The Ultimate Korea Wellness & K-Beauty Itinerary: 7 Days Exploring Seoul, Daegu & Busan

From celebrity hair salons and cutting-edge skin treatments in Seoul to ancient temples, forest meditation and beachside yoga in Busan, discover my ultimate one-week guide to the beauty and wellness side of South Korea.

South Korea has long been on my radar as one of the most exciting destinations in the world for beauty and wellness. Renowned for its pioneering skincare innovations, incredible hair salons and advanced aesthetic treatments, Seoul is a beauty lover’s paradise. But there’s so much more to discover beyond the beauty counters and skincare clinics.

Three women in traditional hanbok dresses holding umbrellas in a historic Korean palace setting. — Bonnie Rakhit and friends in colorful hanbok outfits at Gyeongbokgung Palace courtyard.

I recently spent a week exploring Korea on a K-Beauty and wellness trip, travelling from the buzzing streets of Seoul to the tranquil forests of Daegu and the beautiful coastal city of Busan. Along the way, I experienced everything from celebrity K-pop makeovers and traditional herbal spas to forest meditation, private tea ceremonies and yoga overlooking the ocean.

It was the perfect combination of beauty, culture and adventure. Here’s my seven-day itinerary, including all the places we visited and the experiences I’d recommend adding to your own trip.

AD- I was invited on a press trip by Visit Korea, so I got to see the very best that the country has to offer.

My 7-Day Korea Wellness & K-Beauty Itinerary

Days 1–3: Seoul – K-Beauty, hair transformations and traditional Korean culture.
Day 4: Daegu – Forest meditation, nature and traditional tea ceremonies.
Days 5–6: Busan – Coastal wellness, temples, yoga and Korean beauty treatments.
Day 7: Seoul – A final beauty stop before heading home.

Seoul: The Ultimate K-Beauty Capital

We began our journey in Seoul, South Korea’s vibrant and endlessly fascinating capital. If you’re interested in beauty, this is somewhere you really need to experience. There are beauty clinics, hair salons and skincare shops on practically every corner. The choice of treatments and products is extraordinary.

Where to stay?

We based ourselves at the beautiful Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel. It was a wonderful place to return to after our busy days exploring. The hotel has stunning interiors, a gorgeous swimming pool and an excellent breakfast. I particularly loved its sophisticated design and overlooking Seokchon Lake, which at this time of year (Nov) is surrounded by autumnal leaves.

Day 1 – Arriving in Seoul and discovering K-Beauty

One of my first recommendations for anyone visiting Korea is Olive Young. Think of it as Korea’s answer to a giant beauty department store, with branches all over the city. It’s an absolute must for skincare lovers.

Inside, you’ll find everything from innovative serums and moisturisers to the latest makeup, haircare and beauty gadgets. If you’ve ever wanted to achieve that coveted Korean glass-skin look, this is the place to stock up. Prices are generally very reasonable compared with what similar products cost back home in the UK.

I’d recommend visiting OLIVE YOUNG N Seongsu, a fantastic flagship store in one of Seoul’s trendiest neighbourhoods.

Day 2 – Celebrity hair salons, K-pop makeovers and Gangnam

One of the highlights of my trip was discovering just how seriously Korea takes its hair and beauty industry.

We began at Lee Moon Won Korean Medicine Clinic & Spa, a specialist hair and scalp clinic in Gangnam. Having experienced a little hair loss recently, I was particularly interested in their approach to scalp health.

The experience started with a detailed consultation and scalp analysis. I then enjoyed their incredible 12-step phyto head spa. No chemicals or hormones, all natural. It was wonderfully relaxing, and my hair genuinely felt amazing afterwards, thicker, glossier and better than it had in years. Followed by a blow dry and styling session. It’s my honest recommendation if you’re looking to give your hair and scalp some extra attention. I loved it.

Website: Lee Moon Won

Next up was Jenny House, one of Korea’s most famous celebrity hair and makeup salons. If you’ve ever watched a K-drama or followed the world of K-pop, you’ll probably recognise the name.

This is where Korean celebrities come to have their hair and makeup professionally styled. Stepping inside felt like entering the backstage world of the entertainment industry.

We experienced the full K-pop hair and makeup treatment. The talented team created a beautifully polished, camera-ready look. There’s a real art to Korean beauty styling, from perfectly finished hair to fresh, flawless makeup. It is slightly on the expensive side, as it’s an upmarket experience but it was such fun!

Website: Jenny House

For the evening, I’d recommend heading to either Gangnam or Seongsu. Gangnam is the more polished, upscale side of Seoul, with designer boutiques, luxury shopping and glamorous restaurants. It has some great speakeasy style bars. It’s also the neighbourhood made famous by the song Gangnam Style. It’s the equivalent to LA’s Rodeo Drive or London’s Sloane Street.

Seongsu has a completely different feel. Once an industrial warehouse district, it’s now one of the city’s coolest creative neighbourhoods. Expect independent boutiques, concept stores, galleries, cafés and stylish bars.

Day 3 – Traditional Hanbok dressing, palaces and a Korean herbal spa

This was probably my favourite day of the entire trip!

We began with a visit to Cham Hanbok, where we were dressed in beautiful traditional Korean Hanbok. We opted for the Premium Line, and the team helped us select our outfits and complete the look with traditional hairstyling. I felt as though I’d stepped straight into a historical Korean drama.

Once dressed, we headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of Seoul’s most beautiful historical landmarks.

Wandering around the palace in full traditional dress was such a special experience. The architecture, courtyards and gardens are stunning. There’s also a lovely bonus: visitors wearing a complete traditional Hanbok can enter the palace free of charge. We had around two hours to explore and take photographs.

Honestly, if you enjoy dressing up, this is an absolute must.

Next, we visited Bukchon Hanok Village, one of Seoul’s most atmospheric historic neighbourhoods. Here you’ll find traditional Korean architecture, beautiful old Hanok houses and tiled rooftops set against the backdrop of the modern city. I loved the contrast between old and new Seoul.

We rounded off the day at Yeo Yong Guk Korean Oriental Medicine Spa. We began with a consultation to establish our individual body types, followed by a traditional full-body massage and facial, using techniques and herbal treatments tailored to our needs. It was the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing.

Website: Yeo Yong Guk Korean Spa

Daegu: A Different Side of Korea

Day 4 – Forest meditation and a traditional Korean tea ceremony

After Seoul, we travelled by car approximately three hours south to Daegu. It was a lovely opportunity to see a different side of Korea, away from the bright lights and bustling beauty clinics of the capital.

Our first stop was Sayuwon, a spectacular garden and forest retreat designed around contemplation and reconnecting with nature.

I absolutely loved this experience. We spent time walking through the beautifully landscaped grounds, surrounded by magnificent trees, striking architecture and peaceful gardens. We also enjoyed a meditation walk through the forest. It was incredibly calming after several busy days in Seoul.

Website: Sayuwon

Another highlight was a private tea ceremony at Banheojae. This was a lovely cultural experience, introducing us to the traditions and rituals of Korean tea.

I’d always been familiar with Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies, so it was fascinating to experience the Korean interpretation. The ceremony was accompanied by meditation, making it a wonderfully peaceful way to spend the afternoon.

I found this day particularly special. It showed another side of Korean wellness, one centred on mindfulness, nature and finding a little balance.

After Daegu, we continued our journey south for approximately another two hours to Busan.

Busan: Coastal Wellness and a More Relaxed Side of Korea

Day 5 – Temples, beach yoga, ocean views and a river cruise

We stayed at Paradise Hotel Busan with its hot spring experience and infinity pools over looking the ocean. It’s a beautiful hotel, I wish we could have stayed longer.

I think 2 night in Busan would have been great.

Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city, but it has a completely different atmosphere to Seoul. Situated on the coast, it’s much more relaxed, with beautiful beaches, ocean views, colourful neighbourhoods and a wonderful café culture.

One of our first stops was Beomeosa Temple, a spectacular Buddhist temple nestled in the mountains above the city. Surrounded by lush forest, it’s a wonderful sanctuary away from the city. I loved wandering around the temple grounds and taking in the peaceful atmosphere.

This was one of my Busan highlights. There was something so magical, peaceful and calming about the temple.

We then enjoyed one of my favourite wellness experiences in Busan: a beachside yoga session with Harbour Yoga and Movement.

There’s something rather special about practising yoga beside the ocean, listening to the waves and feeling the sea breeze. It was such a lovely experience and a completely different way to enjoy the city.

In the evening, we enjoyed a Haeundae River Cruise, which was such a fun way to see another side of Busan. The boat travels along the river and out towards the sea, with spectacular views of the city’s skyline. One of the highlights was a fireworks display from the boat, which made the experience feel really magical.

Website: Haeundae River Cruise

The rest of the day is perfect for exploring Busan’s coastal areas, stopping at gorgeous cafés and enjoying its laid-back atmosphere.

If you have time you could check out the famous cute, colourful, monorail, it was a little far from our hotel so we didn’t have time unfortunately.

Day 6 – Korean dermatology, beauty treatments. Save the treatments for the last day.

Of course, no K-Beauty trip would be complete without exploring Korea’s advanced skincare and aesthetic industry.

In Busan, we visited Gowoonsesang Kim Yang-che & Jang Bong-seok Dermatology Clinic, a specialist clinic offering skin consultations and aesthetic treatments.

I had an LDM treatment, which uses ultrasound technology and high-frequency vibration to work on the skin. It was another fascinating insight into the innovations that have made Korea such an exciting destination for skincare.

If you’re interested invasive and non invasive treatments, such as Botox, Xerf, fillers, injectables as well as ultrasound and other aesthetic treatments, saving these for your last day might be better if you want to take photos while you’re away. As you may need to factor in downtime for some clinical procedures which can cause bruising, redness or swelling.

Website: Gowoonsesang Dermatology

If you’re considering aesthetic procedures, I’d recommend researching clinics and booking a consultation in advance. Make sure you understand the procedure, how long it takes, if it’s right for you, aftercare and potential recovery time.

We also explored Gukje Market and BIFF Square, one of Busan’s liveliest areas. It’s a vibrant cultural and entertainment district, with cinemas, restaurants, street food and plenty of shops. It’s particularly atmospheric in the evening when everything comes alive.

Day 7 – Back to Seoul and the final beauty stop

Depending on your flight arrangements, I’d recommend allowing time to return to Seoul before heading home.

This is also the perfect opportunity for some final beauty shopping or treatments. If you’re considering lasers, injectables or more intensive procedures, think carefully about when you schedule them.

Some treatments can cause redness, swelling or bruising. Scheduling them towards the end of your trip may be a sensible option, provided you allow enough time for recovery before flying home. Always follow your clinician’s advice about aftercare and travelling.

And, of course, leave a little room in your suitcase for all those Olive Young purchases! I actually had to pay for excess luggage after my trip!!

Planning Your Korea Wellness Trip

Do you need seven days?

We fitted a lot into this itinerary, so don’t feel you need to do absolutely everything. I’d recommend three or four nights in Seoul, one day in Daegu and two nights in Busan.

Can you skip Daegu?

Absolutely. We included Daegu partly to break up the journey between Seoul and Busan and experience a more traditional side of Korea. If you’re short on time, you can travel directly from Seoul to Busan by high-speed train. You’ll still have a fantastic trip. I would have loved 2 nights in Busan.

I hope you’ve enjoyed following my journey through Korea. From the incredible K-Beauty treatments in Seoul to the peaceful forests of Daegu and the beautiful coastline of Busan, there’s so much more to this destination than meets the eye.

If you’re planning a trip to Korea, I’d thoroughly recommend adding a little wellness and beauty into your itinerary.