Today we're taking you with us on an early morning flight to Daegu!

We have a full day scheduled from dawn to dusk so that you can make the most of your trip to Daegu when you visit.

1. Daegu International Airport (대구국제공항)

Address: 대구 동구 공항로 221
221 Gonghang-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu

If you fly to Daegu directly, you can see this place right away. 

It's Daegu International Airport, a gateway to the Gyeongsang region!

This is the first thing you will see after arriving in Korea and deplaning, the international arrival hall.

International flights are not in operation currently, but they should resume soon.

Daegu International Airport is super convenient since it is close to downtown, so even if you arrive at dawn or early morning, you can use the taxi stand of city bus located right in front of the airport!

2-1. Jjimjilbang (찜질방)

There are people who want to dive into adventure and activities as soon as they arrive, but most people will probably enjoy relaxing first at a jjimjilbang, a Korean traditional sauna.

I have a few recommendations for clean and enjoyable saunas located in downtown Daegu outlined below.

Greenville Sauna (그린빌 사우나)

Address: 대구 중구 남산2동 665
665 Namsan 2-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Price: 
Adults: 11,000 won
Children Under 7: 5,000 won

This spa is conveniently located by Banwoldang Station.

Though it is large, not as many people know about it, so there is plenty of space to feel comfortable while you're here.

If you drive here, there is a spacious parking lot, so you don't have to worry about finding parking.

Gungjeon Lavender (궁전라벤더)

Address: 대구 동구 아양로 52
52 Ayang-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Price: 
Adults: 13,000 won
Children Under 7: 8,000 won

Gungjeon Lavender is close to Dongdaegu KTX Station.

It is a little more expensive, but it is very clean and nice.

Daegu locals also enjoy coming here, so it must be good.

Seongwon Nexus (성원넥서스) 

Address: 대구 수성구 만촌동 화랑로 46
46 Hwarang-ro, Manchon-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Price:
Adults: 9,000 won
Children Under 7: 5,000 won

This bathhouse is very clean and spacious.

They offer a salt room, red clay room, sleeping room, and more.

They even have additional facilities like a PC room, comic book cafe, karaoke, etc

2-2. Sunrise Park (해맞이공원)

Address: 대구 동구 효목동 212-2
212-2 Hyomok-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu

It's good to take a break at the sauna after traveling, but for those who want to jump right into the action, there is Sunrise Park.

The park is about 20 minutes from the airport by Express Bus No. 1. Get off at Ayanggyo Station exit 1and walk a little to arrive at the park.

You can also take a taxi from the airport and it takes about 10 minutes to get there if you do.

As the name would suggest, Sunrise Park is a perfect place for viewing the sunrise.

Here you will be able to see the ridges of Geumho River and Palgongsan Mountain.

Many people from Daegu come here to watch the sunrise and make wishes.

Additionally, there are several trails to explore and attractions to see such as waterfalls and bridges, so I recommend you check this area out.

Unfortunately for me, it was overcast when I visited, so the view was obstructed.

Even so, there's beauty in the mist off the river and the foggy downtown scenery.

3. Gukil Ttaro Gukbap

Address: 대구 중구 국채보상로 571
571 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: 00:00-24:00

Transportation: By Jungangno Station Exit 4

As soon as I arrived in Daegu, I was hungry for some lunch.

The restaurant I went to that I want to recommend is this delicious soup and rice place by Dongseong-ro.

Gukil Ttaro Gukbap is located right in front of exi 3 of Jungangno Station, Daegu Subway Line 1.

Ttaro Gukbap (meaning separate rice and soup) is a traditional local food of Daegu.

This dish combines existing dishes, Korean beef soup, yukgaejang, and seonjiguk with rice.

Unlike regular gukbap, which was originally served together in an earthenware bowl, it is said to have been named "ttaro" because the rice is served separately.

This particular eatery is considered one of the best for ttaro gukbap in Daegu.

Autographs of famous people and photos from TV appearances can be seen by the entrance. From Yoona of Girls' Generation to Psy, it is clear from the celebrity patronage this restaurant is great!

It is also said that this restaurant is among the original places to develop and serve ttaro gukbap, having been in operation for 75-years.

Perhaps that is why despite the early hour, there are already a lot of people eating here. 

The menu here is quite simple: Special Ttaro Gukbap (9,000 won), Ttaro Gukbap (8,000), Ttaro Guksu (8,000), and you can also add rice, ox blood, and noodles.

I ordered the basic ttaro gukbap.

Ttaro Gukbap 8,000 won

Did you know that gukbap is a menu item that comes out so quickly it is said to be Korean fast food?

Our food was brought to us about 2 minutes after ordering!

Most rice soup restaurants in Korea boil soup in large quantities for more than a day to develop a rich flavor, so it is ready to serve when you order.

The gukbap is served with kkakdug, kimchi, and chives.

This kind of food is pretty mild, so if you don't handle spicy food well, this is a safe option.

The beauty of this soup is the ingredients.

The soft green onions and radishes have boiled for a long time, so they are wonderfully soft and not at all bitter.

They were enjoyable even for someone who is not typically a vegetable fan.

Another ingredient in this soup in seonji (선지), coagulated cow's blood.

While it is a common ingredient in Korea, there are still a number of people who dislike it, so it's definitely okay to ask for it to be omitted if you don't want it's don't let that put you off!

In addition, you can add the chives to your soup for some fresh flavor and texture.

4. Cafe Lucid (카페 루시드)

Address: 대구 중구 동성로4길 94
94 Dongseong-ro 4-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: 12:00-21:30
Closed: Seollal and Chuseok

After our delicious and savory meal, it's time for something sweet!

The dessert cafe I'm going to this time is a place I highly recommend.

Cafe Lucid is just a ten minute walk from the gukbap restaurant

Lucid's signature menu item is Pudding Bingsu, though they're also famous for their cookies and other baked goods. 

I ordered the Pudding Bingsu, Salted Caramel Madeleine, and delicious-looking Sunrise Popping.

While I was waiting I looked around at the spacious interior and found a seat. The chair was soft and comfortable, making it perfect for relaxing.

The wait was not long!

Pudding Bingsu (푸딩빙수) 17,000 won

You can't help but be surprised when you see this dessert!

Not only was there a lot of bingsu and caramel sauce, but there was a whole custard placed on top.

From the first bite, you will feel the sugar and even those who were tired will be energized!

It was my first time trying anything like this and I did not expect it to love it as much as I did.

Salted Caramel Madeleine (솔티드 카라멜 마들렌) 3,000 won

Another item I want to recommend is the Salted Caramel Madeleine.

The salty and sweet combination is addictive.

Sunrise Popping (선라이즈팝핑) 7,000 won

Lucid has a large array of beautiful drinks to choose from.

I chose the Sunrise Popping which had coconut at the bottom and fruit sherbet on the top, so it was perfect and refreshing in the warm weather.

5. Habbi (해삐)

Address: 대구 중구 동성로2길 35
35 Dongseong-ro 2-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: 12:00-22:00

The next place I visited is a shop called Habbi located on Dongseong-ro.

This is a good place to stop and buy cute souvenirs.

When I walked in, it was full of cute props ranging from dolls to stationary and accessories.

I really liked this bouquet made of flower dolls. Which one do you like?

Recently, these cute accessory shops have become popular with many women in Korea, so a lot of them have opened.

They also had BTS dolls for sale here at Habbi!

They looked very cute amongst the soft and colorful plushies.

6. Taewang Spark (태왕 스파크) 

Address: 대구 중구 동성로3길 84
84 Dongseong-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: 12:00-22:00

The next place to introduce is Taewang Spark!

Taewang Spark is the place where you can enjoy the most fun activities in the Dongseong-ro area, the busiest part of Daegu.

I'm going to take you with me to two different attractions.

Sparkland (스파크랜드)

You can find this place if you go up to the 6th-9th floors after passing through numerous restaurant, cafes, and clothing stores located on the lower floors.

The first thing you can enjoy here is the amusement park.

This rooftop amusement park is enjoyed by people of all ages.

In particular, the ferris wheel is very popular and feels like a symbol of Daegu because of how much it is posted on social media.

Many, many people come here to take photos.

I bought a Big2 Ticket (9,000 won) to ride two rides.

You can enter without purchasing a ticket though if you just want to visit and see it for your self.

The first ride I chose was, of course, the Ferris wheel!

When I visited, I was worried because it was very humid and hot, but there was actually an air conditioner inside the Ferris wheel, so I could comfortably enjoy the Daegu scenery. 

From up high, you can see the alleys of Dongseong-ro.

I was even able to see Habbi from the Ferris wheel!

The second ride I went on is one called Disko.

This rides both spins and swings from side to side.

I really enjoy these kinds of thrill rides, so I had a lot of fun on this one!

Since it's on top of a building, when the ride gets higher towards the end, you can catch a great view of downtown Daegu on the other side of the Ferris wheel.

If you ride these two rides, you can get in your sightseeing for Daegu!

Sparkland is not big in size (due to the fact that it's on a roof), but it also has other fun rides such as the spinning cups and gyro drop.

It's full of mini rides with everything you need, so I recommend it to those who want to enjoy an exciting amusement park in the city center.

Happy Villains (해피빌런즈)

After Sparkland, the next place to visit at Taewang is Happy Villains.

Happy Villains is an indoor activity center that features an indoor sports theme park and roller skating rink.

Since I had just been to an amusement park though, I picked the roller rink to visit.

Tickets can be purchased on the 6th floor of Taewang Spark for both.

Tickets for the sports theme park are 25,000 won for children under 14, and 30,000 won for adults.

When you enter the roller skating rink, you can conveniently purchase tickets at a kiosk.

There are employees who are fluent in other languages who can help you as well!

For those under 14-years-old (elementary school students), you can purchase a one-hour pass for 8,000 won; and for those over 14 (middle school and up), the cost is 10,000 won.

In addition, if you don't have socks, you can purchase a pair for 1,000 won.

After purchasing a ticket, you can get fitted with safety gear and skates.

Roller skating rinks gained popularity after Reply 1988 sparked an interest in 80s retro fashion and lifestyle.

It feels like the 80s here with the colorful lights and music.

I'm not good at roller skating and found it difficult to balance, but I still had a lot of fun!

I think this would be a good place to come either with friends or family, or by yourself if you want to have a fun, retro experience.

7. Donga Sikdang (동아식당)

Address: 대구 중구 국채보상로125길 14
14 Gukchaebosang-ro 125-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: 11:30-20:00
Break: 15:00-17:00
Mon: Closed

Since we just spent a lot of energy at Sparkland and the roller rink, I think it's time for dinner!

The place I want to recommend to you is a delicious Korean restaurant called Donga Sikdang, one of the hottest places in Korea.

Even though I arrived before they opened for dinner hours, there was already a line.

I put my name on the waiting list and waited for about 40 minutes.

Even so, it is definitely worth it, so I really recommend you stick it out and just take into account when planning that you will likely have to wait for a while.

This place offers healthy, seasonal dishes made with fresh and nutritious ingredients from Gyeongsang-do, including Daegu, so you can enjoy a variety of seasonal Korean foods.

I visited in the summer, so the menu I got to enjoy featured perilla leaves and fragrant perilla oil which enhance the flavors of summer.

I ordered the three most popular menu items to try.

These may not be the visuals you usually think of when it comes to Korean cuisine like bibimbap or bulgogi, but they are unique and lovely in their own way.

Chadol Perilla Leaf Noodles (차돌 깻잎 국수) 12,000 won

The first dish is a soup made with beef brisket, perilla leaves, and noodles.

I could taste the fragrant perilla leaves in the rich broth, which I had never tried before.

Somehow despite the richness, it was not greasy feeling, but refreshing and I really enjoyed it.

Perilla Oil Noodles (들기름국수) 9,000 won

Next up is the Perilla Oil Noodles, a dish that combines chewy kalguksu noodles with savory perilla oil, directly from a mill in Gyeongsang-do.

I can almost smell it just looking at the picture. It was a very memorable flavor that I highly recommend!

Egg Gimbap (계란김밥) 8,000 won

Lastly, we have the egg gimbap, a must order item at this restaurant.

This gimbap, which contains thick slices of omelette serves as a palate cleanser between the more strongly flavored dishes.

Thanks to the egg gimbap, I was able to finish my meal without getting tired of it until the end.

I liked the use of familiar flavors prepared in a different way.

It also goes well with Donga's motto "a new perspective on familiarity".

8. The Differ (더디퍼)

Address: 대구 중구 서성로 67
67 Seoseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hours: 10:00-22:00

The Differ is cafe and wine bar famous on social media for its collection of Bichon plushies and artistic design.

It's the perfect place to go for a relaxing walk in the evening.

The Differ is a very large cafe, so you can see various sculptures and art as well as photo zones for taking pictures.

 You can choose a comfortable seat that suits your tastes!

The Differ has come to be known as a "Bichon Cafe" because of these stuffed animal versions of the white fluffy dog.

Most of the images on social media are taken here.

You can take a really pretty shot here like a still from a film.

Additionally, there are other amazing photo spots here, and one of my favorites was this clock area by the entrance.

Each prop here at The Differ made me feel like I was in an old novel.

Doesn't it feel like vintage luxury?

The lighting is just right, so photos come out really well, whether of people or food.

It's perfect for a walk and a cup of coffee or glass of wine at sunset, right?

I recommend when you visit Daegu that you end your busy day with a refreshing and healing stop at The Differ.

The atmosphere is really special, and it's especially perfect for wine lovers.

I ordered The Differ's popular drink, the Chocolate Latte.

It's good to enjoy it inside, but also nice if you get it to go because they give you this pretty paper cup sleeve.

I hope you get to visit and try out their delicious menu items and enjoy the unique interior.

With a large studio-style cafe that looks like scenes from novels brought to life, it's a really great experience and a great note to end our Daegu trip on.

That was our one day trip to Daegu itinerary, jam-packed with fun activities and delicious foods.

From morning to evening, we explored some of the hottest spots Daegu has to offer, so that you can get the most out of your trip.

Hope you enjoyed this and found it useful.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments!