You came to the right place if you want to find the top 10 things to do in Gangneung. In addition, please keep in mind that this list was made by me – an outdoor lover.
About My Top Things to Do Lists
I don’t travel to pay for things that someone built for me to look at. I know that many people find great value in these types of designed experiences as they feel safe and easily accessible. However, for me, I struggle to connect with these types of moments.
Instead, I love physical activities and spending a long time in an area “taking it all in”. This means that my travel lists often include things like skate parks, beaches, biking, and other outdoor activities. Since Gangneung has such exceptional outdoor beauty, we mostly spend our time outdoors.
All that said, I do love history, art, and learning new things. Therefore, my travel lists also often include a few organized and structured stops like art museums or historical places. Gangneung is no exception. I might go there for the outdoor activities but I make sure to visit the art and historical places at least once.
Who Loves Gangneung?
Gangneung sits on the edge of Gangwondo on the east coast of South Korea. It’s about 1.5 hours south of Sokcho and connected to Seoul by both the KTX and a freeway that cuts across the country.
For those of us obsessed with Gangneung, we love it because it mixes both city life and nature. It’s also filled with artists and artisans being nerdy and fabulous in a very hometown way. If you love the process of making things, Gangneung has what you want. Although, it might take a few trips to connect with all the hidden corners, you won’t regret taking the time to fall in love with the place.
Gangneung also has spectacular food. Some of our favorite international and Korean restaurants exist in this seaside town. From homemade tofu to fabulous crab, the perfect brunch, and excellent craft beer – Gangneung has it all.
Best 10 Things to Do in Gangneung
As always, the term best remains relative to your personal and cultural lens. Since we all travel for different reasons, best is different for each of us. For me, best refers to the things that I enjoy and feel peaceful doing. Things that don’t require me to rush and rarely have tons of people.
Gangneung Tourist Taxi
222382895
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 용지로 176
Taxi tours that can take you around the city. Taxis hold up to 4 people and if you schedule in advance some taxis accept small dogs. The taxi tours are a fantastic way to become oriented to the city and area. The tours last 3 or more hours.
Ojukheon House
033-660-3301
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 율곡로3139번길 24
A beautiful park dedicated to a family which contributed extensively to Korean culture.
Gangneung Seongnam Market
033-647-0006
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 중앙시장1길 16
Markets in each region of Korean have a different vibe. The East coast markets put their own twist on many Korean dishes and offer fresh seafood that will delight you.
Gyeongpo Bike Rental Area
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 안현동 94-161
A copious number of bike rental shops offering a plethora of riding options. Any bike shop will work. Just find what you want to ride and enjoy yourself.
Gangneung Museum Of Art
033-640-4271
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Gyeongpo Aquarium
033-645-7887
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Ponam Bridge Pump Track
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 포남동 1005-2
A pump track for skaters and bikers near the river and not far from the traditional markets.
Speed Boat Rides
Aranabi Zip Line Gangneung
050713329008
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 공항길127번길
Zip line, zipline, Gangneung, Gangwondo, coastal zipline,
Gyeongpodo Beach Cafe Area
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 사천면 순포안길 6
A beautiful beach lined with lined with excellent cafes.
Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group
You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country.
Volunteer with South of Seoul
Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
