Top 10 Things to Do in Sokcho, Korea

Sokcho lets you meet the sea, the mountains, a market and a lake all in one day. Not many cities pack that much variety into such a small area.

Running a restaurant right on Sokcho Beach, the question we hear most is “What should we go see?” Several times a day, honestly.

So we wrote it down. Everything is sorted by distance from us (right on Sokcho Beach), so you can follow it as a route.

1. Sokcho Beach — 2 minute walk

Wide sand and gentle depth make this a favourite for families. The water doesn’t drop off suddenly, so it’s good with children.

Summer swimming is the obvious draw, but honestly it’s good year-round. Autumn sea has a deeper, quieter colour; winter brings big, bracing waves. It’s also a sunrise spot, so plenty of people come out before dawn.

Local tip — midday in peak summer is busy. Come before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. and you’ll have far more space.

2. Sokcho Eye (ferris wheel) — 3 minute walk

The landmark of Sokcho Beach. From the top you get the East Sea and Seoraksan in one view.

Ride it near sunset. Looking down at the sea as the light goes is genuinely lovely. At night it’s lit up, so it’s worth seeing from the ground too.

From our top-floor Sky Stairs viewpoint the ferris wheel and the sea fit into one frame — grab a photo after eating.

3. Joyang-dong beachside promenade — 5 minute walk

A quiet boardwalk continuing on from the beach. Most visitors don’t know about it, so it stays peaceful. Ideal for a post-lunch walk; 15–20 minutes covers it.

4. Oeongchi Badahyanggiro — 5 minutes by car

A deck path that feels like walking over the sea. It was closed as a military zone for decades, so the nature is well preserved.

About an hour round trip, and the sections where waves break directly beneath you are spectacular. Hard to beat for sea air.

Local tip — it’s far more dramatic on rough days. Watch your camera, though; you will get spray.

5. Cheongchoho Lake Park — 7 minutes by car

Completely different from the coast: still water and calm. In the evening the Expo Tower and the night view work beautifully together.

There are good walking paths and plenty of cyclists. A nice change of pace once you’ve had your fill of the sea.

6. Abai Village — 10 minutes by car

A village built by families displaced from the North during the Korean War.

The gaetbae is the highlight — a ferry pulled across by hand. You can pull the rope yourself, which children love. It became much better known after appearing in a Korean drama.

It’s also the birthplace of ojingeo sundae (stuffed squid), so there’s plenty to eat.

7. Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market — 10 minutes by car

Nationally famous thanks to dakgangjeong (sweet crispy chicken). Weekend queues are long, but it means you get it fresh from the fryer.

Also excellent for dried seafood and salted seafood — see our Sokcho food guide for what to buy. It’s the best place in town for gifts to take home.

Local tip — dakgangjeong is made to taste good even cold, so it travels well. In summer, bring a cool bag to be safe.

8. Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion — 12 minutes by car

Named because waves striking the rocks were said to sound like a geomungo zither. Bracing sea views and a well-known sunrise spot.

Pair it with the lighthouse observatory right next door.

9. Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory — 12 minutes by car

A short climb, but from the top you get the whole city and the East Sea. On clear days you can see the Seoraksan ridgeline too. It adjoins Yeonggeumjeong, so do them together.

10. Seoraksan National Park — 20 minutes by car

The highlight of any Sokcho trip. The cable car reaches Gwongeumseong with zero hiking required.

• Not up for a hike → Seoraksan cable car guide
• Visiting in autumn → Seoraksan autumn foliage guide

Foliage season draws visitors from across the country. On weekends, arrive by 7–8 a.m. to avoid the parking battle.

How to group them

The easiest way to plan:

Beach cluster (walkable) — Sokcho Beach · Sokcho Eye · Joyang-dong promenade · Sky Stairs North cluster (10–12 min drive) — Abai Village · fish market · Yeonggeumjeong · lighthouse West (20 min drive) — Seoraksan Standalone — Oeongchi coastal walk · Cheongchoho Lake

For a single day: Seoraksan or the coastal walk in the morning, lunch with cold mulhoe in front of Sokcho Beach, the beach and the ferris wheel in the afternoon, the market in the evening. That fills a day nicely.

Short distances mean you can see all this without rushing. That’s Sokcho’s advantage.

Planning an overnight? Our 1-night-2-days itinerary breaks it down hour by hour. Travelling with kids? See Sokcho with children.

We’ll handle the food. Right in front of Sokcho Beach, a 3-minute walk from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal.

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