Daegu walking tour & city guide
A lively inland city of markets, alleys and spicy food.
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Daegu, in the southeast of South Korea, is the country's fourth-largest city. Surrounded by mountains, it is known for its hot summers, its historic herbal medicine market, a vibrant downtown and some of the spiciest and most satisfying food in Korea.
Downtown Dongseongno
Dongseongno is Daegu's main shopping and entertainment district, a network of streets full of fashion stores, cafés, restaurants and bars that stay busy late into the night, as the night walking tours show.
Nearby, Daegu's 'Modern Alleys' (Geundae Golmok) are walking routes through early 20th-century history, passing the Gyesan Cathedral, old missionary houses on Cheongna Hill and the 3.1 Independence Movement Road stairs. The Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Market, established in the 17th century, is one of the oldest of its kind in Korea.
Markets and music
Seomun Market is one of the largest traditional markets in Korea, with thousands of stalls selling fabrics, food and household goods. Its night market fills the main street with food stalls in the evenings.
Kim Gwang-seok Street is a narrow lane covered with murals and sculptures honoring the beloved folk singer who grew up in the area, with his songs playing along the way.
Nature and day trips
A cable car climbs Apsan Mountain for panoramic views of the city, and Palgongsan Mountain, with its large stone Buddha, is popular with hikers. Daegu is under two hours from Seoul by KTX and close to the historic cities of Gyeongju and Andong.
Top sights in Daegu
- 1
Seomun Market
A huge traditional market with a night food market.
- 2
Dongseongno
The lively downtown shopping district.
- 3
Kim Gwang-seok Street
A mural-covered lane honoring a folk singer.
- 4
Daegu Modern Alleys
Walking routes through early modern history.
- 5
Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Market
A historic market of traditional medicines.
- 6
Apsan Observatory
A cable car ride to city views.
Food markets & where to eat in Daegu
Seomun Night Market
Street food stalls in the evening.
Dongin-dong jjimgalbi alley
Restaurants serving Daegu's spicy braised short ribs.
Anjirang makchang alley
A street famous for grilled pork intestines.
Dongseongno cafés
Trendy cafés and dessert spots downtown.
Food to try in Daegu
Dongin-dong jjimgalbi
Fiery braised beef short ribs served in a pot.
Makchang
Grilled pork intestines with a soybean dipping sauce.
Napjak mandu
Flat, thin dumplings, a Daegu specialty.
Ttaro gukbap
Spicy beef soup served with rice on the side.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Daegu
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in DaeguCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Daegu.
- eSIM for South KoreaStay online from the moment you land.
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