It took me 3 weeks to explore South Korea and I came to the conclusion that Seoul is the best starting point to have day tours.

The proximity to most places are a maximum of 3 hours on the road to reach one end of the city.

And not forgetting how amazing the transportation and infrastructure is that there’s every reason to milk all you’ve got for a day tour.

The most common tours on everyone’s list is often the DMZ tour, Suwon Fortress and Nami Island but I can name you 1,000 other places no one has been.

I visited the bamboo hills of Damyang and also realised the national parks of Korea are worth visiting on a day trip. You simply should spend some time seeing the countryside and nature in Korea through these tours!

Here are the best day trips from Seoul that you can take and what I personally recommend!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. I only provide unbiased and completely honest recommendations. Read more about the site’s privacy policy.

TL;DR The Best Day Trips from Seoul

🍂 For Autumn Foliage: Visit Naejangsan National Park or Mount Seoraksan

📸 For All The Insta-worthy sights: Suwon Hwaseong, Korean Folk Village & Starfield Library Suwon Tour

🥾 For Best Hiking: Bukhansan Mountain (Tallest Peak of Seoul)

⭐ Must-Visit Tour: DMZ & Nami Island

Also read: 10 Days to 2 Weeks South Korea Itinerary That's Offbeat: Seoul, Busan & Gyeongju

The Best Day Tours To Take From Seoul

1. Autumn Foliage In Naejangsan National Park

autumn foliage at naejangsan national park

You can tell that Koreans take their Autumn foliage seriously and there’s no better place to experience this than visit Naejangsan National Park.

If you’re not much of a hiker and still want to soak in the views and experience fall season, you’ve to visit Naejangsan National Park. This tour takes you there and to Jeonju Hanok Village.

The traditional houses, little alleys, and food stalls made it such a charming stop. They take you to try the famous Jeonju Bibimbap. That meal alone was worth the trip.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this tour if you want a good mix of nature, culture, and food all in one day.

The Tour To Book | Autumn Foliage in Naejangsan National Park

2. Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm

at nami island - one of the best day trips in seoul which is often a must visit for everyone!

It is almost impossible to skip Nami Island as it is just an hour from the city.

The island is also famous as the filming site for Winter Sonata, the K-drama that made it a cultural icon.

Whether you’re cycling under the ginkgo trees, strolling along the riverbank, or just people-watching with a hot coffee in hand, it feels really nice to soak in all of this in a new country!

You can also combine your trip with nearby spots like the Garden of Morning Calm or Petite France, making it a full-day escape from Seoul.

I would also recommend checking out this healing option that lets you go fruit picking!

The Tour To Book | Nami Island & Garden Morning of Calm or a Healing option (Nami Island + Fruit Picking)

3. Mount Seoraksan & Naksana Temple Day Tour

Mount Seoraksan - this place is surreal!

Can I just say Mount Seoraksan looks surreal?

The granite peaks rising above a sea of autumn colors are the kind of views that will make you go, yup this is why Korea is awesome!

Even if you’re not a hardcore hiker, there are cable cars and shorter trails that still let you experience the park’s beauty.

This tour also brings you to Naksana Temple, a serene coastal temple perched on a cliff overlooking the East Sea.

I loved the contrast between the mountains and the ocean and it feels like one of those trips that it is worth your “time” if you’re in Seoul.

The Tour To Book | Mount Seoraksan & Naksana Temple Day Tour

4. Suwon Hwaseong, Korean Folk Village & Starfield Library Suwon

If there’s one tour that takes you to all the places without the headache of switching train lines, this is the tour.

I had thought of visiting the Starfield Library on its own but figured out it would be better if there was already a tour option that combines all the best highlights I want to see of Seoul.

This tour is perfect for solo travellers or families who want authentic Korean street food and lively local culture.

The Tour To Book | Suwon Hwaseong, Korean Folk Village & Starfield Library Suwon Tour

5. Bukhansan Hiking up To Baegundae Peak

hiking in bukhansan national park - a must visit day tour from seoul

If you want an active day trip, I highly recommend hiking up to the tallest peak in Seoul - Baegundae Peak.

This hike was so worth it to see a different side of Seoul.

I mean how often do you see Korean families come together with hotpots, gimbap and stews to take a break up on the mountains.

They make it so easy for you to hike the trails here from proper rest stops, cables, steel stairs and clear signage that I think everyone (even if you’re not a hiker) should explore the hiking trails in and around Seoul.

It should take you around 5-6 hours to complete the hike. I highly recommending booking a guide here.

The Tour To Book | Ridge Hike up in Bukhansan Mountain

Also read: Hiking Baegundae Peak in Bukhansan National Park: This Is The Best Hike in Seoul!

6. Danyang: See The Joseon Dynasty of Korea

Danyang was that place that I got confused with Damyang but turns out this is a different area that’s known for its stunning temples against the backdrop of mountains like Guinsa.

Guinsa Temple is a real standout: it is huge, hidden deep in the woods..

You get to visit the Bobaljae Observatory and the Ondal Cave takes you underground into a completely different world of limestone formations and old legends.

For something more adventurous, the Cheongpung Hoban Cable Car is a scenic ride over lakes and mountains, and the Mancheonha Skywalk lets you step out onto a glass walkway with epic panoramas.

Just be ready for some uphill climbs and stairs along the way!

The Tour To Book | Hidden Gems of Danyang

7. Live like a local: Experience South Korea Baseball!

experience baseball in seoul - you just have to!

Koreans take their baseball seriously — I saw it firsthand when I cycled around Korea and saw Koreans playing baseball everywhere.

Just for the experience, you need to watch the match at Jamsil Baseball Stadium even if you’re not usually into sports.

The energy is contagious, with fans singing, cheering, and dancing along with K-pop cheerleaders throughout the game. You can’t help but get caught up in it.

This tour is really good because you have a local guide who’s a lifelong fan of one of Seoul’s teams (LG Twins or Doosan Bears).

They’ll handle all the details and explain the highlights so you don’t miss a thing. It feels less like being a spectator and more like joining in on a cultural ritual!

The experience ends with Korean BBQ or the classic combo of fried chicken and beer.

The Tour To Book | Seoul Korean Baseball / Basketball Game + K-Food Local Experience

8. DMZ Tour

This is perhaps the most visited and most iconic historical tour!

The DMZ tour take you into some truly unique places like walking through the North Korean infiltration tunnels in Paju, gazing across the border from Aegibong Ecopark in Gimpo, or visiting cultural sites that blend history with everyday life.

What I loved about this tour is how much ground it covers in a single day.

From the Peace Park to the gondola, Camp Greaves, the 3rd Tunnel, and finally the Dora Observatory where you can actually look into North Korea!

The Tour To Book | Into The DMZ

9. Go Skiing on A Day Trip

skiing in korea - did you know you can do it as a day trip?

If your plan was to enjoy Seoul in Winter, you should definitely check out the Yongpyong Ski Resort, South Korea’s largest ski area, which hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics.

It is quite the experience if you’re a beginner skier and I would highly recommend doing this experience from December to March.

You get equipment rental with lots of choice and sizes and everything is of good quality.

The Tour To Book | Skiing in Yongpyong Ski Resort

That’s all the tours I recommend — you don’t want to overdo it since it’ll be nice to just walk around in Seoul sometimes.

Read my other posts on South Korea:

Like this story? PIN IT!