gloves.
Essentials: Universal adaptor, portable Wi-Fi, T-Money transit card, basic Hangul phrasebook.

All You Need to Know Before You Travel to South Korea

This guide answers questions most Googled by travelers. With clear instructions on experiencing each activity, cultural context, and practical tips on the best time to visit South Korea, top destinations South Korea, things to do in South Korea, and Korean food, travel agents can confidently answer all their client's queries.

For seamless planning, exclusive B2B prices, and dedicated 24/7 agent support, all tours and experiences are bookable only through Leamigo's one-stop B2B portal, empowering agents to deliver unforgettable South Korea adventures and let them make their clients happy by helping them deliver hassle-free ground handling services.

Book the Top Things to Do in South Korea 2025 exclusively with Leamigo and enjoy dedicated 24/7 agent support at agents.leamigo.com