Places to Visit in South Korea
A mountainous peninsula republic where five surviving Joseon palaces sit inside one of the world's densest, fastest-moving cities, linked by a subway that reaches nearly everywhere.
South Korea sits on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, and about half of its 51 million people live in the Seoul Capital Area, which covers roughly 12 percent of the country's land. The climate has four distinct seasons. Winters (December-February) are cold and dry, with Seoul's January highs near 2 degrees Celsius and lows around minus 5. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid, and a monsoon season called jangma brings heavy rain from late June into July. Spring (April-early June) and autumn (late September-October) are the best travel seasons, with cherry blossom in early April and foliage from mid-October to early November. Travel is easy: the KTX high-speed rail network links Seoul to Busan in about 2.5 hours, and T-money transit cards or contactless bank cards work on the Seoul subway and most city buses. Tipping is not expected anywhere. Remove shoes at homes, guesthouses and traditional restaurants with raised floors, and use both hands when handing over or receiving money and gifts. Public holidays, especially Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (24-26 September in 2026), close many businesses and clog transport, so book intercity tickets well ahead.
Capital
Seoul
Currency
South Korean Won (KRW, ₩)
Time zone
KST (UTC+9, no daylight saving)
Calling code
+82
Best months
Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
Visas and entry
Citizens of over 100 countries can enter visa-free for short tourist stays, usually up to 90 days (Canadians up to 180 days); verify the permitted stay for your passport. Most visa-free nationalities must obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, application fee about KRW 10,000, verify current fee) before boarding. Nationals of 22 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, are temporarily exempt from the K-ETA for arrivals from 1 January to 31 December 2026, per the Ministry of Justice extension; travellers who skip the K-ETA must complete the online e-Arrival card within three days before arrival. Nationals who need a visa, including India, must apply through a Korean embassy or consulate before travel. Rules change often, so confirm on the K-ETA site and hikorea.go.kr before booking.
Where to start in South Korea
The place ranked first in each of our city guides.