🌊 How to Travel Gangneung the Right Way (The Complete Guide for Foreign Visitors)

⚠️ Please Note

Prices, hours, closing days, and English support vary by store, branch, and season, and change often. The price and time info here is for reference only and may change, so always confirm the latest details on each venue's official channel or a map app like Naver Map or KakaoMap before visiting. Popular sundubu restaurants and drama filming-site photo zones can have long waits (queues) on weekends and in peak season, so an early visit is recommended.

⏱️ 30-Second Summary — Remember Just This!

• 🚄 Transport → ~2 hrs by KTX from Seoul Station, ~1 hr 40 min from Cheongnyangni

• 🎫 Booking → Sells out in peak season; book early via the KORAIL app

• 🚗 Getting around → City buses run infrequently; a rental car or taxi is easier

• 🌅 Sights → Gyeongpodae, Anmok Coffee Street, Ojukheon, Jeongdongjin

• 🎬 Filming → Goblin (Jumunjin breakwater), Sandglass (Jeongdongjin), BTS (Hyangho Beach)

• 🏄 Activities → Surfing, Badabu-gil coastal path, infinity pool, Anbandegi stargazing

• 🎨 Hot spots → Gangmun café street, Terarosa, Budnamu Brewery, Myeongju-dong

• 🍲 Food → Chodang sundubu, jjamppong-sundubu, mulhoe, gamja-ongsimi

• ⏰ Tip → Sunrise & weekend mornings get crowded; early morning is best

1. 🚄 Getting to Gangneung (From Seoul)

The fastest and most convenient way is the KTX (Gangneung KTX).

From Seoul Station to Gangneung Station takes about 2 hours; from Cheongnyangni Station about 1 hour 40 minutes. There are several departures a day, and a standard-class fare is roughly 30,000 KRW (varies by train type and season, subject to change). Tickets often sell out in summer and on weekends, so once your dates are set, we strongly recommend booking early on the KORAIL website or app. The KORAIL app supports English.

If you prefer the bus, it takes about 2.5–3 hours from Seoul Express Bus Terminal or East Seoul Bus Terminal (longer on weekends and in peak season). It's cheaper than the KTX but slower and affected by traffic.

2. 🚗 Getting Around Gangneung

Because Gangneung's attractions are spread out, it helps to decide how you'll get around in advance.

There are city buses, but they run infrequently and can take 30 minutes to over an hour between sights, making a tight schedule tricky. For example, from Gangneung Station to Gyeongpo Beach it's about 30 minutes on bus No. 300.

If you want to save time, a rental car is most convenient. With an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an overseas license recognized in Korea, you can freely drive along the coast (recognition varies by country — see the note below). A compact or small car is enough if you're staying near the city and beaches. If driving feels daunting, use a taxi or the KakaoTaxi app. From Gangneung Station to Gyeongpo Beach is about 10–15 minutes by taxi, roughly 8,000–12,000 KRW depending on traffic. A rental car is especially handy if you plan to visit outlying filming sites like Jumunjin and Jeongdongjin.

3. 🌅 Must-See Sights

Gyeongpodae & Gyeongpo Beach — One of Gangneung's signature spots. Gyeongpodae itself is free to visit and is a landmark viewpoint where you can see both Gyeongpo Lake and the East Sea. A wide beach and pine-forest walking paths surround the pavilion, making it great for a stroll.

Anmok Coffee Street — Here you'll understand why Gangneung is called "the city of coffee." Cafés line the seafront, and most have ocean-view seating. The beach and walk are free and open year-round. A coffee by the sound of the waves is a core Gangneung experience.

Ojukheon — The historic house where Joseon-era scholar Yulgok Yi I and his mother Shin Saimdang were born. You can see traditional Korean architecture and Confucian culture, so it's great for anyone interested in history. Fun fact: Yi I appears on the 5,000-won note and Shin Saimdang on the 50,000-won note.

Jeongdongjin — Famous as the train station closest to the sea, and Gangneung's iconic sunrise spot. A tourist train running along the East Coast offers sea views for most of the route (its operation and route change often, so check KORAIL for the latest schedule). Choose a sea-side window seat when booking.

Haslla Art World — An art park on a seaside hill above Jeongdongjin. With an outdoor sculpture garden, a museum, and ocean-view cafés, it's great for walking and photos.

4. 🎬 Drama & K-Pop Filming Spots (A Must for Fans!)

Gangneung is home to many iconic K-drama and K-pop scenes (Gangneung K-drama filming locations). It's also the hometown of writer Kim Eun-sook, who wrote 'The Glory' and 'Goblin'.

Jumunjin Breakwater (Goblin filming site) — The spot where, in the tvN drama 'Goblin (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)', Ji Eun-tak in her red scarf first summons the goblin Kim Shin. There's a photo zone on the breakwater next to Yeongjin Beach, and admission is free. Search your navigation app for "Jumunjin breakwater (방사제)," "Goblin filming site (도깨비 촬영지)," or "Dokkaebi Shelter public parking lot (도깨비쉼터 공영주차장)." The light is prettiest at early morning or sunset.

Hyangho Beach BTS Bus Stop — Famous as the shooting location for BTS's album 'YOU NEVER WALK ALONE'. The actual bus stop was removed after filming, but a replica photo zone was reinstalled for fans. There are purple benches, a swing, and other photo spots, making it a pilgrimage site for ARMY worldwide. It's on Jumunjin's Hyangho Beach, so it pairs well with the Goblin site. Mornings are quieter and easier for photos.

Jeongdongjin (Sandglass filming site) — Where the legendary drama 'Sandglass', which drew nearly 60% viewership in 1995, filmed key scenes. In front of Jeongdongjin Station, "Sandglass Park" has a giant hourglass sculpture. Today it's also famous as a sunrise spot.

At photo zones, please take turns since other visitors are shooting too, and be careful not to slip near breakwaters and rocks with waves.

5. 🏄 Activities & Experiences Young Travelers Love

Gangneung is trending among people in their 20s–30s and foreign visitors as a "mecca of surfing and aesthetic travel." There are so many ways to play in and by the sea.

Surfing — Gangneung is one of Korea's top surf spots. Several beaches like Geumjin and Gyeongpo have surf shops, and complete beginners can catch a wave in a day with an instructor-led intro lesson. Board and wetsuit rental are often included, and some shops offer lessons in English. Prices vary by season, day, and group size, so confirm before booking. Foreigners can easily book via apps like WAUG, KKday, and MyRealTrip.

Jeongdongsimgok Badabu-gil (Sea Fan Path) — A roughly 2.86 km coastal trail linking Jeongdongjin and Simgok Port. You walk right beside the sea along marine terraces over 2 million years old, and it photographs beautifully. It's a designated natural monument, so hours and sections are regulated — check in advance.

Skybay Gyeongpo Infinity Pool — An ocean-view infinity pool that looks like it meets the sky, famous on social media. Enjoy East Sea views by day and swimming under the stars at night. It's generally for hotel guests, so check the conditions in advance.

Anbandegi — A cabbage-farming highland village at about 1,000 m elevation, a photo hotspot for sea of clouds, sunrise, and starry nights. You can even see the Milky Way, so it draws photography enthusiasts. Public transport access is very difficult, so a rental car is essentially a must; it's cold and dark at night, so pack warm clothes and drive carefully.

6. 🎨 Trending Aesthetic Spots & Cafés

The real charm of "coffee city" Gangneung is its stylish cafés and alleys. Here are some great spots for that perfect photo.

Gangmun Beach Café Street — Currently the hottest place with the MZ generation. It's less crowded than Gyeongpo or Anmok, and its chic white-toned photo zones pair perfectly with the blue sea. With unique cafés and eateries like gourmet burger joints, you can enjoy photos, café time, and food all at once.

Terarosa Coffee Factory — Gangneung's signature roastery café. Famous for its spacious factory-style setting and sea/nature views, with great coffee too — a must-stop on any Gangneung café tour.

Budnamu Brewery — A craft-beer pub set in a former 1926 brewery building. You can try "Gangneung Beer" made with local ingredients like rice, chrysanthemum, pine needles, and black bamboo — perfect for a local vibe in the evening. (Drinking is for ages 19+; bring your ID.)

Myeongju-dong Alleys — A neighborhood of small cafés, gift shops, and galleries converted from old hanok houses and alleyways. It's Gangneung's "retro" quarter, lovely for a slow stroll and photos.

7. 🍲 What to Eat in Gangneung

Chodang Sundubu (soft tofu) — Gangneung's Chodang district is famous for tofu made using seawater as a coagulant. Made fresh daily with domestic soybeans, it's nutty and silky. Options range from plain to spicy, and lately even dessert versions like "sundubu gelato" are popular.

Jjamppong-Sundubu — A Gangneung specialty of soft tofu in a spicy seafood jjamppong broth. Great as a hangover cure or a hearty meal. Famous spots can have long waits, so go early or use a remote queuing (app waitlist) feature.

Mulhoe — A summer delicacy of fresh raw fish served cold in a sweet-and-sour broth. In Gangneung, flatfish (gajami) mulhoe is popular.

Gamja-Ongsimi — A Gangwon regional dish: chewy dumplings made from grated potato in a warm broth. Especially comforting on rainy or chilly days.

Gangneung Jungang Market — Practically a must-visit on a Gangneung trip these days. It's a leading traditional market where you can enjoy street foods like dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken), tornado potato, and squid sundae all in one place. It's especially popular with young travelers and buzzes with energy in the evening.

Gangneung Coffee & Bakeries — As "the city of coffee," there are many cafés that roast their own beans and famous bakeries. Relax with coffee and pastries at a seaside café. If you visit around the "Gangneung Coffee Festival" held every October, you can experience many roasteries and coffee culture at once (dates vary yearly, so check ahead).

8. 🗺️ Sample Itineraries

2 Days / 1 Night (for Drama & K-pop Fans) — Day 1: Arrive → Anmok Coffee Street → Gyeongpodae & Gyeongpo Beach → sundubu dinner. Day 2: Early Jeongdongjin sunrise & Sandglass Park → Jumunjin breakwater (Goblin) · Hyangho Beach BTS photo zone · Jumunjin Fish Market → mulhoe lunch → head home. Since sights are spread out, a rental car is recommended.

2 Days / 1 Night (Young & Active) — Day 1: Arrive → surf lesson at Gyeongpo/Geumjin Beach → Gangmun Beach café street photo zone → Gangneung Beer dinner at Budnamu Brewery. Day 2: Stroll Myeongju-dong alleys & gift shops → coffee at Terarosa → Jeongdongsimgok Badabu-gil → head home.

9. ⏰ Handy Travel Tips

In peak summer (July–August), roads near Gyeongpo, Jeongdongjin, and Jumunjin get badly congested on weekends from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For sunrise or popular filming sites, going early means fewer people and easier parking. Gyeongpo, Anmok, and Jeongdongjin have relatively good public parking, but lots fill up fast on weekends, in peak season, and around sunrise — check each destination's parking in advance.

Route-wise, Gyeongpodae → Gangmun Beach → Anmok Coffee Street → Ojukheon are close together and easy to bundle. Jeongdongjin and Jumunjin filming sites are farther from the center, so allow about half a day for each.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Is English spoken? A. It works to some degree at tourist information centers and larger cafés/hotels. It can be hard at small eateries and markets, so a translation app (like Papago) is handy.

Q. Can I travel without a car? A. City sights are doable by taxi and bus, but a rental car is much easier if you're touring the Jeongdongjin and Jumunjin filming sites.

Q. Is there an entry fee for drama/BTS filming sites? A. Outdoor sites like Jumunjin breakwater (Goblin), Hyangho Beach BTS photo zone, and Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park are free. Only paid facilities like Haslla Art World charge admission.

Q. Is a day trip (Gangneung Day Trip) possible? A. Yes. Leaving Seoul by KTX in the morning, the Gyeongpo–Anmok–sundubu course fits in a day. If you also want the Jeongdongjin sunrise and drama sites, an overnight stay is recommended.

Q. Can I use an overseas credit card? A. Most cafés, restaurants, and shops accept overseas credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and JCB, plus mobile payments. However, market stalls and small shops may be cash-only, so carry some small cash too.

Q. Can I rent a car with a foreign license? A. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an overseas license recognized in Korea. Recognition can differ by issuing country and treaty, so confirm with the rental company and relevant authorities before booking.

🗣️ Handy Korean Phrases

• "Dokkaebi chwaryeongjiro ga-juseyo." (To the Goblin drama filming site, please. — in a taxi)

• "Sundubu hana juseyo." (One sundubu, please. — when ordering)

• "Yeogiseo sajin jjigeodo doelkkayo?" (Can I take a photo here?)

• "Kadeu dwaeyo?" (Can I pay by card?)

✅ Quick Checklist

• ☐ Booked KTX tickets in advance? (beware peak-season sellouts)

• ☐ Installed a map app (Naver Map / KakaoMap)?

• ☐ Decided how to get around (rental car / taxi)?

• ☐ Saved the drama/BTS filming spots you want to visit?

• ☐ Prepared some small cash?

• ☐ Installed a translation app?

• ☐ Planned sunrise & popular sites for early morning?

🟦 This guide was compiled by the JoyStoria team.

📅 As of: 2026 · ⚠️ Prices, English support, information, and operations may change by season, business, and branch.

JoyStoria does not endorse any specific business. Before visiting or booking, always check the latest information on each venue's official channels and map apps. Driving is your own responsibility, and please reconfirm matters such as International Driving Permit recognition with the relevant authorities.