The 15 Best Day Trips from Gyeongju
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 15 good day trips from Gyeongju, South Korea, led by Busan, Daegu, Ulsan. The closest is Pohang, about 40 min by car, and 3 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 15 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Gyeongju
- 1
Busan, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car84 km south of GyeongjuWhat travelers see in Busan
- Beomeosa Temple - Beomeosa Temple offers a serene atmosphere amidst nature, showcasing traditional Korean architecture and significant Buddhist heritage.
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple - This seaside temple beautifully combines spiritual heritage with stunning ocean views, making it a unique and serene location for visitors.
- Haeundae Beach - Haeundae Beach is known for its beautiful sandy shores and vibrant atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and leisure.
- 2
Daegu, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car56 km west of GyeongjuKnown for 이월드 E World.
- 3
Ulsan, South Korea
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car35 km south of GyeongjuKnown for 울산왜성.
- 4
Changwon, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car84 km south-west of GyeongjuKnown for 다독다독 동물병원.
- 5
Kimhae, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car74 km south-west of Gyeongju - 6
Pohang, South Korea
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car25 km north-east of Gyeongju - 7
Gumi, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car84 km west of Gyeongju - 8
Yangsan, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car58 km south of Gyeongju - 9
Chinju, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car125 km south-west of Gyeongju - 10
Gyeongsan-si, South Korea
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car43 km west of Gyeongju - 11
Geoje, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car123 km south of Gyeongju - 12
Gijang, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car67 km south of Gyeongju - 13
Andong, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car92 km north-west of Gyeongju - 14
Gimcheon, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car103 km west of Gyeongju - 15
Sangju, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car114 km north-west of Gyeongju
A sample day: Gyeongju to Busan
- 08:30Leave Gyeongju
- 09:50Arrive in Busan (1 hr 20 min drive)
- 10:05Beomeosa Temple
- 12:05Lunch
- 13:20Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- 15:05Haeundae Beach
- 16:35Head back to Gyeongju
- 17:55Home in Gyeongju
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Gyeongju?
- The best day trips from Gyeongju are Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Changwon, Kimhae. The closest is Pohang, about 40 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Gyeongju?
- Pohang is the closest, 25 km north-east of Gyeongju, roughly 40 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Gyeongju?
- 3 places are within about an hour's drive of Gyeongju: Pohang (40 min), Ulsan (40 min), Gyeongsan-si (50 min).
- What is the biggest city near Gyeongju for a day out?
- Busan is the largest city in day-trip range, 84 km south of Gyeongju and about 1 hr 20 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Gyeongju?
- For a weekend away from Gyeongju, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Chinju (125 km, 1 hr 55 min), Geoje (123 km, 1 hr 55 min), Sangju (114 km, 1 hr 45 min), Gimcheon (103 km, 1 hr 35 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Gyeongju?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Chinju at 125 km, around 1 hr 55 min by car.
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