Holiday in Ulsan
City in South Korea — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇰🇷
Country
South Korea
Type
City
Best time to travel
April to June (spring, cherry blossom) and September to November (autumn, clear visibility). January for whale watching and New Year's sunrise.
Budget/day
55-120 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Ulsan (USN, about 12-15 h with a stopover in Seoul/Incheon) or to Busan (PUS) + 1 h train. No visa required for up to 90 days with K-ETA.
Deals for Ulsan:
What makes Ulsan special as a destination?
Ulsan is South Korea's industrial capital and surprises visitors with a fascinating mix of heavy industry and untouched nature. The city on the southeast coast is home to the world's largest automobile manufacturer (Hyundai) and Korea's largest refinery, yet just outside the gates await whales, bamboo forests, and prehistoric rock paintings. The Bangudae rock paintings — a UNESCO World Heritage site — showcase 7,000-year-old depictions of whales, turtles, and hunting scenes and are the oldest representations of whaling in the world. The Jangsaengpo Whale Museum documents Ulsan's history as Korea's most important whaling location. The Taehwa River runs through the city and offers a 4 km long bamboo forest path — a green oasis in the midst of the industrial city. Ganjeolgot Point is the easternmost point of the Korean mainland and a popular spot for the first sunrise of the new year. The Daewangam coast features dramatic rock formations and pine forests right by the Sea of Japan. In January, whales can actually be spotted from the coast — Ulsan is the only place in Korea for whale watching.
What are the top highlights in Ulsan?
The top highlights in Ulsan include Bangudae Rock Paintings, Taehwa Bamboo Forest Path, Ganjeolgot, Daewangam Coast, Whale Watching.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Bangudae Rock Paintings
UNESCO World Heritage site: 7,000-year-old petroglyphs with the oldest whaling depictions in the world.
Taehwa Bamboo Forest Path
4 km long bamboo forest in the city: a green oasis by the riverside with cycling and hiking paths.
Ganjeolgot
Easternmost point of the Korean mainland: famous for the first sunrise of the new year.
Daewangam Coast
Dramatic rock formations and pine forests by the Sea of Japan: Ulsan's most spectacular coastal section.
Whale Watching
The only place in Korea for whale watching: in winter, minke whales and dolphins pass by the coast.
Hyundai Motorstudio
Interactive museum of the world's largest automobile manufacturer: experience the future of mobility up close.
Hotels in Ulsan
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Reise-SIM für Ulsan
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Ulsan?
The best time to visit Ulsan is April to June (spring, cherry blossom) and September to November (autumn, clear visibility). January for whale watching and New Year's sunrise.. 24-32 °C, warm and humid with monsoon rains in July In winter: 0-8 °C, cold but dry, perfect for coastal hikes
Recommended travel time
April to June (spring, cherry blossom) and September to November (autumn, clear visibility). January for whale watching and New Year's sunrise.
Summer
24-32 °C, warm and humid with monsoon rains in July
Winter
0-8 °C, cold but dry, perfect for coastal hikes
How much does a holiday in Ulsan cost?
Budget travellers: 30-50 €/day, mid-range: 55-120 €/day, luxury: 130-350 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-50 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
55-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
130-350 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Ulsan?
Flight to Ulsan (USN, about 12-15 h with a stopover in Seoul/Incheon) or to Busan (PUS) + 1 h train. No visa required for up to 90 days with K-ETA.
Book a package holiday to Ulsan
Compare thousands of package holidays to Ulsan and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Ulsan?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
K-ETA — apply online before the trip (about 10 €). No boarding possible without K-ETA.
Ganjeolgot New Year — on January 1, tens of thousands flock for the sunrise. Bring warm clothing and patience.
Bangudae Access — the rock paintings are only visible at low water levels. Check water level information beforehand.
KTX to Busan — only 20 minutes by high-speed train. Busan and Ulsan can be perfectly combined.
Whale Festival — every year in April, Ulsan celebrates the Whale Festival with parades, whale dishes, and boat tours.
What should you eat in Ulsan?
Typical specialities in Ulsan: Ulsan Gopchang — grilled beef intestines over charcoal: Ulsan's most famous specialty, tender and crispy at the same time., Eonyang Bulgogi — marinated beef in Ulsan style: sweeter and more tender than in other regions of Korea., Whale Meat — historically controversial, but still available in Ulsan's Jangsaengpo district: mild and similar to tuna., Haemul Pajeon — crispy seafood pancake with spring onions: perfect with makgeolli (rice wine)., Jeonbok-Juk — creamy abalone rice porridge: luxurious comfort food with fresh abalone from the Sea of Japan..
These specialties you must try!
