Our favorite South Korea tours and excursions

East of Seoul, in a tranquil stretch of the Bukhan River, lies Nami Island, a secluded, tree-shaded spot that makes a popular excursion from the capital – especially for couples and potential couples-to-be. 

Not all that long ago, few Koreans had heard of Nami Island, much less been there. This all changed thanks to Winter Sonata, a hugely popular Korean drama. Nami was where the main characters had their first date amid dreamy lanes lined with tall pines. All of a sudden, most of Korea – and half of Japan too – wanted to see Nami in real life, and such is its beauty that its popularity has remained, two decades since it was brought to global attention. 

These days, the most exciting way to arrive on Nami Island is by zipline – you start across the river on a tower 80 meters high, then race down for almost a kilometer. Almost up to the very end of the ride, you’ll have stunning views of forested mountains, and the clear river running between them.

Gyeongju’s pretty Anapji Pond is particularly beguiling in the evening, when atmospherically lit pavilions are reflected in the lake’s glassy surface against a darkening sky. 

The pond was constructed by King Munmu in the year 674, when the Korean peninsula was dominated by the kingdom of Silla. In the 1970s, over 30,000 relics were discovered in and around the pond, including jewelry, pottery and a full royal barge – evidence of the power and splendor that this city enjoyed over a millennium ago. 

Another important monument on this guided evening tour is the nearby Cheomseongdae Observatory – the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia. While you’re here, look out for the burial mounds of Silla-dynasty royals, illuminated in the distant darkness. There’s so much history in the air here, but our guides will fill in the blanks if you have any questions.

In Seoul’s trendy Hongdae district, you’ll often find students from the local universities practicing the latest K-pop dances. Any flattish area will seemingly do; all the better, if there’s something reflective to show the moves from a front angle... 

Whether you’re destined for superstardom or not, having a go at the moves yourself is great fun, especially if you’ve a Korean hero or heroine to emulate. Here in Hongdae, the birthplace of so many top acts, you will spend an hour and a half in the hands of expert K-pop dancers at a local studio, learning step-by-step choreography to the latest hits. Lose yourself in the music and by the end you’ll be dancing like the stars, with your own certificate and personal music video to remember the occasion. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes... other than that, all you need is a bottle of water and some energy!

While you can enjoy Korea’s tantalizingly spicy cuisine pretty much anywhere these days, there are some foods that are simply best discovered here – most notably barbecues and street food, both of which form part of this exciting evening tour. 

Your tour will begin at around 6pm, and the first stop is a local barbecue restaurant. Korea’s take on barbecue consists of meat and veggies marinated with sesame oil, soy sauce and garlic, then cooked on a gas or charcoal grill – often at the center of your table.  

After stopping to try traditional rice cakes, it’s on to the Insta-friendly Gwangjang Market, where locals and tourists alike flock to sample the many varieties of street food on offer. Among the specialties are sundae sausages served with perilla leaves, tteokbokki rice cakes drenched in thick chili sauce, and mayak gimbap – “narcotic rice rolls”, so-called for their addictive qualities. Once you’ve eaten your fill at the market, your tour will conclude at around 10pm.

Hundreds of wooden buildings once home to royals, with a wall of mountains in the background: the palace of Gyeongbokgung is a fantastic selfie spot. But why not go the whole hog and dress up in some traditional silken clothing for your photos? 

Until recently, hanbok was seen as rather simple when compared to other types of traditional East Asian clothing; neither the fit nor the colors had the beauty of a Vietnamese ao dai or a Japanese kimono. However, Korean designers began to tweak the styles to make them more appealing to modern tastes; nowadays you can’t walk around a Seoul palace without seeing visitors wearing rental versions of these prettier new forms. While more popular with female visitors, there’s plenty of choice for men too, including some terrific hats. 

Your two-hour hanbok experience includes dress-up, basic hairstyling, and an English-speaking photographer who’ll pop well over a hundred shots. Just note that Koreans tend to say “kimchi!” instead of “cheese!”