City: South Korea
Top Things to do in South Korea
Top Hotels in South Korea
Countries
What to do and see in South Korea, South Korea: The Best Free Things to do
Coordinates: 36°N 128°E / 36°N 128°E / 36; 128
Restaurants in South Korea
1. National Museum of Korea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,362 reviews
This is the largest museum in Korea with over 220,000 objects in its collection. It has six permanent exhibition galleries such as Historical Gallery and Fine Arts Gallery. It also has special exhibition halls, a children's museum, outdoor exhibit areas, restaurants, cafes, shops and other amenities. *Admission: Free to Permanent Exhibition & Children's Museum(changeable after 2010)*Hours: Tue/Thu/Fri: 9am-6pm, Wed/Sat: 9am-9pm, Sun/holidays: 9am-7pm, closed Mon & January 1st
Reviewed By Janet1016 - Ottawa, Canada
I think it's awesome when a Museum offers free admission, especially to International travelers who can then learn all about a Country's Culture. My husband, son and I spent a week in Seoul, our very first trip to South Korea and visited the National Museum of Korea on our second day. It's a vast building, and one of the largest museums in Asia. We took the MRT to get there and it was a nice walk from the MRT station to the Museum. The Museum offers one hour free English language tours which we took. Our Guide was very friendly and personable and spoke English very well. There are also maps of the Museum available in English and they also detail the top sights if you have a limited amount of time to spend. I was fascinated most by the Gold Crowns and Caps, so delicate and ornate and so different from say English Crowns. :) The Museum houses many, many of Korean's National Treasures and it's really awe inspiring to get to see them and learn South Korea's history. You could spend a couple of days going through here no problem, plus there is another Museum on the grounds as well that is devoted to the Korean Language, the National Hangeul Museum. There is a large Food court area within in you get peckish and it serves really lovely meals. This is a great spot to visit if you're in Seoul. Go!!!!
2. Hamdeok Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 510 reviews
Reviewed By zincx09
The beach has beautiful, clear emerald waters (the pictures doesn’t do the place justice as its much better experienced in person), and a really nice cafe by the sea with good pastries. We got there by Bus 101 from CJU airport followed by a short walk. Near the beach there are tons of places to eat, such that you will be spoilt for choice. Easy to hail a taxi there too for those who wants to travel to their next location by cab. Parking lots available too for those who are driving. Highly recommend this place for beach and sea lovers and those who enjoy coffee by the sea.
3. Hallasan National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,074 reviews
Reviewed By brightmind_tgl - Sydney, Australia
An UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, the Hallasan National Park is loaded with walking trails and is home to South Korea’s highest mountain named the Shield Volcano Hallasan. You’ll find about 1800 different kinds of plants and a number of alpine animals along the way up. The park is a unique place for nature lovers. Settled right in the heart of Jeju island, this park with high density woods and blooming hillsides is concidered as a treat to be at. Transportation: start with chosing a right trail for you. There many different ways up to the mountain, but only one of them will bring you to the summit. To get to the entrance you’d probably need to take one of the public busses or rent a car. Both options are convenient. Equipment: You’d definitely need to be prepared for a long and tiring walk. All the trails are devided into segments, based on their difficulty. Some of the parts of the trail would be paved, some wouldn’t be equipped at all. You’d be grateful for those parts where you’d be able to walk and step on the wooden bridges and paths. But except those short and the easiest parts of the way, you’d need to climb on the steep and narrow rocks, hop along cobblestones and boulders. Timing: don’t rush, remember when you’re on the top, that was only a half of your journey. There is the same long way down the mountain when you’re on the summit. Tips: be prepared for considerable change of the temperature and other weather conditions. We started in a pleasant sunny day and finished when it was drizzling and the fog was literally embracing us. Add up some wind and decreased temperature and you’re almost in our shoes out there. You’d definetely need to wear tracking boots or something alike, protecting and supporting your feet well. Otherwise you risk hurting your ankles and knees. (as us, cause we were not prepared) You’d also want to change your clothes after 6-7 hours tracking up and down this mountain. Believe me you’ll be sweating af.
4. Myeongdong Shopping Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,355 reviews
Reviewed By SOLARIZEDCHERRY - Singapore, Singapore
Love love love Myeongdong. You can go crazy shopping here haha so much good food and cosmetics!! Must try: - Aori Ramen - Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong - BHC Chicken Must go: - SPAO - All the cosmetic shops (hahaha)
5. Bukhansan National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,093 reviews
One of the most popular pastimes in Seoul is hiking and this stunning national park just outside the city is a local favorite. Aside from a variety of hiking trails for every skill level, you’ll also see lots of flora and fauna, temples and ancient fortresses.
Reviewed By jhs592
great hiking and scenery. Peaceful. AFAIK, it's a completely healthy and wholesome day out in nature.
6. The War Memorial of Korea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,269 reviews
Poignant exhibits, war memorabilia, art works, and military equipment make this a perfect place to learn about Korea’s history of war, most notably with North Korea. Kids will enjoy the display of actual tanks and airplanes.
Reviewed By Culinary-Consultants - Ferrara, Italy
As a veteran I am a lover of places that price and honor, the fellow and good military men and women of the past and present; Men and Women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of freedom and liberty. In this vein, I dedicate part of every travel we make with our company to search for Memorials and Museums of War. The War Memorial of Korea as expected for the history of this country, is no disappointment. It opened in 1994 on the former site of the army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea and it holds an exquisite collection and memorabilia of several past wars ranging from prehistoric times with very rudimentary weapons; passing with extreme detail throughout the Korean War and the ROK Armed Forces until more modern conflicts and the presence of South Korea as an allied in the United Nations. 13,000 items are displayed in six halls under different themes and about 100 large weapons are displayed in the outside exhibition area on the lawns around the building. Outside the building premises you can see a great variety of mobile units such as fixed-wing air-crafts like the De Havilland Canada U-6A Beaver, the Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando, also the Fairchild C-123J built in 1956 as a C-123B and later converted to a C-123J in the 1960s. Helicopters are also in the premises, such as the Bell AH-1J “International Cobra”, also the Bell UH-1B Iroquois, even Russian units as the Sikorsky H-5H Dragonfly and the Sikorsky HH-19B Chickasaw. But there are more mobile units such as armored vehicles, artillery and anti-aircraft guns. Missiles and several other maritime vessels like the Hurricane Aircat Air-boat used by ROK special forces during the Vietnam War and much more well kept pieces of war history are exhibited here at the War Memorial of Korea. The place definitely has been groomed to detail and has also a special glow about it; meaning a building with a soul. I truly recommend this place for the lovers of War History and War Artifacts and here you will also find a special place for the special connection we have with those who gave it all for the sake of freedom in South Korea and everywhere else.
7. Beomeosa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 901 reviews
Reviewed By ModestTravel - Shah Alam, Malaysia
Went end of October but trees are still mostly green. Interesting 600 year old fertile female Gingko trees with lots of Gingko fruits. Nice walk uphill.
8. Ilsan Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By Jakecosmosaller - Alexandria, United States
Ilsan lake park is a wonderful place to take a walk especially in the fall or winter. During the winter it is lit up at night. also fantastic cherry trees in the spring time. the lake is one of the largest man made lakes in Asia. it is located next to great shopping and restaurants ( on the right side of the Lake). Nearest station is Balsan station on the orange line. Coming from the airport or Seoul station take the ARA and transfer at Digital Media city. Ignore the official metro guide book which says to transfer at Seoul Station - that will double your travel time and take 90 minutes as opposed to 40 minutes. Balsan station is also the entry to Balsan mountain which is a nice short hike. at the top you can take a trail that links you to Pukansan national park trails as well.
9. Taejongdae
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,040 reviews
Reviewed By Hannisze - Hebden Bridge, United Kingdom
We took a bus from central Busan to the last stop at a place where we were approached by a man who asked us whether we wanted to take a boat trip around the park's coast. We agreed, and were driven to the port by a free-shuttle bus. From there, we took a boat ride around the southern tip of Busan. After the boat trip, we walked to the Park and explored it by foot and also took a train which runs around the park. Very interesting place to be, especially the views from the lighthouse.A lot of walking involved, so wear comfortable shoes!
10. Gwangalli Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 992 reviews
Reviewed By moot - Tenbury Wells, United Kingdom
We stayed on a hotel overlooking the beach and we loved the beach itself and the whole area. Lots of restaurants and bars to choose from and a wonderful beach to stroll along- plus the convenience of the compressed air pumps to clean the sand off your shoes afterwards.
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