Best Day Trips from Seoul: Escape the City

Nami Island became internationally famous after the Korean drama 'Winter Sonata' filmed here, but it's genuinely worth visiting regardless. The tree-lined paths—metasequoia, ginkgo, pine—are beautiful in any season. Getting there is straightforward: take the ITX-Cheongchun train from Yongsan or Cheongnyangni Station to Gapyeong (about 1 hour), then taxi or shuttle bus to the ferry dock. The ferry ride is brief but adds to the experience. Entrance to Nami Island costs around 16,000 won including the ferry. The island is small enough to walk around in 2-3 hours. Rent a bike if you want to cover more ground. Combine Nami with other Gapyeong attractions: Petite France (a French-themed village, somewhat kitschy but photogenic) and the Garden of Morning Calm (particularly stunning with seasonal flower displays or winter lights).

Most visitors only see Incheon Airport, but the city itself deserves attention. Chinatown, Korea's largest, has been here since the 1880s. Try jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) at its birthplace—restaurants compete for 'original' bragging rights. Nearby Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village features murals and sculptures from classic stories. It's designed for children but makes for quirky photos. Incheon's Open Port area preserves early-modern architecture from when the city was Korea's main international gateway. The contrast between Japanese, Chinese, and Western colonial buildings is architecturally interesting. Take the subway from Seoul to Incheon Station (Line 1, about 1 hour 20 minutes). It's an easy half-day trip that combines well with the airport if you're arriving or departing.

Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounds Suwon's old downtown. Built in the 1790s by King Jeongjo, its walls stretch nearly 6 kilometers with gates, towers, and command posts intact. Walk the entire wall in 2-3 hours, or focus on the section near Paldalmun Gate. The fortress looks especially dramatic at night when it's illuminated. Suwon is also famous for galbi (beef short ribs). 'Suwon galbi' is a thing—the original restaurant district is near the fortress. Expect slightly higher prices but memorable meat. From Seoul, Suwon is 30 minutes by subway (Line 1) or 25 minutes by KTX. It's one of the easiest day trips and combines well with the nearby Korean Folk Village for a full day.

Chuncheon is the capital of Gangwon Province and famous for dakgalbi—spicy stir-fried chicken that you cook at your table. The 'Dakgalbi Street' near Myeongdong in Chuncheon is where locals go. The scenic ITX train ride from Seoul passes through beautiful countryside. From Chuncheon, Gangchon is one stop away—a popular area for ziplining and the Rail Park, where you pedal converted rail cars along an old train track. It's touristy but fun. Nearby Soyang Dam was once Korea's largest and has boat cruises into the surrounding valleys. The area is popular with domestic tourists but sees fewer international visitors. A Chuncheon day trip works well: leave Seoul mid-morning, lunch in Chuncheon (dakgalbi), afternoon Rail Park, return to Seoul by evening.

For beaches close to Seoul, head to Incheon's coastal areas. Eurwangni Beach is just 15 minutes from Incheon Airport—some travelers visit during long layovers. The beach is nothing special, but grilled clams and seafood restaurants line the shore. Muuido Island requires a short ferry from Jamjindo (accessible by bus from Incheon). The island has quieter beaches and a more rural atmosphere. Hanagae Beach is the main draw, but walking trails around the island are pleasant. These coastal spots get crowded on summer weekends—Koreans escaping Seoul have the same idea. Weekdays are calmer. The journey takes about 90 minutes from central Seoul. For a more dramatic coast, consider the east coast (Gangneung, Sokcho), but that's better as an overnight trip given the distance.