Sokcho, South Korea – 16 Things To Do Guide + Photos

South Korea’s Sokcho is a beautiful beachside city, known for its sublime seafood, cute coastal cafes and the historical Abai Village. Just over 2 hours away by bus from Seoul, escape the city and spend some time on the east coast.

Try some dak gangjeong chicken or squid sundae at Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market, a walk and coffee shop crawl around Cheongcho Lake or get up high on the Sokcho Eye. There are lots of fun things to do in Sokcho and it is a perfect getaway from Seoul for all ages.

Sokcho hotels are often more affordable than the better known cities plus you can eat very well in Sokcho, often with a sea view.

From sunrise pavilions to seafood centers, here is our ultimate guide to Sokcho in South Korea with photos. We last visited Sokcho in April 2026, staying at The Sokcho Hotel.

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How to get to Sokcho

Seoul to Sokcho is an easy 2.5 hour bus ride from Seoul Express Terminal – please note there are currently no direct trains between Seoul and Sokcho. The fastest method of public transport is by express bus or book a private transfer.

There are several bus classes available from Seoul to Sokcho – usually standard, excellent and premium. Premium was sold out for our desired route / time so we opted for an earlier ‘excellent’ bus and paid 22,300 Won each in April 2026 – around £11.20 / $15 USD or $21 AUD.

We bought our tickets at a bus station ticket kiosk a few days before but many of the major South Korean bus routes can be bought in advance on Klook here >

The buses in South Korea are excellent and it was an easy journey – possibly even too quick as the reclining seats were comfy and we had loads of space on board.

We chose this hotel as it was a short walk from the beach, the Sokcho Eye, plus it was a 3 minute walk from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal.

This room was much cheaper and bigger than our Seoul hotels and we also had a small seating area overlooking the sea.

The room came equipped with all the usual expected facilities like big TV, Wi-Fi, Netflix, kettle and fridge plus a hot plate (but no equipment) – the shower was powerful and the toilet  / bidet Japanese style.

Check out The Hotel Sokcho prices and availability on agoda, expedia and booking.com

Things to do in Sokcho

1. Sokcho Beach / Oeongchi Beach

One of our South Korea’s best beaches, Sokcho Beach 속초해수욕장 will likely be one of your main reasons for visiting Sokcho and the east coast.

We walked along the 2km stretch of sandy Sokcho beach and Oeongchi Beach most days, including all the way from Sokcho Eye up to the peninsula to check out Lotte Resort Sokcho. The beach is popular with families with a dedicated swimming area with life-guards.

Along the beach, you’ll see several fun sculptures and selfie spots (and thankfully several free toilet blocks and changing rooms) – especially handy if you want to go swimming or have a beer on the beer.

2. Sokcho Eye / Whalelight Cafe

Dominating the beach skyline and lit up at night, for a bird’s eye view of the sea, take a spin aboard the Sokcho Eye 속초해수욕장 대관람차(속초아이. 65 meters high and with 36 cabins, a birds eye view of Sokcho is 12,000 Won.

Inside the Sokcho Eye building, there is a rather naff looking wish fulfilling theme park called Angelus (basically lots of photo spots and 3D illusions) but we decided to head to Whalelight Cafe next door instead.

Sockho Whalelight Cafe is spread over several levels and is perched right on the beach, so you can enjoy brews with views or even look up at the Sokcho Eye.

We sat here one morning planning our day, drinking coffee and generally having a ‘whale’ of a time (sorry not sorry).

Sokcho Eye / Whalelight Cafe on Google Maps | Naver Map

3. Sokcho Central Market / Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market

On our first night in Sokcho, we headed to Sokcho Central Market and Fish Market – very busy but fun! With around 200 stalls including takeaway kiosks and sit-in restaurants, this is a great place to try local dishes in Sokcho.

Based on our visit, the most popular dishes are the sundae (see below) and the local Sokcho  Dakgangjeong style fried chicken covered in a sticky sauce then garnished with peanuts or deodeok root – literally we saw local families buying big boxes of it to take away and eat at home.

The market has a central aisle nicknamed Dak Gangjeong Alley where locals queue up at famous stalls like Manseok and Jungang.

We tried a couple of local dishes – first up we had Ojingeo sundae (15,000 Won) served with ice cold Cass beer. This dish is squid stuffed with various ingredients such as rice, shrimp, onions and radish – our version was covered with an egg too, so tasty!

Afterwards for dessert, we joined a huge queue to try Sokcho steamed bread, or Makgeolli Sulbbang (5,000 Won for a HUGE slice). This is a sweet fermented bread made with Korean rice wine (makgeolli) and topped with beans. Fluffy as but we weren’t big fans to be honest.

Sokcho Central Market on Google Maps | Naver Map

4. Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion

Located near the lighthouse and bustling seafood center, this was one of our favourite Sokcho things to do with panoramic views of the fishing boats, local mountains and ocean.

This is a popular spot for elderly groups to meet or for young couples to get sunset selfies  – below the pavilion, there is also a 50 meter long walkway that juts out into the ocean (the Yeonggeumjeong Observatory Pavilion).

According to the information panel by the steps leading up to the pavilion, the name Yeonggeumjeong derives from the mysterious melodies the waves make hitting the rocks that sound like a geomungola zither musical instrument. Fairies were also said to once sing and bath here!

Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion on Google Maps | Naver Map

5. Abai Village / Harbor Ferry

Sokcho’s historic harbor settlement, Abai Village (아바이 마을) has changed a lot over the years. Built to temporarily house several thousand Korean War refugees in the 1950s, it is still standing today albeit mainly with Korean food restaurants vying for your attention.

There are still a few old houses and shacks here (many were preserved and relocated to the Refugee Village at the Sokcho Museum) but it is mainly food and drink establishments selling fresh fish and seafood dishes.

Try stuffed squid sundae plus dishes from North Korea like sausage soup. Abai style Korean sausage is made by stuffing a pig’s intestines with pig blood curd, dried cabbage, rice and other ingredients before steaming it.

If you arrive via the Abai Village chain link ferry (아바이마을 갯배) from the other side of the harbor, you will see lots of film statues and models, which depict how Abai Village was used as key filming location for the K-drama “Autumn in My Heart” .

Fun fact – the small Abai Village ferry boat is called a ‘gaetbae’ and is Korea’s only non motorised, chain link ferry crossing the 60 meter channel dozens of times a day – it costs 500 Won per per trip (300 Won for kids). Prices correct as of July 2026.

Abai Village on Google Maps | Naver Map

6. Dongmyeong Seafood Center

One of our favourite Sokcho scenes was watching the fishermen and fish market ‘ummas’ at Dongmyeong Seafood Center 동명활어센터 with Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion in the background. And some of the harborside cats here were so cute, waiting for fresh fish offcuts.

Fish so fresh, we saw anglers catching their supper then passing it to the seafood centre to sell or cook.

Here you can get restaurants to cook the catch of the day and munch mulhoe (raw fish in cold spicy soup) or just watch the world go by and go for a walk along the harbor arm.

We should also mention of the ummas here are very enthusiastic beckoning you over to their stalls (all part of the Sokcho experience).

Dongmyeong Seafood Center on Google Maps | Naver Map

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7. SHLTR seafront cafe

Korean coffee culture is something else! Easily one of the coolest cafes we’ve been to in South Korea, we stopped by SHLTR (셜터) in Sokcho for some decadent dessert and excellent beans.

Overlooking the sea with panoramic views and awesome architecture, this is an industrial chic cafe that was packed with local students, families and the occasional tourist.

The name stands for “Shelter,” designed as an escape from the blustery coastal conditions – it has several floors and outdoor terraces plus a centerpiece courtyard, and the desserts are something else!

We ordered the Black Coral dessert, a nutty black sesame, thick mascarpone cheese and white flour cake – it was almost too pretty to eat (almost….)

SHLTR on Google Maps | Naver Map

8. Chungchosoo Mulhoe

I think this famous Sokcho seafood place might be the biggest queue we’ve ever experienced for a restaurant in South Korea – so much so, they had a little circus style tent outside where you could queue and sit down, whilst waiting for your number to be called.

Chungchosoo Mulhoe청초수물회 began just over 20 years ago as a small shop with just 5 tables – it has now become so popular, it recently moved to a huge several story restaurant with 150 tables, many of which overlook Cheongchoho Lake.

It is famous for its Haejeon mul hoe (cold raw fish soup with sea cucumber and abalone), seop guk (a mussel-based soup), seafood bibimbaps and ojingeo stuffed squid sundae.

We had the crab meat bibimbap (19,000 Won), seop guk / mussel soup (15,000 Won) and the Sokcho squid sundae with meat, mushrooms and deo doek (also 15,000 Won).

Other dishes we didn’t try included seaweed soup for 20,000 Won and Squid mulhoe (market price).

To be honest, we loved the lakeside dining experience and service but our food was hit and miss – we had better sundae from the Sokcho Tourist Fish Market and personally, I thought the crab bibimbap was quite boring and bland. The mussel soup however was delicious.

Incidentally, a rather swish looking craft beer bar called ‘Wokster Brewery’ has just opened next to Chungchosoo Mulhoe and we intend to check it out on our next Sokcho visit.

Chungchosoo Mulhoe on Google Maps | Naver Map

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9. Sokcho Expo Park and Cheongcho Lake Park

A nice way to spend an afternoon in Sokcho, this is a beautiful boardwalk stroll which you can combine with a couple of cute cafes.

Built for the 1999 expo, this landscaped lagoon is popular with the locals, especially the Cheongchojeong Pavilion, perched on the lake along a 75 meter footbridge, offering great city and night-time views.

Along the way, there are several birdwatching huts and fun statues, plus when we visited in spring 2026, there was an amazing flower and rose garden display below the Expo Tower, including a floral clock. 

Look out for the golden hand prints from Korean celebrities like the K-Pop band g.o.d (Groove Over Dose).

The locals using the Sokcho red clay pits in the park to soak their feet also intrigued us, along with special clay walking paths.

A short walk from the park, there is also Sokcho’s Museo di Leonardo da Vinci ,다빈치 뮤지엄) which has over 300 Renaissance style exhibits and hands on displays.

Sokcho Expo Park on Google Maps | Naver Map

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10. Chilsung Boatyard 칠성조선소

Another cool cafe in Sokcho – this time, a lakeside coffee shop housed in a former boatyard.

Located in Cheongcho Lake Park, this was a dry dock and dockyard for over 50 years until being transformed into the chilled Chilsung Boatyard 칠성조선소 in 2018 – and yes, with all the changes and modifications, it does look ‘shipshape’ now.

With a downstairs roasterie and bakery and lots of ship theming, order at the counter and then head upstairs to drink and dine looking out over the lake.

The smell from the bakery was divine and when we visited one weekday afternoon in April 2026, the cafe was chock full of local workers, mums and families enjoying their coffees and sweet treats. Highly recommended (and dog friendly too).

Chilsung Boatyard on Google Maps | Naver Map

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11. Montbeer Sokcho

Time for more beachside brews with views at Sokcho’s Montbeer brewery bar 몽트비어 속초해변점.

They actually have a bigger and more scenic Montbeer bar near Seoraksan National Park but we chose their cute and charming city bar right near to Sokcho Eye (and below Urbanstay Sokcho Beach hotel).

We meant to rock up for just a couple of beers but we realised they had the cutest doggie ever plus we got chatting to some locals and two other travellers who recognised us from our South Korea Travel Planning Facebook group – we ended up spending several hours here supping and enjoying the sunset.

Better still, Montbeer has around 10 beers on tap made from hops grown below nearby Ulsanbawi Rock and many more in the chiller – their craft beer is really good; geonbae!

Montbeer Sokcho on Google Maps | Naver Map

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12. Sokcho Expo Tower

Cheap as chips costing only 2,500 Won admission ($1.70 USD / £1.25), Sokcho Expo Tower 속초 엑스포타워 looks out over Cheongchoho Lake and on a clear day, you can even see the mountains of the nearby Seoraksan National Park.

The Sokcho Expo Tower is a 74 meter tall landmark observatory with a distinctive twisted exterior built for the 1999 Gangwon International Tourism Expo – there is also a small cafe and gift shop at the top.

This certainly isn’t on the scale of say Seoul Sky or 63 Sky Picnic but it is good value based on the low admission fee and a good Sokcho activity to combine with a walk around Expo Park and the lake.

Sokcho Expo Tower on Google Maps | Naver Map

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13. Sokcho Lighthouse

Sadly, when we visited Sokcho in spring 2026, the lighthouse was closed for several months for extensive restorations so we could only see it from afar, when visiting Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion and across the harbor from Dongmyeong Seafood Center.

You can visit the lighthouse via a seemingly steep set of steps (roped off when we visited) and head up to see cool coastal views, looking down over the fishing harbor and Yeonggeumjeong Sunrise Pavilion.

Sokcho Lighthouse on Google Maps | Naver Map

14. Lighthouse Barn restaurant

Alas, as we couldn’t climb up to the lighthouse itself, we decide to go eat at a nearby recommended restaurant, the Lighthouse Barn 등대곳간.

Family run and with an upstairs dining room looking out over the ocean, this is a simple but sublime affair with reasonably priced dishes (although there is a minimum spend for their famous octopus stew).

We had a 14,000 Won tonkatsu pork cutlet, a 13,000 Won spicy pork dish, breaded fried prawns (5,000 Won) plus beer and soft drinks – spicy octopus stew starts from 26,000 Won minimum.

Lighthouse Barn restaurant on Google Maps | Naver Map

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15. Seoraksan National Park day trip

South Korea’s Seoraksan National Park is stunning and just over 10km away from downtown Sokcho – you can get there by a quick taxi ride or via buses that depart every half hour or so.

There are various hikes for all abilities in the Seoraksan National Park – surprisingly, as well as tranquil temples, there were also a lot of food courts and restaurants by the entrance – but we found a nice coffee shop with amazing views.

The walks in the park are amazing and there are trails for all abilities – if you don’t fancy hiking, there is a cable car that goes high into the mountains or take a stroll to Seoraksan Sinheungsa Temple located within the park.

Also look out for the huge bronze Seoraksan Buddha, Sinheungsa – our highlight was the trail alongside Biryong Falls and up to a suspension bridge with amazing valley views.

Our final (fun) thing to do in Sokcho

16. Grandma’s Beer Sokcho 역전 할맥 조양점

OK, so it may be a chain bar but Grandma’s Beer bars  역전할머니맥주 (AKA Yeokjeon Halmek) are popular for a reason – they serve ice-cold beer and hearty Korean fare at low prices. We found a Sokcho Grandma’s Beer branch about a 15 minute walk away from the beach.

We love our boozy nights out in Grandma’s Beer” after a long-day of sightseeing and there are hundreds of these chain bars in Korea.

Featuring beer prices to food menus, here is our guide to Yeokjeon Halmek >

Yeokjeon Halmek on Google Maps | Naver Map

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