Rising Travel Destinations in Korea You Need to Visit in 2025

If you've been waiting for the perfect excuse to start planning your next getaway, 2025 might just be your year. As international travel slowly returns to normal but local wanderlust remains strong, more Koreans — and international visitors in the know — are turning their eyes inward, discovering the beauty of domestic destinations in South Korea that offer just as much charm, depth, and variety as any overseas trip.

From nature-based retreats designed for families and pets, to urban one-day escapes packed with culture and convenience, and even literary pilgrimages and baseball fan tours — the rise of "themed travel" is unmistakable. This year’s trending cities aren’t just popular; they’re shaping how we think about travel in Korea altogether.

Whether you’re into cozy forest walks, wellness spas, local eats, or literary discovery, this guide will take you through seven rising destinations making waves in 2025, plus three up-and-coming cities you’ll want on your radar before they blow up. Trust us — you’ll want to bookmark this.

Let’s dive into the places that are redefining what it means to travel in Korea, one meaningful (and Instagram-worthy) step at a time.