What are the must-see natural sceneries in Korea? Probably the mountains and the beautiful ocean. Korean is a peninsula with three sides surrounded by the sea. The east, west, and south all have unique characteristics for you to enjoy.
We will share with you the representative beaches to visit in each region. It would be a refreshing experience in the summer, and you can enjoy a quiet stroll around the blue ocean in other seasons. Let's take a look at some of the best beaches in Korea!
Gangwon-do
In Gangwon-do, you can see the most magnificent natural sights that Korea has. The mountains, forests, and rivers are all beautiful, but wild and pure ocean is the most beautiful natural scene you can find.
Jumunjin (Gangneung)
- Address: 강원도 강릉시 주문진읍 교향리
Jumunjin is located in Gangneung city. Compared to Jeongdongjin, it wasn't much of a tourist site. However, it became a must-visit place after the famous flower scene from the Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (도깨비).
Also, you can find the bus station where BTS took the cover shot for the global hit You Never Walk Alone. Walk along the shore and find traces of the dramas and music you love!
Samcheok Beach (Samcheok)
- Address: 삼척시 갈천동
Source : Samcheok City
In Samcheok you can enjoy a variety of natural sceneries. You can see the cliffs fall right to the sea, and between those cliffs, there are sand beaches you can sunbathe. The city's ground is made of calcium deposit, and if you travel around the city, you will find beautiful caves. It's one of the most loved travel spots by locals.
@sjkuksee (Shin Se-kyung)
Surfyy Beach (Yangyang)
- Address: 강원도 양양군 현북면 하조대해안길
Surfyy Beach used to be a military zone and was closed to civilians for over 40 years. Now about 1kms of the beach is open to all people, and it has become rare surfing beaches in Korea. The place has exotic views and will remind of you of famous foreign beaches.
You can lend all the equipment for surfing, so just bring your body and enjoy surfing with beautiful scenery!
Anmok Beach (Gangneung)
- Address: 강원도 강릉시 견소동 286
Anmok Beach is a newly established tourist site. It's a small beach with just 500m shoreline. But a unique part about this place is that there are cafes lined up right behind the beach. You can sit by the window or on the rooftop and enjoy the peaceful sight and sound of the sea.
*This place has become too famous in a short time, and you might not be able to find a nice seat.
Sokcho Beach (Sokcho)
- Address: 강원도 속초시 조양동 해오름로 186
Sokcho is a classic travel site for locals, and you can enjoy the sea by driving along the shore or walking on the beach. One of the most famous beaches is the lighthouse beach, where you can walk along the long shoreline and see the lone lighthouse standing at far sight.
Mangsang Beach (Donghae)
- Address: 강원도 동해시 망상동 393-16
Mangsang has long shores, which is almost 2 km long. It has clean water and sandy beach and is a great place to take a walk along the shoreline. Take your time just enjoying the view of the beach loved by Koreans.
Jeongdongjin Beach (Donghae)
- Address: 강원도 동해시 강동면
Shimgok Bada Buchaegil (심곡 바다 부채길)
Jeongdongjin's name (正東津) means it's a port located straight east. In Joseon Dynasty, it was believed to be straight east from Gwanghwamun, and now we know it is slightly off. It's one of the most popular places to see the sunrise on the new years day.
Take a walk along the Badabuchaegil (fan-shaped seashore), and you can enjoy the spectacular rocky sea line of Gangwon-do.
Source: gtdc.or.kr
Gyeongpo Beach (Gangneung)
- Address: 강원도 강릉시 안현동 산1
The name Gyeongpo comes from Gyeongpodae, which is a gazebo located near the shore. You can see the Gyeongpo beach and the Gyeongpoho lake right next to the beach. There are historical sites like Ojukheon, Yulgok and Shin Saimdang's house. Check our previous posting to see what more is there to enjoy in Gangneung!
Ojukheon
Incheon is the closest sea you can visit from Seoul, and lots of locals visit for a drive by the ocean. It's mostly ports so you might not find many places with sandy beaches, where you can swim in. However, it's a perfect place to have seafood and enjoy the sunset view.
Eulwangni Beach (Yongyu)
- Address: 인천광역시 용유동
Eulwangni is the one of the largest the beach you can find on the west coast. Also, at low tide, you can see the mudflat reveal itself. It's easy to get there and a great place to enjoy with family!
Dongmak Beach (Ganghwa)
- Address: 인천광역시 강화군 화도면 해안남로 1481
Source : Ganghwa-gun
Dongmak is a beautiful and quiet beach too, but we strongly recommend that you not go there. On an English paper, it was mentioned as the world's most dangerous beach.
It is located close to North Korea, and sometimes they deliberate float mines on the sea. Over 100 mines have been found until now, and the sign below means that you should report right away when you see wooden cases like that.
Masiran Beach (Yongyu)
- Address: 인천광역시 중구 용유동 마시란로
Masiran is just one hour away from Seoul, and you can watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in Korea. There are cafes located by the shorelines, so try to get a nice spot to enjoy the magnificent scenery.
You can also set up a tent on the beach and spend some time by the sea.
Hanagae Beach (Yongyu)
- 인천광역시 중구 용유동 마시란로
Source: OhmyNews
On Hanage beach, you can experience some special activities. There's a bridge that leads to the sea, and you can feel like walking on the water. You can also fly above the water on a zipline experience. If you want some excitement on the beach, try Hanage!
Gyeongsang-do
Gyeongsang-do's beaches are less wild than the Gangwon-do's and less muddy than the Chungcheong-do's. Beaches in Busan are packed with millions of people in Summer. Let's find out what attracts so many people!
Taejongdae (Busan)
- Address: 부산광역시 영도구 동삼동 전망로 24
It's a must-visit place if it's your first time in Busan. The harmony of the rocky cliff and the ocean is unreal. There is the Danubi Train that goes around Tajongdae. You can stop by on each landmark to enjoy all of the Taejongdae.
Source: Busan City
Haeundae (Busan)
- Address: 부산광역시 해운대구 중동
A large beach located in the middle of a city is something you can't see everywhere. It's the no.1 summer vacation site and is filled with people. Lot's of Busan's festivals and events take place here, to meet its reputation.
It's near the central city, and you can find all the hotels, transportation, restaurants and almost anything near you.
Gwangalli Beach (Busan)
- Address: 부산광역시 해운대구 중동
Gwangalli is the third most popular beach in Korea. It is famous that, all outsiders visit Haeundae, and Busan locals visit Gwangalli for vacation. Nowadays, all Koreans and foreigners know that Gwangalli is just as beautiful as Haeundae and is packed in summer.
You can see the Busan's landmark, Gwangan Bridge, up close on Gwangalli beach.
Dadaepo Beach (Busan)
- Address: 부산광역시 다대동
Dadaepo means 'big and wide port.' The water level is very low. You can walk a hundred meters to the ocean and won't drown. The water is less clean compared to other beaches, and locals mostly visit this place for a walk or to see the sunset.
Jimin of BTS is from Busan, and you can see he took a vlog here. Try to find his traces in Dadaepo!
Songjeong Beach (Busan)
- Address: 부산광역시 송정동
Songjeong is the Busan locals' favourite beach along with the Gwangalli. It's less crowded than the Haeundae, and you can enjoy the convenience of the city and the beautiful beach. It's also one of the best places you can enjoy surfing in Korea!
Ganjeolgot (Ulsan)
- Address: 울산광역시 울주군 서생면 대송리
Ganjeolgot is one of the two places where you can see the earliest sunrise with the Homigot. You can find the famous giant post box and windmill. It would leave a great photo with the sun rising behind you!
Yangnam Jusangjeolli (Gyeongju)
- Address: 경상북도 경주시 양남면 읍천리 405-3
Jusangjeolli is a geology term for pillars that is created by lava. Yangnam Jusangjeolli is famous for its unique shape. A Korean historical drama 'Dream of the Emperor' was filmed here because of the historical meaning that Gyeongju has and the magnificent sight of the Yangnam Jusangjeolli.
K-drama: Dream of the Emperor
Homigot (Pohang)
- Address: 경상북도 포항시 남구 호미곶면 구만리 464
Homigot used to be the first place where you can see the sunrise. But it has been found out that, on somedays Ganjeolgot is faster. So it's one of the two fastest sunrise spots in Korea. Also, in Homigot, you can see the famous sculpture of hand coming out from the ocean.
Chungcheong-do
Chungcheong-do is famous for its mudflats and sunsets. It's also close to Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Here, you can also enjoy one of Korea's largest festivals in Chungcheong-do!
Daecheon Beach (Boryeong)
- Address: 충청남도 보령시 신흑동 1345-27
Daecheon Beach is the most popular beach on the west coast of Korea. It is the second most visited beach, right below Haeundae. Thanks to its mudflat, it opens one of the world's largest mud festival in Summer. Put mud on your face, which is good for your skin, and enjoy the sea!
Mongsanpo Beach (Taean)
- Address: 충청남도 태안군 남면 신장2리 353-153
Taean has one of the cleanest beaches in Korea. People visit Mongsangpo to dig out clams and other sea lives. You can lend all the equipments on sight, so don't worry. Also, the beautiful mudflat of Mongsangpo is one of the best places where you can enjoy the sunset.
Chollipo Beach (Taean)
- Address: 충청남도 태안군 소원면 천리포1길 187
Chollipo is a small beach in Taean. It is clean and less crowded than the other beaches. Also, there is a beautiful Chollipo Arboretum. It's a place where you can enjoy the ocean and forest-like atmosphere at one time.
Kkotji Beach (Taean)
- Address: 충청남도 태안군 안면읍 꽃지해수욕장
Source: taeanview.com
Kkotji is another beautiful ocean located in Taean. You can see two huge rocks on the ocean. They are called Halmi and Halaebi, which means grandma and grandpa in Korean. When the sun is setting, it will bring back the nostalgia with your families.
Muchangpo Beach (Boryeong)
- Address: 충청남도 보령시 웅천읍 관당리
Muchangpo is located in Boryeong, which is famous for its mud festivals. But what makes this special is that when the tide is low, the sea splits in half and makes way to the island. This natural phenomenon happens twice a month, so check the date before you plan a visit.
Jeolla-do
Islands of Yeosu
Compared to other areas, Jeolla-do doesn't have popular sandy beaches. However, it has many beautiful islands where you can enjoy the view like nowhere else. Let's go find out some hidden beauties of the West Sea.
Ujeon Beach (Sinan)
- Address: 전라남도 신안군 증도면 우전리
Sinan is a district in Jeollanam-do, which solely consists of islands. The most beautiful one of them is the Jeungdo, where Ujeon Beach is located in. There are parasols for anyone to use along the shore, and you can take a walk enjoying the slow time that Jeungdo presents!
Myeongsasimni Beach (Wando)
- Address: 전라남도 완도군 신지면
Myungsasimni means, "Crying sound of the sands can be heard from 10 li away." Wando has a smooth sand beach, and the sound of the water sweeping sound soothes your mind. It is a fairly large beach, which is over 3.8km long. The beach is one of the cleanest beaches, and the sands are known to contain healthy minerals. Enjoy a sand bath in Myungsasimni, if you are visiting Wando!
Baeksu Coastal Road (Yeonggwang)
- Address: 전라남도 영광군 백수읍 백암리
For locals, Youngwang is a famous place for its gulbi, a dried yellow corvina. What they don't know is that it has one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Korea. It's doesn't have a beach where you can go and walk around, but if you are in a car you can see the beautiful horizon, especially at sunset.
Namyeol Sunrise Beach (Goheung)
- Address: 전라남도 고흥군 영남면 남열리 175-2
Namyeol Beach is the most famous sea in Goheung. Like its name Sunrise Beach, you can find one of the most beautiful sunrise from the sea. Also, it is the best surfing spot on the west coast. If you are a surfing lover, it's a must-visit spot for you!
Jiri Cheongsong Beach (Wando)
- Address: 전라남도 완도군 청산면
Jiri Cheongsong Beach is located in Cheongsando. The sign on the picture above is saying 'slow road.' Try to enjoy walk slowly along the shore and enjoy the moment. Don't push yourself too hard to travel. Cheongsando was the filming site for Pinnochio, and you can visit all the beautiful places where Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye were.
Jejudo
We have introduced beautiful beaches from the mainland, but Jejudo's beaches are on another level. Bright sun, cool wind and the clear beach makes a perfect vacation spot for all locals and foreigners.
Hamdeok Beach (Jeju)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 조천읍 함덕리 107
Hamdeok is a beach with the most clear blue colour in all Korea. Climb the oreum next to the beach, and you can enjoy the scenery from a bird's view. It's a great beach to swim in or to take a stroll around.
Woljeongri Beach (Jeju)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 구좌읍 월정리
Woljeongli means "a town where the moon stays." Its water level is low, and travellers of any age can enjoy swimming here. It's also a great surfing spot where you can enjoy water activities.
Seobin-baeksa Beach (Jeju)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 우도면 우도해안길 264
Seobin-baeksa is located on Udo Island. The water's colour close to the land is transparent, and the water faraway is coral blue. It's a mix of a sandy beach and a rocky beach which is a rare sight. Rent an electric car or bicycle to travel around the island, and enjoy the scenery of Udo.
Iho Tewoo Beach (Jeju)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 이호일동 375-43
It is one of the closest beach from the Jeju city. There are exotic trees that make the scenery unique, which you can't find anywhere else in Korea. Also, the two giant horse-shaped lighthouse is a perfect spot to take pictures that will last.
Hyeopjae Beach (Jeju)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 한림읍 협재리 2447-17
Hyeopjae is the must-visit beach on the west coast of Jeju Island. Since it's on the west coast, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset on Jeju. Since it is a popular tourist site, you can easily find great cafes and restaurants here.
Geumneung Eutteumwon Beach (Jeju)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 제주시 한림읍 금능리
Geumneung is located right next to Hyeopjae and shares the clear water with it. It is less crowded than the other famous beaches, and you can enjoy the quiet vacation here. It is better to visit here when the tide is low because you can enjoy the sandy beach that reveals itself.
Jungmun Saekdal Beach (Seogwipo)
- Address: 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 색달동
Jungmun's tides are higher than other beaches and is a great place to surf. The sands have different colours of black, gray, red, white, and you can enjoy different sides of the beach when the sun comes from different angles.
This posting was an introduction to Korean beaches. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment or send us an e-mail at help@creatrip.com. We'll get right back to you.