National Geographic has named South Korea as one of the best destinations to travel to in 2026, and after spending two weeks there, I couldn’t agree more. In fact, even though I was essentially ahead of time with my visit, I will undoubtedly be taking National Geographic’s advice and planning another trip for next year.
The Korean Wave, also known as Hallyu, is a cultural phenomenon — encompassing K-pop music, K-dramas, films, fashion and food — that has garnered massive global attention. While the wave began in the 1990s, it has certainly skyrocketed in recent years, putting the country in the spotlight. But beyond the entertainment and modern trends, South Korea is a beautiful country with such a rich cultural heritage; those who love travelling certainly need to make it a priority on their bucket list.
I’m not much of a traveller, and so that might make you wonder – what brought me all the way there? Well, my sister packed her bags a few years ago and started a new life there, and so instead of constantly relying on her to come back to the UK to visit, it was time for me to return the favour.
When visiting South Korea, I didn’t know what to expect, but what I can tell you is that I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. It truly is a magnificent country, and its stunning beauty blew me away. I stayed in the country’s bustling capital, Seoul, where there is, in fact, an endless number of things to do.
Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace was one of the highlights of our trip. The former royal establishment dates back to 1395 and was the first royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years.
Dressing up in Hanbok – Korea’s traditional clothing – and exploring the palace is a unique experience that you won’t find elsewhere, and I highly recommend it.
Speaking of unique experiences, we also went on a tour around the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), where we heard a firsthand account from a North Korean defector. We even got to take a look at North Korean land. However, the foggy weather made it difficult to see through the telescopes, so I only managed to catch a glimpse of a few buildings.
Just our luck, the day after the tour, the sun was working overtime. The heat was insane. I knew it would be hot, but 25C in October was something I couldn’t quite get my head around.
I also managed to develop a new guilty pleasure, whilst out there, spending many evenings at the arcades that were plotted on nearly every street corner, and like the numerous arcades, there were just as many cafes, which isn’t a surprise, as Seoul is considered a coffee capital.
While I’m not a big coffee drinker myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the matcha lattes, particularly from a cosy little spot called Oozy Coffee, where we got our drinks accompanied by a delicious, sweet Honey Bread.
To be honest, I can’t fault the majority of things I ate in South Korea. I tried all the things you’d expect a tourist in South Korea to try – Korean barbecue, Korean fried chicken, Kimchi and then so much more at Gwangjang Market, Seoul’s most famous food market.
Boasting hundreds of stalls that serve Korean street food and traditional dishes, it is an absolute haven for foodies.
When the two weeks came to an end, I realised that my time spent there might not have been enough. As I said before, there is so much to explore in South Korea, and I’m saying that as someone who spent the majority of their time travelling around one city.
There are many other destinations worth visiting, such as Busan and Jeju Island, which I know will definitely be on my agenda for 2026.
