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15 Best Things to Do in Daegu (South Korea)

In the days of the Joseon Dynasty, Daegu, at the confluence of the Nakdong and Geumho Rivers, was the seat of the powerful governor of the now defunct Gyeongsang province.

You can see his historic home and office at the Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park, which stages a changing of the guard ceremony on Saturdays in summer.

The city’s location at the junction of two important rivers gave rise to Seomun Market, which is famed for its fabrics, and is a street food mecca after nightfall.

Daegu’s cityscape is walled by mountains, which demand to be climbed not just for their views, but also Buddhist monuments like the fabulous Donghwasa temple and the 1,100-year-old Gatbawi Buddha, carved from granite on the same mountain.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Daegu :

1. Seomun Market

To give you a sense of its great age, Seomun Market was one of Korea’s three prime markets towards the end of the Joseon Dynasty.

An interesting detail is that, even though the market has grown to many times its original size, the names of the alleys, like Dakjeon and Hongdukkaejeon date back centuries.

Seomun Market, with more than 4,000 stores across several large buildings, is renowned for fabrics and textiles, be it clothing, linen, cotton, silk and satin, as well as haberdashery, handicrafts and silverware.

For out-of-towners charm lies in the street food at night, and there’s a mix of crowd-pleasers and more challenging delicacies.

True food explorers can try makchang-gui, grilled beef abomasum (fourth stomach of a cow), which is better than it sounds and is paired with a sauce made from soybean paste, peppers and scallions.

Mandu (fried dumplings) also come with a delicious sauce, while sujaebe is hand-torn noodle soup, dotori-muk is a seasoned acorn jelly and mu tteokbokki is the Daegu variation of Korea’s much-loved rice cakes.

2. Daegu National Museum

You can take a crash course in the culture and history of Daegu and North Gyeongsan Province at this absorbing museum in Suseong-gu.

There are three main indoor halls: The Archaeology Gallery is a chronology of Daegu, displaying artefacts from prehistory and up to the Three Kingdoms Period in the 7th century CE.

In the Art History Gallery you can pore over celadon and buncheong ceramics and find out about the region’s Buddhist culture through a variety of sculptures.

The Traditional Folk Life Gallery has examples of traditional Korean houses and curates pieces from the Seonbi culture and the history Yeongnam Area, making up today’s provinces of North and South Gyeongsang.

In the museum grounds, check out the five-storey stone pagoda, which was relocated here from the Jeongdosa Temple in North Gyeongsan and dates back to 1031. There’s also a collection of architectural fragments, dolmens, a Bronze Age house and a kiln from the Three Kingdoms Period.

3. Donghwasa

Palgong Mountain, on the border between Daegu and the North Gyeongsan Province is a favourite hiking destination, sprinkled with temples and shrines, and no shortage of places downwind to stop for food to recover from your exertions.

Most people beat a path to Donghwasa, a Jogye Order temple on the southern slope, and with a history that can be tracked back to the end of the 5th century.

The current complex dates to 1732 after damage was inflicted during the Japanese invasions at the end of the 16th century.

The Daeungjeon (Main Hall) is reached by stairs with railings in the form of a dragon, and has beautiful columns and carvings beneath its eaves.

Inside are statues for Seokgamonibul (Gautama Buddha), Amitabul (Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Life), and Yaksayeoraebul (Medicine Buddha). See also the elevated Bell Pavilion, and the Bongseoru Hall (named for a phoenix), which leads down to a road that will deliver you to the 17-metre Seokjoyaksa Yeoraebul (Medicine Buddha). This remarkable statue was erected in the 20th-century as a prayer for Korean reunification.

Something to combine with your day-trip to Donghwasa, this amazing Buddha statue is also on Palgong Mountain and can be reached on a testing but rewarding climb from Gwanamsa Temple.

Gatbawi is a Korean National Treasure dating from Unified Silla in the 9th century CE.

Carved in situ from the granite on the east flank of the mountain, this seated Buddha is four metres tall, and on his head is a slab, 15 cm thick.

Some details to look for are the enlarged ears, the sturdy, slightly raised shoulders, the three wrinkles on the neck, and the left hand, thought to be holding a medicine jar (making him a Medicine Buddha).

5. Daegu Art Museum (DAM)

For first-rate exhibitions mostly in modern and contemporary art, Suseong-gu’s enormous DAM was completed in 2011. The museum has a solid collection of its own, but the temporary shows really stand out and change every couple of months so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on what’s on.

When we wrote this list in 2019 there had just been a solo exhibition for the prolific Alex Katz and a retrospective for Jeon Seon Taek, Daegu’s most important 20th-century artist.

DAM also has a reputation for shows touching on social themes, and 2018’s Renegades in Resistance and Change looked at how avant-garde art from the 1960s-80s and how it challenged authority and customs in South Korea.

The museum’s third floor has a library and a panoramic lounge where you can appreciate the city and its mountains.

6. Kim Kwang-seok Street

Daegu is the birthplace of the singer-songwriter Kim Kwang-seok (1964-1996) whose folk protest songs struck a chord with South Koreans in the 80s and 90s.

In 2010 a group of more than 20 artists, sculptors and designers got together to create a mural alley in his honour, beside the Bancheon Market in downtown Daegu.

Kim Kwang-seok lived in a house on this alley until the age of five.

There’s a little wooden platform with a statue of the singer with guitar at the north end, and on your walk you’ll see beautifully rendered portraits and murals, many with trompe-l’œil effect and inspired by his music.

A nice touch is a phone box that encourages you to make a call to a loved one and there are cafes and art shops to pique your interest.

7. 83 Tower (Woobang Tower)

The tower that catches your eye in all parts of Daegu opened in 1992 after eight years of construction.

83 Tower is just over 200 metres tall and is a date night go-to.

The elevator fires you up to the observation deck and the Grill by Ashley revolving restaurant in a matter of seconds where you’ll be met by the ultimate view of Daegu.

Tickets to the observatory are ₩10,000 for adults and ₩5,000 for kids, but there’s free entry if you book a table at the revolving restaurant.

At the base of the tower there’s a skating rink on the 2nd floor, and a Sky Garden on the 4th where you can pause for a coffee or cocktail.

8. Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park

The residence and office of the governor of the old Gyeongsang province in the days of the Joseon Dynasty has been turned into a park so it can be enjoyed by the public.

The oldest buildings at this Korean National Historic Site were built at the beginning of the 17th century.

You can view the Seonhwa-dang building where the governor worked, valued as one of the few surviving government buildings from the period in Korea, as well as the governor’s residence Jungcheong-gak.

These buildings are ensconced in lush forest with flowerbeds, a grass plaza and water features, all streaked with walking paths.

If you come on Saturday afternoons (13:30-16:00) between May and October (not including July) you can watch the time-honoured changing of the guard ceremony.

9. Apsan Park

The steep granite mountains that soar over the south side of Daegu are a walker’s dream.

Apsan Park encompasses the 600-metre mountain of the same name, while its valley is at the foot of two more peaks, Sanseong Mountain and Daedeok Mountain.

Something you have to do is catch the cable car up to the Apsan Observatory to see Daegu laid out far below.

At the lower station there’s a swimming pool, driving range and facilities for horseback riding and archery.

The Nakdong River Battle Museum is in the park and details the Korean War, with aircraft and tanks from the conflict on show outside.

Hikers can strike out on the park’s tangle of trails, to climb the two neighbouring mountains and seek out hidden Buddhist temples.

10. The ARC

On a green peninsula at the confluence of the Nakdong and Geumho Rivers is what looks like a giant upturned shell.

This is The ARC, in a cinematic natural setting with dark, wooded mountains on the horizon to the east, north and west.

The pavilion, clad with silver pillows and designed to evoke a skipping stone or Korean rice bowl was designed by New York’s Asymptote studio as part of the World Expo 2012. Inside there’s an exhibition on the Four River Restoration Project, safeguarding the ecology of the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeong San, and documenting the culture of Korea’s rivers.

The ARC is On the roof is an observation deck, which like the cafe is open all year round.

There are a few shops nearby (on the city side) where you can hire an electric bike for a ride next to the river.

11. Daegu Arboretum

In the south-western Dalseo-gu, the Daegu Arboretum is what used to be the city landfill.

Work began in 1998 and the arboretum, a free attraction, opened its doors in 2002. There are more than 1,750 species growing here, at greenhouses and beside rambling outdoor trails, and there’s also a hall for indoor exhibitions.

As you’d hope, spring and summer are a fine time to pay a visit, but the arboretum’s landmark event is the Chrysanthemum Festival across two weeks at the end of October and start of November.

During this event there are vibrant flowerbeds in white, yellow, red and pink, and children will love the dozens of sculptures of popular cartoon characters clad with blooms, all against the autumn colours of the arboretum’s trees.

12. Suseong Lake

Up against the mountains that border the city to the south, Suseong Lake is a body of water traced by parkland and places to eat and grab coffee, and with striking vistas of those wooded slopes.

The shoreline has recently been improved, and there’s a promenade all the way around with footbridges over wetland sites, as well as a small amusement park for children on the west side.

By day you rent a duck boat for a paddle and it’s worth lingering until the evening to catch the musical fountain show (20:00 and 21:00 May, August, September and October, 20:30 and 21:30 June and July).

13. Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine

Daegu Yangnyeongsi is a sort of wholesale market for medicinal herbs, founded in 1658, and at that time traded twice a year, in spring and autumn.

It was part of a nationwide initiative to make the supply of oriental medicine ingredients more efficient.

Originally Daegu Yangnyeongsi was set at the back of an inn by the north gate of Daegu Castle, but when this was destroyed in the Japanese occupation in 1908 it was moved to its current spot.

The museum above the wholesale market has exhibits in four languages.

The third floor details the history of oriental medicine, recreating a historic streetscape, with merchants’ inns, apothecaries and plant-pickers’ dwellings.

On show are brewing pots, acupuncture needles, tools for harvesting herbs and copies of historical books on oriental medicine.

The floor below has hands-on exhibits explaining the principles of Korean traditional medicine, from the five colours of Yin-Yang to the meridian system.

There’s also a “Practice Zone” with tips on everyday health, calisthenics and a “Make my Own Oriental Medicine” area.

14. Visit a Jjimjilbang

A part of daily life for many people, jjimjilbangs are large bathhouses, a bit like spas, open 24 hours.

They have typical Korean kiln saunas, steam rooms, heated pools and cold pools, jacuzzis, showers and massage tables.

These areas are segregated by sex, and what might take a little getting used to is that they require you to be naked.

Complementing the spa facilities are unisex spaces with exercise areas, clothed saunas, snack bars, large TVs, computer terminals, arcade games and also sleeping areas with ondol (under-floor heating). It is common for people to use these sleeping areas as overnight accommodation, if, for instance, their job is in the city and home is in the country, while tourists use jjimjilbangs as a cost-saving way to visit cities.

When you enter you’ll be given special clothes to wear in the communal areas, as well as a kind of charge card so you won’t have to use cash around the facility.

Two places to look into are Elybaden a 15 minutes on foot from Sangin station, and Seongwon Nexus in Manchon, not far from Dong Daegu station.

15. Biseulsan Recreational Forest

There are gorgeous sweeps of upland nature all around Daegu, but for a short period in spring, Biseulsan Recreational Forest on the city’s southern outskirts is the loveliest.

This is the Biseulsan Chamkkot Munhwa Festival in April/May, when a huge valley, reached after a stiff hike, is bedded with a sea of pink Weyrich azalea blooms.

It’s a sight that photos can’t do justice and will make the climb and the tricky journey before it (metro, bus ride and taxi) totally worth your while.

Head for Biseulsan Recreational Forest at other times for the strange rock formations, cliffs and to visit the Daegyeonsa Buddhist temple, a shooting location for several Korean TV series.

In winter there’s an Ice Garden, with sledding, ice slides, an ice cave and sculptures lit by LEDs.

15 Best Things to Do in Daegu (South Korea):

• Seomun Market
• Daegu National Museum
• Daegu Art Museum (DAM)
• Kim Kwang-seok Street
• 83 Tower (Woobang Tower)
• Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseong Lake
• Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine
• Visit a Jjimjilbang
• Biseulsan Recreational Forest

The Top 15 Things to Do in Daegu

Despite being South Korea’s fourth-largest city after Seoul, Incheon, and Busan, the southeastern city of Daegu was relatively unknown to foreign visitors until 2002, when it hosted the FIFA World Cup, and again in 2011 when it welcomed the IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

Since those two major events, the city has gained notoriety, thrusting its museums, parks, and historic sites into the tourism limelight. Only two hours south of Seoul on the KTX high-speed train, Daegu has what it takes to earn a spot on your South Korean itinerary.

Visit the Daegu National Museum

Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Featuring more than 30,000 artifacts, the Daegu National Museum showcases key archeological finds that have helped researchers understand the unique history of both Daegu and the Gyeongsangbuk-do province. History buffs will enjoy exhibits that span from the Neolithic era to the peninsula’s Three Kingdoms Period, and the more spiritually-minded will revel in the vast collection of Buddhist artworks on display.

Admission and parking are free, there are English language signs and interpretation services, and a wide range of activities is offered for visitors age 6 and above.

Taste a Korean Delicacy at Anjirang Gopchang Street

Kobiz Media / CC BY-NC 2.0 / Flickr

Gopchang is the grilled intestines of pork or cattle, and is Daegu’s traditional dish. The best place to try this delicacy is Anjirang Gopchang Street, which is well regarded as the city’s most popular gastronomic destination. Plastic chairs and tables line the sidewalks fronting over 50 eateries, all proffering steaming bowls of gopchang. Add a bottle of soju and you’ll fit right in with the locals.

Spend a Day With the Family at Daegu Safety Theme Park

Courtesy of Daegu Safety Theme Park

More of a learning center than a theme park, this unusual attraction is meant to train children how to handle emergencies such as subway accidents, or disaster situations like earthquakes and floods. Through an array of hands on activities, kids can simulate escaping from a crowded cinema or subway, and learn best practices to use should they ever experience a natural disaster.

Ride the Daegu Monorail

Daegu’s newest metro line is actually South Korea’s first monorail system. The picture windows and nearly 15 miles of elevated tracks make it the perfect vantage point from which to view the city, Geumhogang River, and the surrounding mountains. Not only does the monorail stop at 30 stations, making it a convenient transportation option, but at 1,400 won per ride, it’s also the most fun and least expensive way to sightsee in the city.

Walk the Grounds of Daegu Stadium

Built in May 2001 in preparation for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted by South Korea and Japan, Daegu Stadium is the city’s pride and joy. The massive event space holds 66,422 people, is South Korea’s third-largest stadium, and was graced by track star Usain Bolt who won the men’s 200-meter race during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in 2011.

Though it still hosts events regularly, most visitors to Daegu Stadium simply stroll the manicured grounds, grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafes, or explore the Daegu Sports Museum, which features memorabilia from sporting events held in the stadium.

Ride the Cable Car

For a laid-back, nature-filled afternoon, grab a cable car up Palgong Mountain. The ride provides picturesque views of the mountain’s craggy peaks and valleys, plus fiery autumn foliage, and bouquets of flowers in the spring. At the top is a simple restaurant, as well as viewing platforms from which to take in Daegu’s cityscape. There’s also a network of hiking trails crisscrossing the mountain, including one that leads to Dongwhasa Temple and the famed Gatbawi Buddha, a stone statue dating to the 7th century.

Wander Seomun Market

Despite enduring a tragic fire in 2016, Seomun Market is back in business and better than ever. Since 1920 this massive market has specialized in textiles, but over the years has added stalls hawking fish, kitchenware, and row after row of colorful hanboks (Korean traditional apparel).

Across the street from the original market is the lively Seomun Night Market . Offering street food from more than 65 vendors, it’s South Korea’s largest night market where you can find specialties such as kimchi mandu (dumplings), twigim (battered and fried vegetables or seafood), and seafood pajeon (pancakes).

See the City on a Double-Decker Bus

Minseong Kim, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Daegu has joined the ranks of many other major world metropolises that offer city tours via iconic red double-decker buses. For 10,000 won, you can hop on in front of Dongdaegu Train Station and ride the bus to the city’s top attractions such as the Daegu National Museum, Apsan Observatory, Suseong lake, and even to Daegu International Airport.

The ticket price allows hop on and hop off privileges from 9 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. on the same day.

Visit Korea's Oldest Herbal Medicine Market

This massive traditional medicine market is one of Korea’s oldest, dating from 1658. It’s thought that Chinese medicine first came to the Korean peninsula in the 10th century, but it wasn’t until the start of the Joseon Dynasty in the 14th century that the practice became a popular aspect of Korean culture. To this day, dozens of shops sell ingredients such as ginseng, dried mushrooms, and even deer antlers, and medical clinics offer cupping and acupuncture.

Curious visitors can also learn more about the history of traditional Korean medicine at the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine , or at the annual Daegu Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival , which takes place each May.

Pay Respects to the Gatbawi Buddha

Barnkim / Public Domain

One of Daegu’s main attractions is Gatbawi, aka the Stone Hat Seated Medicine Buddha, a 7th-century stone statue of Buddha set on Mount Palgong. Each day scores of people make the pilgrimage to this distinctive statue with a flat stone perched on its head, as this particular Buddha is said to grant one wish to each visitor who prays there. Unsurprisingly, visits to the deity spike during Korea’s annual college entrance exam period in late November, so expect crowds during that time

Enjoy Nature at Daegu Arboretum

If you need a break from city sightseeing, head for the serene green surrounds of Daegu Arboretum. An extensive green space built on a former landfill, filled with 60,000 trees, as well as various cacti and flowers, it’s hard to believe that the area was built on land that was once a garbage dump. The arboretum is filled with walking paths, picnic benches, and ample fields, so come prepared to spend a day out in nature.

Visit the Daegu Art Museum

Courtesy of Daegu Art Museum

Set in a sleek building in east Daegu, the Daegu Art Museum features modern and contemporary art through the specific lens of the city’s history and culture. Bright exhibition spaces mix the works of local and domestic artists with international pieces brought in through overseas exchanges.

Lectures and programs are available for all age groups, and there’s also an Art Information Center to lounge in while perusing art-related books.

Hike, Bike, or Relax at Suseong Lake

Despite being set in the midst of South Korea’s fourth-largest city, the man-made Suseong Lake happens to be one of the most peaceful destinations in all of Daegu. While you can rent a bike or paddleboat during the warmer months, it’s still a nice place to visit in cold weather, as various cafes surrounding the lake offer a warm respite, hot drinks, and tranquil water views.

From May through October, Suseong Lake is also the site of a nightly fountain show featuring music and flashing lights.

Tour the Grounds of Donghwasa Temple

Set on Palgong Mountain, Donghwasa is Daegu’s largest and oldest Buddhist temple. Although it was originally founded in the year 493, the current temple building dates from 1732. The temple grounds are known as the city’s most beautiful, and feature brightly painted traditional pavilions, as well as stone artifacts, and a 56-foot tall stone Buddha statue.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into Korean Buddhism, Dongwhasa offers temple stay retreats and programs that allow visitors to experience life as a monk through meditation, tea ceremonies, and cooking classes.

Get a Bird's Eye View of the City

One of the best views of downtown Daegu is from Apsan Park. Reached either by cable car or a heart-pumping one-hour hike, the summit features a viewing platform and a modest Korean restaurant. It’s worth noting that this area is known for its spectacularly colorful leaves in the fall, so plan accordingly.

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Top Things to Do in Daegu

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Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Daegu

Other Top Attractions around Daegu

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

• Seomun Market
• Daegu Duryu Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseongmot Lake
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• Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu
• UNESCO folk village Andong tour including soju museum from Seoul by KTX train
• Daegu Metro
• Kim Gwangseok Street

Living and traveling in Korea

A Guide To Daegu, Korea: What To See & Do

Did you know that Daegu is the hottest city in Korea? By hottest, I don’t mean the most popular place but rather that the weather is super hot. For this reason, it’s probably not the best idea to go in the summer, but there are still a lot of cool places to check out. Daegu isn’t a major tourist spot, but there are tourist attractions that are nice to see and probably won’t be too busy.

Check out this Daegu travel guide so you can plan a trip to this Korean city with 1000 year old Buddhist sites and traditional markets and some really cool cafes and restaurants to see in between.

Get ready for a trip to Daegu, Korea:

How To Get To Daegu

How to get around daegu, where to stay in daegu, what to know about daegu, suchang youth mansion (수창청춘맨숀), kim kwangseok-gil street (김광석 길 (김광석다시그리기길)), the arc cultural center (디아크문화관), donghwasa temple (daegu) (동화사(대구)), yangnyeongsi market (대구약령시), daegu alive aquarium, sparkland amusement park (스파크랜드), daegu e-world (이월드), e-world 83 tower (이월드 83타워), seomun market (서문시장), palgongsan cable car (팔공산 케이블카), paragliding, the daegu chimac festival (대구치맥페스티벌), daegu yangnyeongsi herbal medicine festival (대구약령시한방문화축제).

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Train: Daegu is easy to reach thanks to the KTX high-speed train system in South Korea. You can get to Daegu from Seoul in 1 hour and 40 minutes. The standard fares are W34,900 and you can book online on Let’s Korail .

Express Intercity Bus:  The express bus from Seoul to Daegu takes 3 and a half hours and costs W35,200. If you want to book your bus tickets in advance, take advantage of the Trazy service that will do it for you. 

On A Tour: There are some great tour options to Daegu that include a lot of highlights and make it super easy for you so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

• Currently only available on Wednesdays.

Daegu City Tour Bus: If you want to spend a day in Daegu and don’t want to worry about transportation but want to see the highlights, Daegu has a great city tour bus! The Daegu City Tour Bus stops at 12 different tourist spots comes around every hour between 9:00am and 6:00pm. 

• You can buy your bus tickets in advance on Trazy .
• Departure Hours: Buses depart from Dongdaegu Train Station at the top of every hour for the first 7 hours starting at 9:00am.
• Stops Include: Daegu Samsung Creative Campus & Daegu Opera House, Kim Gwang-Seok Road, Dongseongno, Modern Culture Alley, Cheongna Hill Station, Seomun Market, E-World & Duryu Park, Anjirang Gopchang Alley, Mt. Apsan Observatory, Suseongmot Lake, Daegu National Museum.
• Days: This tour bus runs every day except for Monday.
• The city tour buses operate on single decker buses generally but do run double-decker buses one time per day.

Standard/Electric Bikes: Taking a bike is a great way to see more of a city. You can pick these bikes up from Yoo Hoo Bike. The rental includes the bike, helmet, and a bike lock. 

• You can pre-book and ensure you have a bike there for you on Trazy .
• Hours:  December – February: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; March – November: 9:00am ~ 9:00pm

Daegu Marriott Hotel

Marriott Hotels are always a great choice for any weekend away in my opinion. There is great food on site, the beds are so comfortable, and you’ll always feel taken care of. This hotel is very close to Dongdaegu Station as well so great for arriving and checking right in. It’s a very convenient location and the staff are friendly, attentive, and helpful.

If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, book directly on Marriott.com . Or, check the rates at Daegu Marriott Hotel on Booking.com or Agoda.com .

Daegu February Hotel Dongseongro

A boutique hotel with a ton of photo-ops, but also great helpful staff, Daegu February Hotel Dongseongro is in a great location downtown. The rooms are comfortable and there are some lovely places and spaces to sit and chat with your traveling mates in the hotel. The fitness center has great facilities and the decor is thoughtful.

Definitely check out this hotel on Booking.com or Agoda.com

Daegu is the third largest city in South Korea with a population of 2.5 million people. It was known originally as Dalgubeol, and given the name Daegu in 757. It was well known from 1960-80 for it’s electronics industry. It’s nicknamed the Apple City, because it’s humid climate is perfect for growing quality apples. Now, Daegu is still known for technology but is also known for textiles and fashion and well known in the summer among locals as the hottest place in Korea. 

What To See

Daegu isn’t often talked about as a tourist destination, but there are some really interesting places to see. If you want to do something different this weekend, head to Daegu and see what you can find. Here are some great things to see in Daegu, Korea.

Suchang Youth Mansion is an exhibition space for young artists in Daegu to show their work. It was originally a residence for mobile service company KT’s factory workers. It was used for this purpose from 1976 to 1996 and then was abandoned for 20 years. In 2016, the city of Daegu renovated it to be used as an art space. It officially opened in 2017. It now hosts various exhibitions that are available for free.

• Address: 27 Dalseong-ro 22-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu (대구 중구 달성로22길 27)
• Days: Closed Mondays
• Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Admission: Free

This mural street near Bangcheon Market is dedicated to Kim Kwang Seok, a famous Korean folk musician dubbed “Korea’s Bob Dylan” by some. Even if you don’t know his music, you can hear it here as there are often musicians busking his songs but also the cafes in the area are commonly playing the songs too.

Born in Daegu in 1964, Kim Kwang Seok produced four popular albums in the 1980s and early 1990s, and people were moved by the emotions he conveyed in his songs about social issues. If you visit you’ll find 70 fun murals along a 350-meter-long road, cafes, restaurants, and often live music. It’s a great area to spend some time and you can eat in nearby Bang Chun Market.

• Address: 6-11 Daebong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu (대구 중구 대봉동 6-11)

The ARC, Advanced Research Center, is a picturesque upside-down seashell. This photo-op with mountains to the east, north, and west is giant and a must-see if you’re interested in architecture. The Aymptote Studio out of New York created the pavilion for the World Expo in 2012. Visit the museum inside to learn about the Four River Restoration Project aiming to protect the ecosystem of Korea’s four major rivers – the Han River, the Nakdong River, the Geum River, the Yeong San River. Head to the top for the roof-top observation deck which is open year round and has a nice cafe there too.

• Address:  57 Gangjeongbon-gil, Dalseong-gun, Daegu (대구광역시 달성군 다사읍 강정본길 57 디아크문화관)
• Hours:  Tuesdays – Sundays: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Days:  Closed Mondays and New Year’s Day
• Admission:  Free

Located on the southern side of Palgongsan Mountain, the temple you can visit today was built in 1732 though the original temple on the site was built in the 15th year of King Soji’s reign, AD 493. The main hall is beautiful but the most distinctive part of the temple complex is the huge Unification Medicine Buddha statue that towers over the temple grounds. She is amazingly beautiful. Definitely a must see as far as temples go. If you have the time, they also have a temple stay program you can join.

• Address: 1 Donghwasa 1-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu (대구 동구 동화사1길 1)
• Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

The Daegu Yangnyeongsi Market is the oldest oriental medicine market in Korea. (There is also a Seoul Yangnyeongsi Market , FYI.) This market was established in 1658 and is a sight to see. There are snakes, turtle shells, bees, and honeycomb sitting aside ginseng, tree bark, and more. Do you have an ailment? There’s a traditional remedy in this market for you somewhere. There is a lot to learn about Korean holistic medicine and this is the place to do it if you’re interested.

• Address:  51-1 Namseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 중구 남성로 51-1)
• Days:  Closed Mondays, January 1st, Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok

This is the only aquarium in Daegu. There are some great aquariums in Korea and if you have kids that love their fishy friends or are interested in learning about them, this is a great place to go. This aquarium is located on the 9th floor of the Shinsegae Department Store so you’ll probably end up doing a little shopping too. 

• Closed the first Monday of every month.
• Buy your tickets online before you go because you can take advantage of great discounts. You can get discounted tickets for Daegu Alive Aquarium on Trazy .

Sparkland is located on the top three floors of Spark Mall. There are two different park sections, the Blue Zone and the Red Zone. Tickets can be bought for either park, or an all-park pass can be bought for a discount. The Red Zone is outside and includes your usual amusement park attractions, like a ferris wheel or a merry-go-round.

My favorite ride to go on when we visited was the sky swing. This swing fits four people at a time and swings out over the side of the building. It’s pretty simple, but still fun to go on with your friends. Most of the bigger rides in the Red Zone open at 4:00pm, so if you want to go there, it’s best to go in the evening.

The Blue Zone is indoors and has more tech-based attractions, so it’s much more like an arcade than an amusement park. There are three different VR experiences, which are very popular lately. There’s also virtual archery and firearm shooting, and a virtual baseball batting section. There’s even a section of more active attractions akin to obstacle courses and climbing walls.

• Address: 7~9th floor, Taewangspark, 61 Dongseong-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu (대구 중구 동성로6길 61 태왕스파크 7~9층)
• Days: Every Day
• Blue Zone: Weekdays: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm; Weekends and Holidays: 11:30am ~ 10:00pm
• Red Zone: Mondays – Thursdays: 12:00pm ~ 10:00pm; Fridays: 12:00pm ~ 11:00pm; Sundays: 11:30am ~ 10:00pm
• Admission: Ranges from W13,000 to W35,000 depending on how long you want to stay, which zone you want to be in, and how many rides you want to go on.
• Note: If you only have an hour, the 3 ride Red Zone pass for W11,000 is a good pick)

Want a major amusement park experience? Daegu’s E-World is made up of 4 outdoor amusement parks: Fantasy World, Magic World, Adventure World, and Dynamic World. Let the kids jump onto the Flying Elephant, Cocomong Airplane, Cocomongn Ferris Wheel, and Merry Go Round, eat some lunch and then check out the Boomerang, Magic Express. If you’ve got bigger kids or want something for you, jump onto the Cambel Back rollercoaster, Top Spin, Viking, Tambourine, Hurricane, and definitely don’t miss the Megaswing 360.

• Address:  200 Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 달서구 두류공원로 200 (두류동))
• Hours:  10:30am ~ 9:00pm
• Make sure to buy tickets online before you go to take advantage of the discounts online. Trazy has discounted combo tickets to Daegu’s E World and 83 Tower . They also offer discounted tickets to evening entrance.

Take in the city views from this symbol of Daegu. The tower has a revolving restaurant and sky lounge where you can have food and views all in one go. 

• Address: 200 Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu (대구광역시 달서구 두류공원로 200 (두류동))
• Make sure to buy tickets online before you go to take advantage of the discounts online. Trazy has discounted tickets to 83 Tower . Additionally, they offer a combo ticket if you plan to visit 83 Tower and E-World.
• Note that you can get a 50% discount on the last Wednesday of the month which is Culture Day in Korea.

Seomun Market is the biggest market in Gyeongsang Province, where Daegu is located, and the night market, that opened in 2016, is the largest in all of Korea. There are sections selling jewelry and clothes, but the real attraction at the night market is the food. While you’re there, you should definitely try yukjeon (육전), which is pan-fried battered beef.

There’s also a stage at the market where you might see a performance. It’s perfect to watch while you’re eating, and super entertaining too. While we were there, there was a hiphop dance performance going on, but according to the website, there’s also traditional music and lightshows, so it seems there’s a lot of variety in the kinds of performances put on at the market.

• Address: 65 Keunjang-ro 26-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu (대구 중구 큰장로26길 65)
• Hours: Summer: Sundays – Thursdays: 9:00am ~ 11:30pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 9:00pm ~ 12:00am; Winter: Sundays – Thursdays: 9:00am ~ 10:30pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 9:00am ~ 11:30pm

Grab a ticket and take the cable car up to the top of Mt. Palgong which is a sacred site in northeastern Daegu. There are Buddhist temples, Confucian traces, and even Catholic religious sites on this mountain. The cable car will take you up to the top of Sinnimbong Peak of Palgongsan Mountain. If you like cable car rides, there are a ton in Korea to choose from. Check out this guide to 18 cable cars in Korea to find . 

• Address: 51 Palgongsan-ro 185-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu (대구 동구 팔공산로185길 51)
• Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays: 9:30am ~ 5:00pm-7:00pm. The closing time changes depending on the season.
• Admission: Adults: One way: W7,500; Round Trip: W11,000; Children: One Way: W4,000; Round Trip: W6,000

Korea has some spectacular places to paraglide. With numerous mountains to leap off of, you can get some amazing views and feel like you’re flying through the sky. In Daegu, you can glide through the air safely attached to an experienced instructor and see Daegu from above. Additionally, they take some fun pictures and video of you… will you be screaming or smiling?

• You can book this experience on Trazy to ensure they have a time reserved for you.

Daegu Events To Check Out

Most places in Korea have some sort of traditional claim to fame like Jeonju and bibimbap for example. Daegu… well, Daegu is famous for their fried chicken and beer. I’m not really sure if they’re famous for it actually, but they did claim the duo for their own festival. The annual chicken/beer festival takes place in July and as you can imagine there is a lot of eating and drinking and drinking and eating and it’s in the summer when Daegu is the hottest of the hot. Get ready for some fun!

• When:  Usually in July

As mentioned above, the Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Market is the largest herbal medicine market in the country and has a great festival to celebrate their holistic know-how. Visit and try a variety of holistic herbal experiences from relaxing to curative. I’ve visited the festival at the Seoul Yangnyeongsi Market and there was so much to learn and it was really a great experience so do check it out if you can.

• When:  Usually in the beginning of May.

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Hi Hallie, I’m preparing to go on holidays to Korea and your blog has been very helpful, thank you very much for your work! I will spend a couple of weeks in the country, stopping in Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan. I would also like to add one more stop between Seoul and Gyeongju, I am doubting between Andong (including the Hahoe Folk Village) or Daegu (including the Haeinsa Temple), which one would you recommend more? It is my first time visiting Korea. Thank you!

Hallie Bradley

Oh two very good choices. If you’ve got a whole day, the Andong Hahoe Village would be a good stop I think. Plenty to do there and see and nice places to sit by the river and relax too. I hope you have a great trip to Korea!

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Things To Do In Daegu, South Korea

· Updated April 12, 2023 THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS

Daegu is probably not the first city that comes to mind when travelling in South Korea but it has surprisingly many Daegu tourist attractions . Most of the fun things to do in Daegu are located in the city center, easily accessible by subway or walking. If you’re looking to escape into nature, Daegu is the right place to go. Read on to find out what to do in Daegu in this Daegu travel guide.

Quick Facts About Daegu, South Korea

Things to know when going to daegu, tours to daegu from seoul or busan, 1. e world daegu, 2. the alive aquarium, 3. daegu spa valley, 4. daegu modern alley, 5. gatbawi stone buddha, 6. kim gwangseok-gil street, 7. daegu art museum, 8. teddy bear museum, 9. apsan park, 10. cosmetics making experience, 11. more daegu sightseeing spots, 1. e-world starlight cherry blossom festival, 2. daegu chicken & beer, 1. seoul to daegu by train, 2. seoul to daegu by bus, 3. busan to daegu, 4. gyeongju to daegu, best luxury hotels in daegu, best mid-range hotels in daegu, best low-cost hotels in daegu, best places to eat in daegu, frequently asked questions.

• Daegu located in the middle of South Korea is the 4 biggest city after Seoul , Incheon and Busan , with more than 2 million inhabitants.
• The most popular Daegu attractions are the Gatbawi buddha, Donghwasa temple, the many churches , E World Daegu, the modern alley and many other Daegu tourist spots!
• The KTX Seoul to Daegu is the easiest way of getting to the center of this metropolitan city.
• What To Wear In Daegu  – Daegu is often referred to as Daefrica as it is much hotter than the rest of the country, especially in summer.  Check what to pack for Daegu here.
• Travel Adapters  – The power outlets in Daegu are the same ones as used in mainland Europe. Make sure to bring the right  travel adapters .
• Getting To Daegu  – Daegu is easily accessible as it has a KTX station and express bus terminal. If you are traveling through Korea by train, consider buying a rail pass. This is much cheaper than buying individual tickets. Find more info here .
• Transportation Card  – Daegu has a subway system and public buses. The easiest way to get around is by using a T Money transport card.  Buy card here .
• Foreigner Discounts  – Many of the attractions in Daegu have discounted offers available online. Check  Trazy  or  Klook  for the best foreigner deals.

Even though visiting Daegu by yourself is quite easy, some people prefer a package trip. Below are some of the best one or 2 day trips to Daegu.

• Daegu 83 Tower and Donghwasa Temple Private Day Tour 
• 2D1N Daegu Tour From Seoul
• Daegu E-World Day Trip From Busan

Things To Do In Daegu

Daegu is often left out when people are planning their Korea itinerary . Even the city is less popular among tourists, there are still so many different places to visit and fun activities to do in Daegu.

The Daegu amusement park E world is built around Woobang Tower . The park opened in 1995 was built as a European style park which has rides, performance halls, waterfalls, lightning displays and a variety of restaurants. The different areas in E world Daegu are characterized by different themes; Central Plaza, Children’s Plaza, Young Town Plaza, Entry Plaza, etc. E World Daegu in the Daegu Duryu park is perfect if you’re looking for things to do in Daegu with children. Check more info here.

The fun aquarium is much bigger than the aquarium in Haeungdae Busan and the 63 Building in Seoul. It has over more than 200 animal species including manatees and sharks. The highlight of the aquarium is the dome shaped tank which has daily performances by divers and sea lions. This one of the best things to do in Daegu in winter.

Opening Times: 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Monday to Thursday) and 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Friday to Sunday). Price: Check online tickets here Address:  329-7 Sincheon 4(sa)-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu

This is the only water park and spa in Daegu that is open all year around. The water used in the spa is 100% thermal spring water. Fun rides at the water park are the speed slide, hurricane slide and the wave pool.

Opening Times: 9 AM to 6 PM. Price: Check online tickets here Address:  329-7 Sincheon 4(sa)-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu

Compared to other cities in Korea, Daegu was lucky enough to not suffer that much damage during the war. This means that you can still clearly see the changes that the city went through, before and after the Korean war.

The Modern Alley is one of the most popular sights to visit in Daegu downtown. As you can just stroll around the center of the modern alley or you can follow one of the five courses, perfect for a self guided Daegu city tour.

When visiting the tourist information service you can get a map that shows all the different courses you can take to make the most of your visit to the modern alley. If you’re planning on visiting many places in Daegu, you can buy a stamp tour (1000 won). This is a fun way to discover the hidden secrets of Daegu and upon completion you can receive a small souvenir from the information center.

The modern alley is located in the city center of Daegu (Banwoldang Daegu), not far from the main shopping street which is filled with department stores, boutiques, restaurants and cafes. This is close to the area where the Daegu nightlife is happening.

Modern Alley Courses (Daegu map)

Course 1: Course 1 is 3.25km long and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. The tour starts at Gyeongsang Gamyeong Park and ends at Dalseong Park. Course 2: This course is 1.64km long and takes about 2 hours. The tour starts at Dongsan Missionary Houses and ends at the Daegu Overseas Chinese Association (along the oriental medicine museum). Course 3: This course is about 2.65km long and takes about 2 hours. It starts at Jewelry Town and ends at Seomun Market. Course 4: This course is 4.95km and lasts almost 3 hours. The tour starts at Gukcae-bosan Memorial Park and ends at Geondeulbawi Rock. Course 5: This course is 2.12km long and takes 1 hour 40 minutes. The starting point is Banwoldang and it ends at the nunnery Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

Directions To The Modern Alley

Daegu’s modern alley is located in downtown next to the shopping district. From Dongdaegu (east) bus terminal you can take the subway line 1 and get off at Jungangno. It is only 4 stops from the Daegu bus terminal and should take around 12 minutes.

Address:  99, Gyeongsanggamyeong-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

The Gatbawi stone Buddha in Seonbonsa temple was made during the 7th ruling year of Queen Seondeok in the Silla Dynasty for the mother’s Seoul of Uihyeon. The 6 meters tall buddha statue is a very popular hiking destination for local Koreans. Gatbawi Buddha literally means Stone Hat Buddha, as the statue has a 15 centimeter thick flat stone hat on his head. It is said that the Buddha is a miraculous Buddha, which responds to your deepest prayers and wishes.

The single granite statue on top of Palgongsan, a 850 meter high mountain, is surrounded by a beautiful landscape. The legend says that a big crane flew every night to the top of the mountain to guard the Buddha under construction.

How To Get To Gatbawi Buddha

From Dong Daegu station take the train to Hayang Train Station. From there take bus nr. 803 and get of at Gatbawi Park. A one way trip should take 1h30.

Address:  699, Gatbawi-ro, Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Kim Gwangseok was a popular folk & rock singer. His songs were very sentimental and portrayed sorrow and frustration of the people when Korea was first starting to become a democratic country. Unfortunately Kim died in 1996 of suicide.

The mural street in Daegu depicts the life of Kim through statues and paintings. The street is filled with cute coffee shops and restaurants. This is a great place to go if you are looking for things to do in Daegu at night.

Address:  2238, Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu

The Daegu Art Museum holds exhibitions with works of art from renowned leading national and international artists. Check the official website f or their program.

Apart from exhibitions the museum also hosts classical and modern concerts in the main hall and performance spaces.

Opening Times:  Summer season (Apr – Oct) 10:00 – 19:00 and Winter season (Nov – Mar) 10:00 – 18:00 Entrance Fee: 1000 krw Closing Date:  every monday Address:  40, Misulgwan-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu

How To Get To The Daegu Art Museum

Take the subway to Daegu Grand Park Station (Daegu Subway Line 2), Exit 5. From the exit you can take a shuttle bus to the museum. The bus runs every 30 minutes.

Or take bus nr. 604, 403. and get off at Samdeok-dong Bus Stop. From the bus stop it’s a 10 minute walk approximately.

This teddy bear museum is an interactive museum that uses cute teddy bears to display different scenes. The different rooms have their own theme like winder wonder land, Theodore Roosevelt Room, painting village, AR trick art room and many more. This is not only a great place to take children but is also fun for friends and couples. This is a great thing to do in Daegu in winter, when it is too cold to be outside.

Opening Times:  Tuesday – Sunday 10:30 to 20:00 Entrance Fee:   book tickets online for 10 000 won Closing Date:  every monday Address: Daegu, Dalseong-gun, Yuga-myeon, 테크노상업로 120

The stunning Apsan park and mountain in Daegu is 600 meters high and overlooks the city. The top of the mountain can be reached by cable car or on foot. There are multiple walking trails leading up the mountain for the citizens to enjoy.

Cable CarPrice:  8500 krw Address: 574-114 Apsansunhwan-ro, Daemyeong 9(gu)-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu

Korea is the country of good cosmetics. Try making your own organic and oriental cosmetics (soap, shampoo or facemasks) at the Skylake Healing Lounge. After the making experience you have the option to enjoy a relaxing oriental foot bath.

Tickets: book online , reservations need to be made in advance, no walk-in. Address: 2nd floor, 3 Gongpyeong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

Festivals In Daegu

Like every city in South Korea, Daegu has its own unique festivals . From flower festivals to food festivals. The festivals are a fun day trip from Busan or Seoul , as there are many things to do in Daegu festivals.

Enjoy E-world in Daegu filled with pink cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom season is one of the highlights of the year in Korea. All over the country cherry blossom festivals are happening. This is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Daegu. Book your tickets to the festival online or package trips from Busan are also available.

Fried chicken from Daegu is famous all over Korea! At this festival it is all about beer and chicken. More than 100 chicken and beer brands participate in the festival and lots of events happen on the grounds. When coming from Busan or Seoul, buy tickets here .

How To Get To Daegu

Daegu is very easily accessible and affordable by train or bus from Seoul , Busan , Gyeongju and other major touristic cities.

There are three options when taking the train; you have the option of taking the KTX, ITX or Mugunghwa train. With the KTX being the fastest and most expensive and the Mugunghwa the slowest and cheapest. For time tables Daegu to Seoul and prices check out the official Korail website .

TIP! Are you travelling by train through Korea? Then consider buying the Korail pass. When taking more than two trains the pass will be more cost efficient. More info here.

From the Seoul Express Bus Terminal you can take the bus to Dongdaegu Bus Terminal. Depending on traffic, the ride should be around 3h30 and cost minimum 18 000 won. For time tables and prices check out the official Kobus Website .

From Busan you can take both the express bus or the KTX. The way of transport will be decided on where you are located in Busan. If you are located close to Nopo bus terminal, take the bus. Are you close to the KTX station or Haeundae beach, take the KTX.

The best options is to go by slow train or express bus. The Gyeongju KTX station is too far out of the city to make it worth it. Both the slow train and bus from Gyeongju to Daegu take 50 minutes.

Hotels In Daegu, South Korea

Planning your trip to Daegu? Why not stay in one of these recommended accommodations located in downtown Daegu. As Daegu is not the most touristic travel destination it is very easy to find good last minute hotel deals.

• Daegu Grand Hotel  – Located in Downtown Daegu, the modern and luxury hotel is the perfect place to relax. The hotel itself has a coffee shop and three different restaurants. More info here.
• Gallery Hotel Daegu  – This classy hotel in the central area of Daegu is a popular choice among travellers. The hotel has around 30 different rooms, all beautifully decorated.  More info here.
• Daegu Aega 2nd – This beautiful Hanok stay is located in central Daegu, close to most of the things to do in Deagu. The rooms are extremely clean and the host goes the extra mile for his guests. More info here .
• Hotel February Dong Seong Ro  – The two star high rated hotel is perfect for leisure or business travelers. More info here.
• Bomgoro Guesthouse – This guesthouse has an exceptional rating of 9.5 on booking.com which makes this the highest rated guesthouse in Daegu. More info here.
• Pan Guesthouse  – A budget guesthouse with European or Korean style dorms. A simple breakfast is included in your booking. This is more of a low cost option. More info here .
• Hanok Gugsi  – In the cozy traditional Korean restaurant you can try the typical Daegu noodles (Guksu 국수) and Korean pancakes (Jeon 전). The restaurant is fairly small and you’ll have to sit on the floor.
• Mansion 5 – At Mansion 5 you can mainly try foreign food like sandwiches, cakes and soups. This is the perfect place to go for brunch or a light lunch.

Some popular tourist attractions in Daegu include the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine, Apsan Park and cable car ride, and Donghwasa Temple.

Some unique activities to do in Daegu include visiting the Seomun Market, trying traditional Korean food at the Bangcheon Market, and watching a baseball game at the Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

The best time to visit Daegu is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild and pleasant. The annual Daegu Chimac Festival held in July is also a popular event for visitors to attend.

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I going on coming September it this good time

September and october are usually the nicest months to come to South Korea. So yet, i think its a good time to come.

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DON’T MISS OUT

Awesome Must-Visit Attractions in Daegu, South Korea

Daegu might not be Korea’s most visited destination, but it still has plenty to offer those who are fortunate enough to explore its streets. From 1000-year-old Buddhist sites and traditional markets to vast green spaces and contemporary cafes, we explore some of the city’s must-visit attractions.

Amusement Park

Welcome to South Korea’s answer to Disneyland. This theme park might not be as grand as Mickey Mouse’s homeland, but it boasts plenty of rides, exhibitions and performance halls, as well as glitzy shows. Take a moment to snap a selfie at the soaring Woobang Tower, snuggled at its heart, then make for the bumper cars in Adventure World. When tummies rumble it’s time for Cheese Making Village and its slices of silky cheesecake, or Wine Castle to buy bottles from around the world.

2. Daegu Arboretum

Botanical Garden, Park

Lovers of the great outdoors need look no further than the Daegu Arboretum, where you can take a lazy stroll past thousands of species of landscaped plants – from trees to cacti, flowers to medicinal herbs. In warmer seasons, floral displays feature in living archway structures and along colourful planting beds, shot through by paved paths. It’s inspiring to see what can be made of an old landfill (this was converted in the late 90s). Best of all? It’s free to visit.

3. Daegu Art Museum

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5. Daegu Chimac Festival

South Korea is famous for its fried chicken and beer and this annual July festival celebrates both in abundance. Mind, you, it’s not only about eating and drinking (although there’s certainly plenty of both). EDM music and live performances help create an electric vibe that extends far past the spice level of your chook. Need to cool off in the sweltering summer heat? Make for the onsite Ice Café, then top yourself up with another frosty beer.

6. Cheongdo Wine Tunnel

Winery, Architectural Landmark

As if the name weren’t enough of an enticement, Cheongdo Wine Tunnel is a stunning looker: a historic red brick passage stuffed to the gills with vinous delights. Completed in 1904, the tunnel maintains a steady temperature of between 13 and 15C all year round. As a result, it’s perfect for aging the persimmon wine that fills its racks from floor to ceiling. Visit for a tasting of the unusual tipple, then stock up on bottles to take home.

7. Donghwa Temple

Buddhist Temple

Nestled in the foothills of Palgong Mountain, Donghwasa is a temple complex that dates back to the 5th century. Established by King Yongjo of the Goryeo dynasty, the temple’s main hall, Daeungjeon, boasts distinctive architectural details aimed at harmonizing the building with its surroundings. Colorful wall paintings and contemplative Buddhas adorn the structure’s interior. Yet the most distinct artifact of the complex is the monumental Unification Medicine Buddha statue that towers over the temple grounds. Donghwa Temple’s architectural aesthetics, combined with its stunning natural surroundings, make it one of the most beautiful Buddhist sites in all of Daegu. For a truly unique experience, consider participating in Donghwasa’s Templestay program, an overnight experience that offers a unique look into monastic life.

8. Apsan Park

Deep in the valley below Daegu’s famed Ap Mountain lie the numerous attractions of Apsan Park. It’s the largest green space in the city and offers a number of activities to entertain visitors of all ages. There are romantic gardens that are beautiful in the spring, a fascinating Korean War Museum and Buddhist temples that will help you find your Zen. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain to experience breathtaking views of the entire city and beyond, or hike the jagged rock formations for an unforgettable adventure.

9. Yangnyeongsi Market

Market, Museum

10. Seomun Market

11. Otgol Village

Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

To experience the traditional side of Daegu, head to Otgol Village, a small community just outside the city. The tranquil village is made up of a cluster of some 20 hanok (traditional Korean homes) that have been owned by the Gyeongju Choi clan for nearly 400 years. Although most are not original and those that are have been restored over time, they are interesting in that their squared structure differs greatly from the architecture of other clan head houses. For this reason, they are considered a valuable reference for historians. Aside from the historical significance of the village, its natural landscape is something to behold. Its 350-year-old locust tree, for example, is believed to keep out demons, while apricot flowers, cherry blossoms and forsythia bring Otgol to life in the spring.

12. Duryu Park

Daegu Duryu Park is a favorite relaxation spot for many Daegulites, thanks to its abundant plant life and an abundance of wide-open spaces. In addition to its various leisure and cultural facilities, Duryu Park is also home to Daegu Tower, the tallest observation tower in Korea and a great place to get a bird’s eye view of the city. The park is most beautiful during the Dalgubeol Lantern Festival, held during Buddha’s Birthday celebrations when thousands of illuminated lanterns are set afloat above the park grounds. It’s also the venue for the annual Daegu International Bodypainting Festival (DIBF), one of the more unique events held in the city.

Ellie Hurley contributed additional reporting to this article.

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South Korea’s fourth-largest city is a pleasant and progressive place with a fascinating traditional-medicine market; a historic central area packed with heritage, old churches and missionary residences; some excellent eating options; and a humming downtown that’s good fun to explore. The city is a popular place for exchange students and English teachers, and the large student population gives Daegu (대구) a young and carefree feel.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral

An icon and motif of Daegu, this lovely cruciform church is quite a sight, with its twin spires. Originally constructed in wood, the first incarnation…

Daegu Jeil Church

This red brick structure is one of the city's historic churches. Within the church is a fascinating history of the building and a collection of Bibles and…

Daegu National Museum

This excellent museum has English labelling throughout most of its collection – and what a collection. Armour, jewellery, Buddhist relics from various…

Daegu’s Herbal Medicine Market

This market, west of the central shopping district, has a history as vast as its scope. It dates from 1658, making it Korea’s oldest medicine market and…

Bullo-dong Tumuli-gongwon

In the north end of the city, Bullo-dong Tumuli-gongwon is an enormous open space covering some 330,000 sq metres. The grassy hillocks that rise like…

Daegu Hyanggyo Confucian School

This tranquil Confucian School at the heart of Daegu is an oasis of introspective calm which dates to 1398 (though it was burned down by the Japanese and…

Cheongna Hill

Not far from Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral is this very historic hilly area of Daegu, which contains various early-20th-century missionary houses and…

Daegu Arboretum

These superb botanical gardens in the south of town offer shade from the sun and a huge range of trees and plants, as well as several large greenhouses…

Latest stories from Daegu

Jan 4, 2018 • 6 min read

Quieted away, around the corner from one of South Korea's grandest hotels is a great food secret: Gwanghwamun Jip. Its worn-out blue sign gives away the…

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Top Things to Do in Daegu

Things to do in daegu, explore popular experiences, tours in and around daegu.

Korean UNESCO World Heritage Tour including Gyeongju, Andong and Daegu(2N3D)

Enjoy Korean foods at Decades Old Restaurants in Daegu

Daegu Hop on Hop off City Tour Bus Discount Ticket (내국인불가)

• Gyeongju Best Spots Private Tour with Tourguide

Gyeongju Private Tour : Uncover the Eternal Beauty

Gyeongju UNESCO sites Private tour with licensed tour guide

Full day Private Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour : a glimpse into Silla

Guided Car Tour in Geyongju with a Local Guide

Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Sites and History Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Full day Customizable Private: Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour with East Sea

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Daegu

Other Top Attractions around Daegu

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & custom tours, what travelers are saying.

• Seomun Market
• Daegu Duryu Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseongmot Lake
• Gukchaebosang Memorial Park
• Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu
• UNESCO folk village Andong tour including soju museum from Seoul by KTX train
• Daegu Metro
• Kim Gwangseok Street

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Daegu

Things to do in daegu, explore popular experiences, tours in and around daegu.

Korean UNESCO World Heritage Tour including Gyeongju, Andong and Daegu(2N3D)

Enjoy Korean foods at Decades Old Restaurants in Daegu

Daegu Hop on Hop off City Tour Bus Discount Ticket (내국인불가)

• Gyeongju Best Spots Private Tour with Tourguide

Gyeongju Private Tour : Uncover the Eternal Beauty

Gyeongju UNESCO sites Private tour with licensed tour guide

Full day Private Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour : a glimpse into Silla

Guided Car Tour in Geyongju with a Local Guide

Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Sites and History Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Full day Customizable Private: Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour with East Sea

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Daegu

Other Top Attractions around Daegu

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

• Seomun Market
• Daegu Duryu Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseongmot Lake
• Gukchaebosang Memorial Park
• Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu
• UNESCO folk village Andong tour including soju museum from Seoul by KTX train
• Daegu Metro
• Kim Gwangseok Street

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Daegu travel blog — The fullest Daegu travel guide for first-timers

The city of Daegu, also known as Taegu, is the 4th largest centrally-run city in Korea after Seoul, Busan and Incheon, always attracting tourists for its modern beauty and traditional historical values ​​and landmarks. The tour to Daegu promises to bring back unforgettable memories if you have the opportunity to explore it even once. So, is Daegu worth visiting, what to do in Daegu and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Daegu for the first-time? Let’s check out our Daegu travel blog (Daegu blog) with the fullest Daegu travel guide from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Daegu to find out the answer!

• What to do in Daegu? — 10+ Top things to do in Daegu & Daegu what to see
• Where to go in Daegu? — 11+ must-see & best places to visit in Daegu, South Korea
• What to eat in Daegu? — 13+ Daegu famous food & best food in Daegu
• Gyeongju 1 day itinerary — How to spend one day in Gyeongju, South Korea
• When is the best time to visit Busan? — The best, worst, affordable & best season to visit Busan

Referring to Korea, people often immediately think of beautiful scenes, landmarks, and famous attractions in Seoul, Busan, Incheon or Jeju Island. However, the city of Daegu also has many attractive places and interesting entertainment activities for tourists. Daegu is one of Korea’s largest cities and a host to many festivals and concerts, as well as a popular spot for visitors due to its many green parks, traditional markets, signature dishes, museums, and historic temples.

Daegu travel blog: Overview of Daegu

Daegu is a bustling and large city located in the Southeast region of Korea, near the Geumho and Nakdong rivers, about 80 km from the coast, Daegu is surrounded by the Palgongsan mountain to the north, Biseulsan mountain to the south, and the Waryongsan mountain to the west. Daegu has an area of ​​about 886.6 square kilometers and a population of nearly 2.2 million people. Not only is an attractive tourist city, Daegu is also home to many leading industrial parks and universities in Korea.

The city is also considered the capital of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, although administratively it is no longer belong to the province. The city of Daegu was one of the driving forces for economic growth in Korea during the 1960s and 1980s, especially famous for its electronics industry.

Daegu is located near the Geumho River. Once part of the Kingdom of Silla (Shilla) in ancient times, the city has grown to become one of the most famous economic and cultural centers in Korea. The city of Daegu owns famous tourist attractions, mountains and parks, bustling shopping centers, museums and theaters. It also organizes many festivals and events that tourists can participate in all year round. It also offers a number of hotels and resorts that cater to all types of travelers, and has an excellent public transport sytem.

In addition, with a subtropical climate, Daegu is the place to produce the best quality apples in Korea. Daegu apples are famous for being extremely delicious, so this city is also nicknamed Apple City.

Daegu travel blog: When to come?

Daegu is influenced by a humid subtropical climate. Surrounding the city are majestic high mountains, so the summer in Daegu is usually hot (Daegu’s nickname is “Daefrica” ​​because it’s as hot as Africa) and humid and the winter is quite cold. There is relatively little rain, mainly in the summer, and there is sunshine throughout the year. The best time to visit is in spring (April – May) or autumn (September – November). These are the times when the weather is the most pleasant and the natural scenery is also the most beautiful.

If you want to seeing snow in Daegu, traveling in winter is also a good idea. Winter in Daegu lasts from December to March next year, this is the time when you can see the falling snowflakes, feel the cold with your lover. The cold in Korea is not as cold as in Vietnam, so you are completely free to have fun with the snow during the day and just limit going out at night because the night temperature is usually -5℃ to – 10℃. Hotels in Daegu all have equipped with heaters, so you can rest assured in Daegu during your trip.

With the weather like in Korea as we said winter and spring in Korea are very cold so you need to bring one or two warm coats, sweaters and thermals. A few fashion accessories such as woolen hats, glasses, scarves, gloves, shoes to keep the body warm.

Autumn and summer are the most suitable times for you to participate in sea activities in Daegu, that’s why bikinis are definitely indispensable in your suitcase.

Festivals and events

In Daegu every year, there are many vibrant, bustling festivals attracting tourists such as: Dongseongno festival, Palgongsan maple festival, Biseulsan azalea festival, etc. Traveling to Daegu during the famous festivals is a not bad idea, below are some notable events and festivals you can refer to.

• Dalgubeol Lantern Festival:  This annual event is held to celebrate Buddha’s birthday every year in April or May at Duryu Park. People gather to make their own colorful lanterns, write some wishes on the lanterns and release them together at sunset.
• Daegu Colorful Festival: Takes place in May with equally exciting performances and art shows spring festivals in Korea. A variety of events are organized and the highlight of the festival is the colorful parade. Other activities such as: rock & b-boy breakdance competition, concerts and food carts for you freely to explore.
• Daegu Chimac Festival in July: Celebrating the month of eating chicken, they will enjoy chicken with beer at Duryu Park in Dalseo-gu. With hundreds of thousands of participants each year, the total number of visitors continues to grow as the festival becomes one of the most important events in Korea.
• Daegu International Bodypainting Festival: Takes place at the end of August, similar to the World Bodypainting Festival in Seeboden, Austria.
• Daegu International Music Festival:  The annual music event with vibrant tunes held since 2006. Let come see a variety of international performances that attract music enthusiasts as well as the people. DIMF is Asia’s first international music festival, brings an opportunity for producers and music companies as well as people to come together.

Daegu travel guide: How to get to Daegu?

Daegu International Airport is located on the east side outside the center. There are domestic flights to Seoul (via Incheon Airport), Jeju Island and international flights to: Shanghai, Beijing, China and Kansai, Japan. Although this airport is quite small, it is an international airport and is common used by the military.

You can take the Palgong 1 or Express 1 bus to get to the city center or take a taxi to the central Dongsungro district for about 7,000 won and take 25 minutes. You also take the subway to get to the city center, the subway runs every 10 minutes to Daegu Station.

There are two train stations in this city for you to choose from. One is Dongdaegu Station (East Daegu Station) and the other is Daegu Station. Both stations are connected by subway line 1. Dongdaegu Station is the second busiest railway station in Korea, operating daily express trains from Seoul with a journey of 1.5 hours. and cost around 38,400 won.

It is also very convenient to travel by car from Seoul to Daegu. Your journey will take 3 hours on the Gyeongbu Expressway, although it takes a long time, it will be more active.

There are many buses connecting from Seoul to Daegu that take about 3.5 hours and cost around 39,000 won.

Getting around Daegu

T-money card.

The first thing you must do as soon as you arrive in Daegu is to buy or top up a T-Money card at the airport or at convenience stores such as K-mart, 7Eleven, Circle K… You can order a T-Money card in advance HERE and pick up your card at the Klook counter at Daegu airport.

It helps you not to bring too much cash, get on the bus or train just swipe your card to pay, fast and easy when using T-Money card, you also get 100 won discount compared to other payment methods.

If during your trip to Korea, you have not used up all the money you have loaded into your card, you can rest assured that you can withdraw money, the service fee for withdrawal is only 500 won.

Public transport (Daegu travel blog)

There are many subways and buses in Daegu, with routes covering all parts of the city. The general fare per ride is about 1,100 won, which you can buy with a prepaid transportation card at station kiosks or use T-Money Card as we suggested above for convenience.

Subway: A modern and popular means of transport in some countries, of which Korea is one of the countries with the most advanced subway system in Asia. Subway lines are linked with stations in the main downtown areas in the city to remote areas that only take a short time of traveling.

Bus: Just like subway, buses also use T-Money card payment method. In Daegu, buses have more stops closer to tourist attractions than subways. However, traffic in Daegu is often congested at rush hours, so the bus is often delayed by about 10 minutes to 20 minutes.

Taxi: You’ll see many taxis, they’re orange and black and open starting from 3,000 won and cost around 12,000 won for a tour of the downtown sites. If you want to travel by taxi, you should choose orange taxi instead of black, orange taxi is the most popular, the cheapest price compared to black premium taxi.

Car rental: You can absolutely rent a self-drive car and pick it up right at the bus station, airport or some city center locations. Rental price starts from 22,000 won.

Daegu blog: Where to go and what to do in Daegu?

Seonbonsa temple.

Address: 587 Daehan-ri, Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea Phone: +82 53-851-1868

In Korean cities there are always beautiful ancient temples and Daegu is definitely no exception. The most famous temple here is Seonbonsa Temple. Each year, this temple welcomes about 6 million tourists to visit. Coming to Seonbonsa Temple, you will have the opportunity to admire the statue of Gatbawi Buddha. This is a famous Buddha statue that anyone who comes to Daegu wants to visit once. It is said that if you sincerely pray in front of the Gatbawi Buddha, your wishes will come true.

Gatbawi (bamboo hat rock) is a stone seated Medicine Buddha statue near Gwan Peak, located south of Palgongsan Mountain and 850m above sea level. The name ‘Gatbawi’ comes from the flat rock on the Buddha’s head that looks like a traditional Korean hat (called ‘gat’). The statue was sculpted by ancient craftsmen in the 9th century, which is more than a thousand years old.

Gyeongsang-gamyeong Park

Address: 99 Gyeongsanggamnyeong-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

It houses Seonhwadang hall which was once the governor’s office, the Jingcheonggak pavilion that was once the governor’s home, and 29 monuments explaining the governors’ achievements. In the park there is a wooden hexagonal pavilion and a statue of the “Citizens’ Tree”. This park has green forests, beautiful flowers, clean, wide and grassy lawns, fountains, peaceful walkways, and lots of benches this is an ideal place to relax.

Mount Palgongsan

Traveling to Daegu, don’t miss this famous mountain for hiking, it will take you about 1 hour to get its peak. Here, there are some well-known temples such as: Dorimsa, Donghwasa and not to be missed ‘Gatbawi’ Buddha statue as mentioned above, a famous sitting Buddha statue. There is a camping site on the mountain where the entrance fee is only 1,000 won. In addition, coming in April you can participate in the Cherry Blossom Festival or the Spring Bibimbap Event, where you can eat Bibimbap for free.

Admiring the beautiful natural scenery of the mountain while riding the Palgongsan cable car is a definite experience you should try when coming to Daegu city. Palgongsan Peak is 820m above sea level, so the air here is very airy and fresh. From here you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful city and take great souvenir photos.

Daegu Opera House

Address: South Korea, Daegu, Buk-gu, Hoam-ro, 15

This is the first city opera house to open in Korea. It is equipped with a high-tech sound and lighting system, a rotating stage, and rows of audience seats arranged in the shape of a horseshoe. The exterior of the building is also quite elegant, with a curved glass roof designed to resemble a grand piano. The opera house hosts a wide range of entertainment events at reasonably priced. There are also special performances for international visitors to have an enjoyable evening.

Donghwasa Temple

Address: 1 Donghwasa 1-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea

Donghwa temple is located deep in the forest of Mount Palgong, a complex dating back to the fifth century and built by King Yongjo of the Goryeo Dynasty, the main hall of the complex, Daeungjeon, has distinctive architectural details which creating a harmony between the building and the neighborhood. Colorful sacred murals and pensive Buddha statues adorn the interior of the structure. Donghwasa is also home to a huge statue of the Buddha, 17 m (55.7 ft) high above the temple grounds. This is a historic structure that still preserves the cultural harmony of the people since ancient times.

Daegu Modern History Streets

Each street and alley in the Jung-gu neighborhood has its own unique story hidden behind and its own beautiful scenery worth admiring. But the most special is the 2nd Street, this road has about 100 years of history, with unique places to visit such as the home of American missionary Chamness, the first Gyesan Catholic church built in the western style in Daegu and the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine.

Address: Dongsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu Directions: It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Seomun Market to Chaplain Chamness House.

Daegu Bangjja Brassware Museum

Address: 29 Daegeum-ro 1161(cheonbaegyuksi, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea Hours: 10AM–7PM

It is one of the most famous museums in Daegu that you should visit. Here you will have the opportunity to admire the largest collection of brassware in Korea. In addition, there are also many videos and photos recording the stages of brassware production.

Dongseong-ro Street

Dongseong-ro Street is famous for being the most diverse and rich fashion street. Here you can freely buy clothing items from brand to cheap. The design is both beautiful and extremely high quality, so it is loved by many people. You can also choose to wander around restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. to have fun and relax. This is a great street for you to experience the most impressive activities.

Address: 321 Cheongho-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu, South Korea Hours: 9AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

Located deep in the valley beneath the famous mountain of Daegu, Apsan Park is home to the largest green space in the city, along with a variety of attractive recreational activities suitable for all ages. This place is planted with many different trees, especially in spring and autumn the park is dressed in a colorful shirt of the color of the leaves, creating a very beautiful scene.

Daegu National Museum

Another very well-known museum in Daegu that you should visit is the Daegu National Museum. This is also one of the largest museums in Korea. There are currently about 30,000 artifacts from different periods on display here. The most special of which must be mentioned is the collection of antiquities from the Stone Age.

The museum has a total of three regular exhibition rooms and a special exhibition room, a research room, a commentary studio and a library showing the process of formation and development of the Korean people from ancient times to flourishing dynasty of the Koreans.

Daegu Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine

Address: 49 Dalgubeol-daero 415-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea Hours: 9AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

A popular place to visit in the historical district, Yangnyeongsi Museum makes it easy to understand the oriental medical concepts of yin and yang, the five elements and the four body forms through first-hand experiences. In addition, you can also experience walking barefoot on the acupuncture trail, enjoying the feeling of massage to relieve stress and depression through the acupuncture points on the soles of your feet. In addition, you can also soak your feet with warm herbal water. All for free for everyone. Isn’t it great for tourists!

DTC Textile Museum

Address: 227 Palgong-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea Hours: 9AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

Daegu is famous for its textile industry, coming to the DTC museum, you will understand from the history of fashion to the machinery, equipment and materials for this industry in the museum’s 4 floors. In particular, don’t forget to admire the unique pieces created by fashion designers and displayed here, such as the “Dancing Energy” collection, created from tiny dots of fabric that carefully assembled together, representing feminine beauty.

Daegu Medicinal Herb Wholesale Market

Address: 51-1 Namseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

This is the oldest medicinal herb wholesale market in Korea with nearly 360 years of history. The market spreading 715m long with many stalls selling herbs and ginseng. This market is the main herbal distribution center for the whole country. Visitors can take a herbal foot bath and make soap at the Yangnyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine as mentioned above or participate in the Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Festival every May. The festival has a lot of activities such as free traditional medicine treatment and healing food.

Seomun Market

Address: 45 Keunjang-ro 26-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea Hours: 9AM–6:30PM

Seomun is one of Korea’s last remaining markets from the Joseon Dynasty, an ideal shopping destination for local produce as well as tasing local specialties.

Yugasa Temple

Different from the hustle and bustle of the city, Yugasa Temple is an ideal place for you to find the most peaceful and gentle moment. The temple is nestled in the Biseulsan mountain valley, with beautiful natural scenery. Coming here, you can not only immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere but also discover many outdoor stone sculptures. Along with that is a stone tower, long-standing monasteries, impressive ancient architecture, etc.

Kim Kwang-seok Street

This is an art street built in memory of the musician “Kim Kwang-Seok”. He is a talented singer and songwriter of the 90s in Korea. This street is considered an impressive virtual world with many beautiful art paintings. Not only that, Kim Kwang-Seok street is also home to many lovely souvenir shops, many delicious eateries and also regularly hosts the biggest music events in the city.

Woobang Tower

Address: 200 Duryugongwon-ro, Duryu-dong, Dalseo-gu, Daegu, South Hours: 10:30AM–10PM

Woobang tower 202m high is one of the pride of Korean architecture. This tower stands out among the beautiful natural scenery with many flowers and impressive waterfalls. In particular, from the top of the tower, visitors can easily observe the surrounding scenery with a panoramic view of the city and surroundings. Each season you will be able to participate in different recreational activities, such as skiing in the winter, participating in the spring flower festival, and enjoying the fun activities of summer and autumn.

Otgol Village

If you want to find the old Korean houses in historical movies, then Otgol village is the ideal place for you. Here you will experience the ancient traditional culture of the people of Daegu, where there is a small community living outside of Daegu city. The peaceful village has only 20 traditional Hanok houses, this place is the popular check-in place for young people.

Address: South Korea, Daegu, Dalseo-gu, Seongdang-dong, 154 Hours: Open 24 hours

This is one of the popular tourist attractions with fresh natural scenery and comes along with many relax recreational activities. Duryu owns verdant lawns, cool lakes, extremely suitable for picnics and outdoor activities. In particular, this place also features a tallest tower in Korea, where you can enjoy a beautiful city view. Inside there is also a theme park, library, baseball field, outdoor stage and many other cultural facilities.

Where to stay?

Some good places to stay in Daegu

• Dongseongno: This area has the most banks, restaurants and shopping stores.
• Dalseo-gu: Near Kyungpook National University and many entertainment venues.
• Duryu Park: This neighborhood has a large fortress and several monuments inside including: Daegu Tower, Woobang Tower and Kolon Bandstand.

For the convenience of moving without having to go too far, you can stay in some central areas of Daegu city such as:

Seong Dong Jang ( Agoda , Booking ): It is a budget motel of the best quality in Daegu. This accommodation is located 6 km from Gukchaebosang Memorial Park, 12 km from Spavalley, 2.4 km from E-World. This is a peaceful and romantic place to stay, quite suitable for couples. The comfortable rooms, with nice view balcony, the staff is quite attentive and there are more modern food and entertainment services.

Daegu Bonri Piano Hotel : The hotel is about 3 km from E-World and is a cheap hotel chosen by many tourists. This place provides you with a system of comfortable rooms with TV, refrigerator, coffee machine… They also serve free breakfast, provide airport shuttle service and tourist attractions.

Daegu New York Motel : If you want to book a room at this hotel, you need to contact as soon as possible. Because this place has very good quality but the price is very affordable. Those are the rooms that are designed with many luxurious amenities, beautiful balconies, excellent service and free breakfast. Not only that, but Daegu New York Motel also has a family relaxation area, enough for you to organize the most unique outdoor parties.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to with some hotels near popular attractions such as:

• Novotel Ambassador Hotel : Located in a commercial area with classic and luxurious design, clean, close to KTX station, subway and airport.
• Dong Seong Ro Hotel : It has a convenient location near Jungangno and Banwoldang stations, near amusement parks and shopping centers.
• Hotel Inter Burgo ( Agoda , Booking ) has both indoor and outdoor pools, while Hotel Savoy has a more eclectic room design at a cheaper price.
• Rivertain Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Noblestay ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Insomnia ( Agoda , Booking )
• February Hotel SeongSeo ( Agoda , Booking )
• Daegu February Hotel Dongseongro ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com

Daegu travel blog: Shopping

In Daegu, there are many delicious and famous specialties that you can choose and buy as gifts for your relatives and friends.

Red ginseng and ginseng

This is probably a meaningful gift in Daegu that you should give to your parents or grandparents who are elderly in the family because Daegu has the largest medicinal herb wholesale market as introduced above. This is a very useful food for human health, it helps to strengthen the body’s organs, stabilize heart rate, blood pressure, fight stress and effectively fight skin aging.

You definitely want to bring some seafood here for your family when traveling to a sea region. Go to the seafood markets near the seaport to buy seafood products such as fish cakes, squid or dried fish, or even fresh seafood. The price of seafood in the markets is so cheap, so you are free to shop.

Korea is known as the cradle of Asian fashion. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to travel to Daegu, choosing fashion clothing to buy for relatives and friends is also a good idea. From famous fashion brands to popular brands with different prices, there are many different designs to choose from.

What to buy in Daegu as a gift? Seaweed is probably a familiar dish of Koreans. You can buy it in stores, supermarkets, markets to buy this gift. If you want to buy as a gift, you should choose dried and prepackaged seaweed. Packages of seaweed are very light, convenient or preserved for a certain period of time and can be eaten immediately or make soup and served with rice.

Where to buy

Daegu has a number of department stores and shopping districts around the city center, in addition to Costco. Some popular shopping places that you should visit are:

• Dongseongro: If you come here, you can freely shop for jewelry, clothes and visit Gyodong Market and Seomun Market. Take subway line 2 to Seomun Market, walk about two blocks north to find the market.
• Hyundai Department Store (Address: 2077 Dalgubeol-daero, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea): One of Daegu’s largest shopping centers. Hyundai Department Store is located near Banwoldang Station, Exit 18.
• Costco and LotteMart are the two most popular places to buy groceries.

What and where to eat?

What to eat?

Coming to Daegu, it is impossible to ignore the Anjirang Gopchang food street. The street is packed with many shops, restaurants, all of which sell gopchang (grilled intestines of cattle, beef or pork) which is a specialty of Daegu. Enjoy delicious chewy gopchang during your trip!

Ttarogukbap, a traditional dish in Daegu

This dish has a combination of beef, leeks, radish soup, along with chili powder and minced garlic. The special thing about that dish is the combination of Gomguk – thick beef bone rice and Yukgaejang – chopped beef soup. It is this combination that makes Ttarogukbap unique.

Daegu is the only place in Korea where rice and soup are often eaten separately, while other regions often mix them together. In Korean, “ttaro” means “separate” and “gukbap” means “soup and rice”. Pair them together to form “ttarogukbap”, which means “rice and soup served separately”. This dish, only available in Daegu, is made with beef, leeks and radish cooked in a broth with lots of red chili powder and minced garlic. It has an incomparable aftertaste that is both spicy and refreshing.

Where to find it? Don’t miss out the chance to try Ttarogukbap at Daegu Jjimgalbi (Address: 332-3 Dongin 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea/Hours: 10AM–10PM), a unique Daegu dish from the 1970s. It consists of beef ribs cooked in an old aluminum pot, seasoned with spicy red chili powder and minced garlic. This dish is completely different from the soy sauce steamed young ribs served in other regions of Korea. The unique feature of this dish is the burning sensation that it creates when enjoyed with soju or rice mixed with leftover spices.

It looks similar to traditional Tteobokki, but when you enjoy it, you will feel the difference. This dish is made mainly from cooked flour, a little cornstarch, spicy sauce from chili, etc. The sauce is very red and appealing, which is chili and pepper cooked with curry powder. This dish will be more delicious when you choose to enjoy it on a cold winter day, your body will be warmed up as quickly as possible.

Mungtigi (Sliced Raw Beef)

Mungtigi is a distinctive dish in Daegu because beef is enjoyed while it is still raw. This dish was officially born in 1950, using meat from beef thighs and buttocks. After the beef is thoroughly marinated with sesame oil, garlic, and pepper powder, it will be served with Daegu’s signature spicy sauce. Mungtigi is confident that it will be a dish that awakens your taste buds from the first time you enjoy it.

Coming to Korea, especially Daegu, without enjoying raw beef is really a pity. In Daegu, they never lack beef because it is the main ingredient of specialty dishes here, especially Mungtigi. This wonderful dish is often found in pubs or barbecue shops in Daegu.

The first time you see this dish, surely some of you will find it quite similar to pork intestines in Vietnam, but its taste is a bit different. This dish is made from the beef tripe, the fourth stomach of a cow, it has very little fat, rich in protein, especially helps children grow taller because it has a higher calcium content than beef. This is considered a favorite dish of drinking people in Daegu.

Nonmegi Maeuntang

Nonmegi Maeuntang is a spicy stew that features fresh catfish and a rich, flavorful broth, with kelp, radish, and chili peppers. There are many variations of the dish, like wheat crumbs to create harmony for the taste. This is a popular, and beloved dish of Daegu people.

In addition to the above two dishes, when coming to Daegu, you should also enjoy the unique culinary taste with other dishes such as Napjak Mandu (Korean Flat Dumplings), Nereunguksu noodle, etc.

Daegu travel blog: Where to eat?

Note that Korean food is cheaper than Western food in Daegu. While cafes and restaurants in Korea will serve you delicious food with an average price somewhere around 6,000 won for a dish, at the restaurants around Daegu universities, you only need to spend half the price of 3,000 won and you will have a full meal including rice, soup, and vegetables. This will be a quick, economical meal for you and to save money to enjoy an epic meal later, this is a good way to save money.

But if you don’t want to lose money on eating out, cook your own meals right at the guesthouse, or the Airbnb apartment you’re renting, of course, it’ll be both tastier and more economical. Drop by supermarkets and bakeries just before closing time (around 9-10pm) and you’ll get plenty of stuff for the cheapest price possible!

If you want to enjoy delicious fried chicken and other famous Korean dishes right in the heart of the city, go to Geumgok Samgyetang (Address: 46-1 Gongpyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea/Hours: 11AM–9PM). Meal prices range from 6,000 to 12,000 won.

In addition, you can visit Samsong Bakery (Address: 40 Gyeongsanggamnyeong-gil, Seongnae 2(i)-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea/Hours: 8:30AM–9PM) – the oldest bakery in Daegu to try corn bread with an addictive taste. Filled with cream and corn kernels, sweet cream cheese, and diced vegetables, the store averages about 5,000 pieces a day.

Seomun Night Market, one of the most famous traditional Korean markets. Along with Pyeongyang Market and Ganggyeong Market, they are known as one of the three largest markets since the Joseon Dynasty. The night market was opened in 2016 and has become a place that attracts many people to enjoy delicious food with a vibrant atmosphere.

Deagu travel tip: How to use the Internet for free in Deagu?

In Korea, there are many free wifi hotspots, you can easily catch a lot of wifi signals in Daegu when moving, but you should buy a Wi-Fi package if you want to stay connected during your trip. Olleh Wi-Fi is the name of a wifi network that is available almost everywhere in the city of Daegu (and other major cities in Korea) and the price to use it is also quite cheap. To use Olleh Wi-Fi, you get a prepaid Wi-Fi PIN from any major convenience store and use that code to get instant access to the Internet.

If you’re traveling in a group, renting a Wi-Fi router with unlimited data is a much cheaper option. However, please note that you need to deposit 200,000 won when renting, this amount will be refunded when you return the wifi router.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Daegu you can refer to

• Daegu K-Travel Bus 2 Days 1 Night Tour from Seoul
• Daegu Day Tour with E-World and 83 Tower Ticket
• Daegu Street Food Day Tour
• Alive Aquarium Daegu Admission Ticket
• Busan One Day City Tour from Daegu
• Daegu Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (Open-Top)
• Cherry Blossom Day Tour from Daegu
• Gyeongju Day Tour from Daegu
• Busan/Tongyeong/Daegu Private Car Charter with Driver and Guide
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for South Korea (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for South Korea from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)
• [SALE] Instant Ticket: Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5Days
• Daegu: City Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

Read more Korea guide here .

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Top Things to Do in Daegu, South Korea

Places to visit in daegu, explore popular experiences, tours in and around daegu.

Korean UNESCO World Heritage Tour including Gyeongju, Andong and Daegu(2N3D)

Enjoy Korean foods at Decades Old Restaurants in Daegu

Daegu Hop on Hop off City Tour Bus Discount Ticket (내국인불가)

• Gyeongju Best Spots Private Tour with Tourguide

Gyeongju Private Tour : Uncover the Eternal Beauty

Gyeongju UNESCO sites Private tour with licensed tour guide

Full day Private Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour : a glimpse into Silla

Guided Car Tour in Geyongju with a Local Guide

Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Sites and History Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Full day Customizable Private: Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour with East Sea

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Daegu

Other Top Attractions around Daegu

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

• Seomun Market
• Daegu Duryu Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseongmot Lake
• Gukchaebosang Memorial Park
• Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu
• UNESCO folk village Andong tour including soju museum from Seoul by KTX train
• Daegu Metro
• Kim Gwangseok Street

Top Things to Do in Daegu, South Korea

Things to do in daegu, explore popular experiences, tours in and around daegu.

Korean UNESCO World Heritage Tour including Gyeongju, Andong and Daegu(2N3D)

Enjoy Korean foods at Decades Old Restaurants in Daegu

Daegu Hop on Hop off City Tour Bus Discount Ticket (내국인불가)

• Gyeongju Best Spots Private Tour with Tourguide

Gyeongju Private Tour : Uncover the Eternal Beauty

Gyeongju UNESCO sites Private tour with licensed tour guide

Full day Private Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour : a glimpse into Silla

Guided Car Tour in Geyongju with a Local Guide

Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Sites and History Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Full day Customizable Private: Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour with East Sea

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Daegu

Other Top Attractions around Daegu

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

• Seomun Market
• Daegu Duryu Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseongmot Lake
• Gukchaebosang Memorial Park
• Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu
• UNESCO folk village Andong tour including soju museum from Seoul by KTX train
• Daegu Metro
• Kim Gwangseok Street

10 Places Where Locals Love to Go in Daegu

Cool places in daegu you might not know.

Where do locals love to go in Daegu? This South Korean city may not be as glamorous as other tourist destinations, but it does have a remarkable charm. Many cultural heritage sites were preserved because the city was mostly spared from destruction during the Korean War, and forests and parks in the city are terrific spots for walking and relaxation.

Recently, there has been an upsurge in the number of attractions that appeal to young travelers. Daegu is unmatched in its beautiful scenery, nightscapes, various experiences, and even offers a little journey back in time. Here are some places you should check out in the city, including cool places in Daegu you might not know or even heard of.

Kim Kwang-seok Street

Take a stroll to admire the murals.

Kim Kwang-seok Street is a must-see on your travels to Daegu. It’s a mural-adorned street celebrating singer Kim Kwang-seok’s (1964–1996) life and music, located in his birthplace of Daebong-dong about 350 meters away from Bangcheon Market.

You can view murals and sculptures created in Kim Kwang-seok's image. His masterworks flow gently out into the street, and you can listen to musicians singing his songs at the outdoor venue. Check out any one of the cozy cafés along the street and take a moment to remember a singer whose life was cut tragically short.

Location: Daebong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

photo by Daegu City Official ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) modified

Gyesan Catholic Cathedral

A gothic landmark on geundae alley.

Gyesan Catholic Cathedral, which is a part of the Geundae Alley Tour, is one of 3 major cathedrals in Korea, along with Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul and Jeondong Cathedral in Jeonju. All 3 cathedrals were designed by French priest Victor Louis Poisnel and have similar architecture.

The cathedral was built in a traditional hanok style in 1899 but was rebuilt in 1902 following its destruction. The beautiful Gothic cathedral with 2 spires is Daegu’s first Western-style structure. It was even visited by Pope John Paul II in 1984. You may want to schedule your visit for after dark because the cathedral is particularly beautiful at night.

Location: 10 Seoseong-ro, Seongnae 2(i)-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

Phone: +82 (0)53-254-2300

Daegu Information

6 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Daegu

7 Great Restaurants in Daegu

Suseong lake, a scenic and fun spot for the family.

Suseong Lake in Dusan-dong is a place for slow walks and relaxation in the heart of the Daegu. The lake, which was created during the Japanese occupation period, has beautiful surroundings and features walking trails and recreational facilities.

Suseong Recreation Area and Arte Suseong Land surround the lake, which was used as a filming location for many films. You can go for a paddle boat ride or enjoy water fountain shows, and there are many restaurants and cafés around the lake that are popular date spots. It’s especially charming at night as the sun sets over the lake, and the musical fountains are worth checking out, too.

Location: Dusan-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu, South Korea

Take in incredible night-time views

83 Tower in Duryu-dong is aptly named because this 202-meter tower is equal in height to an 83-storey skyscraper. The tower was completed in 1992 and is now a Daegu landmark with an observatory, ice rink, galleries, and restaurants. You can easily see downtown Daegu and Mt Palgong in the distance from the observation deck.

The sky lounge, famous for having incredible night-time views, is quite the hot spot for marriage proposals. The most famous attraction here is Sky Jump, a bungee-jump platform at an elevation of 123 meters. There’s also E-World, a theme park, which makes 83 Tower a great place to explore with the family.

Location: 200 Duryugongwon-ro, Duryu-dong, Daegu, South Korea

Open: Monday–Friday from 10.30 am to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm

A dense forest and gorgeous valley

Mount Ap (660 meters), together with Mount Palgong, is considered a symbol of Daegu and is located in the city center. It was historically known as Mt Seongbul but is now referred to as Mt Ap, which means 'Front Mountain' because it stands 'in front' of Daegu. The dense forest and deep valley form a natural park.

The park has valleys, natural springs, and trails, and is home to the Nakdong River Victory Memorial Hall. Because there’s also a swimming pool, library, and botanical garden, Daegu locals consider Mt Ap as their haven away from the city. Take a cable car to the observatory for a panoramic view of Daegu, which looks especially striking at night. And when you’re done, check out one of the many restaurants and cafés around Apsan Park.

Location: Daemyeong 9(gu)-dong, Daegu, South Korea

Palgong Mountain

Ride the cable car for beautiful views.

Palgong Mountain in Dong-gu represents Daegu with its peak at 1,192 meters above sea level. The mountain lies on the border between Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province and is home to many temples such as Donghwasa and Pagyesa. What makes Mt Palgong famous is Gatbawi, or the Stone Seated Healing Buddha, at Gwan Peak. Many people visit and pray for well-wishes.

The shape of the traditional hat (gat) is said to resemble a graduation cap, which is why this place is so popular with parents who wish for their children’s good luck on their university/college entrance exams. The hiking trails here are quite challenging, so you can ride a cable car to within 820 meters from Donghwa Temple for convenient sightseeing.

Location: Bugye-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

photo by Chrisxjohnson ( CC BY-SA 3.0 ) modified

Donghwa Temple

Serenity at the foot of palgong mountain.

Donghwasa is a temple at the southern foot of Mt Palgong and was built in the Silla era. Lush forests and valleys surround the temple entrance, so it’s probably a good idea to take your time as you climb up. A variety of state-designated cultural assets can be found on the temple grounds.

Without question, the main attraction here is the 33-meter tall Unification Healing Buddha, among the world’s largest stone Buddha sculptures. It’s a great place to learn about Buddhist culture, thanks to Donghwasa Museum, which exhibits Buddhist art, the Zen-themed Buddhist Cultural Center, and temple food experience hall. There are many restaurants at the foot of Mt Palgong, and you can even catch a cable car for an easier journey up.

Location: 1 Donghwasa 1-gil, Dohak-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea

Phone: +82 (0)53-980-7900

photo by 최옥석 ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) modified

Ayang Railroad Bridge

Go for the dramatic sunsets.

Ayang Railroad Bridge is an emerging attraction in Daegu, located near Ayanggyo Station of Daegu Metro Line 1. The original railway bridge above Geumho River was under threat of demolition but was renovated to be reborn as a tourist destination. An observatory, café, and gallery were installed at the center of the bridge, and parts of the newly-renovated bridge feature glass floors for a view of the blue river below.

As you’d expect, there are some lovely sunset and night-time views to be had here. Springtime is particularly rewarding when the cherry blossoms along the Geumho River are in full bloom.

Location: 930 Jijeo-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu, South Korea

photo by LERK ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) modified

Geundae Alley

Heritage area with history and hidden beauty.

Geundae Alley is one of the areas in Jung-gu where modern cultural heritage buildings remain intact thanks to having suffered minimal damage during the Korean War. A 5-alley tour for the area was developed under the theme of “modern era travels”, and Geundae Alley is undoubtedly the most popular.

It’s a short 1.64-km course but requires about 2 hours because there are so many things to see. There's plenty of history and beauty hidden in every nook, like Cheongna Hill, former missionary residences, Independence Movement Street, Gyesan Catholic Cathedral, Jeil Church, the homes of Lee Sang-hwa and Seo Sang-don, and Jin Alley.

Daegu Art Factory & Suchang Youth Mansion

View experimental art exhibitions.

Daegu Art Factory and Suchang Youth Mansion in Suchang-dong are emerging attractions. They were created through renovations of a tobacco processing plant and a dilapidated apartment complex, respectively, and have since become exhibition spaces for artists.

Both locations provide free entry and are just a short distance away from each other, with Suchang Park in between. You can view experimental works of young and emerging artists, and there are lots of works that are suitable for photo-taking, like ‘Moon Flower’ in Daegu Art Factory. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out Geundae Alley and Seomun Market nearby.

Location: 31-12 Dalseong-ro 22-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

Open: April–October: daily from 10 am to 7 pm. November–March: daily from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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Top Things to Do in Daegu, South Korea - Daegu Must-See Attractions

Things to do in daegu, explore popular experiences, tours in and around daegu.

Korean UNESCO World Heritage Tour including Gyeongju, Andong and Daegu(2N3D)

Enjoy Korean foods at Decades Old Restaurants in Daegu

Daegu Hop on Hop off City Tour Bus Discount Ticket (내국인불가)

• Gyeongju Best Spots Private Tour with Tourguide

Gyeongju Private Tour : Uncover the Eternal Beauty

Gyeongju UNESCO sites Private tour with licensed tour guide

Full day Private Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour : a glimpse into Silla

Guided Car Tour in Geyongju with a Local Guide

Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Sites and History Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Full day Customizable Private: Gyeongju UNESCO Heritage Tour with East Sea

Tours & sightseeing.

Top Attractions in Daegu

Other Top Attractions around Daegu

Cultural & Theme Tours

Private & custom tours, what travellers are saying.

• Seomun Market
• Daegu Duryu Park
• Daegu Arboretum
• Suseongmot Lake
• Gukchaebosang Memorial Park
• Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu
• UNESCO folk village Andong tour including soju museum from Seoul by KTX train
• Daegu Metro
• Kim Gwangseok Street