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Based on data as of August 1, 2026, rankings of interest in travel destinations in 162 cities, counties, and districts nationwide were compiled. As the summer vacation peak season reached its zenith, interest in 154 out of the 162 regions rose simultaneously in this month, with the increase being particularly pronounced in the East Coast, island regions, and highland resorts.
View July 2026 travel destination rankings
August South Korean Travel Destinations Interest Ranking
| ranking | region | zone | Interest | Change amount | rate of change | Ranking changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | busan | metropolitan city | 46,900 | +11,700 | +33.2% | — |
| 2 | Ulleungdo | Gyeongbuk | 44,800 | +14,540 | +48.1% | — |
| 3 | Gunsan | Jeonbuk | 30,160 | +7,480 | +33% | — |
| 4 | Gangneung | Gangwon | 26,250 | +5,000 | +23.5% | ▲2 |
| 5 | race | Gyeongbuk | 25,320 | +3,430 | +15.7% | — |
| 6 | chief mourner | chief mourner | 25,300 | +2,740 | +12.1% | ▼2 |
| 7 | Mokpo | Jeonnam | 25,160 | +6,870 | +37.6% | — |
| 8 | complement | Jeonnam | 23,410 | +6,680 | +39.9% | — |
| 9 | Sokcho | Gangwon | 20,250 | +4,780 | +30.9% | — |
| 10 | Tongyeong | Gyeongnam | 19,990 | +5,280 | +35.9% | — |
| 11 | seoul | metropolitan city | 16,770 | +5,110 | +43.8% | ▲4 |
| 12 | Namhae | Gyeongnam | 16,760 | +3,210 | +23.7% | ▼1 |
| 13 | electrification | metropolitan city | 16,670 | +3,320 | +24.9% | ▼1 |
| 14 | Jeonju | Jeonbuk | 15,060 | +2,820 | +23% | — |
| 15 | princess | Chungnam | 13,910 | +1,210 | +9.5% | ▼2 |
| 16 | daegu | metropolitan city | 11,360 | +1,350 | +13.5% | — |
| 17 | Samcheok | Gangwon | 11,100 | +3,330 | +42.9% | ▲2 |
| 18 | Danyang | Chungbuk | 10,410 | +1,030 | +11% | ▼1 |
| 19 | Pohang | Gyeongbuk | 10,180 | +2,620 | +34.7% | ▲1 |
| 20 | Chuncheon | Gangwon | 9,650 | +1,430 | +17.4% | ▼2 |
| 21 | Taebaek | Gangwon | 9,390 | +6,570 | +233% | ▲32 |
| 22 | Geoje | Gyeongnam | 9,290 | +2,820 | +43.6% | ▲1 |
| 23 | Yeongwol | Gangwon | 8,680 | +2,440 | +39.1% | ▲1 |
| 24 | Uljin | Gyeongbuk | 8,240 | +3,910 | +90.3% | ▲13 |
| 25 | Andong | Gyeongbuk | 8,190 | +1,570 | +23.7% | ▼3 |
| 26 | Jecheon | Chungbuk | 7,900 | +830 | +11.7% | ▼5 |
| 27 | Ulsan | metropolitan city | 7,630 | +1,560 | +25.7% | ▼2 |
| 28 | Chungju | Chungbuk | 6,990 | +2,240 | +47.2% | ▲3 |
| 28 | Taean | Chungnam | 6,990 | +1,290 | +22.6% | — |
| 30 | gwangju | metropolitan city | 6,610 | +930 | +16.4% | ▼1 |
Data collected as of August 1 (Change from July 1) | Go to check real-time rankings →
Travel Destinations to Watch This Month
Among the top-ranking and rapidly rising regions in August, we selected four places with clear reasons to visit this month.
Taebaek — Ranked 21st nationwide · Interest 9,390
Taebaek is the region that saw the most dramatic movement nationwide this month. Interest more than tripled compared to the previous month, climbing 32 spots from 53rd to 21st place. The direct reason for this is the month-long 22nd Taebaek Sunflower Festival being held in Guwau Village, a plateau located at an altitude of around 800 meters. The festival features a sunflower field with one million blossoms, along with a cosmos hill, a pine forest walking trail, and an outdoor sculpture exhibition. Admission for adults is 7,000 won, and parking is free.
The festival grounds open at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM. Since the blooming status varies by weather, it is safer to check the photos for the day on the official website gallery before heading out. It would be a shame to leave this city after seeing only the sunflower fields; combining Samsuryeong Pass—the watershed of the Han, Nakdong, and Osipcheon rivers—with Geomnyongso Spring, the source of the Nakdong River, and Hwangji Pond in the heart of the city naturally fills up your day. Even in midsummer, daytime temperatures are lower than in the plains, making it a truly refreshing summer retreat.
Ulleungdo — 2nd in the nation · Interest 44,800
Ulleungdo ranked second nationwide, following Busan. Interest increased by 14,540 compared to the previous month, ranking first among 162 regions in terms of absolute growth. Thanks to its maritime climate, the average temperature remains between 18 and 25 degrees from June to September, making it noticeably cooler than inland cities, which served as a competitive advantage as a summer travel destination.
The main itinerary includes climbing Seonginbong Peak, the Haengnam Coastal Trail, Jeodong Candle Rock, and visiting Gwaneumdo and Jukdo islands; if the weather permits, the route extends to a round-trip ferry trip to Dokdo. However, August is the time when ferry services and accommodations fill up the earliest. Since ferry cancellations are frequent due to weather conditions, it is advisable to allow about a day of buffer time in your schedule. Additionally, if you plan to load a vehicle, you must arrive much earlier to account for the loading procedures, which begin two hours before departure.
Uljin — Ranked 24th nationwide · Interest 8,240
Uljin jumped from 37th to 24th place as interest increased by 90.31 TP3T. The driving force behind this rise is the inaugural month-long 'Wangpicheon Park Summerest 2026,' held to commemorate the opening of the newly created Wave Plaza at Wangpicheon Park. Wave Plaza is a water feature that replicates the rapids of Wangpicheon Stream in its landscaping; it operates as a water play area during the day and features lighting effects at night. Barbecue and beer markets, as well as busking performances, will also take place during the event.
During the festival period, visitors can receive up to 501 TP3T in local currency refunds for admission fees to facilities within the park, such as the Wangpicheon Cable Car, Uljin Aquarium, and Insect Travel Hall. Outside the park, the Jukbyeon Coastal Skyrail, Deungisan Skywalk, and Seongnyugul Cave—the largest limestone cave in Korea—are nearby, making it easy to plan a one-day itinerary. It is relatively less crowded compared to other places on the East Coast during the summer.
Boryeong — Ranked 59th nationwide · Interest 3,000
The 29th Boryeong Mud Festival will be held for 17 days in the area around Daecheon Beach. During the day, the Mud Experience Zone and Water Park Zone will be available, while in the evening, K-POP performances, a Hip Hop Festival, Mud Rock Festa, and a Drone Light Show will take place. Admission fees for the general zone vary by day of the week: 12,000 won from Monday to Thursday and 16,000 won from Friday to Sunday.
Since the daytime experience zone is closed for facility safety inspections on August 5th, it is best to avoid scheduling your visit on that day. A waterproof bag, towel, change of clothes, and aqua shoes are practically essential items to bring. Once you leave the festival grounds, Muchangpo Beach, where a sea path opens at low tide, and the Daecheon Port Fish Market are not far away, making it possible to plan a 2-day, 1-night itinerary that extends beyond just the mud experience.
Ranking data is based on monthly search volume and may differ from the actual number of visitors. A monthly summary update is scheduled. The travel destination maps for 162 cities, counties, and districts are Travel Map PageYou can check it at.
