BASIC but MUST-GO Places for first-timers in South Korea

Hey guys, I hope you are having fun reading my post so far! As I'm just starting this whole travel blog thing, I realised that my focus is more on unique places around a country. Although I did visit some of the usual tourist places, I did not have much content to write about them.

Anyway, you've probably read about many of these well-known but must-go places on travel blogs. Hence I decided to just skip all of that and make a compiled list in addition my other posts for your convenience. Overrated may not be a bad thing as they are all popular for a reason.

In no particular order, here are places which are basic af but still a MUST-GO if it is your first time in South Korea.

For the Shopping Addict

Seoul

1. Ader

2. Dongdaemun

3. Ewha Womans University

4. Gangnam

5. Granhand

6. Hongdae

7. Hongdae Free Market*

8. Insa-dong*

9. Lotte Mart

10. Myeongdong

11. Yeonnam-dong

Daejeon

1. Euneungjeongi Street

For the Foodie

Seoul

1. 2Chae_Cafe

2. Billy Angel Cake*

3. Gwangjang Market*

4. Gyoja Myeongdong

5. Isaac Toast*

6. James Cheese Back Ribs

7. Miss Lee Cafe*

8. Namdaemun*

9. Plant Cafe*

10. Tokkijung Project

11. Tosokchon Samgyetang*

12. Tongin Market

Busan

1. Apeach Cafe

2. Goresa Fish Cake

3. Haeundae Market

Daejeon

1. Bespoke Cafe

2. Jungang Market

3. Sungsimdang Bakery

Gyeonggi-do

1. 1979 Seogi Chicken

2. Dumulmeori Lotus Hotdog

3. Yeonpat

For the Arts/ Culture Vulture

Seoul

1. Bukchon Hanok Village

2. Common Ground

3. Daeo Bookstore

4. Gilsangsa Temple*

5. Gyeongbokgung

6. Ihwa-dong Mural Village*

7. Oil Tank Culture Park

8. Yun Dong-Ju Literature House

Busan

1. Gamcheon Culture Village

2. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Daejeon

1. Daejeon Museum of Art

2. Leeungno Museum

Gyeonggi-do

1. Anyang Art Park

2. Dumulmeori

3. Semiwon

For the Nature Lover

Seoul

1. Hangang Park*

2. Yun Dong-Ju Hill

3. Namsan/ N Seoul Tower*

Busan

1. Haeundae Beach

Daejeon

1. Hanbat Arboretum

Gangwon-do

1. Nami Island*

Gyeonggi-do

1. Anyang Art Park

For the Experience Seeker

Seoul

1. Everland

2. Siloam Sauna*

3. Yeouido Spring Flower Festival

4. Yongma Land

*Places with an asterisk behind the name are places that I have been to in 2017 as a family trip and not included in my recent 2019 trip.

To find out how I arranged my itinerary for all of the places mentioned,

Check out my 2019 Korea videos below!

(Part 1)

(Part 2)

Check out my 2017 Korea videos below!

*Kindly note that all information are correct as of date of publish. Always do your own research prior to heading down to avoid disappointment during your trip! :)

**All photographs are taken by myself/ my friend(s) unless stated. Hence, please do not use without permission. Thank you.