South Korea Family Itinerary - Fall 2026 (page 2 of 2)

Hello,

Sorry, but what does NP stand for?

Good evening, NP: National Park. The activity would be hiking. PS: Maybe there aren’t any National Parks in Korea...

Hi there,

Seoraksan National Park in the northeast offers some great hikes. Hallasan on Jeju Island is really nice too. Jirisan in the south is less well-known but has some lovely walks. I really enjoyed these parks because they’re all so different from each other.

Thanks

Hi Jérôme,

Thanks so much for being so active on this forum! We’re a family of four with two teens leaving this Friday for three weeks in Korea. Our itinerary is set: Seoul Guinsa Temple Gyeongju Busan Jeju Island Seoul

We’ll be staying in the very south of Jeju Island, and that’s the part I’m finding trickiest to plan. We’ll be there for four nights, and toward the end of our trip, we’d love to relax near some beautiful beaches and see a waterfall too. What would you recommend?

Thanks a million! Virginie

Hi Virginie,

Great itinerary with all the must-sees!

Did you rent a car in Jeju? Are you spending all 4 nights there or just in the south? The south, especially around Seogwipo, is a good base—ideally paired with another one in the east and Jeju City. The western part is the least interesting.

Near Seogwipo, there are the Cheonjiyeon and Jeongbang waterfalls. These are very popular spots, so it’s best to go early.

For beaches (I only stop briefly), there’s Hyeopjae, Geumneung, and Hamdeok. Depending on your timing, Udo Island in the east is also nice, with some great beaches.

Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything, and have a great trip!

Thank you sooo much for the reply! We finally got our international permit just in time, so we’re going to rent a car. We’ve decided to spend 4 nights in Seogwipo. Thanks for the tips, they’re great... Virginie

Renting a car is ideal. That way, you can enjoy the trip at your own pace without being dependent on buses.

The more I plan this trip, the more I can't wait to dive into the vibes of Korea.. You’ve mentioned several times that after a first trip to Korea, there’s only one thing you want—to go back! Since you’ve traveled a lot, what is it that’s kept your attention so much?

My first trip to South Korea dates back to 1998 when the country wasn’t yet buzzing with K-culture. While I enjoy it, I’m not such a K-pop fan that I only listen to it or attend concerts—though I will be going to BTS at Stade de France in Paris soon. I don’t watch K-dramas either, which also draw many travelers to filming locations. I’ve seen the country open up to tourism and evolve, but every trip remains a wonderful memory as I think about the next one.

The country has the advantage of being small but packed with things to see and do. Hiking is the main activity for Koreans, and there are countless trails all over the country. Renting a car (except, obviously, in Seoul) gives you total freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path spots where I sometimes don’t see any Westerners for days. Very often, even in hotels, English isn’t spoken, so a translator comes in handy.

You can easily spend a week in Seoul, dedicate 2 to 3 weeks to the East coast from the North Korean border to Busan, and just as much to the South down to Mokpo and the West, where both coasts have many great islands. Jeju, including Udo, deserves 1 to 2 weeks depending on how much hiking you do.

The big cities offer sleek architecture with historic sites right in the middle, where you can end up spending hours. It’s also a great opportunity for shopping—cosmetics, K-beauty, the latest tech gadgets, and trends...

Food is a huge part of discovering South Korea, and aside from dishes that might be too spicy for some palates, there’s no risk. What can I say about street food and markets... 😋 Also, be aware that some restaurants only serve offal. Some people don’t like it, so it’s best to know by translating the menu. All of this is washed down with the legendary soju, which is also mixed with beer to make somaek 😁

🇰🇷 How to drink Somaek? #soju #beer #recipe #kpop #kfood #korea #southkorea

Safety isn’t just a myth. People leave their belongings—phones and laptops—at restaurants and bars when they go to the bathroom or refill their drinks. Of course, use common sense, but there’s no problem in public transport. Pickpockets are more of an issue back home than there.

Koreans don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation if they speak even a little English. Sometimes just looking at your itinerary on your phone is enough for someone to approach and ask if you need help. In some areas, this is really useful—I’ve searched for restaurants I’d spotted, and they were hard to find.

I only find two downsides to South Korea. Unfortunately, it’s far, and you have to juggle the climate if you want to avoid winter cold, rain, and extreme heat. Personally, I now only go in March/April and September/October.

You’re going to love it in every sense of the word, sharing this experience with your family.

Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts when you get back.