Korea Autumn Travel Guide: Top 5 Recommended Destinations

Top 5 Fall Travel Destinations in Korea for 2025 & Insider Tips

Autumn in Korea is a beautiful season, with pleasant weather and vibrant fall foliage, attracting countless travelers each year searching for "recommended fall destinations in Korea." Planning a "Korean fall travel itinerary" for 2025? This guide covers everything from "famous fall foliage spots in Korea" and "Korean fall travel tips" to "Korean autumn cuisine," offering international travelers unique experiences.

"Korea's autumn weather" allows you to enjoy the "best fall destinations in Korea" in a refreshing breeze. This information is also useful for those seeking inspiration from "Korean autumn festivals" or "Korean autumn travel blogs." To assist in planning your "2025 Korean autumn trip," we introduce popular spots like Seoraksan, Nami Island, and Naejangsan, along with fall travel tips such as cycling and temple stays, and insider tips. Make the most of the charm of "Korean autumn travel" and create lasting memories through this guide!

1. Top 5 Must-Visit Fall Destinations in Korea

1) Seoraksan Mountain – Peak Autumn Foliage

Seoraksan Mountain is one of the most beautiful autumn foliage spots in Korea, offering a spectacular view of red maple leaves and majestic rocky mountains.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Ulsanbawi Rock – The best view to enjoy with the autumn foliage
• Biryong Falls & Cheonbuldong Valley – A healing spot where the autumn streams and foliage blend together
• Daecheong Peak – A breathtaking view of the autumn mountains from the summit

Local Tip:
• During peak foliage season, there are many hikers, so it's good to start early in the morning!

2) Nami Island – Romantic Autumn Atmosphere

Nami Island is a romantic autumn destination near Seoul, famous for its beautiful maple and ginkgo tree-lined paths.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Metasequoia Road – A fantastic walkway bathed in autumn colors
• Riverside Cycling – An activity to enjoy the autumn scenery along the Han River
• Autumn Picnic – A sentimental picnic under the autumn leaves

Local Tip:
• You need to take a ferry to Nami Island, so it's a good idea to wait at the pier early!

3) Naejangsan Mountain – Peak Foliage Destination

Naejangsan Mountain is a representative autumn foliage destination in Korea, a must-visit course for autumn travel, with its deep valleys and red maple leaves.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Naejangsa Temple – A traditional Korean temple to admire alongside the autumn foliage
• Baekyangsa Temple – An autumn healing trip in a quiet atmosphere
• Maple Tree Tunnel – A maple-lined path that exudes sentimentality just by walking

Local Tip:
• During Naejangsan's peak foliage season, parking lots are crowded, so we recommend using public transportation!

4) Bu Seok Sa Temple – Traditional Korean Temple Amidst Autumn Foliage

Bu Seok Sa Temple is famous for its beautiful autumn foliage, boasting a stunning landscape where the traditional temple and red-tinged leaves harmonize.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Muryangsujeon Hall – Bu Seok Sa's representative hall, characterized by its quiet atmosphere
• Sosu Seowon – A traditional Confucian academy with autumn foliage
• Bu Seok Sa Iljumun Gate – A stunning maple-lined path starting from the entrance

Local Tip:
• The autumn scenery viewed from Bu Seok Sa is like a painting!

5) Gyeongju – Autumn Charm in a Millennium-Old City

Gyeongju is a unique city where you can enjoy autumn foliage along with historical sites.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto – A beautiful place where ancient temples and autumn foliage blend together
• Cheomseongdae Observatory & Daereungwon Tomb Complex – Quiet historical sites with ginkgo trees turning yellow
• Bomun Lake – The autumn scenery is even more beautiful with the reflection of the foliage on the lake

Local Tip:
• Gyeongju is an ideal travel destination for cycling!

2. Recommended Autumn Activities in Korea

1) Cycling – Along the Han River and Autumn Scenery

In autumn, you can enjoy the refreshing breeze and autumn foliage while cycling along the Han River.

✅ Recommended Courses
• Yeouido Hangang Park → Ttukseom Hangang Park – Cycling with autumn foliage
• Chuncheon Uiam Lake Bicycle Path – A romantic course where the lake and foliage blend together

Local Tip:
• Using the Han River bicycle rental shops makes cycling more convenient!

2) Autumn Harvest Experience – Picking Persimmons & Grapes

Autumn is the harvest season in Korea, where you can experience Korean rural culture by picking persimmons or grapes yourself.

✅ Recommended Experience Locations
• Yangpyeong Persimmon Picking Experience Farm in Gyeonggi-do – You can experience the traditional process of picking and drying persimmons
• Yeongdong Grape Farms in Chungcheongbuk-do – Harvest experience in a famous grape-producing region of Korea

Local Tip:
• Dried persimmons (곶감) are even more delicious after harvesting!

3) Camping & Glamping – Healing Trip in Nature

Autumn is one of the best seasons for camping, where you can enjoy nature under the clear sky and pleasant weather.

✅ Recommended Camping Spots
• Hongcheon Forest Camping Site in Gangwon-do – A place to enjoy camping in a forest with lush autumn foliage
• Nami Island Glamping Site – Luxurious autumn camping with convenient facilities

Local Tip:
• It gets chilly at night, so bring warm clothes and sleeping bags!

4) Temple Stay – Autumn Healing at a Traditional Temple

To experience autumn in Korea more deeply, consider a temple stay at a quiet temple for meditation and traditional experiences.

✅ Recommended Temples for Temple Stays
• Haeinsa Temple (Gyeongsangnam-do) – Meditation and tea ceremony experiences amidst the autumn foliage
• Baekdamsa Temple (Gangwon-do) – A place to quietly enjoy nature in the deep mountains

Local Tip:
• Cell phone use may be restricted at temples, so please prepare in advance!

3. Recommended Autumn Cuisine in Korea

✅ Recommended Autumn Dishes

1) Grilled Horse Mackerel (Jeon-eo Gui) – The Most Delicious Fish in Autumn

Autumn horse mackerel is plump and oily, and grilling brings out its delicious flavor.

Local Tip:
• Grilled horse mackerel pairs perfectly with makgeolli (Korean rice wine)!

2) Matsutake Mushroom Dishes – A Delicacy Filled with the Scent of Autumn

Matsutake mushrooms are a luxury ingredient enjoyed only in autumn, and can be grilled or enjoyed in hot pot.

Local Tip:
• Matsutake mushroom hot pot enhances its rich aroma and savory taste!

3) Grilled Large Shrimp (Daeha Gui) – An Autumn Delicacy

In autumn, you can enjoy large shrimp packed with flavor. They are delicious grilled on charcoal or as a seasoned dish, with a nutty flavor that intensifies with each bite.

Local Tip:
• You can taste the freshest grilled large shrimp at Soraepogu Port in Incheon or in Namhae!

🍜 4) Chestnut Porridge (Bamjuk) – A Smooth and Nutritious Autumn Delicacy
Chestnut porridge, made with finely ground chestnuts in season, is easily digestible and deliciously sweet. It's even better when enjoyed with a warm soup.
💡 Local Tip:
• Adding a little honey to the chestnut porridge enhances its sweetness and depth of flavor!

We hope you now have all the information you need to plan your "2025 Korean Autumn Trip"!

Create unforgettable memories in the pleasant autumn weather with "famous fall foliage spots in Korea" such as Seoraksan, Nami Island, Naejangsan, Bu Seok Sa Temple, and Gyeongju, and "Korean autumn travel tips" like cycling, temple stays, and harvest experiences. Don't miss the opportunity to further immerse yourself in local culture by tasting "Korean autumn cuisine," including grilled horse mackerel, matsutake mushroom dishes, grilled large shrimp, and chestnut porridge.

This guide is optimized for international travelers looking for "recommended fall destinations in Korea" and "Korean autumn travel itineraries," and will make your trip even richer with local tips. If you're looking for inspiration from "Korean autumn travel blogs," bookmark this post or share it with your friends! Feel free to leave any additional questions or your personal travel experiences; we can share more stories together with other readers.

Korea awaits you in the autumn of 2025!