What to see in 4 days in South Korea?

We only have 4 days to visit South Korea and we’re landing in Seoul. Is it better to focus on Seoul, or would it be possible to go as far as Gyeongju, stopping by Songnisan National Park to visit Beopjusa Temple, then heading to Gyeongju to see Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, and keeping 2 days for Seoul? Is this doable? We’d need someone to drive us there.

Hi there,

Staying in Seoul for 4 days seems like the best option to me. There’s already so much to do and see in Seoul, and it caters to all tastes. I can recommend some sights and neighborhoods if you’d like.

Especially since what you want to see in Gyeongju requires a bit of planning for public transport, which is trickier than in Seoul. For example, the temples aren’t close to the city at all, and the cave is even farther from the temple. From Seoul, you can get to Gyeongju by KTX, but seats sell out fast since it’s a popular getaway for Koreans. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal—it takes about 4 to 4.5 hours. I can’t help with finding a driver, though.

Hi there,

With just 4 days, there’s plenty to do and see in Seoul, plus possibly Suwon nearby. For such a short time, it’s best not to spread yourself too thin. If you *really* want to add something outside Seoul, prioritize trips on the KTX train (South Korea’s equivalent of the TGV) because just getting out of Seoul and its suburbs can mean hitting major traffic jams. Bulguksa and Seokguram are outside Gyeongju—about 20 minutes by car or 45–50 minutes by bus.

Hello, I’ll echo the other comments—4 days is short, so it’s best to focus on Seoul. You could also take a quick trip to Suwon Fortress, which isn’t far from Seoul and is easy to get to.

Happy planning

Thanks for the info. I think I’ll definitely be staying in Seoul.