Where do you go for a Korean seaside getaway when you live in the bustling city of Daegu, nestled in amongst the mountains? In just 90 minutes, you can drive to Pohang where sea views are vast, seafood is king, and a walk along the seashore never gets old. Here are 8 things to do in Pohang to get the most out of those spectacular ocean views.
It is Korea – cafes are king. And, Pohang has no shortage of cafes and REALLY good bakeries. There are Italian-style villas, gazebos, and multi-stories buildings, all with spectacular ocean views. With a simple search, you can find some of the best cafes in the country to sit at, relax, and just enjoy the sea views. Personally, I chose Heyan Coffee and Loveblanc and they didn’t disappoint.
Pohang has endless beaches that are famous for their natural beauty, here is a list of some of the most famous attractions:
Yeongildae Beach is known for its hanok pavilion peer. Plus, it is one of the second largest beaches in South Korea at 406,613 square meters. There are shower and changing rooms and a nearby campground. Nearby, you can find the POSCO museum, Space Walk, and the Pohang Canal.
Chilpo beach is more of a local spot. It doesn’t become nearly as crowded as many of the other beaches in the area during the summer months. It has bigger than average waves. It is perfect for surfing. However, Korea doesn’t have much of a surf culture and it has waves that are too big for beginners, so you won’t find board rentals here.
This is a beach located in a natural cove. It has calm seas and is generally cooler in summer and warmer in winter compared to other beaches in the area.
Hwajin Beach is one of the most family-friendly beaches in the area. It has an elevated concrete area where you can pitch a tent and watch the kids as they play at the shoreline.
Jangsa is gorgeous and is perfect for nature lovers of all kinds. Directly in front of the picturesque beach is a pine forest. And so you can enjoy a nice forest stroll before suntanning on the beach.
You can’t go to Pohang without paying homage to its most famous resident – the king crab.
And I do mean pay. There are a number of crab restaurants a stone’s throw from the ocean. It’s they are all pricey. We negotiated and ended up paying 280,000 Won for four people. And we got a lot for that – two king crabs, four smaller ones, and a ton of sides that included two kinds of shrimp, mussels, oysters, fried fish, squid salad, and cockles – something I’d never dared to try before. For a fancy vacation meal, it was amazing!
Check out my drone video of the Igari Anchor Observatory … it’s pretty cool. The anchor-shaped pier was constructed in 2020 as a safe outdoor tourist attraction after the outbreak of the pandemic.
Step off the pier nestled between Igari Beach, to the right and Wolpo Beach to the left. Opposite the Songlim Forest, the pier is part of a walking trail that connects the coastal villages and their white sand beaches between Chilpo Beach 칠포해변 and Hwajin Beach 화진해변.
If you aren’t afraid of heights check out the SpaceWalk. It is the largest walkable rollercoaster-like art sculpture that stands 25-meters high and spans 717 steps across 33-meters. The Space Walk in Hwanho Park is like walking in the clouds. The “cloud walk” is free to the public and offers a great view of the city, Youngil Bay, and Youngildae Beach.
The spacewalk is free for a maximum of 250 people at a time. Children 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult and the bridge will close in bad weather. Trust me you don’t wanna be up there in bad weather, it’s shaky.
Open weekdays 10 am to 4 pm / Weekends and holidays 10 am to 5 pm. Parking is limited & streetside. There is an uphill climb to Hwanho Park, so wear comfortable shoes.
Hiking Naeyeonsan Mountain is a big task. It stands at 930 meters above sea level. Attractions include ancient Bogyungsa Temple, 12 waterfalls connected by a hiking trail, a suspension bridge, and a view of the ocean at the peak.
I can’t wait to go back. We only got to the 8th waterfall. The hike is long but doable for all hiking levels. Bring along a pair of water shoes if you want to take a dip for an immersive experience.
The Hands of Harmony, one on land and the other 20-30 feet from the shore in the shallow water of the East Sea. A seawall keeps the big waves from reaching the paved walkway above the shore. The waves beckon to be heard, as they break hard against the jagged rocks of the wall.
Visit Homigot Sunrise Plaza in Pohang offers spectacular sea views. It’s the best spot to see the New Year sunrise because it is the easternmost point in South Korea. The Hands of Harmony are two bronze and granite statues created in 1999. The outstretched hands are symbols of the struggles and the spirit of all Koreans trying to pursue a better life.
Have you been to Pohang? What were your favorite attractions? If you are a fan of Hometown Cha Cha, there are tons of filming locations for you to go and visit. Click Here to learn more!
