Having spent six years living in Korea, I’ve taken more than my fair share of tours arranged through local companies. While I can navigate Korea’s bus and subway systems just fine, sometimes it’s simply easier (and more relaxing) to join a guided tour — especially when they’re affordable and take all the planning off your plate.
All the trips listed below are either tours I’ve personally taken or destinations I’ve visited independently, and every one of them costs under $100 per person. That makes them great options for both international tourists and foreigners living or stationed in Korea.
Note: This article doesn’t cover DMZ tours — I’ve written a separate, detailed breakdown of the different DMZ destinations and how to choose the one that fits your interests best.
1. Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm & Gangchon Rail Bike
Alternative option: Nami Island + Petite France + Italian Village
Nami Island is a small, tree-lined island east of Seoul, floating in the middle of a lake. It’s a top destination for both locals and tourists, made especially famous by its appearance in the Korean drama Winter Sonata.
Most day tours to Nami include stops at other nearby attractions. The two most common combos are:
I’ve visited all of these locations, and I strongly recommend the Garden of Morning Calm + Gangchon Rail Bike itinerary. The Garden is a peaceful, Korean-style botanical garden that changes character with the seasons, and the rail bike is a fun, active experience on a disused rail line with beautiful countryside views. Both feel uniquely Korean.
By contrast, the French and Italian villages are more like stylized shopping and photo zones — charming in their own way, but they feel like themed recreations rather than authentic cultural stops.
If you live in Korea, you may eventually want to try both versions. I suggest doing one in the summer and saving the other for fall, when Nami Island’s foliage is at its most vibrant. The Garden of Morning Calm is also worth a return visit in winter, when it’s lit up with dazzling nighttime light displays — a completely different experience from the summer version.
In addition, there are also Nami Island tour options that include a stop at Alpaca World, but having never been there personally I can’t speak confidently about the experience, however I can say the tour is very highly reviewed.
2. Mt Seoraksan and Naksansa Temple
While Nami Island is arguably the most famous day tour from Seoul, I’d say Seoraksan National Park is by far the most stunning natural destination in South Korea. If you’re trying to visit either of these spots using public transportation, you’ll likely spend more money and effort than if you just booked a Tour — especially one that includes transport and a guide. The convenience and value are hard to beat.
That said, this particular trip is not designed for hardcore hikers looking to summit the tallest peaks. You’ll get about 2 to 3 hours in the park, which is perfect for riding the cable car and enjoying panoramic views, plus enough time to explore one of the shorter trails. It’s ideal for casual hikers or those who just want to experience the natural beauty without an all-day trek.
The trip also includes a visit to Naksansa Temple, which is a seaside temple that many people skip when traveling solo. It’s one of the more beautiful oceanfront temples in Korea, and well worth a visit. (I’ve written a separate article all about the Naksansa temple if you’re curious.)
Overall, if you want a stress-free and scenic day trip with minimal planning, this tour is a great choice — especially for those without a car or who prefer to avoid the logistics of navigating rural transportation in Korea.
3. Paragliding in Danyang
TThis one is slightly more complicated and a bit more expensive than other options, but it’s still very doable. All it requires is a round-trip train ticket from Seoul to the city of Danyang. The paragliding company picks you up from the Danyang train station and drops you back off afterward. You can easily make it a day trip, or turn it into a weekend getaway by spending the night in Danyang.
Danyang is a popular local tourist town with plenty to see and do. Highlights include a spectacular cave, scenic rock formations, a charming night market, and easy access to Sobaeksan National Park. The city is also beautifully situated along a winding river, which features South Korea’s coolest riverside walking trail. There’s so much to explore—I cover it all in more detail in a separate guide dedicated to the city.
As for the paragliding itself, it’s not scary at all. If you’ve never tried it before, don’t worry—there’s no stomach-dropping sensation like you’d get from a roller coaster. I did this tour in 2024 with this company, and had an excellent time. The staff was very friendly, and the whole experience is designed to be super Instagram-friendly, with plenty of opportunities to snap cute photos with your travel buddies. You’ll also get time to relax at a hilltop café before and after your flight, giving you the chance to soak in the view.
3. Baseball Game and Dinner Tour
A while back, I wrote a guide on how to book Suwon baseball tickets online — which is how I managed to organize a really fun Saturday night for myself and a group of friends. That said, it wasn’t exactly stress-free. The process required navigating Korean-only websites and having a Korean bank account. In hindsight, the easier route would’ve been booking through a tour that includes the tickets, drinks at the game, dinner and a guide.
The tour company I recommend offers seasonal sports events:
- Baseball games (April to November)
- Basketball games (December to April)
If you’re living or stationed in South Korea for a year or so, catching a live game is absolutely something you should put on your bucket list. The experience is wildly different from what you’d expect in the States. Think cheering sections, hype men with microphones, dancing cheerleaders, and just a general sense of chaotic joy — all while the familiar rhythm of a baseball game plays out in the background.
It’s not just a sporting event — it’s a cultural moment, and one you’ll be glad you didn’t miss.
5. Everland or Legoland w/ Optional Seoul Shuttle Bus
I’ve been to Everland multiple times. It’s got a unique charm — sort of like a budget-friendly theme park with a mix of Dutch-inspired architecture, thrill rides (including a pretty intense roller coaster), landscaped gardens, and even a zoo. It’s an affordable and varied way to spend a Saturday, especially if you’re living in Korea or have time to spare.
Legoland Korea isn’t really my thing, so I haven’t been, but friends who have gone say it’s a lot of fun. It seems to be a good option, particularly for families or those into Lego-themed attractions.
That said, if I were visiting Korea on a short trip, I probably wouldn’t include Everland on my itinerary — Everland is fun, but not a must-see if you’re on a tight schedule.
Both parks are relatively close to Seoul and easy to reach in theory, but not as convenient without a car. Fortunately, there are online tickets available that often include optional round-trip shuttles. Even if you don’t need the shuttle, it’s worth buying tickets through a tour platform since they typically accept international and American cards, which can be an issue on some Korean ticketing sites.
- Everland Tickets (optional Seoul Round-Trip Shuttle Tour)
- Legoland Tickets (optional Seoul Round-Trip Shuttle Tour)
Bottom line: If you’re stationed in Korea, living here, or staying for two weeks or longer, both Everland and Legoland make for great day trips. But for short-term travelers, they’re more of a bonus than a priority.
Bonus: Consider taking a Cooking Class in Seoul
Although this one is a tad bit more expensive I’ve always loved taking food tours and cooking classes when traveling. I did this less so when in Korea, but I did take a cooking class when I can people visit me in Seoul and had a blast.
Three experiences which I have only heard good things about are the (1) Korean Cooking at Seoul Cooking Club – which is the perfect intro to basic Korean food from a tour operator that exclusively gets good reviews, and my friends gave it the thumbs up. (2) Korean Cooking Class with Full-Course Meal & Local Market Tour in Seoul – is a tour I did personally and can really recommend, it’s down to earth and a lot of fun.
The final one isn’t one that I have personal experience to recommend, but I’ve had friends take essentially this experience in other parts of the country (3A) Learn and Make Your Very Own Craft Makgeolli, where you be able to start a batch of makgollie in class and then take it home to ferment, making your very own Korean makgollie you can enjoy. Another one of a similar vein, though less hands on is (3B) Traditional Soju Class and Makgeolli Tasting in Seoul, where you will be able to taste a wide assortment of traditional Korean alcoholic drinks (Soju and Makgeolli).
Wanting more Ideas? Consider checking on my article titled 10 Great Escapes Less than Three Hours from Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, South Korea
Happy Adventures!
-Aurora
