Hello, travel lovers! 🌍.
Today I’d like to introduce you to Yeosu, a gem of a city on the south coast of South Korea. With its beautiful sea, stunning nightlife, fresh seafood, and interesting history, Yeosu has a lot to offer not only Koreans, but also international travelers. This article will help you plan your trip to Yeosu in detail and in detail! ✨
🌊 What is Yeosu like? (Attractions of Yeosu)
Yeosu is a port city in South Jeollanam-do and is known for its romantic nighttime scenery, as the famous song “Night Sea” says. It’s not just the beautiful scenery, but also the following attractions.
- Beautiful sea and romantic night view: During the day, the blue sea spreads out coolly, and at night, the colorful lights create a romantic night view. 🌉]
- Fresh seafood paradise: Freshly caught seafood dishes are the highlight of any trip to Yeosu. If you love seafood, you won’t regret it! 🦐🐟
- Breath of history and culture: You can get a glimpse of Korean history and culture through sites related to General Yi Sun-sin, the hero of the Imjin War, the Gosodong Mural Village, and more. 📜.
- Warm people and laid-back atmosphere: A great place to relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. You’ll be impressed by the friendliness of the locals! 🤗🤗
—.
📍 Must-Visit Attractions in Yeosu
Yeosu has a lot to offer. Let us introduce you to the main attractions!
- Odongdo Island 🌳
- Features: Known as the ‘Island of Camellia’, it is the beginning and end of Hallirae Marine National Park. The entire island is covered in camellia and bamboo forests, making it a beautiful landscape in all seasons.
- Things to do: You can take a camellia train to the island, or take a leisurely stroll to enjoy the blue sea and rock formations. The view from the lighthouse observation deck is spectacular.
- Tips: Camellia flowers are usually at their most beautiful from winter to early spring (January to March). 🚶♀️
- Yeosu Maritime Cable Car (Yeosu Maritime Cable Car) 🚠
- Features: It is the first maritime cable car in Korea that runs over the sea in Yeosu. It connects Dolsan Park and Asset Park, offering a thrilling experience and a panoramic view of the Yeosu sea and city.
- Things to do: Ride in the ‘Crystal Cabin’ with a transparent floor for an even more thrilling experience. You can enjoy the cool seascape during the day and the colorful night view at night, making it a great ride anytime.
- Tip: Time your ride for sunset so you can enjoy the day and night scenery at the same time. ✨
- Hamel Lighthouse & Romantic Pocha Street (Hamel Lighthouse & Romantic Pocha Street) 🏮🍜
- Features: A lighthouse that honors the drifting history of Dutch merchant Hamel, and a street that transforms into a lively street of food stalls at night.
- Things to do: Take photos at the Hamel Lighthouse, stroll around the marine park and feel the sea breeze. At night, you can enjoy the romance of Yeosu’s nighttime sea with fresh seafood dishes at Romantic Pocha Street.
- Tip: The crowds are especially large on Friday and Saturday nights, so we recommend visiting on weekdays for a more relaxing experience.
- Dolsan Park (Dolsan Park) 💖✨
- Features: This is a spot where you can enjoy the most beautiful night view of Yeosu Marine Cable Car and Dolsan Bridge.
- Things to do: Take pictures with the cool sea as a backdrop during the day, and enjoy the romantic atmosphere while watching the colorful night view of Dolsan Bridge and cable car at night. You can also enjoy a cup of tea at one of the park’s cafes.
- Tip: This is a great photo spot for nighttime photos!
- Aqua Planet Yeosu 🐠🐬
- Features: One of the largest aquariums in Asia, this is an indoor attraction that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.
- Things to do: Meet a variety of marine life, including belugas, sea lions, and penguins, and experience educational programs to help you understand the marine ecosystem. Especially recommended for families traveling with children.
- Tip: It is recommended to book in advance for special programs such as feeding experiences.
—.
😋 What to Eat in Yeosu (What to Eat in Yeosu)
Another fun part of traveling to Yeosu is exploring the city’s culinary scene! Fresh seafood dishes and other specialties unique to Yeosu await you.
- Seafood Dishes (Seafood Dishes) 🦐:
- Samhap Grilled Clams: A special combination you can only taste in Yeosu! The fantastic combination of quahog clams, pork belly, and fresh kimchi from Dolsan gives you an unforgettable taste. 🤤
- Sashimi (Raw Fish): Freshly caught, seasonal sashimi is chewy and tastes like the freshness of the Yeosu sea.
- Eel Soup/Grilled Eel: Sea eel is the best for replenishing energy! Try the ice-cold eel soup or the savory grilled eel to rejuvenate your energy.
- Dolsan Gat Kimchi (Dolsan Fresh Kimchi) 🥬:
- Freshly pickled kimchi grown exclusively in the Dolsan region of Yeosu, Korea, with a pungent yet deep flavor. It’s often served as a side dish at restaurants, or you can buy it at specialty shops. Experience Korea’s unique kimchi flavor!
- GEJANG JEONGJEONG (Marinated Crab Set Meal): *Yeosu has many restaurants serving soy sauce crab and seasoned crab. The salty and savory soy sauce crab and the spicy and sweet seasoned crab are so tempting that they are called rice thieves. 🦀 â
- Yesu Bakery Tour (Yeosu Bakery Tour) 🥐:
- There are many delicious bakeries in Yeosu that utilize local flavors, especially baguette burgers, seodae buns, and other unique breads.
—]
🚌 How to Get Around Yeosu (Yeosu Transportation)
1. How to get to Yeosu: 1.
- KTX (bullet train): It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from Seoul to Yeosu Expo Station. It’s the fastest and most comfortable way 🚄.
- Highway Bus: You can take a highway bus to Yeosu from major cities such as Seoul and Busan. It is cheaper than KTX but takes longer. 🚌
2. How to get around Yeosu from downtown:
- City Bus: There are well organized bus routes connecting major tourist spots. It is convenient to check the route map in advance.
- Taxi: This is the most convenient option, but it is more expensive. You can easily hail a taxi using South Korea’s Kakao T app. 🚕]
- Car Rental: If you want to travel freely, we recommend renting a car. An international driver’s license is required, and driving is not difficult as the roads are well-maintained. 🚗
- Bicycle Rental: You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Yeosu by cycling along the coastal road. 🚲
—.
🗺️ Recommended Itineraries
1. 2 Days & 1 Night Full Course: 1.
- Day 1:
- Morning: Arrival at Yeosu Expo Station and luggage storage
- Lunch: Dolsan fresh kimchi set meal
- Afternoon: Walk around Odongdo Island 🚶♀️ → Board Yeosu Marine Cable Car 🚠
- Dinner: Walk around Hamel Lighthouse → Seafood at Romantic Pocha Street 🏮🍜
- Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Yeosu city
- Day 2:.
- Morning: Sunrise or morning scenery at Dolsan Park 💖✨
- Lunch: Gejang Baekban
- Afternoon: Aquaplanet Yeosu 🐠🐬 (or visit Gosodong Mural Village 🎨)
- Late afternoon: Depart from Yeosu Expo Station
2. 3 Days 2 Nights Leisurely Course:
- Day 1: (Same as the 2 Days 1 Night Course)
- Day 2:
- Morning: Yi Sun-sin Square and Jinnamgwan (General Yi Sun-sin’s ruins) 🏛️ → Gosu-dong Mural Village Tour 🎨
- Lunch: Eel soup or grilled eel
- Afternoon: Yeosu Marine Rail Bike Experience 🛤️ or visit Yeosu Artland (media art, sculpture park) 🎨
- Dinner: Watch Big-O Show 🎡 (media facade and fountain show)
- Evening: Enjoy the night view at Dolsan Park 🌉
- Day 3:.
- Morning: Visit Hyangilam (watch the sunrise or peaceful temple scenery) 🌅🙏
- Lunch: Seafood Baekban at a local restaurant
- Afternoon: Shopping for Yeosu specialties (fresh kimchi, seafood, etc.) 🛍️
- Late afternoon: Departure from Yeosu Expo Station
—.
💡 Tips for Foreign Travelers (Tips for Foreigners)
- Language: Most tourist attractions are well signposted in English, but small shops and local restaurants may only speak Korean. Downloading a smartphone translation app (e.g. Papago, Google Translate) in advance will be very helpful. Simple Korean greetings such as “안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo – Hello)” and “감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida – Thank you)” will go a long way in communicating with locals.
- Payment: Major hotels, large supermarkets, and restaurants accept credit cards (Visa, Master, AMEX, etc.). However, small shops and markets may require cash, so it’s a good idea to have a small amount of cash on hand. ATMs are easy to find.
- Accommodation: Yeosu has hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and Airbnbs in a variety of price ranges. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak periods (summer vacation, weekends).
- When to travel:
- Spring (March-May): The best time to travel as the camellia flowers are in full bloom and the weather is pleasant 🌸
- Summer (June-August): Great for marine recreation, but the weather can be hot and humid, and it’s high season, so crowds and accommodation prices can be high. ☀️
- Fall (September to November): The weather is cool and clear for walking, and seafood is abundant, making it perfect for foodie trips. 🍂
- Winter (December to February): Great for enjoying the warm southern seas and relatively quieter travel. ❄️
- Safety: South Korea is a very safe country overall. However, it is always advisable to be careful with your belongings and avoid walking alone late at night.
—.
Yeosu is more than just a vacation spot, it’s a special place where you can experience the beauty and culture of Korea in depth. We hope this article has helped you plan your trip to Yeosu. The beautiful sea and warm hospitality of Yeosu will be waiting for you! We hope you have an unforgettable stay, and we’ll see you in Yeosu! ✨