Beaches are always the first selected places for everyone to relax. We have to come in every summer when it knocks on our doors. South Korea, with its 3 sides (East, West and South), has 12 of 18 cities (except Seoul, Sejong, Chungbuk, Daejeon, Daegu and Gwangju). Summer in Korea, the hottest period from mid-July through mid-August (average temperature from 30 ° C ~ 34 ° C). This is also the peak season, so the beaches at this time are often crowded. If you do not like the crowded and noisy, you can go to the beaches after the peak season about 1-2 weeks. Here is a list of the 10 most beautiful and famous beaches in Korea, stretching from the east coast to the west and south coast of the peninsula. Let’s discover top beaches in South Korea — Top 10 most beautiful and best beaches in South Korea below.
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I. The beautiful beaches on the East Coast
South Korea’s east coast is well-known for its vast white sand beaches and clear blue water. This is one of the most popular destinations for summer vacation in Korea. The guests are not only bathing but also enjoying the sun rises in the early morning. Many beaches on the East Coast celebrate the sunrise – Haedoji Festival in the New Year. It will be an unforgettable memory when you can catch the sunrise from the horizon on the first day of the new year.
1. Sokcho Beach in Sokcho City, Gangwon Province
Sokcho Beach is famous for its pine forest which is beautiful as a picture, proudly standing on the white sand. One of the attractions of Sokcho beach is that there are many tourist destinations around such as Yeongnang Lake or Seoraksan National Park, which is one of the most famous and sacred mountains in Korea.
In Sokcho, there are plenty of parking lots, camping areas and inns, so visitors can come here every weekend. Tourists can even rent fishing and fishing rods in the Jodo Island area, or walk to the pier to eat fresh seafood in seafood markets.
Sokcho beach is just 500 meters from Sokcho Express Bus Station. There is the Haedoji Festival on the 1st of January, as well as the Sokcho Festival, which takes place from mid-July to early August.
The guide to Sokcho beach in Sokcho City, Gangwon Province
Korean name: 해수욕장 해수욕장
Address: 속초시 조양동 조양동 1450-158
Phone: (+82) 033-639-2665 Website: http://www.sokchotour.com/
Opening times: Open from July 10 to August 23
The statistics of white sand, 700m long, 50m wide, area of 29,000 square meters.
Utilities: 02 bathrooms with the maximum capacity of 24 persons per room, storage room, 12,000 square meters of campgrounds, volleyball court, mini soccer field, Korean volleyball court, outdoor stage, Parking space for 300 cars or 70 cars, 1.2 km long beach promenade, tourist information counters (English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese).
How to get there: from the Sokcho Express shuttle bus (초고속 버스 터미널 터미널), we just take the 10-minute walk (640 m) to reach the beach.
Map: http://dmaps.kr/r5zn
2. Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province
Gyeongpo is the largest beach on the East Coast, just one kilometer from Pho Dai (Gyeongpodae Observatory, the famous sunrise spot in Korea). The Gyeongpo beach is famous for its smooth and white sand. It is a perfect place to walk on barefoot.
Games available in Gyeongpo: Banana boat surfing, speed boat and speedboat surfing. In addition, the annual Summer Arts Festival is held here at the end of July, cultural and artistic performances and traditional cultural performances are also held throughout the year.
The guide to Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province
Korean name: 해수욕장 해수욕장
Address: 강릉시 강문동 산 산 1
Phone: (+82) 033-640-5129
Website: : http://www.koreaimg.com/
Opening times: Open from 27 June until 23 August
The statistic of white sand, 400m long, 50m wide, 20,000m2 area, the maximum capacity of 10,000 people.
Utilities:02 bathrooms with the maximum capacity of 24 persons/room, storage room, public restroom, drinking fountain, parking area 2.200m 2.
How to get there: From the Gangneung Express Bus station (고속 버스 터미널 터미널) to the other side of the road, you just take the 202 or 202-1 bus to 10 stops (30 minutes) and get off at the 해수욕장 정류장
Map: http://dmaps.kr/r5zf
3. Naksan Beach in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province
Naksan is one of the most beautiful beaches in Gangwon Province, attracting more than one million visitors each summer. The pine trees run along the coastline stretching with clear water beside the beautiful natural scenery.
Naksan Beach is also an ideal place for those who love to learn Korean traditional culture. Next to the beach are Naksan Temple and Uisangdae Family. Naksan Temple was built to commemorate the great Master Uisang, and the monk’s name is the ideal place to watch the sunrise.
The guide to Naksan Beach in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province
Korean name: 해수욕장 해수욕장
Address: 양양군 강현면 해맞이 길 길 59
Phone: (+82) 033-670-2518
Website: http://tour.yangyang.go.kr/
Opening times: Open from July 10 to August 23
The statistics of white sand, 1.8km long, the maximum capacity of 60,000 people.Facilities Campgrounds, 14 storage rooms, bathrooms, fountains and 14 toilets and parking.
How to get there: from the Yangyang Intercity bus station (MRT), you should take bus 9, 9-1 or 9-2 to 5 stops (10 minutes) and get off at the station 정류장 정류장 and then continue. Just take a 10-minute walk, you can get to the beach.
Map: http://dmaps.kr/r5zf
4. Guryongpo Beach in Pohang City, Gyeongbuk Province
Guryongpo is about 24km from the city of Pohang. It is famous for the sandy beaches stretching out to the sea. This is a place for swimmers to enjoy, and those who like fishing can go to Yeongilman Bay.
The guide to Guryongpo Beach in Pohang City, Gyeongbuk Province
Korean name: 해수욕장 해수욕장
Address: 포항시 남구 구룡포읍 호미 로 로 426 번길 6
Phone: (+82) 054-270-6561
Website: http://phtour.ipohang.org/
Opening times: Open from 27 June until 23 August
The statistic of white sand, 400m long, 50m wide, area of 20.00m square and the maximum capacity of 10,000 people.
Utilities: 02 bathrooms with the capacity of 24 persons/room, storage room, toilet, drinking fountain and 2.200m2 parking lot.
How to get there: From Pohang (고속 버스 터미널 b) bus stop, cross the intersection, take the 101 or 175 bus to the 7 bus stop (10 minutes) to the bus stop 본사 정류장 정류장 change to vehicle 210 go 5 berths (20 minutes) to the station 근대화 거리 거리 then down, change to the village bus (지선 지선), then go 2 stops (3 minutes) is to arrive.
Map: http://dmaps.kr/r5zk
II. Beautiful West Coast beaches
West coast of Korea including the West Sea and the Yellow Sea which are very close to Seoul, so beaches are ideal places for those who do not have much time. The West Coast beaches are also a great place to watch the sun go down and watch the tide rise with the glorious ships in the afternoon sun.
5. Eulwangni Beach in Incheon City
Eulwangni is very close to Incheon International Airport and Seoul Capital. Besides white sand and natural scenery, the shallow water here is also an ideal place for children to play. Around the beach, there are many luxurious resorts and seafood restaurants. Having dinner at the restaurant’s balcony and looking out at the Eulwangni to see how the sunshine is fading away from the horizon. It’s not that you can impress your first date by this way.