The delights of South Korea
Book your South Korea flights and head to a country where futuristic architecture flows into bountiful green spaces and peaceful, historic temples.
South Korea strikes the perfect balance between age-old customs and the march of modernity. Outside the cities, discover awe-inspiring mountains, forests and lakes.
The capital Seoul is a draw for many visitors. This megacity sitting upon the Han River has a 2,000-year history, transforming itself in more recent times into a business hub and cultural hotspot.
Away from the capital, you’ll find diverse regions, welcoming locals, and the chance to escape into nature.
Time it right and you can experience one of the country’s fascinating events, like the Boryeong Mud Festival or Hampyeong Butterfly Festival. Meanwhile, foodies can feast their way across a range of local delicacies.
Begin your South Korean adventure by booking flights with Etihad Airways.
Flying to South Korea with Etihad
Seoul (ICN)
Seoul has both traditional charm and the contemporary feel you’d expect from a capital city. Visit the peaks, temples and forest of Bukhansan National Park, breathtaking Gyeongbokgung Palace and the popular Insadong district, brimming with traditional tea rooms and restaurants offering authentic dishes like bibimbap (a rice dish) and bulgogi (BBQ beef).
Reasons to visit South Korea
Visit regal Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is Seoul’s most popular tourist attraction. The colourful changing of the guard ceremonies, which take place throughout the day, always draw a crowd. It is one of five royal Palaces in Seoul – and the largest.
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung is a mass of tiled buildings, museums and ornamental gardens. When the cherry blossom trees bloom in spring, the reflective pools paired with the carpet of petals turn the gardens pink.
Head to Jagalchi Fish Market
When market day falls, Jagalchi Fish Market comes alive. In downtown Busan, row upon row of fresh eels, crabs and octopi line the shelves, among fish of all shapes and sizes.
Take a seat at one of the many restaurants for an unbelievably fresh dish. For a little extra, you can bring your own fish from one of the stalls and ask for it to be prepared and cooked for you.
Wander the stalls, sample some interesting local delicacies, and soak up the atmosphere.
Admire Hwaseong Fortress
One of South Korea’s most recognisable landmarks, this ancient fortress in central Suwon is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by King Jeongjo of the Joseon dynasty, the modern city of Suwon has sprung up around it.
Hwaseong Fortress provides a window into the past, showcasing Korean architecture of old and providing an insight into a nation built on the ideals of respect and honour. See the city on foot with the four-mile walk that takes you right the way around the fortress.
Flying to South Korea: FAQs
What food is South Korea known for?
Traditional South Korean fare is based primarily on rice, vegetables and fish, often served with kimchi – a side dish of salted and fermented vegetables.
Bulgogi, grilled beef served with garlic and onions, is a popular meat dish to try. Bibimbap is another delicious national dish, a rice bowl topped with vegetables, soy sauce, chillies and a fried egg.
What languages are spoken in South Korea?
Korean (also known as Hangul) is the official language of South Korea. English is also taught in schools, so a lot of locals speak some English.
It’s a good idea to brush up on some key phrases in Korean before travelling. Hello is ‘안녕하세요’, pronounced Annyeonghaseyo.
What are the transportation options in South Korea?
South Korea is a well-connected country with fantastic public transport options. The extensive networks of highways, railways, bus and ferry routes make it easy to travel between cities and tourist landmarks.
In major cities, subway signs and station names are in English and top-up cards are available for use across different transport types.
Why fly to South Korea with Etihad?
When you book your flight to South Korea with Etihad, you’ll have a range of options to shape your journey.
Choose how to check in, add extra baggage and pre-book an airport transfer online.
At your departure airport, lounge access is included for guests travelling in Business and First as part of their plane ticket. Economy guests can often pay to use the lounge facilities.
All seats recline and have adjustable headrests. Economy guests can select from upgrade options for more space or a little extra legroom.
Sit back and enjoy our inflight entertainment system. Movies, TV shows, music and more are at your fingertips, so you can enjoy every moment of your flight.
Every guest can select a complimentary meal from our menus, created using fresh, seasonal ingredients and inspired by your destination.
*Aircraft, cabins and services may vary by route and flight. You can check this when you search for your flight. This page was last updated January 2023.