Want to avoid the same overcrowded spots? Official city tourism websites are quietly one of the best ways to discover local favorites—small museums, markets, scenic walks, neighborhood food streets, and seasonal events that don’t always trend online.
Series Navigation
The hidden-gem method (official-site edition)
Instead of searching “things to do”, use official tourism portals like a local database:
- Search by neighborhood (e.g., “Seongsu”, “Yeonnam”, “Nampo”, “Seogwipo”)
- Use themes like walking trail, market, heritage, night view
- Check small events under “Events / Calendar” menus
- Download brochure PDFs—they often include lesser-known routes
Search keywords to try on official sites:
walking trail, local market, alley, viewpoint, traditional village, museum, neighborhood, riverside, coastal road, night view
Want the fastest map method? : Download Free Tourist Map PDFs in Korea.
Where to hunt for local favorites (official portals)
- Seoul: Visit Seoul
- Busan: Visit Busan
- Jeju: Visit Jeju
- Incheon: Incheon iTour
- National: VISITKOREA
Build a “local day” itinerary (simple template)
- One neighborhood base (choose an area, not the whole city)
- One market (lunch + snacks)
- One cultural stop (small museum / heritage / craft)
- One walk (river/coast/park)
- One night view (viewpoint + dessert)
Best practice: Use official PDF brochures to pick a route that clusters spots by area. It’s the easiest way to avoid long commutes.
Need the master list of official sites again?
Korea Official City Tourism Websites Directory
Last updated: 2026-01-02 (KST)
