What are the best things to do in Yeongjongdo near Incheon Airport?

The top attractions include Sky Garden for plane spotting, Seaside Park for rail biking, Masian Beach for sunsets, and Paradise City Cimer for a luxury spa experience.

Is Yeongjongdo good for a layover tour?

Yes, Yeongjongdo is the island where Incheon Airport is located. It is perfect for a short layover trip with beaches, cafes, and restaurants just minutes away from the terminals.

What is the famous food in Yeongjongdo?

Yeongjongdo is famous for grilled shellfish (Clams), Kal-guksu (Noodle Soup), and Mulhoe (Cold Raw Fish Soup), especially around Eurwangni Beach.

How can I book tickets for Cimer Spa or Rail Bike?

It is recommended to book tickets online in advance through travel platforms like Klook or Trazy to get discounted rates and avoid waiting in line.

Where can I see the sunset in Yeongjongdo?

Masian Beach and Eurwangni Beach are the most popular spots for watching the beautiful sunset over the West Sea.

Ultimate Yeongjongdo Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do Near Incheon Airport

When you want to see the ocean on a day trip near Seoul, there is no place like Yeongjongdo. although it is well known as the island where Incheon International Airport is located, it is now visited by many people as a wonderful driving and travel course. From the moment you cross the Yeongjong Bridge or Incheon Bridge, the open sea scenery unfolds, giving you the feeling of starting a journey.

A light drive to Yeongjongdo on the weekend makes for a great day trip date course. In this article, we will summarize the BEST 7 things to do in Yeongjongdo, along with 3 restaurants and 3 cafes that are great to stop by during your drive. This guide is perfect for layover travelers at Incheon Airport or tourists looking for a quick getaway from Seoul.

Top 7 Things to Do in Yeongjongdo

Sky Garden

Sky Garden, located right next to the Incheon Airport runway, is a hidden gem visited mostly by those in the know. This place is characterized by different flowers blooming in each season. In spring, a vast field of canola flowers unfolds, and in autumn, cosmos and pink muhly grass fill the area, making it great for photos.

It started to go viral because you can see huge airplanes taking off and landing very close up. The biggest charm of this place is capturing photos of airplanes taking off and landing with the flower fields in the background. There is no admission fee and there is parking space, so it is a good place to stop by for a while during your drive.

Sky Garden

Seaside Park

Seaside Park, created along the eastern coast of Yeongjongdo, is a perfect place to walk while looking at the sea or take pictures. The park is well-equipped with bicycle paths, walking trails, camping sites, and even a free foot bath area.

The most popular activity here is the 'Yeongjong Seaside Rail Bike'. It is a popular date course as you can see the scenery of the West Sea and artificial waterfalls while riding along a 5.6km round-trip section.

Seaside Park

Yeongjong Seaside Rail Bike

Location: 75, Gueup-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon
Price: 2-seater 25,000 KRW (approx. $19 USD) / 3-seater 29,000 KRW (approx. $22 USD) / 4-seater 32,000 KRW (approx. $24 USD)
Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 ~ 18:00 (Hours vary by season)
Tip: There may be a wait on weekends, so it is convenient to book online in advance.

Yeongjong Seaside Rail Bike

Masian Beach

Masian Beach shows two different faces depending on the tide. At low tide, vast mudflats are revealed where you can experience digging for clams, and at high tide, you can enjoy swimming in the gentle waters.

Above all, it is famous as a great place to admire the beautiful sunset of the West Sea. Large ocean-view cafes are lined up along the beach, making it a good place to leisurely wait for the sunset while drinking coffee.

Masian Beach

Paradise City & Cimer

This is a great indoor date spot to visit whether the weather is cold or hot. Paradise City is a complex resort that anyone can visit without staying overnight.

At the 'Plaza' square in the center of the resort, you can enjoy art pieces by famous artists, including Yayoi Kusama's 'Yellow Pumpkin', for free. There is also a shopping arcade and restaurant area that resembles a European street, giving off an exotic atmosphere.

Paradise City

Cimer (Spa & Pool)

Cimer is a luxury spa and swimming pool located within Paradise City. Although there is an admission fee, it is great for a special date as you can enjoy water activities and relaxation in an exotic atmosphere all day long. The Aqua Spa ticket includes access to the Jjimjil Spa (Korean Sauna). Rates may vary depending on weekends, public holidays, and seasons, and there is an additional charge for exceeding the usage time.

Facilities: Divided into Aqua Spa Zone (Water slides, etc.) and Jjimjil Spa Zone (Various themed saunas).
Admission Fee (Adult)
- Aqua Spa Ticket (6 hours): Regular Season 60,000 KRW (approx. $45 USD) / Peak Season 70,000 KRW (approx. $52 USD)
- Jjimjil Spa Ticket (4 hours): Regular 40,000 KRW (approx. $30 USD)

You can purchase tickets at a cheaper price by booking online in advance through platforms like Klook, Trazy, or other travel sites.

Cimer

Eurwangni Beach

When it comes to Yeongjongdo, you cannot leave out Eurwangni Beach. It is visited by many people throughout the four seasons due to its lively atmosphere, gentle water depth, and beautiful sunset.

Numerous grilled shellfish restaurants and cafes are lined up along the beach, making it easy to have a meal and enjoy the sunset at the same time. However, it gets very crowded around lunch time on weekends, so visiting on weekdays is recommended if possible.

Eurwangni Beach

Wangsan Marina

Wangsan Marina, located right next to Eurwangni Beach, is an exotic harbor where numerous yachts are docked. It is popular as a photo spot because it gives the feeling of being in an overseas resort.

It is a good place to visit when you want to enjoy the sea more quietly than the crowded Eurwangni Beach. It is great for taking a light stroll along the harbor and taking pictures with the docked yachts in the background.

For reference, sunset tours and yacht experiences are available at various yacht clubs in the marina for around 40,000~50,000 KRW ($30~$37 USD) per person.

Wangsan Marina

Gueup Batteo (Pier)

Gueup Batteo, located at the northern end of Yeongjongdo and connected to Seaside Park, is a small port where you can take a boat to Wolmido. You can feel the retro vibe of taking a boat while feeding shrimp crackers to seagulls.

Nearby is the 'Yeongjong Fish Market', which is great for looking at fresh seafood or getting sashimi to go. Recently, many emotional cafes and restaurants have popped up around Gueup Batteo, making it a good place to look around.

Top 3 Restaurants in Yeongjongdo

Here are 3 recommended restaurants in Yeongjongdo that I have visited personally.

Cheongchun Jogae Pocha

If you move a little away from the crowded Eurwangni Beach towards Wangsan Marina, you will find Cheongchun Jogae Pocha. It is a place where you can enjoy fresh clams with unlimited refills. Along with various types of clams, many side dishes such as grilled scallops with cheese, shrimp, kal-guksu (noodle soup), and tteokbokki are provided, so you can have a hearty meal. It is a place where you can enjoy the fun of grilling clams right in front of the sea.

Cheongchun Jogae Pocha

Yangjagang

This place is highly recommended for couples who love Chinese food. It is located not far from Eurwangni Beach. The signature menu is 'Wanggalbi Jjamppong' (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup), which features a rich broth and a whole large beef rib. Besides Jjamppong, it is also famous for its delicious Gan-Jajang and Tangsuyuk (Sweet and Sour Pork). The wait is long on weekends, so if you visit on a weekend, you should try to arrive before 11 AM to avoid long queues.

Yangjagang

Eulhyang

This is also a restaurant near Eurwangni Beach. If you are looking for a clean seafood restaurant, I recommend 'Eulhyang'. The signature menu is Mulhoe (Cold Raw Fish Soup) with various seafood such as sea cucumber, abalone, octopus, and shrimp, and you can also taste side dishes like Yukjeon (Meat Pancake) or Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake). It is a recommended restaurant for those who want a neat and tidy meal.

Eulhyang

Top 3 Cafes in Yeongjongdo

A great cafe is indispensable for a date in Yeongjongdo. Here are 3 cafes that are great to stop by during your drive.

Maydream

This cafe is located near Eurwangni Beach. It was made by renovating an old church. The space is composed diversely, making it good for conversation. They sell a variety of bakery items, and since they also sell brunch and dinner menus, it is a good place to have a meal as well.

Maydream

Concrete Garden

This is a unique cafe located in the cafe street near Unseo Station. As the name suggests, it has a unique concrete structure, and the interior is decorated with a greenhouse feel like a botanical garden, creating a great atmosphere. The cafe interior is spacious and the landscaping is well done, so it is good for relaxing while drinking coffee.

Concrete Garden

Star Five

This is a large bakery cafe located near the airport. The biggest feature of this place is that you can see the airport runway through the wide floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can see airplanes taking off up close.

There are various types of bread and drinks, and the interior is spacious, so it is good to enjoy the airport view while relaxing comfortably.

Star Five

So far, we have looked at the BEST 7 places to visit in Yeongjongdo along with recommended restaurants and cafes, which are great to enjoy as a Yeongjongdo driving course. Yeongjongdo is a place where you can easily leave from Seoul and enjoy various sights and foods along with the sea scenery.

Even if you don't have business at the airport, if you plan a Yeongjongdo date on the weekend, I hope the places introduced in this article will help you have a good time.