Best Korea Travel Destinations:Why Sokcho Is a Favorite Local Getaway

When people search for the best travel destinations in Korea, Seoul, Busan, and Jeju usually appear first. But ask Koreans where they go for a summer beach trip, fresh seafood, mountain scenery, or a quick escape from the city, and Sokcho will probably come up.

Located on Korea’s east coast in Gangwon State, Sokcho brings together the East Sea, Seoraksan National Park, beaches, traditional markets, fishing harbors, and local food in one destination. For international travelers, Sokcho is often known as the gateway to Seoraksan. For Koreans, it is one of the country’s classic vacation destinations.

If you want to experience Korea beyond Seoul and discover somewhere locals actually travel for their own holidays, Sokcho is an excellent place to start.

Where is Sokcho, South Korea?

Sokcho is a coastal city in Gangwon State, with the East Sea on one side and Seoraksan National Park on the other.

That location explains much of its appeal. You can spend the morning surrounded by mountains, eat seafood for lunch, walk through a traditional market, and finish the day beside the sea.

For travelers coming from Seoul, Sokcho also offers a completely different atmosphere. Subway stations and high-rise buildings disappear, replaced by fishing harbors, mountain views, beaches, and a noticeably slower pace.

Why is Sokcho popular with Korean travelers?

Koreans love Sokcho because it combines mountains, beaches, seafood, and local food in an easy short getaway. Summer is one of the busiest seasons. Travelers come for Sokcho Beach, the East Sea, coastal walks, seafood, and cafés. Winter creates a different experience. The air gets colder, the coast becomes quieter, and Seoraksan becomes the focus, especially when snow covers the mountains. Autumn is another popular season thanks to Seoraksan’s famous fall foliage.

That means Sokcho is not a place Koreans visit only once.

Summer Sokcho and winter Sokcho can feel like two completely different trips.

What is Sokcho famous for?

Sokcho is best known for Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho Beach, Sokcho Tourism & Fisheries Market, Abai Village, seafood, and its East Sea scenery.

These are some of the places worth including on a first trip.

Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan is one of Korea’s most famous mountain destinations.

Its dramatic granite peaks, forests, hiking trails, and seasonal landscapes make it one of the biggest reasons to visit Sokcho.

You do not need to be an experienced hiker either. Shorter walks and scenic areas make it possible to experience Seoraksan without spending an entire day climbing.

Sokcho Beach and the East Sea

During summer, Sokcho Beach becomes one of the city’s main attractions.

Come for the sand and sea, but leave time to explore the coastline beyond the beach. Harbors, coastal walks, cafés, and viewpoints such as Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion show another side of the city. If you are willing to wake up early, the sunrise over the East Sea is particularly worth seeing.

Sokcho Tourism & Fisheries Market

If you want to understand why Koreans travel to Sokcho for food, visit the market. The most famous local favorite is dakgangjeong — crispy fried chicken covered in a sweet and slightly spicy glaze. You will also find seafood, squid dishes, snacks, and plenty of food worth trying as you walk through the market. Come hungry. Korean markets rarely reward people who arrive immediately after lunch.

Abai Village

Abai Village offers something beyond scenery. The neighborhood was formed by refugees from what is now North Korea who settled in Sokcho during the Korean War. Today, visitors can take the small gaetbae, or hand-pulled ferry, and try local foods such as Abai sundae. It is a small area, but knowing its history gives you a deeper look at Sokcho beyond beaches and mountains.

What should you eat in Sokcho?

Food is one of the biggest reasons Koreans visit Sokcho.

Some local favorites include dakgangjeong, fresh seafood, mulhoe, squid sundae, and Abai sundae.

Harbor areas are good for seafood, while Sokcho Tourism & Fisheries Market works well if you want to try several different foods in one place.

Do not build your entire day around one famous restaurant.

Sokcho is more enjoyable when the food fits naturally into the places you are already exploring.

How many days do you need in Sokcho?

One night is enough for a first visit, but two nights are better if you want to experience Sokcho without rushing.

With 1 night and 2 days, you can explore the coast and market on one day and visit Seoraksan the next morning.

With 2 nights and 3 days, you have more time for hiking, beaches, local food, cafés, and slower coastal walks.

A day trip from Seoul may be possible, but staying overnight gives you a much better sense of why Koreans treat Sokcho as a vacation destination rather than simply a sightseeing stop.

Is Sokcho worth adding to your Korea itinerary?

Yes, especially if you want to experience nature and local Korean travel culture beyond the major cities.

Sokcho is a good choice if you enjoy:

• Mountains and hiking
• Beaches and coastal scenery
• Seafood and Korean food
• Traditional markets
• Seasonal travel
• Slower destinations outside Seoul

Many first-time visitors build their Korea trip around Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.

They are popular for good reasons.

But Koreans themselves also travel to smaller coastal cities and mountain regions depending on the season.

They travel for autumn leaves.

They travel for seafood.

They travel to the East Sea in summer.

And sometimes they simply want two quiet days away from Seoul.

Sokcho is one of those places locals keep coming back to.

How do you plan the right Sokcho itinerary?

The best Sokcho itinerary depends on when you visit, how many days you have, and what kind of traveler you are.

A summer beach trip should look different from a winter Seoraksan trip.

Someone traveling for food may want a completely different route from someone who wants hiking and nature.

And Sokcho also needs to make sense within the rest of your Korea itinerary.

That is where Hanway can help.

Discover the Korea locals love with Hanway

Hanway creates personalized Korea travel plans based on your dates, interests, travel style, and preferred pace.

If you want to visit Sokcho, Hanway can help you decide when to go, how many nights to stay, where to stay, what to experience, and how to connect Sokcho with Seoul or other destinations in Korea.

Want beaches and seafood?

We can build around them.

Want Seoraksan and nature?

We can give those experiences more time.

Not sure whether Sokcho is the right destination for you?

We can recommend another part of Korea that better matches the trip you want.

Because a great Korea trip is not about visiting every famous destination.

It is about finding the places that are right for you.

See the Korea everyone knows. Discover the Korea locals love.

Plan your personal Korea trip with Hanway.