7 trips
Immerse yourself in South Korea’s spectacular contrasts of bustling city life intertwined with rich cultural traditions. Get to know the capital city of Seoul, filled with enchanting palaces and timeless villages alongside modern districts and vibrant nightlife. Fall in love with Busan’s rainbow-coloured districts and epic street food. Escape to the idyllic beaches of Jeju Island, or discover a wealth of heritage sites inside Gyeongju. Whether you’re coming here on one of our South Korea tours or paid teaching programmes, now’s your chance to explore this unforgettable destination for an adventure you’ll always remember!
Read more in our South Korea Travel Guide.
10 or 13 Days from £1,469
5.0 4Explore one of the world's most up-and-coming destinations
Dive into South Korea with this amazing group trip. With loads of cultural activities, historic sites, waterfalls, and a night in a temple it's the best way to experience this emerging travel destination. Choose between 10 and 13 days.
From 38 days from £4,799
5.0 38Tick China, Japan and South Korea off your Asia bucket list
Amazing combo of our best-selling China and Japan trips. See the geisha in Kyoto, marvel at the Terracotta Army, learn sword skills from a Samurai master, and spend a night camping on China's Great Wall!
25 days
from £3,999 £3,599
Explore the highlights of two amazing Asian countries
Looking for bucket-list moments? This trip has them in spades. Look into North Korea from the DMZ, stay in a Buddhist monastery, make sushi in Tokyo, meet geisha in Kyoto and much, much more.
12 months or longer from £669
5.0 4Teach English in Asia's remarkable South Korea
Discover one of Asia's up and coming destinations while teaching English. Choose from our placement only option if you have teaching experience, or build your CV by adding on our 120-hour TEFL course. Enjoy access to some of the best wages in Asia, included cultural excursions, free accommodation, and a flight allowance.
If you only visit one place in South Korea, it should be Seoul. Discover K-culture in all its glory inside this electrifying capital, with pop music, shopping, traditional cuisine and neon-lit districts like Myeongdong, Hongdae and Gangnam (yes, that one!) all on offer. Ancient and urban worlds have collided here, and it is simply magical.
From breathtaking beaches to sensational street food and colourful temples by the sea, Busan makes an epic first impression. Spend your days discovering the rainbow laneways of the famous Gamcheon Culture Village, or riding a cable car from coast to coast. When night falls, itâs time for some karaoke, aka Noraebang!
A paradise promising emerald craters, cascading waterfalls and unspoilt sandy shores, the âHawaii of Koreaâ only begins to capture Jeju Island. This stunning getaway is love at first sight as you uncover iconic hikes like the Olle Trail, get to know island traditions such as Haenyeo (female divers) and sail past the enchanting cliffs.
Like a phoenix soaring from the ashes, Gyeongbokgung Palace has been rebuilt several times since its first construction in 1392 under the Joseon Dynasty. Today, it is more vibrant than ever, and travellers are even welcome to take part by dressing in Hanbok (ceremonial robes). The Changing of the Guard is a spectacle you do not want to miss!
Split across the contrasting nations of North and South Korea, the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) is a one-of-a-kind experience, offering special insight into the war that shaped the countryâs history. From exploring secret tunnels to catching a glimpse of North Korea from the observatory deck, these are travel memories that you will never forget.
Like a K-drama come to life, Gyeongju is where travellers can immerse themselves in the rich ancient past of the Silla Kingdom. Explore this living museum on our South Korea trips, home to more temples, tombs and ruins than anywhere else in the country. Soak in its historic atmosphere as you cycle around and take in views of Anapji Pond.
Get a taste of Jeonju, South Koreaâs World Heritage City of Gastronomy, and you will be rewarded with the most mouthwatering flavours imaginable, including national staples like bibimbap and craft beer. After relishing one of the tastiest meals of your life, step back in time as you stroll around charming Hanok villages.
Easily one of South Koreaâs most beautiful national parks, Seoraksan transforms with the seasons. No two trips are quite the same here, whether you are hiking under the rosy haze of cherry blossom trees or blazing red autumn foliage. One of the parkâs biggest draws has to be its jagged rocky peaks, stretching out like hands to the sky.
South Korea experiences a temperate climate and transforms with the four seasons. It is generally milder and warmer along the southern coast. Average temperatures are fairly similar to the UK and will vary throughout the year.
July or August is typically the hottest month in South Korea. You can expect average temperatures of around 27°C. Meanwhile, January is South Korea’s coldest month with temperatures dipping below -5°C.
The best time to visit on our South Korea tours comes down to preference. Many travellers plan their trips for spring (March to May) so that they can experience the cherry blossom season. Autumn (September to November) is another popular time of year thanks to the red foliage and breezy temperatures.
South Korea’s warm summers are an incredible chance to escape into the mountains or by the beaches, especially Busan and Jeju Island. Meanwhile the snowy winters provide an amazing opportunity to enjoy winter sports, hot Korean food and Lunar New Year celebrations.
South Korean culture is warm and welcoming, offering an exciting mix of centuries-old traditions and modern city life. This country is especially famous for ‘Hallyu’, translating to the South Korean wave of music and entertainment. Some cultural customs include taking off your shoes indoors, greeting people with a short bow and showing great respect for elders.
Famous for its mouthwatering cuisine, eating out is an exciting part of our South Korea trips. From barbecue restaurants to food markets and cooking classes, there are so many flavours waiting to be savoured!
British passport holders can visit South Korea without a visa for up to 90 days as a tourist. Until 31 December 2025, British nationals are temporarily exempt from requiring a K-ETA in order to enter the country. Your passport must have an expiry date of after the date that you are leaving South Korea. You will need to submit an entry declaration form to enter South Korea, which can be done online up to 72 hours before your departure.
We recommend staying up to date with FCDO advice before you go travelling, as entry requirements and visa rules can be subject to change. This includes any destinations you may transit as part of your journey.
At Gap 360, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. From the moment your trip is confirmed until you arrive back home, you'll have access to a 24/7 emergency contact number for any urgent issues. For anything non-urgent, our friendly team is also available during office hours to help.
We strongly recommend checking the FCDO advice for South Korea, as it's regularly updated with the latest safety and travel information and you can even sign up for email alerts to stay informed of any changes. In addition, you can check the FCDO general travel advice for British nationals abroad.
South Korea is known best for its vibrant popular culture, also known as âHallyuâ, with K-pop music and entertainment being some of the countryâs biggest draws. It is also famous for its skincare and beauty products, delicious food (including Korean barbecue) and the demilitarised border shared with North Korea.
At Gap 360, our biggest priority is ensuring that travellers feel safe and supported on their adventures abroad. Before your departure on our South Korea tours, you will have access to our health and safety information with advice for your travels and country fact-files for South Korea. Youâll also have access to a 24/7 emergency support number, operated by our UK-based team, to assist you while you're travelling. We always encourage travellers to do their own research before visiting a destination, or if you have any questions, we are just a message or phone call away.
Gap 360 has partnered with Masta and Nomad Clinics, one of the UKâs largest networks of private travel clinics. Through Masta, you can arrange a Travel Telephone Consultation, an in-person Consultation, and book your vaccinations at your nearest clinic.
Until 31 December 2025, British nationals can visit South Korea without a K-ETA for up to 90 days as a tourist.
Flights to South Korea from the UK typically take around 13 hours, with direct flights available from London to Seoul.
Korean is the main and official language of South Korea. Some English is spoken inside South Koreaâs most popular tourist destinations.
Cherry blossoms are one of the most iconic features of South Korea and Japan and are a total must-see. It transforms the traditional settings into a dreamlike painting. Korean cherry blossoms are symbolic in their culture, meaning time of renewal and representing Spring. The beauty of this season is that it is temporary and not always guaranteed at the same...
Last updated: 13th February 2025
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