Beyond Seoul! 5 Recommended Small City Trips in Korea

Tired of Seoul trips? Korea has so many charming small cities that are just as attractive as Seoul. If you're looking to escape the bustling city and find a relaxed atmosphere and unique experiences, pay attention to the cities introduced in this article.

Gyeongju is known as a museum without walls, with historical sites everywhere. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are essential, and walking among the ancient tombs in Daereungwon feels truly magical.

I personally recommend Hwangnidan-gil Road. Cafes and restaurants renovated from traditional Korean houses are lined up, and you can feel a completely different atmosphere from the bustling streets of Seoul. Especially in the evening, the softly lit Hanoks are really pretty.

A must-try food in Gyeongju is Gyeongju bread. It's a round bread filled with red bean paste, and it has a tradition that dates back to 1939. Buying freshly baked bread from the Hwangnam Bread main store and eating it near Cheomseongdae Observatory is the best.

Jeonju is a city you must visit if you want to experience Korean food properly. Jeonju Hanok Village is a bit busy because it's a tourist spot, but it's still fun to walk around wearing Hanbok.

The thing you shouldn't miss in Jeonju is Jeonju Bibimbap. It's a different level of taste from the Bibimbap sold in other Korean restaurants. Each vegetable is carefully seasoned, and the red pepper paste is homemade, giving it a deep flavor.

Besides the Hanok Village, be sure to visit Nambu Market. Especially if you go on Friday and Saturday evenings when the night market is open, you can taste various street foods. It's a place where you can experience Jeonju Bean Sprout Soup, Sundae, and Tteokgalbi all at once.

Gangneung has become famous as a coffee city, but in fact, it's a great place with a natural environment where the sea and mountains coexist. It's also accessible, as it's only a 2-hour KTX ride from Seoul.

The cafe street at Anmok Beach is really special. The taste of coffee while looking at the sea is definitely different from other places. Especially if you go at sunrise and watch the sunrise while drinking a cup of coffee, it's really healing.

In Gangneung, be sure to try Chodang Sundubu. It's made by coagulating with seawater, so it has a deeper and nuttier taste. If you go to Chodang-dong, there is a Sundubu village, and any house you go to is delicious.

I also recommend riding a bike near Gyeongpodae Beach and running along the coastal road. It's enough to look around in 1-2 hours, and there are many pretty cafes in between, so it's good to take a break.

Buyeo is a hidden gem that is not well known in Korean tourism. It was the last capital of Baekje, so it has deep historical significance, and above all, there are not many tourists, so you can look around at your leisure.

The view of the Baengma River from Busosanseong Fortress is really beautiful. Especially in the fall, the scenery of the autumn leaves and the river is like a picture. If you go up to Sabiru in the castle, you can see the entire Buyeo at a glance.

It's also good to go to Buyeo during the Lotus Festival season. It is held at Gungnamji Pond in July and August, and it feels really good to take a walk while looking at the lotus-filled pond.

Lotus Leaf Rice, a traditional food of Buyeo, is also a special experience. It's rice steamed wrapped in lotus leaves, so it has a subtle lotus leaf scent and a healthy taste.

Tongyeong is one of the few cities in Korea where you can properly eat seafood. Oysters are especially famous, and if you go in winter, you can eat fresh oysters at a really low price.

The seafood sold at Jungang Market is really fresh. Especially if you eat sashimi at the restaurants on the second floor of the market, you can feel the chewiness as if it was just caught. You can taste sea squirts, sea cucumbers, and abalone, which are sold at high prices in Seoul, at reasonable prices.

Be sure to take the cable car in Tongyeong. The scenery of Hallyeosudo from the top of Mireuksan Mountain is really spectacular. In particular, the appearance of the islands dotted around is like sprinkling jewels.

Dongpirang Village in Tongyeong is also an interesting place. The view of the sea while walking along the alleyways with murals is really pretty. It's good for taking pictures, and the small cafes all over the village are charming.

When traveling to these small cities, it is important to check public transportation in advance. Unlike Seoul, the subway is not dense, so it is convenient to know bus routes or taxi information in advance.

I recommend Hanok Stay for accommodation. There are many guesthouses renovated from traditional Hanoks in places like Gyeongju and Jeonju, and you can have a much more special experience than a hotel. However, reservations are essential.

Each city has special products, so think about souvenirs to take home in advance. Gyeongju is famous for barley bread, Jeonju is famous for Korean sweets or Makgeolli, Gangneung is famous for coffee beans, Buyeo is famous for lotus root tea, and Tongyeong is famous for anchovy sauce or oyster sauce.

Above all, the charm of traveling to small cities lies in leisure. Don't make a tight schedule like in Seoul, and take enough time to drink a cup of coffee at a cafe and sightsee the neighborhood. That's how you can really feel the charm of the city.