South Korea

South Korea family holidays

South Korea is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations for families, combining ancient traditions with cutting edge technology, pulsating cities and spectacular countryside. From the minute you step onto the buzzing streets of its vast capital, Seoul, you’ll be wowed by sleek, neon-lit shopping streets and skyscrapers, quirky themed cafés, bustling food markets and chic coffee shops.

Yet there is so much more to see and do beyond Seoul. Hop aboard the world-class, high-speed KTX train and you’ll discover a world of mountain landscapes, cloud forests, ancient temples and traditional villages. One day you and your family can be wandering through Seoul’s iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace, while the next you can be meeting the traditional Haenyeo female divers on volcanic Jeju Island, or cycling through beautiful countryside.

Family on holiday in South Korea, in Seoul with two teenagers, exploring the capital's temples and green spaces

Glimpse Korea’s royal past at Gyeongbokgung Palace and wander through its extensive grounds

Why take the kids to South Korea?

It’s usually the kids who are persuading their parents to consider a trip to South Korea, attracted by the phenomenon of all things K-related. And rightly so, as there’s so much here to appeal to children of all ages, from teens to toddlers and every age in between.

Some of our favourite activities on family holidays in South Korea include:

Visiting Seoul’s iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace and dress in ‘hanbok’
Loading up on K-beauty bargains and be wowed by teen K-culture
Taking a traditional cookery class or experience Korean BBQ first hand
Exploring the coastal city of Busan and take the skyline luge
Zip-lining and experiencing the Gangchon rail bike on Nami Island
Meeting the traditional Haenyeo female divers (aged 60+) on Jeju Island
Spending the day at Lotte World, the world’s largest indoor theme park
Catching a glimpse of life in North Korea at the DMZ

Teenager riding the Sky Capsule train in Busan, South Korea on family holiday

Ride Busan’s Sky Capsule and take in 360-degree views of Seoul from the Lotte World Tower

Food is another highlight. From smoky Korean barbecue and comforting noodle dishes, to crispy fried chicken, dumplings and adventurous street snacks, there are plenty of flavours to please all the family.

What makes all this variety so appealing to parents is how remarkably safe, clean, and easy to navigate the country is. It’s an outstandingly family-friendly destination where world-class public transport makes moving between cities effortless.

Haenyeo female divers Jejudo Island, South Korea

Watch the Haenyeo female free-divers catch their haul on Jeju Island

Korea for teens

If you spend more than a few days exploring South Korea, you’ll quickly see why the country has become such a cultural powerhouse. Teenagers will love discovering the home of BTS, K-pop, Gangnam Style, K-beauty, Squid Game, kimchi and Korean barbecue, while parents will find that its appeal extends far beyond popular culture.

Days will be very varied; you might spend the morning lighting incense and chatting with monks in a serene Buddhist temple before enjoying a facial at a state-of-the-art beauty salon or chopping a block of wood with your hand during a taekwondo class.

Families enjoying South Korean food, especially giant ice creams - family-friendly holidays to South Korea

Korean food is delicious – and fun!

Korea for younger children

South Korea excels at entertaining younger visitors too. There are interactive museums, robot cafés and parks designed specifically with children in mind. Visits to a palace will be much more alluring if given the option to wander around dressed in a traditional ‘hanbok’. Perhaps with the promise of lunch at a pet-café where friendly cats and dogs roam around looking for a cuddle.

Families with younger children will also appreciate how easy it is to travel is in South Korea. Everything just works, the trains are clean and on time, the activities are fun and there’s enough variety of food to keep even the fussiest children happy.

Colourful Royal Guard Changing Ceremony in Gyeongbokgung Palace

See the changing of the guards Korean-style at the Gyeongbokgung Palace

Add Japan or China to your South Korea holiday

There’s plenty to see in South Korea and you can easily spend a couple of weeks exploring the country. But Japan and China are both tantalisingly close and there’s an argument that whilst in the area, you might like to tick two countries off the to-do list.

Culturally, South Korea sits between China and Japan and although it remains completely unique, the influence of both can be clearly seen. This is also reflected in the close transport connections between the countries, with direct flights from Seoul and Busan to many cities in the region including Tokyo, Osaka (close to Kyoto), Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Family with teenagers on holiday in Seoul, South Korea, exploring a traditional Bukchon Hanok village

Get a feel for ancient Korea in Bukchon Hanok village, in the Jongno District of Seoul

Consider starting your trip in Seoul and venturing to Busan before hopping on a flight to either Japan or China. In the former, you can contrast the fast-paced high-rise metropolises of Korea with the neon lights and skyscrapers of Tokyo, before retiring to a quieter and more traditional way of life in Kyoto.

Or if you combine with China, you can start in Korea, then head to China to tick off the UNESCO world heritage sites of Beijing and Xi’an before retreating to the countryside for your fill of paddy fields, rivers and mountains.

Brother and two sisters learning about traditional dress in Japan on family holiday

Find out first-hand about Korean and Japanese traditions on a multi-centre holiday

Family holiday itineraries to South Korea

Once you’ve made the decision that you want to go to South Korea, the next question is where to visit and what activities to do once you are there. This is where our team will come into our own with specific, tailored advice that will mean we design exactly the right itinerary for your family. We’ll consider the ages and interests of your children, the time of year you are travelling and your budget and we’ll come up with the perfect holiday for your family.

To whet the appetite and give you a general idea of what you might be able to do on a family holiday in South Korea, have a look at our sample itineraries, Highlights of South Korea and South Korea & Japan.

Find out some of the other locations that you might like to visit on a family holiday in South Korea, and if you need further inspiration, see Places to visit in South Korea.

Also, check out When to go to South Korea to find out what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply ring us, and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best options for your family.