Daegu is South Korea's laid-back fourth city, cradled in a mountain basin in the country's sunny southeast. A historic centre of textiles, oriental medicine and Korea's best apples, it mixes traditional markets and ancient temples with a youthful, student-driven energy and a famously friendly, down-to-earth feel — all at a noticeably lower cost than Seoul or Busan.
Daegu has a humid continental climate and a reputation as the hottest city in Korea, with long, sweltering summers, crisp, cold winters and beautiful springs and autumns. It has a friendly, well-established international community built around its many universities and language schools, where English is widely taught and used. Korean is the language of daily life, but excellent public transport, ultra-fast internet and a safe, convenient, great-value lifestyle make settling in wonderfully easy.
Location Info
- Friendly, student-driven city with a low cost of living and an established expat scene
- One of the safest cities anywhere, with very low crime day or night
- Clean, cheap metro and buses, plus KTX bullet trains across the country
Top Experiences
Seomun Market
One of Korea's largest and oldest traditional markets, a sprawling warren of textiles and household goods that transforms after dark into a legendary night market — graze your way through endless Korean street food.
Yangnyeongsi Herb Market
Step into 350 years of history at this fragrant oriental-medicine market, the largest of its kind in Korea, with a small museum explaining the herbs, remedies and traditions behind it.
Apsan Park & Cable Car
Ride the cable car up Apsan for the city's best panorama — a glittering sea of lights at night — then hike the forested trails that ring the southern edge of town.
Donghwasa & Palgongsan
Escape to a serene 1,500-year-old mountain temple on the slopes of Palgongsan, home to a giant stone Buddha and some of the region's finest autumn foliage and spring blossom.
Kim Kwang-seok Street
A colourful, mural-lined alley dedicated to the beloved late folk singer, packed with cafés, buskers and street art — one of the most charming corners of the old town.
E-World & 83 Tower
A hilltop theme park and observation tower with rides, seasonal light festivals and sweeping views over the city, glowing especially beautifully after dark.
Getting Around
Daegu is compact and simple to get around. Its clean, cheap metro has three lines signed in English, backed by an extensive bus network and a single tap-and-go T-money card that works on everything. Taxis are plentiful and affordable, and the KTX bullet train reaches Seoul in under two hours and Busan in well under one. Most journeys around the city cost barely more than a dollar.
When to Go
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are glorious, with mild, sunny days, cherry blossoms or fiery foliage, and lively festivals. Summers are notoriously hot and humid — Daegu regularly records Korea's highest temperatures — while winters are cold and dry, but crisp and clear for sightseeing.
Good to Know
- The Korean won (KRW) is the currency, and Daegu is excellent value, even by Korean standards.
- Korean is the official language; English is widely taught and used in international schools.
- A T-money card covers metro, buses and taxis, and tops up at any convenience store.
- Internet is among the fastest in the world, and the city is exceptionally well connected.
- Daegu is extremely safe, with very low crime at any hour.
- The city runs on Korea Standard Time (GMT+9).
