Yeosu Coastal City Drive: Korea's Most Beautiful Harbor by Car

Yeosu sits on Korea's south coast like a secret the locals have been keeping for themselves. The city wraps around a series of islands and inlets, and nearly every road ends with a sea view. If you're renting a car in Korea, this 3.5-hour drive from Seoul is one of the best trips you can take.

Made famous by Busker Busker's song 'Yeosu Night Sea' and the 2012 World Expo, the city has exploded as a foreign tourist destination. Unlike Busan's busy streets, Yeosu still feels relaxed — coastal roads are clear, parking is easy, and the food is extraordinary.

Getting to Yeosu by Car

From Seoul, take the Honam Expressway (Route 25) south toward Suncheon, then switch to Route 17 into Yeosu. The total distance is about 430km, and driving time is 3h40m to 4h without traffic. Leave early on weekends — the expressway gets congested around Gwangju.

• From Seoul: 430km via Honam Expressway → Route 17, ~3h40m
• From Busan: 130km via Namhae Expressway, ~1h45m
• From Gwangju: 90km via Route 17, ~1h
• Toll: Seoul–Yeosu approximately 18,000–22,000 KRW
• Parking: Most attractions have dedicated lots at 1,000–2,000 KRW/hour

There's no shortage of petrol stations along the expressway. If you're driving an EV, charge at Yeosu Public Parking near the waterfront — multiple Level 2 chargers are available, and the Expo Ocean Park charging station is fast-charge capable.

Odongdo Island — Walk Through a Camellia Wonderland

Odongdo is your first stop, and you can actually drive partway there. A 768-meter causeway road connects the mainland to a small island thick with camellia trees. In January to March, the entire island turns deep red with blooms — but even in summer, the evergreen forest and coastal trails make it worth the visit.

• Entry: Free (admission to the island is free)
• Hours: Open year-round, lighthouse area closes at 18:00
• Parking: Causeway entrance lot, 1,000 KRW/hour
• Night: The island has a light show after dark — worth staying for
• Dragon Head Rock: A basalt sea-cliff formation accessible by trail, about 20 minutes walk

Yeosu Maritime Cable Car

The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car stretches 1.5km across the sea, connecting Dolsan Island to the Jasan Park hill near the city center. The ride takes about 15 minutes and gives you a bird's-eye view of the harbor, the islands, and the Dolsan Bridge below. On clear days you can see all the way to Odongdo.

• Regular cabin: 13,000 KRW (one-way) / 17,000 KRW (return)
• Crystal cabin (glass floor): 15,000 KRW / 20,000 KRW
• Hours: 09:00–21:00 (last boarding 20:30), extended to 22:00 on weekends
• Parking: Large lot at the Dolsan Station terminal
• Tip: Book online in advance on weekends — queues can hit 60+ minutes in summer

Hyangiram Hermitage — Korea's Most Dramatic Cliff Temple

Hyangiram (향일암) is a small Buddhist hermitage carved into a granite cliff on the southern tip of Dolsan Island. It's one of Korea's four sun-facing hermitages and a popular new year sunrise spot. To get there, drive down Dolsan Island — it's about 20 minutes from the cable car terminal — and then climb 10 minutes up stone steps through rock crevices.

• Entry fee: 2,000 KRW per adult
• Hours: 08:00–18:00 (opens earlier for sunrise visits at New Year)
• Parking: Lot at the base, 2,000 KRW. Gets very full on weekends — arrive by 09:00
• Stairs: About 300 steps, rocky terrain — wear comfortable shoes
• View: The outlook across the Korea Strait toward Geomun Island on a clear day is stunning

Yeosu's Famous Seafood Scene

Yeosu is considered the gejang capital of Korea — raw crab marinated in soy sauce that the Japanese call 'rice thief' because it's so good you can't stop eating. The dish comes in two varieties: ganjang gejang (soy-marinated, mild) and yangnyeom gejang (spicy). Order it as a set meal and it arrives with rice, seaweed soup, and at least a dozen side dishes.

Beyond gejang, look for hwaeodeopbap (sashimi mixed rice bowl, 12,000–15,000 KRW) and galchi jorim (braised hairtail fish, deeply savory). The area around Isunsin Square near the waterfront has the highest concentration of good seafood restaurants.

• Gejang set meal: 20,000–35,000 KRW depending on crab size
• Hwaeodeopbap: 12,000–15,000 KRW
• Jang-eoh gui (grilled eel): 25,000–35,000 KRW per portion
• Best area: Isunsin Square restaurants and the Namhae Seafood Market (남해수산시장)
• Breakfast: Dry-aged yellow corvina porridge (gulbi juk) at the morning markets, 8,000 KRW

Yeosu Nightwalk & Yi Sun-sin Square

After dinner, walk along the Yeosu Nightwalk — a waterfront promenade that stretches from Yi Sun-sin Square to the cable car station. At night, the Dolsan Bridge lights up in changing colors, the harbor reflects the city glow, and the atmosphere is completely different from the daytime bustle. This is what inspired the Busker Busker song that made Yeosu famous.

The Expo Ocean Park is also worth an evening visit — the site of the 2012 World Expo now has a Skyline Luge, boat cruises, and light installations that run until 22:00 in peak summer. Entry varies by activity, starting at 14,000 KRW for the luge.

Quick Tips for Driving in Yeosu

1. 1Plan 2 nights minimum: One day for the main city sights, one day for Dolsan Island and Hyangiram.
2. 2Avoid weekend mornings at Hyangiram: Parking fills by 09:30. Go at 08:00 or visit Monday–Thursday.
3. 3Cable car reservation: Book online (yeosucablecar.com) to skip queues in July–August.
4. 4Drive Dolsan Island coastal road at sunset: The 33km Dolsan road loops through several fishing villages with sea views all the way.
5. 5Currency: Most restaurants and attractions accept cards, but carry 20,000 KRW cash for market food and toll booths.

FAQ

Yeosu rewards drivers who slow down. Take the coastal loop at sunset, eat crab until you can't anymore, and stay long enough to catch the Dolsan Bridge lights at night. It's one of those Korean cities that changes how you think about the country.