Routes · Asia

Madrid to Korea: Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan

Madrid → Seoul → Gyeongju → Busan

Korea cities & temples Best season (general guide): Mar–May, Sep–Nov

South Korea's high-speed KTX trains make it easy to go from the capital to the south coast in a few hours, and this route stops on the way in the ancient city of Gyeongju. From Madrid you'll fly to Seoul, and you can fly home from Busan.

Seoul combines royal palaces, such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, with neighbourhoods like Bukchon, Insadong and Hongdae, and the markets of Gwangjang and Namdaemun are good for food. The KTX goes south to Gyeongju, the capital of the Silla kingdom, where large burial mounds stand in the city centre, and Bulguksa temple and Seokguram grotto, listed together by UNESCO, are in the hills nearby. Busan, at the end of the line, has beaches, seafood markets, the colourful hillside houses of Gamcheon and temples by the sea such as Haedong Yonggungsa.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Korea's tourism organisation describes spring from March to May and autumn from September to November as the best times, with cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.

Check whether you need a K-ETA before travelling. A transport card like T-money makes buses and subways easy.

How to pace it: give Seoul four nights to deal with jet lag and to see both palaces and neighbourhoods. The KTX train to Gyeongju takes a couple of hours, and two nights there let you see the tombs in town and the temples in the hills. Busan works best with three nights: one day for the beaches and the coast, one for the markets and Gamcheon, and one free. Store bags in station lockers if you want to stop on the way between cities. Book KTX seats in advance for weekends and holidays.

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