Two hours from Seoul you get a national park, a working fishing harbor and beaches all in one compact town. Street food — dakgangjeong fried chicken, squid sausage, raw fish — is half the reason people come.
🚄 Getting there: ~2–2.5 hrs from Seoul by car or express bus
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The itinerary — follow this if it's your first time
Day 1 — Town & Sea
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11:00
Arrive · Sokcho Jungang Market Lunch on dakgangjeong (sweet-spicy fried chicken) and market snacks.
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14:00
Sokcho Beach Café break by the water.
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17:00
Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion Sunset over the sea walkway and lighthouse.
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18:30
Daepo or Dongmyeong Harbor Dinner: mulhoe (chilled raw-fish soup) or sashimi.
Day 2 — Seoraksan & Naksansa
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08:30
Seoraksan Sogongwon · cable car Arrive at opening on weekends. Gwongeumseong ridge + Sinheungsa Temple.
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13:00
Buckwheat noodles near the park Makguksu and tofu restaurants cluster at the mountain entrance.
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15:00
Naksansa Temple Seaside temple 30 min south — Uisangdae pavilion views.
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17:30
Abai Village · hand-pulled ferry Cross on the gaetbae, dinner of Abai stuffed-squid sausage.
Day 3 — Goseong Coast
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10:00
Hwajinpo or Cheonganjeong Quieter beaches and pavilions as you go north.
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12:00
Ayajin café street Sea-view coffee before heading back.
Getting around
The town center (market, beach) works on foot plus taxis. To cover Seoraksan and the quiet Goseong coast, a car helps.
Where to stay
| Area | Best for |
|---|---|
| Sokcho Beach area | Ocean-view hotels; summer books out early. |
| Jungang Market / town center | Walk to all the food; best value stays. |
| Seorak-dong | At the mountain entrance — quiet, ideal for an early hike. |
Daily budget (per person, excl. lodging)
| Budget | Standard | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| ₩40–60k | ₩70–110k | ₩150k+ |
Rough ranges — prices vary by season and taste. ₩10,000 ≈ US$7–8.
What to eat
- Dakgangjeong — Sweet-crispy fried chicken from Jungang Market — still good cold, perfect to take away.
- Abai & squid sausage — North-Korean-style stuffed sausage in Abai Village, reached by hand-pulled ferry.
- Mulhoe & raw fish — Chilled spicy raw-fish soup at Dongmyeong/Daepo harbors.
- Makguksu — Buckwheat noodles at the old shops near Seoraksan.
What to bring home
- Salted seafood (jeotgal) — Vacuum-packed at Jungang Market’s jeotgal alley.
- Dried seafood — Dried squid and pollack from the market or harbors.
Good to know
- Weekend cable-car queues are long — go at opening time.
- Beachfront rooms triple in summer; town-center stays are minutes away and far cheaper.
- For crab or live fish, pick shops with posted per-kg prices.
Written as a general guide — hours, fares and schedules change, so double-check official sources before you go. zzintrip is a travel media site and is not a party to any booking.