7 Must-Visit Cities in South Korea (Beyond Seoul, Busan, Jeju)

💰 Click here to see Korea Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: 2026-10-01. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = 1,356 KRW

Daily Budget (per person) • Pricing updated as of 2026-10-01

Daily Budget

Shoestring: 60,000 KRW - 95,000 KRW ($44.25 – $70.06)

Mid-range: 130,000 KRW - 250,000 KRW ($95.87 – $184.37)

Comfortable: 350,000 KRW - 550,000 KRW ($258.11 – $405.60)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: 25,000 KRW - 65,000 KRW ($18.44 – $47.94)

Mid-range hotel: 90,000 KRW - 165,000 KRW ($66.37 – $121.68)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal (street food): 9,000 KRW ($6.64)

Mid-range meal (restaurant): 22,000 KRW ($16.22)

Upscale meal: 65,000 KRW ($47.94)

Transport

Single subway/bus trip: 1,600 KRW ($1.18)

Climate Card (30-day unlimited): 67,000 KRW ($49.41)

Most first-time visitors to South Korea spend their entire trip bouncing between Seoul, Busan, and Jeju — and leave wondering why so many travel blogs rave about the country’s “hidden depth.” That depth is in the regional cities, and in 2026, reaching them has never been easier. The KTX-Eum high-speed trains now serve more secondary Destinations, the GTX-A corridor has eased congestion out of Seoul, and the revised K-ETA system has made border entry smoother for most nationalities. The problem isn’t access anymore. It’s knowing where to actually go.

Gyeongju — A Whole Kingdom Underground and Overground

Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years, and the city hasn’t let anyone forget it. Royal burial mounds — enormous green domes called tumuli — sit inside the city limits, some right next to convenience stores and coffee shops. That contrast is part of what makes Gyeongju so compelling. Walking through Tumuli Park at dusk, when the last light catches the curved grass mounds and the crowd has thinned, gives you a genuine sense of how long people have been living on this land.

The must-see sites include Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 16 kilometres from the city centre, and Seokguram Grotto just above it — a granite-domed chamber housing a serene stone Buddha that faces the East Sea. The hike between the two takes about 40 minutes through pine forest.

Gyeongju is also increasingly popular with young Koreans for its cafe culture. The Hwangni-dan-gil strip near Gyeongju Station has specialty coffee shops and vintage stores that could be transplanted from Hongdae and nobody would blink.

Getting there: From Seoul, take the KTX to Singyeongju Station (approximately 2 hours). From Busan, it’s under 30 minutes on the KTX.

Jeonju — Where Slow Food and Old Architecture Share a Postcode

Jeonju’s Hanok Village is one of the few places in Korea where traditional Korean architecture exists at genuine scale — over 700 hanok buildings spread across a walkable district. It’s not a theme park. People live there, run businesses there, and wake up early to open their doors. The smell of freshly steamed rice and doenjang jjigae drifting from family-run restaurants at 8am is something you don’t get anywhere else in Korea.

The city is the undisputed home of bibimbap. Jeonju bibimbap uses a specific combination of local ingredients — kongnamul (soybean sprouts grown in the city’s mineral water), beef tartare, and rice cooked in ox bone broth — that makes it noticeably different from the versions served in Seoul. Eat it at Gajok Hoegwan or Gogung in the Hanok Village area. Both have been operating for decades.

Jeonju also has a serious makgeolli scene. The city produces its own regional rice wine, and dozens of small bars serve it alongside pajeon (green onion pancakes) — a classic pairing that locals treat as non-negotiable on a rainy day.

Getting there: From Seoul Yongsan Station, the KTX takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to Jeonju. No direct KTX from Busan — you’d transfer at Iksan.

Andong — Confucian Korea in Its Most Intact Form

Andong is the kind of place that rewards curiosity. It’s not immediately flashy, but once you understand what you’re looking at, it’s hard to leave. This is the heartland of Korean Confucianism, home to Dosan Seowon — a Joseon-era private academy and UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the famous Hahoe Folk Village, where thatched-roof homes sit along a river bend in a layout virtually unchanged for 600 years.

The Andong Mask Dance Festival (held every October) draws serious crowds, but Andong is worth visiting any time. The city’s local food is distinctive: andong jjimdak (braised chicken with glass noodles and vegetables in a soy-based sauce) originated here, and eating it in the alley market near Andong Station where it was invented is a very different experience from the chain versions in Seoul.

Andong is genuinely off the well-worn tourist loop, which means you’ll interact with locals who aren’t used to being approached by foreign visitors — sometimes awkward, often surprisingly warm.

Getting there: From Seoul Cheongnyangni Station, ITX-Saemaeul or Mugunghwa trains run to Andong in about 3.5–4 hours. There’s no direct KTX as of 2026, though the Jungang Line upgrade is still in discussion.

Sokcho — East Coast Air, Live Seafood, and Seoraksan at the Door

Sokcho sits just south of the border with North Korea, and on clear days you can see Geumgangsan mountain across the DMZ. That geography shapes everything about the city — the light, the fishing culture, the food. The Abai Village area, originally settled by North Korean refugees after the Korean War, still operates a hand-pulled ferry across a narrow channel, and its grilled squid and blood sausage (sundae) are considered local specialties.

The main draw for most visitors is Seoraksan National Park, just 12 kilometres from the city centre. In autumn (mid-October), the foliage turns the mountain into something genuinely spectacular — deep reds and oranges against granite peaks. The Ulsanbawi Rock hike (about 4 hours round trip) is the one most people tackle, and the cable car gets you partway up for a fraction of the effort.

Sokcho’s seafood market, Jungang Sijang, is where you go for fresh raw fish (hoe) and steamed king crab. Unlike touristy seafood districts in Busan, the stalls here cater mostly to Korean visitors and the prices reflect that.

Getting there: No direct train to Sokcho. From Seoul Express Bus Terminal, express buses run every 30 minutes and take about 2.5 hours. The GTX-A now connects northern Seoul faster, reducing overall door-to-door time from central Seoul.

Daejeon — Central Korea’s Underrated Stopover

Daejeon gets overlooked because it’s practical rather than picturesque. It sits almost exactly in the centre of the country, on the main KTX line between Seoul and Busan, and most people pass through without stopping. That’s a mistake. The city has a dense concentration of universities and research institutes — it’s sometimes called Korea’s Silicon Valley — and that brain population has produced a food culture that punches above its tourist profile.

Sungnyemun Market near Daejeon Station is the city’s oldest and most atmospheric traditional market. Daejeon’s signature dish is sikhaeyori (fermented ray), which sounds intimidating but is a genuine local institution. More approachable is the city’s strong kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup) scene — specifically the version served with clams and a clear, clean broth.

The Expo Science Park, built around the 1993 World Expo site, has been significantly upgraded through 2024–2025 and now includes interactive exhibits pitched at adults, not just school groups. It’s a good option if you’re travelling with teenagers.

Getting there: From Seoul, KTX to Daejeon takes about 50 minutes. From Busan, about 1 hour. There’s no real reason to take anything slower.

Tongyeong — Korea’s Most Underestimated Coastal City

The comparison to Naples isn’t just marketing. Tongyeong sits on a peninsula in the south coast, surrounded by over 570 islands, with steep hillside streets, a working fishing harbour, and a visual richness that stops people mid-sentence. The city produced some of Korea’s most celebrated artists and composers — most notably Yun Isang, the composer — and there’s a genuine cultural seriousness beneath the coastal postcard surface.

The Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park wraps around the city, and boat trips to the smaller islands leave regularly from the main ferry terminal. The cable car above the city offers one of the best panoramic views in the whole country — dozens of islands scattered across blue-green water, fishing boats below, the old city rooftops between you and the sea.

Tongyeong’s food is outstanding. Gejang (raw marinated crab) and kkultteok (honey rice cake) are local specialties. The city’s seafood is so fresh it barely needs preparation — the restaurants near the Ganggurang Market do almost nothing to it, which is exactly the point.

Getting there: Take the KTX from Seoul to Masan or Gohyeon, then a local bus or taxi (about 40 minutes). Total journey around 3.5 hours. From Busan, express buses run directly in about 1.5 hours.

Chuncheon — Dakgalbi, Lakes, and the Unhurried North

Chuncheon is Gangwon Province’s capital — a city wrapped in lakes, built around a river, and famous for a dish that has conquered the entire country. Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken with rice cakes and sweet potato) was invented here, and the street near Chuncheon Station known as Dakgalbi Golmok (Dakgalbi Alley) is where you eat it, cooked on a round iron griddle at your table, the sauce caramelizing at the edges until it’s almost too good.

Nami Island is a 30-minute bus and short ferry ride from the city centre. The island’s long tree-lined paths — famous from the Korean drama Winter Sonata — are genuinely beautiful regardless of their pop culture history. The ginkgo avenue in autumn is luminous in a way that photographs can’t quite capture.

Chuncheon also acts as a gateway to Petite France, a French-themed village on a hillside above Cheongpyeong Lake, and the Garden of Morning Calm, a formal garden about 45 minutes by bus. These can feel like a lot for one day, so consider staying overnight and splitting the itinerary.

Getting there: From Seoul Yongsan Station, the ITX-Cheongchun train takes about 70 minutes to Chuncheon — a scenic ride through river valleys that’s enjoyable in itself.

Day Trip or Overnight? A Practical Breakdown

• Gyeongju: Overnight strongly recommended. The tumuli and temple are best in morning light, and the evening atmosphere around Wolji Pond is worth staying for.
• Jeonju: Day trip possible from Seoul (train is fast), but one night lets you experience the Hanok Village at dawn before tour groups arrive.
• Andong: Overnight. The travel time from Seoul is long enough that a day trip feels rushed, and Hahoe Village deserves a full morning.
• Sokcho: Two nights minimum if you’re hiking Seoraksan and exploring the city. One night if the park is the sole focus.
• Daejeon: Easy day trip from Seoul or en route to Busan. Only overnight if you’re specifically there for food exploration.
• Tongyeong: Overnight. The ferry to the islands, the cable car, and the market together require more than a day.
• Chuncheon: Day trip from Seoul is very doable. Overnight if combining with Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm.

2026 Budget Reality — What Regional Travel Actually Costs

Regional Korea is noticeably cheaper than Seoul for accommodation and food. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Accommodation (per night, one room)

• Budget: Guesthouses and motels — 35,000–55,000 KRW (~$26–$41 USD)
• Mid-range: Business hotels and clean boutique stays — 80,000–130,000 KRW (~$59–$96 USD)
• Comfortable: Design hotels or well-located hanok stays — 150,000–250,000 KRW (~$111–$185 USD)

Food (per meal)

• Budget: Local market or kimbap restaurant — 6,000–10,000 KRW (~$4–$7 USD)
• Mid-range: Sit-down restaurant, regional specialty — 12,000–22,000 KRW (~$9–$16 USD)
• Comfortable: Full seafood or set-menu experience — 35,000–70,000 KRW (~$26–$52 USD)

Transport between cities

• KTX (Seoul to Gyeongju): approximately 59,800 KRW (~$44 USD) one way
• KTX (Seoul to Jeonju): approximately 38,000 KRW (~$28 USD) one way
• Express bus (Seoul to Sokcho): approximately 18,000 KRW (~$13 USD) one way
• Express bus (Busan to Tongyeong): approximately 12,000 KRW (~$9 USD) one way

The Korean Rail Pass (available to foreign passport holders) remains competitive in 2026 if you plan to visit three or more KTX-served destinations in a single trip. The 3-day flexible pass runs approximately 130,000 KRW (~$96 USD).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Korean city outside Seoul is easiest to visit as a day trip?

Jeonju and Daejeon are the most practical day trips from Seoul given their fast KTX connections (under 2 hours). Chuncheon also works well via the ITX-Cheongchun train. All three offer enough to fill a full day without feeling rushed, though an overnight always adds depth to any visit.

Is it easy to get around these regional cities without speaking Korean?

In 2026, Google Maps and Naver Maps both offer reliable English-language transit directions across all seven cities on this list. Signage at major attractions is bilingual. Ordering food remains the main challenge — pointing at menus with photos works well, and most tourist-area restaurants have QR menus with English options.

Which of these cities has the best food scene?

Jeonju and Tongyeong are the strongest purely on food. Jeonju for the sheer variety and depth of its regional cuisine, Tongyeong for the quality of its seafood. Andong and Chuncheon each have one standout dish that’s worth the trip on its own — jjimdak and dakgalbi respectively.

Do I need the K-ETA to visit regional cities in South Korea in 2026?

K-ETA rules apply at the point of entry into Korea, not by destination within the country. As of 2026, many nationalities remain K-ETA exempt or benefit from the extended visa-free trial period introduced in 2024. Check the Hi Korea immigration portal for your specific passport before travel — rules have shifted frequently.

What’s the best time of year to visit these cities?

Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are ideal across all seven destinations. Gyeongju’s cherry blossoms in April and Seoraksan’s autumn foliage in October are both genuinely spectacular. Summer is hot and humid but workable. Winter suits Gyeongju and Jeonju particularly well — fewer crowds, crisp air, and both cities have indoor attractions worth sheltering in.

Explore more
How to Spend a Day in Jeonju: Culture, Cuisine, and Hanok Charm
Gyeongju Day Trip from Busan: Is it Worth It?
Suwon Travel Guide: Exploring UNESCO History Near Seoul

📷 Featured image by sun hung on Unsplash.