Visiting N Seoul Tower isn’t enough—explore Korea’s favorite summer tourist spots

The beach at Sokcho Seaside Bathing Beach stretches approximately 2 kilometers in total, with 1 kilometer open to the public and a width of 75 meters. It features fine sand, clear water, and dense pine forests. Although there are over a dozen beaches along the eastern coast of Gangwon Province, Sokcho City has only one seaside bathing beach. (Photo provided by Shutterstock)

The allure of Korean dramas and Korean cuisine has fueled a surge in tourism to Korea. Beyond must-visit popular cities like Seoul and Busan, as summer heats up, what are the favorite summer retreats for Koreans? According to the “Top 20 Summer (July to August) Tourist Spots Loved by the Public” survey jointly conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization and SK Telecom, the following are the most popular summer destinations across the country.

● Seoul COEX Mall

● Seoul N Seoul Tower

● Gyeonggi-do Heyri Art Village

● Incheon Chundangji Temple

● Gangwon-do Sokcho Beach (Sokcho Seaside Bathing Beach)

● Sokcho Fishing & Marine Products Market

● Chungcheongbuk-do Dosanseong Sam Peak

● Sejong City Sejong Lakeside Park

● Daejeon National Science Museum

● Chungcheongnam-do Hwajeong Beach

● Jeollabuk-do Jeonju Hanok Village

● Jeollanam-do Juknokwon

● Gwangju Kim Dae-jung Convention Center

● Gwangju Penguin Village

● Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongju National Museum

● Gyeongsangbuk-do Bulguksa Temple

● Daegu Seomun Market

● Ulsan Jangsaengpo Whale Museum

● Ulsan Daewangam Park

● Busan Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

● South Gyeongsang Province Hangnyeongseon Scenic Cable Car

● Jeju-do Hajodae Beach