Gangneung is a beautiful coastal city on Korea’s east coast, famous for stunning beaches, traditional culture, fresh seafood, and specialty coffee.
As a former 2018 Winter Olympics host city, Gangneung combines natural beauty with modern attractions, making it one of Korea’s top domestic travel destinations.
Gangneung’s most famous beach, Gyeongpo stretches 6 kilometers with fine white sand and shallow waters perfect for swimming. The beach is backed by pine forests and connected to Gyeongpoho Lake, creating a unique landscape where freshwater lake meets ocean.
Best for: Families, swimming, sunrise viewing, long beach walks
Facilities: Showers, restrooms, beach equipment rentals, restaurants
Peak season: July-August (very crowded)
Off-season charm: Peaceful walks, fewer tourists, still beautiful
Nearby: Gyeongpo Lake with cherry blossom trees (spring), traditional pavilions
The beach comes alive during summer with beach volleyball, water sports, and nighttime festivals. Winter offers serene walks and spectacular sunrises without crowds.
Anmok Beach (Coffee Street)
Known as “Coffee Beach,” Anmok is famous for its specialty coffee culture. The 500-meter beach is lined with over 30 coffee shops, each with ocean views and unique roasting styles. This is where Korea’s beach coffee culture began.
Best for: Coffee lovers, cafe hopping, relaxed beach atmosphere
Must-try: Fresh roasted coffee while watching waves
Atmosphere: More sophisticated than typical beach scene
Popular cafes: Terarosa Coffee, Bohemian, Cafe Manolin
Timing: Morning for fresh roasted coffee, sunset for romantic ambiance
The beach itself is smaller than Gyeongpo but offers a more intimate setting. Many visitors spend hours cafe hopping, enjoying different coffee styles with consistent ocean views.
Here you can explore Incheon Bridge and Busan Gwangan Bridge
Badabuche Searoad Simgok
A scenic 2-kilometer coastal walking path carved through dramatic cliffs along the East Sea. This relatively new attraction (opened 2019) offers breathtaking ocean views, glass observation decks, and unique photo opportunities.
Length: 2 km one-way
Walking time: 1-2 hours round trip
Highlights: Glass skywalk sections, cliff-side paths, photo zones
Entrance fee: 3,000-5,000 KRW
Best time: Clear days for visibility, late afternoon for lighting
Difficulty: Easy walking, some stairs
The path includes several viewing platforms jutting out over the sea, offering 180-degree ocean panoramas. The combination of white railings against blue sea creates Instagram-perfect compositions.
Haslla Art World
An outdoor sculpture park and museum complex on a hillside overlooking the East Sea. Featuring contemporary art installations, gardens, museums, and a hotel, this is Korea’s premier seaside art destination.
Area: 50,000 square meters of gardens and sculpture parks
Sections: Outdoor sculpture garden, museums, seaside walking paths, art hotel
Entrance fee: 10,000 KRW adults, 7,000 KRW children
Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM daily
Time needed: 2-3 hours for full exploration
Highlights:
- Over 200 sculptures by Korean and international artists
- Pinocchio Museum with whimsical displays
- Ocean view terraces perfect for contemplation
- Modern art museum with rotating exhibitions
- Beautiful landscaped gardens
The combination of contemporary art against ocean backdrop creates a sophisticated cultural experience. Especially beautiful during sunset when sculptures are backlit by golden light.
Gangneung Jungang Market
A traditional Korean market offering authentic local food culture and fresh seafood. Operating since 1980, this covered market remains Gangneung’s commercial heart where locals shop daily.
Specialties:
- Fresh raw fish (hoe) at market prices
- Gamja-ongsimi (potato dumpling soup – local specialty)
- Dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken)
- Fresh vegetables and seasonal ingredients
- Traditional Korean snacks
Best for: Food lovers, cultural experience, budget dining
Hours: 6 AM – 8 PM (individual shops vary)
Tips: Bargaining acceptable, cash preferred, try multiple food stalls
The market’s food alley offers some of Gangneung’s most authentic and affordable meals. Locals recommend the potato dumplings and fresh seafood bibimbap.
Arte Museum Valley Gangneung
An immersive digital art museum featuring large-scale projection mapping in dark rooms. Similar to TeamLab but with Korean artistic sensibility, this location occupies a converted factory space creating unique industrial-meets-art atmosphere.
Type: Interactive digital art experience
Entrance fee: 17,000 KRW adults, 13,000 KRW children
Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM (last entry 7 PM)
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Best for: Families, couples, photography enthusiasts, rainy day activity
Exhibitions include:
- Waterfall Room with cascading digital water
- Flower Garden with blooming projections
- Beach Zone with wave animations
- Seasonal themed rooms
The museum creates Instagram-worthy moments throughout. Every surface becomes a canvas for projected art that responds to movement. Particularly popular with younger visitors and couples.
Getting to Gangneung
From Seoul:
- KTX train: 2 hours, 25,000-35,000 KRW
- Express bus: 2.5-3 hours, 15,000-20,000 KRW
- Car: 2.5-3 hours via Yeongdong Expressway
Getting around Gangneung:
- Local buses: Connect all major attractions
- Taxi: Affordable for short distances
- Car rental: Most convenient for beach hopping
- Bike rental: Available at major beaches
Suggested Itineraries
One Day: Morning at Gyeongpo Beach → Anmok Coffee Street lunch → Haslla Art World afternoon → Jungang Market dinner
Two Days: Day 1: Beaches (Gyeongpo, Anmok) → Coffee culture → Sunset at Badabuche Day 2: Arte Museum → Ojukheon House → Jungang Market → Traditional dinner
Three Days: Add: Olympic Park, Jeongdongjin sunrise, nearby hiking trails, more beach exploration
Gangneung offers the perfect blend of beach relaxation, cultural experiences, and modern attractions. Whether you’re seeking coffee culture, art museums, traditional architecture, or simply beautiful beaches, this coastal city provides a refreshing escape from Seoul’s urban intensity.