The Coastal Route: A Road Trip Itinerary For South Korea

Surrounded by water on three sides, the peninsula that is South Korea is outlined by a highly indented, 8,640-kilometer-long coastline that is bedecked by more than 3,500 islands. Unsurprisingly, an adventure through the country’s coastal cities promises gorgeous scenic views, amazing seafood feasts, and unsurpassed hospitality. Pack your bags and get ready to explore Korea’s coastal route in all its glory.

Overview

Total distance (approximate): 1,170 kilometers

Total travel time (approximate): 18 hours, 15 minutes

Best for: Water sports enthusiasts, beach goers, nature lovers

Day 1: Incheon

Incheon isn’t just home to South Korea’s primary airport, it’s also a great base camp for exploring some of the country’s small but charming northern islands. Muuido Island, for example, has two beaches equipped with great seafood restaurants, camping facilities, and even a zip line. Meanwhile, Deokjeokdo Island’s mud flats, pebbled beaches, and 300-year-old pines are a feast for the eyes – and the soul.

Incheon, South Korea

Day 2: Boryeong

Distance: 125 kilometers

Travel Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Nestled on the coast of the Yellow Sea, Boryeong attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its expansive mud flats. Every summer, it plays host to one of the most unusual and memorable festivals in the world, the Boryeong Mud Festival. Here, locals and tourists alike take part in a variety of mud-centric activities including a mud pool, mud slides, mud prison, and mud skiing.

Boryeong-si Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea

Days 3–5: Jeju Island

Distance: 327 kilometers

Travel Time: 5 hours, 15 minutes (by car and ferry)

Just off the southern coast of South Korea, Jeju Island pulls in vacationers and honeymooners by the tens of thousands, with its colorful rapeseed fields, legendary female divers, and the world’s longest lava tube system being some of its biggest draws. Beach lovers will enjoy spending an afternoon or two soaking up the sun on its sandy shores, while divers can marvel at its volcanic underwater terrain in Seogwipo.

Trekking the Olle-gil is a yet another way to experience the natural and cultural beauty of the island. With more than 20 courses to choose from, each route offers something different, whether it be small villages, beaches, farms, or forests, providing visitors with a unique perspective of the island.

Jeju-do, South Korea

Days 6–7: Tongyeong

Distance: 300 kilometers

Travel Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Back on the mainland, make your way to tranquil Tongyeong. Often referred to as the “Naples of Korea,” the city’s gorgeous evergreen trees and emerald seas are canopied by vast blue skies, making for some spectacular scenery. Charming islands punctuate its shores, and can be reached by ferry services that depart from Tongyeong’s central terminal. Be sure to add a bit of island-hopping to your itinerary, with Somaemul Island as a priority. This postcard-perfect island consists of a number of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels, all offering breathtaking ocean views.

Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea

Days 8–10: Busan

Distance: 70 kilometers

Travel Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

With a stunning landscape of mountains and beaches, and an endless array of hot springs and seafood restaurants, the country’s second-largest city is a boisterous coastal destination that visitors often consider a highlight of their Korean travels.

Here, spend an afternoon admiring the murals and sculptures of the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village or taking in the tranquil beauty of Haedong Yonggung Temple, one of the only oceanside Buddhist temples in the entire nation. Foodies will adore Busan’s food scene – a varied mix of casual tent bars, lively fish markets, and sophisticated cafés. For glorious sunsets, head to Haeundae Beach, a beautiful stretch of white sand set against the city’s urban landscape.

Busan, Gyeongsang-do, South Korea

Days 11–12: Yangyang

Distance: 330 kilometers

Travel Time: 5 hours, 15 minutes

Located on the northeastern seaboard of Gangwon-do province, Yangyang is home to a number of beautiful beaches and is particularly famous for its surfing scene. Naksan Beach, a wide, two-kilometer stretch of sandy shore, is practically deserted for most of the year except July and August, when visitors flock to the area to participate in an array of water sports. Seafood restaurants line the northern end of the shore, offering fantastic seafood and even better ocean views.

Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Days 13–14: Sokcho

Distance: 20 kilometers

Travel Time: 1 hour

Situated on the eastern coast, Sokcho is widely celebrated for its white sandy coast and makes a great spot to wrap up your Korean coastal adventure. In particular, Sokcho Beach is a must-visit destination, especially in the summer, when numerous festivals and concerts liven up the city. Visitors can rent fishing equipment and try their luck on nearby Jodo Island, or head to the pier to get some fresh sushi at one of the city’s many local fish markets. Hikers will enjoy exploring Sokcho’s Seoraksan Mountain – one of Korea’s most celebrated – which features well-maintained trails and breathtaking autumn foliage.

Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.