A One-Day Itinerary in Incheon: From Moraenae Market to GTower Sunsets
Last Updated on April 14, 2025
When people think of Incheon, Korea, generally they think of Incheon International Airport and that’s it. The island around Incheon International Airport has way more to do than people take advantage of but, Incheon is a lot larger than that too. Probably the most popular places in Incheon to go are Chinatown and Wolmido Island, and yet there’s more.
Whether you’re planning a day trip from Seoul or looking to explore Incheon in more depth, this itinerary offers a perfect mix of culture, history, and scenic views.
Here are three places to visit on a one-day trip to Incheon, Korea:
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One Day Incheon Itinerary
Moraenae Market (모래내시장)
This outdoor traditional market was opened in 1982 in Namdong-gu and like most traditional markets, is the place to head in order to support local vendors and locally made products. There are the requisite fish and meat vendors alongside the vegetable and fruit vendors that the locals visit to get their weekly groceries.
There are the Korean side dish vendors that are always appealing to me just for the colors and numerous Korean food fixins they prepare as well. Did you know most side dish vendors will also let you taste test their dishes if you ask politely?
Moraenae Market is trying to up the ante when it comes to tourism so the vendors here are especially welcoming to visitors and hope that everyone has a great visit to their neck of the woods.
Even if you’re not trying to buy groceries to take home, traditional markets are still the best places to go to get delicious budget friendly food in Korea. There are some scrumptious treats in this market including a vendor with a rather substantial variety of the common and uncommon kimbabs (rice rolls).
There’s a vendor selling some uber popular sticky rice donuts. There are also fish cakes on sticks, spicy chicken skewers and some other delicious oft found market fare, too. There’s definitely something for everyone. As a tourist, I would say the best time spent in the market would be stall hopping and eating.
- Address: 1264 Guwol 4-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, Korea (인천광역시 남동구 구월4동 1264)
- Directions: The Seoul subway system also services Incheon. Moraenae Market Subway Station is on the orange Incheon Line 2. Go out of exit 3 and walk to the second street and turn right. There is a sign over the street with Moraenae Market so it can’t be missed. This street will lead into the market.
Tip for Tourists: Use the Incheon City Tour Hop On/Hop Off Bus to conveniently explore multiple attractions in a day. Moraenae Market is one of its major stops.
Sudoguksan Museum of Housing and Living (수도국산달동네박물관)
Step back into the 1960s and 1970s at this small but immersive museum located in Songhyun Park. The Sudoguksan Museum recreates the life and culture of Korea’s “daldongne” (impoverished hillside neighborhoods), offering insight into the country’s rapid modernization period.
Having visited a living daldongne some years ago in Seoul that had been the spot for some street art beautification, I found it especially intriguing to see how they used to be. The exhibits showcase a barbershop, a corner store, restrooms and homes. There is even a room where visitors can try on historical school uniforms for a photo-op.
It’s an interesting spot to learn more about the trying times of Korea’s past and to see how the residents of moon villages, which still exist in some areas, live and support each other. This stop is also quite kid friendly and would be a great learning location for children tagging along as well.
- Address: 51 Solbit-ro Dong-gu, Incheon, Korea (인천광역시 동구 솔빛로 51 (송현동))
- Days: Tuesdays ~ Sundays; Closed New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year Holiday (Seollal), and Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok)
- Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm (final admission allowed 30 minutes prior to closing)
- Admission: Adults: W500; Students: W300; Children: W200 (Seniors over 65 and infants under 4 and handicapped visitors are all free)
- Amenities: parking, bathrooms
Family-Friendly: This museum is great for kids to learn about Korea’s history in an interactive way.
GTower (G타워)
For breathtaking cityscapes and a front-row view of Incheon Bridge, head to the GTower Observatory in Songdo. It’s especially beautiful at sunset, when the skies glow over the sea and planes descend into the nearby airport. Even on cloudy days, like when we visited, the panorama is stunning. You can spot the iconic bridge stretching over the water and watch as the planes fly above.
- Address: 24-4 Songdo-dong Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Korea (인천광역시 연수구 송도동 24-4)
- Directions: By subway: Central Park Subway Station, exit 3. Make a u-turn out of the station and then walk about a block back. Look up to see the tall building with GTower on the top.
- Hours: Weekdays: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm; Weekends: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
Other Things To Do In Incheon
Incheon city west of Seoul is a fun and easy spot to get away to from Seoul and there is a lot to see.
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16 Comments
Jean
How do i book the same tour as this one?? Planning to be in incheon on may end 2020
Cynthia Williamston
I love the idea of a self sustaining economy, and love that they want to give tourists an authentic Icheon experience. With the improvements that you suggest I am certain that they will do very well.
Sarah Kim
I’d love to go on this tour because I went to Korea and didn’t know how to communicate so well because of the language. I like that you mentioned that it was a bit too jam packed ’cause it’s always good to have a well-rounded view.
Cori Carl
This looks really neat! I love visiting markets and a housing museum is something I’d absolutely have to see.
Yesterday when I asked someone to repeat themselves they actually rolled their eyes, sighed, and then repeated themselves in perfect English. So going to a place where people are happy about the tourism industry sounds pretty good to me right now!
Sandy N Vyjay
Stall hopping and shopping, there is nothing to detest about it. The bridge and sunset pictures are enchanting.
After all that roaming around in a day, I could very well say that the day spent in Incheon was well spent.
leuchocojummy
The food looks so heavenly and nice. The place is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.
The Travel Ninjas
Incheon looks so fun and beautiful. I love Korean food and would love to try it a big local market. Play planet sounds cool too. I’ll have to check it out.
Hi There!
That looks like an amazing tour experience! Maybe someday I’ll get there.
Shelley @Travel-Stained
I like your honest review of this platform. There are a lot of these “tour around with a local” offerings around, and it just seems so hit and miss to me. What if you end up with a local that has no idea what they’re talking about? I really must get out to Incheon though one day to explore…been here almost 8 years, and still haven’t made it out there! Shame.
Hallie
No kidding. I told Jae-oo we need to go back out to see China town and the Fairytale Street Art Road. There’s a few things that I think a baby would be into with me. Maybe we can go out together!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
That sounds perfect! I’ve been wanting some proper Chinese for awhile now. And Naia needs more play dates… poor girls so starved for interaction she stacks other kids on the streets ?
Hallie
Ha.. send her to daycare a few hours in the morning! It’s free after all. She’ll love it.
Shelley @Travel-Stained
I don’t think it’s free for us ?
Hallie
Are you sure? Is your babe not registered here? I thought she was… I remember we talked about your visas. Maybe I’m confused. Koreans. Multicultural families and some other groups that pay into the healthcare system get it too. You should check at your dong office to see. If you’re getting the monthly subsidy now then it just changes so the subsidy goes toward the child care instead of to you.
Shelley @Travel-Stained
We don’t get the monthly subsidy either… I’m considered a foreigner even though I’m Korean. Wait, what? Seriously the system here is so backwards in so many ways… ??????
Krysten
This platform seems super cool! I would love to go somewhere and experience things that I normally wouldn’t get to. Your experience looks really cool, too! I would have loved to be there.