Thinking about a honeymoon in South Korea?
South Korea is a fantastic choice for a honeymoon. There is no shortage of romantic places to make memories with your partner. You may find yourselves beach-hopping on Jeju Island, strolling through cherry blossoms, or having dinner with a view atop Seoul Tower.
For couples who love adventure, there are ski resorts, horseback riding, and lots of hiking trails through Seoraksan National Park!
This list is a compilation of the best romantic things to do for a honeymoon in South Korea.
Things to Know for a South Korea Honeymoon
If you dream of taking a trip to South Korea for your honeymoon, there are a few things to know before you go, including the best areas to stay, when to go, and the cost of a honeymoon in South Korea.
When is the best time to visit Korea?
Every couple hopes for good weather on their honeymoon. South Korea has four very distinct seasons, so certain times of the year are much better than others.
- Spring (late March-May) is the best time to visit Korea. These months have lovely weather, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom throughout the country.
- Autumn (September – November) is also a great time to visit Korea, with cooler temperatures, very little rain, and many fall festivals!
Where is the best place to stay for a honeymoon in Korea?
There isn’t one place in Korea that is best for everyone. Many people love being close to the capital city of Seoul, but others want a more relaxed honeymoon in the mountains or on the beaches of Busan/Jeju.
The great part of South Korea is that public transportation is so easy to use, and everything is less than 4 hours away. Busan is only 4 hours from Seoul on the bullet train, and Jeju is only a quick 1-hour flight.
How much does a honeymoon in South Korea cost?
Whether you are coming to Korea from the US, Europe, Australia, or Central America, the flight will be your biggest expense.
However, once you arrive in Korea, it is actually very affordable. Most couples spend about $150-250/day on their honeymoon in South Korea.
Eating out in Korea typically costs about $10-15 per person, and public transportation (such as taxis, buses, and the metro) is much cheaper than in Western countries. A 20-minute taxi ride in Seoul will usually cost about $10.
You can find a nice hotel for about $100 per night, and tours and entrance fees should also be included in your budget.
Seoul Honeymoon – Romantic Places in Seoul
Seoul is the largest city in Korea by far, and there are so many romantic things to do in this city that we recommend spending most of your honeymoon wandering the different neighborhoods of Seoul and getting a glimpse of South Korea’s ‘couple culture.’
Namsan Tower – Take the Cable Car
Namsan Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Seoul, and for our second wedding anniversary, we had dinner at the top of it! There are six restaurants at Seoul Tower, but the most romantic one is simply named, “The Place.”
Namsan Tower is one of the most romantic places in South Korea for a few reasons.
There are fences decorated with “padlocks of love,” heart-shaped photo props, and multiple lookouts offering some of the best views in the city.
It is possible to drive or hike to the top of Namsan, but for the best experience, book two tickets for the Namsan Cable Car!
Myeongdong – Shopping & Street Food
Myeong-dong is known as one of the best districts to visit in Seoul. The streets are full of coffee shops, clothing stores, and boutique jewelry shops.
In the evening, hundreds of street vendors set up shop to serve every street kind of Korean street food you could dream of.
You can try various meat skewers, kimchi pancakes, dumplings, and Hotteok.
Hongdae is another excellent shopping district in Seoul with a bunch of street food! It’s less talked about, but certainly worth visiting.
Gyeongbukgong Palace – History & Traditional Hanbok
Gyeongbukgong Palace was the primary palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Dating back to 1395 C.E., this palace holds a rich history and beautiful Korean Architecture.
The palace is at the center of Seoul, and while it’s beautiful from the street, you should take time to explore the entire temple inside. The entrance fee is ￦3,000 ($3), but people wearing a traditional Korean Hanbok can enter for free! A unique, romantic thing to do in Seoul is rent a traditional hanbok and take pictures in the ancient palace.
Across the street from the palace, you will find many Hanbok rental shops where you and your partner can rent Hanbok for ￦5,000-10,000 ($4-8).
Yeoido Park – Stroll through Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossoms are one of the most well-known parts of South Korea. Locals and foreigners both look forward to late March/April when the cities turn pink with the blooming flowers of spring.
Every city in Korea has cherry blossoms, but a few places are especially famous for them.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Jihae, a small city near Busan. Jeju Island has a separate festival in Seogwipo. The most notable place to find cherry blossoms in Seoul is Yeoido Park.
Nami Island
Nami Island (Nami-san) is located about 1.5 hours from Seoul Station. It is a very popular day trip from the city, but spending the night here is even better!
Nami Island has picturesque lanes of Maple, Metasequoia, Gingko, and Pine Trees, which have been featured in several K-Dramas.
You can also rent a tandem bicycle or paddle boat, eat delicious Korean food, and even spot ostriches on Nami Island.
Jeju Honeymoon – Romantic Places in Jeju-do
If you have always wanted to visit South Korea but are looking for something a little more tropical, Jeju-do is the best place for you.
Jeju Island is located nearly 100 kilometers south of mainland Seoul and was recently named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. You can relax on beaches, climb to the highest point in South Korea, or try Jeju’s Black Pig Pork Belly.
Udo Island – Cruise by E-Bike
Udo is a small island on the east coast of Jeju. It is a peaceful island with rolling hills, wildflowers, and soft, white-sand beaches.
One of the romantic things to do on the island is rent an E-Bike and cruise around the coast. It takes about 2 hours to circle the island, and there is an easy path to follow so you won’t get lost.
Seongsan Ilchubang – Go Horseback Riding
There are few places in the world where you can go horseback riding on the beach, but Jeju is one of them! The place to go Seongsan Ilchubang is the best place to try horseback riding.
Even if you aren’t interested in horseback riding, this is still a phenomenal place to visit on a honeymoon in South Korea. The tuff cone is a crazy natural wonder that rises out of the ocean and is a popular hike for sunrise in Jeju.
There are also lots of cafes and places to eat at the base of the volcanic cone.
Beaches in Jeju
Jeju is a beach-escape destination in South Korea. The island has good weather year-round and beautiful beaches all over the coast. The best beaches to visit in Jeju are Hyeopjae Beach and Geumneung Beach.
Hyeopjae Beach is great for camping, live music, cafes/restaurants, and great nightlife.
Geumneng, on the other hand, is a long, quiet coastline with just a handful of resorts and restaurants. It’s the best area for a relaxing honeymoon in Jeju-do, Korea.
Other Romantic Places to Go in Korea
Seoul and Jeju-do are the most popular places for a honeymoon in Korea, but there are other beautiful and romantic places in Korea to visit as newlyweds.
Busan
As the second largest city in South Korea, as you may expect, there are many things to do and romantic places to stay in Busan.
The city feels much different than Seoul and is fantastic for people who love seafood and coastal hiking. The top attractions in Busan are Gamcheon Culture Village, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Gwangali Beach, and Tajongdae Resort Park.
Seoraksan National Park
Northeast Korea is the most rugged landscape in the country and is home to the largest national park in the country.
The best time to visit Seoraksan is in the fall, as the temperatures cool off and the leaves begin changing colors. There are plenty of easy hiking trails in the valley, but if you are up for a challenge, try hiking to the most iconic lookout, Ulsanbawi.
Visit A Korean Ski Resort
If you love skiing, you’re in luck! A two-three day ski trip is perfect for a winter honeymoon in Korea. The ski resorts are comfortable and have everything you expect from a North American European Ski Resort, but at a fraction of the price.
South Korea has over 15 ski resorts, and some of them were even featured in the 2018 Winter Olympics!
The largest resorts are Yongpyeong Park and High1 Ski Resort. The ski resorts are each a couple of hours from Seoul by bus. At each resort, you will find affordable rooms and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
Final Thoughts: Is Korea Honeymoon in Korea
Korea is a unique but wonderful honeymoon destination. You will quickly discover that society in Korea is all about couples. They love, love.
Whether you are indulging in the most romantic places in Seoul, chilling on a beach in Jeju, or visiting yet another themed cafe, a honeymoon in Korea is sure to be romantic and unforgettable.
Author’s Bio
Caleb and Sarah Pasiuk are co-founders of The Pazook Travel Journal, an adventure travel blog for couples who want to make travel a lifestyle. They started writing about their travels three years ago while living and teaching in South Korea.
As full-time travel bloggers, Caleb and Sarah focus on creating destination guides and travel tips on the best tropical islands in Asia.
They have written a handful of articles and guides from two and a half years living in Korea and reminisce about living there for the first years of marriage. You can read more about their adventures in Korea at The Pazook Travel Journal.
