Food trail: Seoul, Jeonju & Busan · 8 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul

Seoul

• Insadong & Ssamziegil craft streets · 2 h. Traditional tea houses hide in the side lanes; Jogyesa temple is a five-minute walk.
• Myeongdong street food & shopping · 2 h. Stalls set up from about 4–5pm. Skincare shops give instant tax refunds with a passport.

Local tip: Traditional tea houses hide in the side lanes; Jogyesa temple is a five-minute walk.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Seoul

Seoul

• Gyeongbokgung Palace & changing of the guard · 2.5 h. Closed Tuesdays. Guard ceremonies at 10am and 2pm at Gwanghwamun; entry is free if you wear hanbok. The National Folk Museum inside is free.
• Bukchon Hanok Village walk · 1.5 h. Residential lanes: visitors are restricted to roughly 10am–5pm in the core area, with fines outside those hours. Keep voices down and don't photograph into homes.
• Gwangjang Market food tour · 1.5 h. Try bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mayak gimbap; check posted prices before ordering. Bindaetteok suits vegetarians if fried without meat.
• Han River cruise & Yeouido picnic · 2.5 h. Locals order fried chicken delivered to Yeouido Hangang Park. The Banpo Bridge rainbow fountain runs roughly April–October.

Local tip: Closed Tuesdays. Guard ceremonies at 10am and 2pm at Gwanghwamun; entry is free if you wear hanbok. The National Folk Museum inside is free.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Seoul

Seoul

• Hongdae evening: busking, cafes and bars · 3 h. Street performers gather on the main walking street from early evening, busiest Friday and Saturday.
• Hanbok rental & palace stroll · 3 h. Shops near Gyeongbokgung Station rent by the 2–4 hours; hair styling costs extra. Hanbok gets you into the main palaces free.
• COEX Starfield Library & Bongeunsa temple · 2 h. Free; the library is inside COEX Mall. Bongeunsa is across the road and quieter in the morning.

Local tip: Street performers gather on the main walking street from early evening, busiest Friday and Saturday.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Seoul → Jeonju

Jeonju · Seoul to Jeonju, KTX Yongsan–Jeonju ~1h40

• Jeonju Hanok Village walk · 2.5 h. Over 700 tiled-roof houses; walk early or at dusk before and after the day crowds.
• Gyeonggijeon shrine · 1 h. Holds the portrait of Joseon's founding king; bamboo grove inside.
• Omokdae hill viewpoint · 0.5 h. Short climb with the view over the hanok roofs.

Local tip: Over 700 tiled-roof houses; walk early or at dusk before and after the day crowds.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Jeonju

Jeonju

• Jeonju bibimbap lunch · 1 h. Served in a brass or stone bowl; ask for it without beef (yukhoe) for a vegetarian version.
• Nambu Market night market · 1.5 h. Night stalls on Friday and Saturday; the rooftop youth mall has small cafes. Kongnamul gukbap here for breakfast.
• Hanbok rental in the Hanok Village · 2 h. Cheaper than Seoul; Gyeonggijeon gives free entry in hanbok.
• Jeondong Cathedral · 0.5 h. Opposite Gyeonggijeon; respect services in progress.
• Jaman mural village · 1 h
• Deokjin Park lotus pond · 1 h. Lotus blooms in July; a short bus ride from the Hanok Village.

Local tip: Served in a brass or stone bowl; ask for it without beef (yukhoe) for a vegetarian version.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Jeonju → Busan

Busan · Jeonju to Busan, Intercity bus ~3h

• Gamcheon Culture Village · 2 h. Take a bus or taxi up from Toseong Station and walk down; the stamp map from the information centre guides you round. Residents live here — keep quiet.
• Haeundae Beach & Dongbaekseom walk · 2.5 h. Swimming season is roughly June–August with lifeguards; the Dongbaekseom coastal path loops past the APEC House.

Local tip: Take a bus or taxi up from Toseong Station and walk down; the stamp map from the information centre guides you round. Residents live here — keep quiet.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Busan

Busan

• Haedong Yonggungsa seaside temple · 2 h. Crowded by 10am; go early or late afternoon. About 40 min by bus or taxi from Haeundae.
• Jagalchi fish market · 1.5 h. Choose seafood downstairs and have it prepared upstairs for a table fee; prices are by weight, so agree before cutting.
• Gwangalli Beach & Gwangan Bridge night view · 2 h. The bridge is lit every night; drone light shows run on many Saturday evenings.
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village coastal walk · 1.5 h. Cliffside lanes on Yeongdo; walk the coastal tunnel path and pair with Taejongdae.

Local tip: Crowded by 10am; go early or late afternoon. About 40 min by bus or taxi from Haeundae.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Busan

Busan

• BIFF Square, Gukje Market & ssiat hotteok · 1.5 h. Seed-filled hotteok and fish-cake stalls; Gukje Market is next door for bargain shopping.
• Gwangalli or Haeundae yacht cruise · 1 h. Shared night cruises pass under Gwangan Bridge; private charters suit groups.
• Songdo Beach cable car & skywalk · 2 h. The crystal cabin has a glass floor and costs more; the Yonggung suspension bridge is at the far end.
• Taejongdae cliffs & Danubi train · 2 h. The Danubi road train saves the walk round the headland; closed some Mondays.

Local tip: Seed-filled hotteok and fish-cake stalls; Gukje Market is next door for bargain shopping.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Depart from Busan

Busan

• Haeundae Blueline Park sky capsule & beach train · 2 h. Sky capsules are priced per car for up to four and sell out; book online. The beach train continues to Songjeong.

Local tip: Sky capsules are priced per car for up to four and sell out; book online. The beach train continues to Songjeong.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps