You can find some of the most beautiful corners of a country by veering off the beaten path and this is certainly true of South Korea. I have endlessly enjoyed stepping away from the main roads to explore the beautiful Korean side streets. Like many travelers, I can’t resist snapping countless shots on a trip. Some of my favorite pictures of South Korea I’ve captured are of these quaint, characterful alleyways. From gritty, dark twisting passages, to jumbles of old signs, bright lights, potted plants, and tiny cafes, I find endless little details to enjoy in these places. So I hope you will enjoy my little photo tribute to the alleys in South Korea.

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Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a marvel of a metropolitan city with sleek modern high rises and high-tech amenities. However, I think some of the most beautiful places are found in its older neighborhoods. It is also in old Korean neighborhoods you will find most of these wonderful narrow alleyways.

This street is in the Yongsan neighborhood in Seoul, which contains a lot of this charming older architecture. It is not far from beautiful Namsan Tower, a popular tourist spot in the city.

Bukchon Hanok Village is another popular tourist spot in Seoul. Hanok villages are neighborhoods of preserved or reconstructed traditional Korean homes or hanoks. Many more of these beautiful hanok villages can be found around Seoul. While its popularity can attract congesting throngs of tourists, it’s easy to find quieter nooks and crannies amongst its many beautiful alleys.

You can really enjoy the juxtaposition of the old and the new in neighborhoods like this. Not far over the traditional curving tiled roofs are more modern homes.

Exploring the alleys of South Korea is so fun because they are all quite distinct from each other. From the wider side streets with shops and cafes to the narrowest of residential corridors.

With Korea’s famously mountainous terrain, there are endless places to catch a beautiful view. Bukchon Hanok Village is in a particularly hilly area of Seoul where you can find some truly magical sunset watching spots.

Certainly a popular spot for Seoul street photography enthusiasts is Euljiro, an old neighborhood still retaining many of its narrow, cluttered streets from decades past.

At night, the glowing lights of the old mechanic shops create a rather cool, eerie atmosphere.

Seoul is quite a safe city with a notoriously low crime rate. I love being able to comfortably explore a city at night as a solo female traveler.

This peaceful street in Seochon Hanok village glows softly at night. This area has numerous restaurants and cafes popular with visitors and locals alike.

Yet more slices of historic Seoul can be found in Donuimun Village: a fascinating outdoor museum of a reconstructed old neighborhood giving a glimpse into Korean daily life during the mid-century.

When visiting South Korea, one shouldn’t forget to explore the many fantastic places outside of Seoul. One of the best day trips from Seoul I’ve had was certainly Gyeongju. This southeastern city is full of historic landmarks. While I captured many photos of the more famous sites, I also delighted in capturing quiet moments like this one.

Possibly the most popular destination outside of Seoul is the Busan, a beautiful city on the southern coast. Gamcheon Culture Village is a highlight of this city with it’s amazingly colorful terraced houses. I found these vivid colors irresistible to capture in photos.

When I explore the alleys in South Korea, I find countless beautiful surprises. These little streets are treasure troves of diverse architecture, delicious eateries, art galleries, and charming homes. I believe these less assuming little corners are where you find a country’s heart and soul.

I hope you enjoyed my travel photography of South Korea! Explore more stories below for plenty more colorful images and Korea travel ideas. Don’t forget to check out my packing list for South Korea if you plan to make the journey to explore this amazing country.