Haedong Yonggung Temple in Busan was recently chosen as one of the 100 must-visit tourist destinations in Korea for 2025-26 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

One hundred travel destinations around the country made the government's list of must-visit tourist spots for 2025-26, revealed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Monday.

Launched in 2012, the biennial project aims to promote the country's top 100 travel destinations for domestic and international tourists each year.

This year's selection was based on a big data analysis of social media search volumes, as well as three rounds of written and on-site interviews with tourism experts.

The list includes 61 cultural tourism assets, such as historic sites, monuments and recreational facilities, along with 39 nature-based tourism spots, including forests, seas and wetlands.

Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area accounted for 22 locations, while Gangwon Province had 15, the Chungcheong provinces had 15, the Jeolla provinces had 18, the Gyeongsang provinces included 28 and the southernmost Jeju Island boasted six.

A map of Korea with 100 must-visit tourist spots designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for 2025-26 / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

New hot spots

Among them, 27 were newly selected destinations, with many being experience-oriented attractions that are particularly popular among Koreans.

For example, one such attraction is visiting pop-up stores in eastern Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong neighborhood. Known for its unique blend of 1970s charm and contemporary youth culture, this once-industrial area now hosts countless pop-up stores in every corner, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

The district offers an authentic urban landscape, with lowrise red-brick buildings that once served as shoemaking ateliers and warehouses. Today, these spaces host various brand installations that change every few weeks, attracting young people in search of fresh, photogenic experiences.

Visitors line up to enter a pop-up store operated by Musinsa, Korea's largest online fashion platform, at a warehouse in eastern Seoul's Seongsu-dong, Sept. 13, 2024. Korea Times by Choi Ju-yeon

Another highlight is shopping at the Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market in Sokcho, Gangwon Province.

The market, an essential tourist attraction in the eastern coastal city, features alleys brimming with a wide variety of local treats and delicacies.

The market is divided into several sections, each specializing in different products, such as a vegetable and fruit alley, a chili pepper alley, a blood sausage alley, a salted seafood alley and a chicken alley.

The most popular spot here is the fishery center, where fresh live fish and dried seafood are sold at reasonable prices. Additionally, the chicken alley is a must-visit for those eager to try crunchy and spicy "dakgangjeong" or glazed fried chicken bites.

Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, which was recently selected as one of Korea's 100 must-visit tourist destinations for 2025-26 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

For K-drama fans who enjoyed watching "Squid Game," Gyodong Island in Ganghwa County, located in the western port city of Incheon, is highly recommended. This picturesque island served as one of the filming locations for the hit Netflix original series.

Daegu Sayuwon Arboretum, situated on the site of a former sanitary landfill, is home to over 1,000 plant species, including giant cacti, vibrant flowers, medicinal herbs and various trees.

The expansive mountain garden also features an exhibition space dedicated to world-class architects like Álvaro Siza and Seung H-sang. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a unique meditative journey along forest trails, along with ecology experience programs designed for young children.

Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is a coastal path that has been designated as a natural monument.

The 2.86-kilometer-long trail, stretching from the Jeongdongjin Sun Cruise parking lot to Simgok Port, offers breathtaking views of the blue waves in the East Sea. Visitors can also marvel at the uniquely shaped rocks and cliffs, which showcase traces of crustal movements that date back approximately 23 million years.

Jeongdongsimgok Badabuchae Trail in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, which was recently selected as one of the 100 must-visit tourist destinations in Korea for 2025-2026 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Long-loved destinations

Fourteen signature tourist destinations, beloved by Koreans for many years, were honored for the seventh consecutive time on the list.

Starting with the five major royal palaces of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty in Seoul — Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, Changgyeong Palace, Deoksu Palace, and Gyeonghui Palace — these cultural heritage sites are popular spots where visitors often come dressed in traditional Korean clothing, or hanbok.

Other notable destinations include Jeonju Hanok Village in North Jeolla Province, Hallasan National Park and the Jeju Olle Trail on Jeju Island, Suncheonman Bay National Garden and wetlands in South Jeolla Province, Bulguk Temple and Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress in Gyeonggi Province.

Additionally, the government plans to boost domestic tourism by issuing the so-called "tourism resident cards" in 45 regions across the country, an increase from last year's 35 regions.

Issued by the KTO, the digital card provides travel benefits such as discounts on accommodation, food and experiences for cardholders visiting regions facing a demographic crisis due to population decline.

Over the Lunar New Year holiday, several national museums and galleries will offer special cultural experience programs and exhibitions designed for family groups, providing an engaging and educational experience for visitors.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul will offer free access to special exhibitions, while a variety of performances will be held at the National Gugak Center, the National Theatre of Korea and Gwangju's Asia Culture Center, offering visitors a rich cultural experience.

"Starting with the Lunar New Year holiday, the ministry will launch intensive campaigns to encourage people to explore domestic tourist destinations in their daily lives. We will continue doing our utmost to highlight the appeal of regional tourism," Kim Jeong-hoon, director of the ministry's tourism policy bureau, said.