Five reasons to visit South Korea in 2027
A country of thrilling contrasts, South Korea promises an easily accessible hub of historic customs, colourful landmarks and distinctive culinary triumphs – and there’s no better time to visit than 2026.
Sweeping across Asia throughout the 2000s, South Korea’s cultural exports have propelled it to the top table of global tourism. Their impact has been so great in recent years that Korea’s pop culture offerings have been dubbed the ‘Hallyu’ (which means ‘Korean Wave’ in English) by Chinese media outlets. While the craze has drawn worldwide attention to Korea’s shores, its bright lights and catchy tunes barely scratch the surface of the country’s fascinating attractions.
With ancient shrines, regal palace complexes and age-old traditions mingling with modern metropolises, South Korea’s rich collection of contrasting sights is as memorable as they are rewarding to explore. There’s a lot to love about South Korea, and it’s quickly becoming one of our favourite destinations. With that in mind, here are our top five reasons to embrace ‘Hallyu’ and ride the wave to this East Asian treasure in 2027.
Our top five reasons to visit South Korea
1. Immerse yourself in Korea’s cultural contrasts
As we’ve already touched on, South Korea’s ‘Hallyu’ has cast its name in lights in recent years, but there’s far more than meets the eye when it comes to the country’s cultural heritage. Watch time-honoured traditions brought to life in one of the preserved national folk villages or walk amongst the glitz and glamour of Busan’s BIFF Square, the South Korean equivalent of the USA's Hollywood Boulevard. Diverse and wholly unique, the country’s artistic triumphs and historic customs are sure to entice casual travellers and culture buffs alike.
2. Discover distinctive flavours and local delicacies
Having already spoken about South Korea’s impressive cultural offerings, it goes without saying that exploring the country’s bustling city centres can be hungry work. Not to worry, though - with seafood specialities, tantalising street foods and a thriving restaurant culture, South Korea promises the perfect bite to keep you topped up throughout your stay. From Michelin-starred eateries in the capital, Seoul, to coastal Busan, home to one of Asia’s largest seafood markets, you’ll be well-placed to sample local delicacies and enjoy a feast for the senses between excursions.
3. Watch the peninsula’s history come to life
It’s no secret that the Korean peninsula has one of the richest histories in the world, having been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, and it’s had its fair share of thrills and spills along the way. Thanks to its breath-taking range of heritage sites, ranging from imposing Joseon-period palaces and preserved medieval villages to the DMZ’s poignant wartime landmarks, South Korea’s vibrant cities and UNESCO-listed landmarks offer a panoramic overview of the country’s colourful past.
4. See different sights with each season
While there’s plenty to be enjoyed all year round in South Korea, its mountain landscapes and city centres are at their most impressive throughout the spring and autumn. Marvel at Japanesque scenes as the native cherry blossoms paint the streets pink and watch a wave of red, orange and brown sweep the nation in the months leading up to winter. What’s more, during these shoulder seasons, you’ll benefit from a more relaxed travel experience away from the crowds while still making the most of the mild weather.
5. Explore with ease
With high-speed bullet trains, well-maintained metro systems and ferries making the crossing to mainland China and Japan every day, South Korea is one of the best-connected countries in East Asia, making it the ideal choice for new visitors. Enjoy its tourist-friendly cities with some self-guided exploration or kick back with comfortable coach transfers on one of our escorted tours – holidays in South Korea don't get easier than this!
What's the best time to visit South Korea?
As mentioned above, South Korea boasts a broad range of seasonal highlights that make it a truly year-round destination, and so your ideal time to visit really does come down to personal preferences. Like Japan, South Korea becomes the staging ground for the colourful cherry blossom season between March and May, and Seoul's palace grounds are particularly impressive at this time of year. Other springtime highlights include Namsan Mountain and Gyeongju's Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond while temperatures remain cooler. South Korean summers, on the other hand, are hot, humid and unpredictable, so travellers are often advised to avoid travelling between June and August.
A few months later, the clear skies and mild temperatures return with the arrival of autumn, and many of the country's wild spaces take on a completely different dimension with fall colours to rival those of North America. Gyeongju is a particularly good choice at this time of year as its parkland and the countryside around Andong and Hahoe Village turn red, orange and gold. If intimate exploration is more your style, winter could be the perfect choice for you. With sub-zero temperatures and far fewer crowds around each city's major attractions, a trip in December, January or February is a great option for travellers who'd rather explore without the crowds.
Discover South Korea with Newmarket Holidays
We could speak all day about why we love this destination, but why not see for yourself? There are plenty of things to see and do in South Korea. Give one of our friendly holiday planners a call or find out more about our brand-new touring package by visiting our website and put South Korea at the top of your travel plans for 2026 and beyond.
