Sokcho Half-Day Itinerary 2026: Yeonggeumjeong & Jungang Market

A Trip with My In-Laws

Sokcho Family Trip

After a delicious lunch, we headed back to our accommodation to rest for a bit.

We still had a little time before dinner, and we weren't quite ready to just relax indoors.

Sokcho Pampas Resort Gold Class B Room Review, Including Accommodation Prices for Large Familiesblog.naver.com

It felt like a waste to just stay indoors,

but we also didn't want to travel too far, haha.

So, to get some fresh air and enjoy the sea view,

we visited Yeonggeumjeong (영금정) and Dongmyeong Port (동명항).

In the end, we even dropped by Sokcho Jungang Market (속초중앙시장)

and bought a huge haul of sashimi and king crab.

If you're looking for places to visit in Sokcho,

this itinerary might be a great option!

Where to Park for Yeonggeumjeong and Dongmyeong Port?

We used a paid parking lot near Dongmyeong Port.

Since Yeonggeumjeong and Dongmyeong Port are right next to each other,

it was convenient to park once and explore on foot.

Based on the parking lot at Dongmyeong Port's Live Fish Center (동명항 활어센터) near Yeonggeumjeong,

the parking fees are as follows:

Please note that parking fees around Dongmyeong Port may vary by lot,

so be sure to check the sign at the parking lot you use.

Why is Yeonggeumjeong a Great Walking Spot in Sokcho?

Since you're in Sokcho, you absolutely have to see the ocean!

Yeonggeumjeong is a quintessential Sokcho tourist spot where you can get up close to the East Sea (동해바다)

and it's one of Sokcho's most iconic attractions.

There's no entrance fee, and once you climb up to the pavilion,

the panoramic ocean view will instantly captivate you.

It was a cloudy day when we visited,

but surprisingly, the scenery with the sea and sky blending together

was incredibly beautiful.

My in-laws and I enjoyed the sea view

and took our time exploring, snapping some photos along the way.

It felt a bit incomplete to just see Yeonggeumjeong,

so we also walked over to the Dongmyeong Port breakwater (동명항 방파제).

How Long Does It Take to Walk to Dongmyeong Port's Red Lighthouse?

The Red Lighthouse (빨간등대) in the distance caught our eye.

It looked close, so we started walking,

but it turned out to be a bit further than we thought, haha!

As you walk along the breakwater,

the sea stretches out on one side,

while on the other, you can see the cityscape of Sokcho.

It's a fantastic spot for taking photos with the ocean as your backdrop,

and we even saw a huge whale mural along the way!

The course from Yeonggeumjeong to the end of Dongmyeong Port's breakwater

and back from the Red Lighthouse

should be planned for a generous hour.

Especially if you're walking slowly with your parents like we did,

or planning to stop for photos along the way.

However, the breakwater can be quite windy,

so it might not be ideal on a day with bad weather.

Just Browsing at Dongmyeong Port Fish Market (동명항 회센터)

After our walk, we also explored Dongmyeong Port (동명항) right next door.

There were stalls selling live fish, so we had a look around.

The hawking was more active than I expected.

With vendors constantly calling out from everywhere,

it felt a bit overwhelming to browse comfortably.

We didn't buy sashimi here;

we just looked around to see what kind of fish were available.

I asked one vendor,

and they said they usually close around 6 PM.

However, operating hours can vary by stall,

so if you plan to buy sashimi at Dongmyeong Port,

it might be best to visit a bit earlier.

Parking at Sokcho Jungang Market (속초중앙시장) is a Real Challenge!

After exploring Dongmyeong Port, we headed to

what's also known as Sokcho Jungang Market:

Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market (속초관광수산시장)

It's definitely a must-visit spot on any Sokcho trip!

But as soon as we arrived at the market,

parking was the first hurdle.

Seriously, why were there so many people? Haha!

Even though the parking lot is quite large, there were so many cars,

so we somehow managed to find a spot and park.

It felt like parking was harder than exploring the market itself!

If you're visiting on a weekend or during peak tourist hours,

it's a good idea to factor in potential waiting times for parking.

Some stalls within the market offer free parking vouchers with purchases,

so it's worth asking when you pay.

If the wait to enter the parking lot is too long,

Rodeo Public Parking Lots 1 and 2 (로데오 제1, 제2공영주차장) are also alternatives.

How Much Did We Pay for Sashimi and Snow Crab at Sokcho Jungang Market?

Exploring inside the market was certainly fun!

There was so much food, and so many people.

After browsing around, we eventually made our way to

the seafood section.

We bought sashimi and snow crab for dinner,

and I think we paid around ₩200,000 (~$151) in total.

I don't remember the exact amount,

but it wasn't a small sum, that's for sure.

Even considering tourist area prices,

I wouldn't say we got it cheaply.

But hey, it was delicious, so it was worth it! Haha!

The snow crab was prepared wonderfully, making it easy to pick out the meat,

and we even devoured the rice served in the crab shell.

There was a decent amount of sashimi too,

but the most memorable part was the squid sashimi.

Squid Sashimi: ₩30,000 (~$23) for One, But How Was the Taste?

Squid sashimi was ₩30,000 (~$23) for one squid.

I hesitated for a moment when I heard the price,

but since we came all the way to Sokcho, I decided we had to try it.

They sliced it thinly, just like in the picture,

and out of everything we ate that day, the squid sashimi

was particularly delicious.

The sashimi was good, and we enjoyed the snow crab too,

but it was the squid sashimi that I kept reaching for.

Of course, at ₩30,000 (~$23) for one squid,

it's not a price you'd order without a second thought.

Since seafood prices vary depending on the market rate,

it's a good idea to compare a few places before buying

and to confirm any preparation fees or extra costs.

How Was Our One-Day Itinerary of Places to Visit in Sokcho?

Since we were traveling with my in-laws,

we didn't plan too packed an itinerary.

After lunch, we rested at our accommodation,

then leisurely walked around Yeonggeumjeong (영금정) and Dongmyeong Port,

and even sorted out our dinner at Sokcho Jungang Market.

It turned out to be quite a fulfilling afternoon!

At Yeonggeumjeong and Dongmyeong Port, even without doing anything specific,

just walking while looking at the sea was wonderful.

And while Sokcho Jungang Market was crowded and parking was tough,

We wrapped up the evening with delicious raw fish (hoe) and snow crab (daege)!

If you're planning a trip to Sokcho (속초) with your parents,

Yeonggeumjeong (영금정) and Dongmyeong Port (동명항) are perfect for a light stroll,

and Sokcho Jungang Market (속초중앙시장) is fantastic for grabbing some dinner to go.

You could easily combine these spots into one enjoyable itinerary!

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