18 days in South Korea Itinerary

One of east Asia's major cultural and financial centers, Seoul boasts five World Heritage Sites and a huge selection of museums, temples, shrines, palaces, parks, gardens, and glass-and-steel skyscrapers.

On the 5th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get a taste of the local shopping with Myeongdong Shopping Street, browse the exhibits of Gyeongbokgung Palace, then wander the streets of Bukchon Hanok Village, then get to know the fascinating history of Cheonggyecheon Stream, and finally get great views at N Seoul Tower.

To find reviews, photos, maps, and tourist information, read our Seoul trip planner.

Kharkiv, Ukraine to Seoul is an approximately 17-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference moving from Eastern European Standard Time (EET) to Korean Standard Time (KST) is 7 hours. Traveling from Kharkiv in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Seoul, with lows of 74°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) so you can drive to Andong.

Sitting along either side of the Nakdong River, Andong maintains an unrivalled reputation as a center for Korean folk and cultural heritage.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Byeongsan Seowon, then examine the collection at Hahoe Mask Museum, and then steep yourself in history at Andong Hahoe Folk Village. Keep things going the next day: examine the collection at Andong Folk Museum, then wander the streets of Andong Folk Village, then take in the views from Weolyeonggyo Bridge, and finally take a stroll through Sinsedong Mural Village.

Plan my day in Andong using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Inspirock.

Traveling by car from Seoul to Andong takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. August in Andong sees daily highs of 88°F and lows of 72°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can drive to Gyeongju.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Republic of Korea, Gyeongju combines a rich cultural heritage with mountain and coastal scenery.

Relax by the water at Jeongja Beach and Ilsan Beach. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Bulguksa Temple and Cheonmachong Tomb. Take a break from Gyeongju with a short trip to Jujeon Mongdol Beach in Ulsan, about 1h 15 min away. There's much more to do: pause for some photo ops at Seokguram, contemplate the long history of Cheomseongdae Observatory, contemplate the waterfront views at Bomun Lake, and take an in-depth tour of Shilla Arts and Science Museum.

For other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Gyeongju trip planner.

Getting from Andong to Gyeongju by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Andong in August, expect nights in Gyeongju to be about the same, around 73°F, while days are little chillier, around 73°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Busan.

The country's second city, Busan has often been referred to as South Korea's summer capital.

Get some historical perspective at Beomeosa Temple and Haedong Yonggungsa. Appreciate the collections at Bokcheon Museum and Hanbotche Experience Exhibit Hall. Change things up with a short trip to Gimhae National Museum in Gimhae (about 50 minutes away). The adventure continues: enjoy the sand and surf at Haeundae Beach, get engrossed in the history at Provisional Capital Memorial Hall, admire the masterpieces at Busan Museum of Art, and examine the collection at Trick Eye Museum.

To find reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Busan online vacation maker.

Getting from Gyeongju to Busan by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. When traveling from Gyeongju in August, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Busan: temperatures range from 87°F by day to 74°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) early enough to fly to Jeju.

The main town on the largest of Korea's islands, Jeju, has a volcanic landscape protected by UNESCO. The World Heritage-listed volcanic island includes the country's highest peak, sets of impressive lava tubes and columns, and several crater lakes.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Mon): take in the spiritual surroundings of Gwaneumsa Temple, then examine the collection at Angel and Woodcutter Museum, then explore the fascinating underground world of Manjanggul Cave, and finally kick back and relax at Hamdeok Beach. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the masterpieces at Jeju Folk Museum, then examine the collection at Jeju National Museum, and then get engrossed in the history at Jeju Folklore & Natural Museum.

To see photos, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Jeju trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Busan to Jeju takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, taxi, and ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Tue) so you can fly to Seoul.

Popular historic sites such as DMZ Haemaru Village and Deoksugung are in your itinerary. Museum-lovers will get to explore National Museum of Korea and The War Memorial of Korea. Take a break from Seoul with a short trip to Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, about 1h 5 min away. Enjoy Seoul some more: stroll around Namsan Park, see the interesting displays at Trickeye Museum Seoul, wander the streets of Haebangchon, and stop by Garosu-gil.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Seoul road trip planning app.

Getting from Jeju to Seoul by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry, taxi, and train; or do a combination of ferry and car. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) to allow time to fly back home.