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Top Places to Visit in Korea

Korea's must-see places, from Seoul palaces to Busan's hillside villages, with 5 useful Korean phrases for each, with audio and a quick quiz.

  • Oedo-Botania (외도 보타니아)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do

    Oedo-Botania

    외도 보타니아

    A garden island off Geoje; the name joins "botany" and "utopia." The developed island holds gardens of native and subtropical plants, including the Venus Garden with twelve statues among the flowerbeds, and the sea views reach the Haegeumgang Islets. You reach it by boat.

    Hours change by season (about 08:00-19:00 in summer, 08:30-17:00 in winter); check the official site for closed days. Parking is at the ferry docks.

  • Dongpirang Village (통영 동피랑마을)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do

    Dongpirang Village

    통영 동피랑마을

    A hillside village above the sea in Tongyeong. Its name joins "dong" (east) and "birang" (hill in the local dialect). In 2007 a local group invited people from all over Korea to paint murals on its walls, and the art brought the village back to life. From the top there is a wonderful view over the sea and Gangguan Port.

    Open 24 hours, all year. Park in the lot before the village entrance. People live here, so please keep your voice down.

  • Haeinsa Temple (합천 해인사)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do

    Haeinsa Temple

    합천 해인사

    One of Korea's three largest temples, founded in 802 by the monks Suneung and Ijung. Its name comes from a Buddhist scripture and stands for a truly enlightened world and a pure mind. The temple keeps the Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana and the Janggyeongpanjeon halls that store them, both National Treasures.

    Open 08:30-18:00 in summer and 08:30-17:00 in winter, all year.

  • Windy Hill (거제 바람의 언덕)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do

    Windy Hill

    거제 바람의 언덕

    A grassy hill with a windmill at the end of Dojangpo, a small fishing village in Geoje. It is named for the strong wind here, which keeps the plants on the hill short. Cafés and restaurants nearby enjoy the view, and Sinseondae Terrace and the Haegeumgang Islets are close by.

    Open 24 hours, all year round. Parking is available. Bring a jacket; it can be very windy.

Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사), via TourAPI. Photos are shown as provided, uncropped. Facts are checked against VisitKorea and official festival sites, and the descriptions are our own. Dates can change, so check the official site before you travel.