Travelling South Korea solo: Where I went, what I ate & tips to know

South Korea was a very interesting experience for me. On one side, it’s buzzing with cool cafés, K‑pop culture and street food stalls on every corner. On the other hand, it’s full of history, temples, traditions and more incredible food. It’s the perfect mix of the ultra‑modern and the beautifully traditional. If you’re planning solo travel in South Korea, here’s my experience and suggestions when it comes to exploring this country.

South Korea for solo travellers

Is South Korea good for solo travel? Yes and no. The public transport is amazing, the trains, subways and buses are clean, safe and run on time, so getting around is straightforward. There are also plenty of backpackers and group excursions you can join, which makes it easy to meet people. Most hostels and guesthouses are sociable, and you’ll often find yourself meeting other solo travellers over breakfast or during free walking tours. Just take time to read reviews and ratings as I found some hostels were a lot more social than others.

That being said, I did struggle with eating out alone sometimes. Korean BBQ solo dining can be tricky, as many restaurants only accept groups. I also found a lot of other restaurants that wouldn’t accept solo diners, especially in Seoul. I ended up eating quite a bit of fast food just to avoid the awkwardness when I was on my own. One tip I swear by: use TikTok when you’re there. It’s a brilliant resource for finding places that welcome solo diners, as well as hidden cafés and food stalls you might not find on Google. It’s also great for finding the best skin care products and treatments too.

South Korea is one of the places I felt most homesick. I am not sure whether that’s because of the timing. And as much as Koreans are extremely friendly and helpful, I noticed I was getting a lot of dirty looks and stares in public too, which made me feel a little uncomfortable, but never unsafe. This added to the way I was feeling. But overall, I did enjoy myself and of course you will always have both ups and downs when you’re travelling.

My South Korea route

I was in South Korea for just over a month. During this time, I was working remotely, so I kept my itinerary open and of course, some days were just spent working.

Seoul: Like most people, I started off it Seoul. I arrived in Seoul from Japan. I ended up heading to the Philippines from Seoul too, so I split my Seoul itinerary into two. Arriving in Seoul felt like stepping into a city that never sleeps. It’s electric, colourful and full of contrasts. One moment you’re surrounded by glittering skyscrapers, the next you’re in a peaceful temple courtyard. There’s always something to see, do or eat, and it’s perfect if you’re creating a Seoul solo travel itinerary. It’s also the skincare capital of the world, so get involved as much as you can.

Some of my favourite experiences in Seoul:

• N Seoul Tower: Perched on Namsan Mountain, this is one of the best spots for panoramic views over the city. This is also a popular filming spot for K dramas (which you should definitely get into watching while you’re in South Korea). Like they do in the movies, I placed a love lock here, which felt like a sweet little solo ritual. If you don’t fancy walking up or getting the cable car, the public bus can take you up. This is a huge budget saver.
• DMZ tour: This is one of the most eye-opening and interesting tours I have done. It’s a must‑do if you’re interested in history or geopolitics. I learnt so much about the Korean War; we were even able to catch a glimpse of North Korea from the observatory and go down into the tunnels in the DMZ.
• Gyeongbokgung Palace: This is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and is incredibly beautiful. This is where I rented a hanbok. It was really cool to experience part of Korean culture in this way. It made me feel like I was part of history, plus, free entry if you’re wearing a hanbok is a great bonus.
• Bukchon Hanok Village: This is a peaceful place to slow down and take in traditional Korean architecture. The winding lanes are perfect for photos.
• Starfield Library: A book lover’s dream and a famous landmark in Seoul. The soaring shelves make this a must‑see, even if you just pop in for a coffee and a quick picture. This library is inside a huge shopping centre, so it’s a good chance to shop too. Shopping in South Korea is insane.
• Gangnam: This is a trendy district in Seoul. It’s home to the Starfield library, the famous Gangnam style statue and amazing shopping. There are also a number of trendy cafes and restaurants to try out too.
• Han River (Hangang Park): This was one of my favourite chill spots in Seoul. There are 7‑Elevens nearby where you can buy instant ramen, cook it right there using the hot water stations and sit by the river to eat. It’s such a simple but special experience, especially on a warm evening. It’s also super budget-friendly.
• Gwangjang market: This market is foodie heaven. I sat down at multiple stalls, tried everything from crispy bindaetteok to tiny rolls of mayak kimbap and sat at stalls and chatted to the vendors who were excited to share their food traditions with me.
• Myeongdong food market: A lively night market where you can snack your way through trendy street food like corn dogs, tteokbokki and desserts on sticks.
• Insadong: Full of quirky shops and tea houses, perfect for browsing for souvenirs. You can also get a portrait or caricature here, which is a fun little souvenir to have.
• Hongdae & Myeongdong – These are the beating hearts of Seoul’s shopping and nightlife scene. I spent hours wandering the shops, people‑watching and even got a Korean perm here. The service was amazing, they really take their time and make it an experience.

Busan: Has a more chilled seaside vibe than Seoul and is ideal if you want to combine city life with beaches. I took the KTX train from Seoul (super easy!) and immediately felt the change of pace. I spent a few days enjoying the beach, trying seafood and exploring the coast.

Highlights:

• Haeundae Beach & Gwangalli Beach: These are Busan’s most famous beaches, with plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars nearby. Perfect for a lazy beach day.
• Taejongdae park: This is a beautiful coastal park with dramatic cliffs and lighthouse views. The ocean breeze here was so refreshing on a hot day.
• Haeundae Blue Line park: The Sky Capsule ride offers gorgeous views over the ocean. This looked really cool, but I opted for the sea train instead. This is the same route but a little lower down (only about 10 metres). I took the train one way and walked back along the skywalks, which is free and really scenic. The walk is a great budget activity.
• Gamcheon Culture Village: Known as the “Machu Picchu of Busan,” this hillside neighbourhood is full of colourful murals and cafés. It’s a great place for a picture, but there are also a number of restaurants and cafes you can visit too.
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: A seaside Buddhist temple. This temple was very peaceful and unique compared to inland temples.
• Jagalchi market: This was a bustling seafood market where you could try the freshest fish. There were also other foods to try too. Just be aware of opening times here, as I arrived twice when it was closed.

My biggest tip for Busan is to take the subway whenever possible. The traffic here can be intense and anytime I took the bus, it added so much time onto my journey.

Gyeongju: This is a history lover’s dream. Nicknamed the “museum without walls,” it’s full of relics from the Silla Dynasty. I didn’t know whether to do a day trip from Busan or stay there for a couple of days. I ended up doing a day trip, which I regretted. The day trip was great and included everything I wanted to see and also a traditional lunch. So it was great in that sense, but Gyeongju was such a cool place. It felt so relaxed and fresh. I think it would’ve been nice to stay a couple of days to enjoy just being there.

Highlights:

• Gyochon traditional village: A small hanok village with craft shops, restaurants and traditional houses to wander through.
• Gyeongju Tumuli Park: These grassy mounds are royal tombs, and walking among them feels serene and almost otherworldly. We were even able to enter one of the tombs and inside was more information about the tombs and the history that surrounds them. It was very interesting
• Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: The reflection of the buildings in the water at night is magical. This was such a beautiful place to explore.
• Woljeonggyo Bridge: This is a restored wooden bridge. It’s absolutely stunning when lit up at night at a popular landmark. It’s beautiful and free to look at. There are steps by the water that you can sit at; the overall vibe at night is great.

Jeju Island: This island is like stepping into a completely different side of Korea. It’s lush, volcanic and full of natural wonders. I flew from Busan to Jeju and the flight took less than an hour. This is such a fun island; there is so much to do and see. One thing I loved about Jeju was how quirky it was. The island is known for its famous Korean citrus fruit, so naturally, everyone was walking around with tangerine hats. And of course, I was too!

Highlights:

• Dongmun Market: Perfect for trying Jeju’s unique street foods and fresh fruit.
• Black Pork BBQ: This is a regional specialty on the island and it’s delicious.
• Seongpanak Trail: I was told this is one of the top highlights on the island. And I can see why. This was a rewarding hike that takes you to the top of Hallasan, Korea’s highest mountain, with amazing views.
• Haenyeo Sea Women: Once I came down from my hike, the Haenyeo sea women were out diving. These incredible women free dive for shellfish were inspiring and humbling. Most of these ladies are in their 60s, 70s and 80s. It’s such an incredible thing to not only go and watch, but support too.
• Beaches & waterfalls: Jeju has no shortage of beautiful spots for swimming, relaxing or taking photos.

One thing I will say about Jeju is that it’s quite difficult to get around. The island is massive. Public transport is very accessible and easy to use, but takes a lot of time. I knew this beforehand as many people told me I needed to rent a car. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my international driving license, and I also don’t know if I would feel comfortable driving in a country where the road signs are in a language that’s so different from English. So I took public transport. But there were also a lot of day trip tours. These were run from hostels. They’re not just a great way to see the island, but meet other people too.

Other places to consider visiting

I kept my itinerary very simple in South Korea. There were a few places I considered going or heard about that didn’t work out with my trip. Some of those locations include:

• Suwon: Famous for Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a full city wall you can walk.
• Andong: Known for Hahoe Folk Village and its mask dance festival.
• Gangwon Province: Go hiking in Seoraksan National Park for mountain views and fresh air.
• Jeonju: A food lover’s paradise, home to traditional bibimbap and a charming hanok village.

Food to try in South Korea

Food is a huge part of the experience. The food in South Korea was very different from what I had experienced before. If you’re wondering what to eat in South Korea, here are my recommendations:

• Korean BBQ (Samgyeopsal): Grilled right at your table, wrapped in lettuce with sauce and garlic.
• Bibimbap: A colourful rice bowl you mix yourself.
• Tteokbokki: Spicy, chewy rice cakes that are a street food staple.
• Korean Fried Chicken: Crispy, double‑fried and often served with beer.
• Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles): Buckwheat noodles in icy broth, refreshing in summer. I was apprehensive about this dish, but it was actually one of my favourite things I ate.
• Hotteok: Sweet pancakes filled with brown sugar and nuts.
• Kimchi: Try as many variations as you can!

Food markets in South Korea are one of the best ways to try different foods.

South Korea travel tips and etiquette

South Korea shares a lot of similarities with the Western world, as well as a lot of differences. And while you should behave respectfully wherever you go, it’s a good idea to learn about specific etiquette and rules to make sure you are behaving in the right way. I also found that some of my usual travel “tools” (if that’s the right word) worked there.

• Maps & navigation: Google Maps and Apple Maps don’t work properly. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you arrive and use them offline if needed.
• Safety & location sharing: My AirTag and Find My Friends didn’t work at all in South Korea. So I had to remember to let people know where I was for safety reasons.
• Shoes off: Always remove your shoes before entering homes and some traditional restaurants.
• Priority seats: Trains and subways have reserved seats for elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers. Don’t sit there unless you qualify, even if the train is empty.
• Queuing: Line up patiently for trains, buses and lifts, no pushing or cutting in.
• Public transport behaviour: Keep your voice down, avoid phone calls and don’t eat on the subway.
• Cash & cards: Many places take cards, but it’s useful to have small cash for markets and rural areas.
• Rubbish: Bins can be hard to find, so carry a small bag for your rubbish until you find one.
• Respect for elders: Bow slightly when greeting, hand over items with two hands, and be polite. Respect is important in Korean culture.
• Staring isn’t always rude: I noticed a lot of people staring at me on public transport and in other places. It would make me feel uncomfortable. I then met a local who explained to me that people were staring because they probably had never seen someone with so many freckles and ginger hair. It made me realise that I shouldn’t take these looks so personally, even if it felt like I was getting dirty looks.

How to get around South Korea

Getting around is easy and affordable.

• T‑Money Card: Works on buses and subways nationwide, just tap on and off.
• Trains: The KTX high‑speed trains are comfortable and get you between cities quickly. Book through Korail online.
• Buses: Intercity and express buses are cheaper than trains and just as comfortable, with frequent departures.
• Domestic flights: I ended up using Booking.com to book flights to Jeju Island and then back to Seoul. I found these platforms to be easier, as most Korean airline websites didn’t translate well into English.

South Korea completely blew me away. It’s a great destination whether you want food, culture, nature or nightlife. I learned how to navigate a country where I didn’t speak the language, I faced challenges traveling alone in a country that values couple culture so much and I came away more confident than ever. And even though it was a place I struggled, I still really enjoyed my experience there. If you’re thinking of going, do it. You’ll come back with memories, stories and probably a suitcase full of skincare products. I can’t wait to go back and see even more of this amazing country.