Annyeonghaseyo! Are you gearing up for your first trip to South Korea? The Land of Kimchi is a popular holiday destination among Singaporeans, with good reason of course! With amazing food, plenty of shopping areas, beautiful scenery and cultural spots, it is not a surprise that many of us love to visit South Korea!

In this guide, you will find a list of must-do activities and hotel recommendations that will guarantee you an unforgettable travel experience!

As one of the most iconic landmarks in South Korea, a visit to the N Seoul Tower is a must for all first-time travellers to South Korea! That is why this should be the first place to visit on your first day in South Korea. Located at the top of Namsan Mountain, you will be able to get a 360-degree bird’s eye view of Seoul from the top observatory deck.

Not only is it a popular tourist attraction, it is also a popular place for the locals to visit with their family and friends. Appearing in popular K-dramas, K-pop music videos and even your friends’ Instagram stories during their trip to South Korea, you must be wondering where that tall observatory deck filled with lots of love locks is. That is N Seoul Tower! Now you know where to go if you are travelling with your partner.

If you are worried that it will just be an observatory tower, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that there are multiple restaurants located at the top of the tower where you can rest and recharge before you continue with the rest of your day! Never say no to dining with a view, always.

Tickets to N Seoul Tower start from S$ 6.50.

If learning and experiencing a country’s culture and history is your kind of thing, you will definitely enjoy the Seoul and Korean Folk Village Tour! Perfect for Day 2 of your trip, after you have had a good rest from flying to South Korea, this tour is one of the best ways to dive into the South Korean culture and history.

On this tour, you will get to visit a traditional folk village and learn about the history and culture from the late Joseon period. Following that, you will get to visit the popular Gyeongbokgung Palace where you will get to see the changing of guards ceremony. While you are there, take this chance to dress up in the colourful and beautiful Korean hanbok and snap up some photos in the palace. We assure you that it is not only Instagram-worthy and you will feel like royalty like the actors in “The Moon That Embraces The Sun” K-drama while exploring the huge palace grounds!

Buddhism is one of the dominant religions in South Korea, hence, this tour will not be complete without a visit to Jogyesa Temple. Being the main temple of the Jogye order of Korean Buddhism in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of several Buddhist events, rituals and ceremonies all year long.

Price starts from S$ 49.75.

What is a holiday if you are missing out on some fun-filled activities that get your adrenaline pumping? Include a visit to the Lotte World Theme Park Day 3 of your South Korea itinerary for some fun-filled activities. Featuring both indoor and outdoor spaces, Lotte World Theme Park is the largest theme park in Seoul. Suitable for both children and adults, there is definitely a place for all ages to enjoy.

You can jump on the trend of dressing up in Korean high school uniforms because you will notice almost every Korean high school student wearing their school uniforms. Why not take this opportunity to relive your secondary school days! Of course, feel free to pack in your old secondary school uniform and give it life in South Korea.

Stay till evening to enjoy the attractions being lit up making it look like you are living in a fairytale land. If that background looks familiar to you, you might recall seeing that set in a Running Man episode or a scene in the Netflix popular K-drama, ‘A Business Proposal’. Before you leave, be sure to catch the multimedia night parade that is specially designed by the talented Cirque du Soleil team!

After a fun-filled Day 3 at Lotte World, you might want to take it slow and enjoy a calming and relaxing walk in a garden. Book yourself on this unforgettable tour to Nami Island and visit some of the iconic places that are often featured in K-dramas and variety shows - Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm and Gangchon Rail Bike!

On this tour, you will get to ride on the Gangchon Rail Bike along an old train track that was converted into a serene countryside trail. After the scenic bike ride, you will head to Nami Island where a scene from the famous K-drama, “Winter Sonata”, was filmed. Once you are at Nami Island, you will know why this place is a must-visit! Just imagine taking a stroll down the middle pathway lined by Korea Pine trees and Maple trees. We would recommend going in Autumn as the ground and trees will be coloured in shades of orange, yellow and golden, which is a beautiful sight to behold.

From Nami Island, you will head on to Petite France, a French village inspired by the famous novel, The Little Prince. Spend some time here and snap some photos as if you are in a traditional French village. The tour will end off with a visit to the Garden of Morning Calm, the oldest private garden in South Korea. This garden is located by Chungryeongsan Mountain and houses about 5000 species of plants.

Now that you have a list of activities to do in South Korea, are you scratching your head while trying to decide which hotel to stay at? Continue reading to find out our recommendations!

Conveniently located in Myeong-dong, the heart of Seoul, and 1-hour from Incheon International Airport, the Sejong Hotel is one of the popular hotel choices for tourists. The nearest metro station is along the Seoul Metro line, easy access around Seoul and to many of the tourist attractions is guaranteed.

Featuring a room set up that is similar to a regular home in the 70s with the use of dark wooden furniture and floral prints, your stay at Sejong Hotel will definitely feel warm and comfortable. As for F&B offerings, you need not worry as there are three F&B outlets offering different cuisines, from Korean to Italian and even fresh bakes! You will be able to try out some of the popular Korean dishes and also have options to switch it up.

Unlike most hotels, Sejong Hotel stands out as they prioritise giving their guests an unique staying experience that involves art, culture and at the same time, not forgetting to move alongside modern times. Perhaps the artistic Sejong Gallery located at the hotel lobby showcasing various artwork displays proves that. Or maybe the Sky Garden at the rooftop that is filled with floral and fauna, and over 30 sculptures. Book your stay at Sejong Hotel before this popular hotel gets booked out. Remember to head up to the Sky Garden to enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful Namsan Mountain and a splendid view of downtown!

Another popular location for tourists to stay in Seoul is Hongdae, the go-to hangout spot for local youths due to its street fashion stores, unique cafes and nightlife spots. This is definitely the perfect location for younger tourists who are looking to be in the centre of all the action in Seoul, and your stay at RYSE, Autograph Collection will offer you that!

The hotel prides itself as a hub for creators and makers to leave their mark in Seoul and you will enjoy your stay at this hotel if you are into art and modern minimalist living. With plenty of rooms to choose from, each room is unique and no one room is the same as one another! Placing focus on inclusivity, the hotel made sure that there is one room type for everyone.

Situated in Hongdae, you can expect the F&B offerings within the hotel are trendy and are out to impress. With Korean-Western fusion and true Western influences, this hotel will give you a modern dining experience.

These are not the only modern living experiences the hotel has to offer during your stay. Taking up a space on the first three floors of the hotel is Workout, the hotel’s flagship retail partner. You can get your shopping done here ! Expect global influential brands like OBEY and Vans, but the store features streetwear brands to spice up your closet as well!

For a complete first-time trip to South Korea, you must not miss out on all of the activities listed in this guide! Start planning your itinerary and book through Traveloka today for an unforgettable trip! Who knows? You might just bump into some of the hottest K-pop singers or Korean actors during your trip.