Yeosu: What To See, Do, Eat & Where To Stay
Popular with Koreans and skipped over by foreigners, Yeosu sits in Jeollanam-do and is so far south that it took me 14 years to get there. Okay, sure, it wasn’t like I wasn’t traveling to other places or literally on a trek to get there for that long. But, it’s one of those cities that has been on my radar for some time. At least as far back as the World Expo which was based there in 2012.
Should you go and see all of the cool things to do in Yeosu? Absolutely. Don’t wait as long as I did to take a trip to Jeollanam-do to see this part of the southern coast. Tourists heading to Yeosu often add the amazingly beautiful Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve too making the trip an amazing weekend south. If you’ve got more time though, the better because there is so so much to see and do in Yeosu.
Skip around and plan a trip to Yeosu now!
- Yeosu Itinerary
- How To Get To Yeosu
- Where To Stay In Yeosu
- Things To Do In Yeosu
- What To Eat In Yeosu
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Yeosu Itinerary
How To Get To Yeosu
From Seoul
By Train: From Yongsan Station, you can take the ITX-Saemaeul Train to Yeocheon Station in Yeosu in just under 3 hours. The train will cost anywhere between W20,000 and W60,000 depending on what kind of ticket you purchase.
By Bus: You can take a bus from Seoul’s Central City Bus Terminal that’ll cost between W20,000 and W34,000. The trip takes between 4-5 hours.
By Plane: Don’t discount flying! You can fly from Gimpo Airport to Yeosu Airport in just 55 minutes. Jin Air and Jeju Air provide flights that are generally around W50,000. Check Skyscanner for updated prices.
On A Tour: Tours are a great way to get around, see everything and not have to worry about the logistics or transportation. Here are some great options.
- kkday: kkday has a tour to take you around Yeosu once you get there. The guide will help you see Odong Island, Aqua Planet, the Big O show, take a ride on the Yeosu Cable Car, and then eat in a seafood market. This a great deal if you don’t want to the hassle of figuring out transportation and ticketing logistics. I also always recommend a guide when going to a seafood market so it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of that too. Check current pricing for the Yeosu daytrip on kkday.
From Busan
On A Tour: When considering what you want to see, do, and how you’ll get around, make sure to consider how easy and budget friendly you want your trip to be. There are some great tours that will actually allow you to see MORE even easier because a guide will be there for the logistics.
Klook has a tour to Yeosu departing from Busan which takes visitors to Hyang-Il-Am, a buddhist temple, the Yeosu Cable Car, Dolsan Island, and the Yeosu Railbike. It’s a great daytrip option at a great price. Check Klook’s Yeosu Daytrip Tour page for updated pricing.
By Bus: You can take a bus from Busan’s Central Bus Terminal to Yeocheon Station in Yeosu. The bus runs twice daily and costs between W14,000 and W22,000 and takes 2.5 hours.
By Train: Take a train from Busan Station to Suncheon Station. The trip takes 2.5 hours and costs between W20,000 and W32,000 depending on the seat choice. At Suncheon Station, you should transfer to Yeocheon Station which is just a further 13 minutes. Trains leave hourly.
Where To Stay In Yeosu
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Dolsan Yeosu
This is where we stayed on our trip down to Yeosu. Ramada Plaza has a restaurant, bar, a garden, and a pool. The rooms are nice and the beds are comfortable. We enjoyed stepping out onto the balcony and feeling the coastal air sweep over us before we slipped into bed for the night. Great stay and if you can, take advantage of the pool too!
Check rates on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Hidden Bay Hotel
Hidden Bay Hotel is a 4-star beachfront hotel with a swimming pool, garden, and rooms come with a terrace too. You’ll definitely be able to relax in this beautiful spot with a sauna and infinity pool and views views views. Papmper yourself with this stay.
Book a room on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Hotel JCS Yeosu
Hotel JCS is a 5-star hotel with a beautiful swimming pool that just opened in 2020. There is an adult and children’s pool and rooms are beautiful and spacious and perfect for families. This just opened after we visited, but I’d look into this for our next trip down for sure.
Book a room on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Things To Do In Yeosu
Expo Ocean Park (엑스포해양공원) & Yeosu Sky Tower Cafe
I’d heard so much about the World Expo in 2012 that I definitely had some big visions for the area that was built FOR the event. One major highlight of the area is a visit to the Sky Tower. I like visiting places that are regenerated from something old and decrepit and this is one of those spots. Don’t worry, it’s very safe. This observatory in the Yeosu Expo Park (엑스포해양공원), which houses a cafe in the top, was opened in 2012 for the expo but was made using a factory that was built in the 1980s. It’s a great way to look out over the water and the expo area.
- Address: 1 Bangnamhoe-gil, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 박람회길 1 (덕충동))
Aqua Planet Yeosu (아쿠아플라넷 여수)
If you head to the Sky Tower above and want to find something else to do in the vicinity, check out the amazing Aqua Planet Aquarium. Aqua Planet does an amazing job with their aquariums, there are a few aquariums around Korea to find by the Aqua Planet brand is the best in our opinion.
It’s a great spot for sea creature lovers, rainy days, or families with kids.
- Address: 61-11 Odongdo-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 오동도로 61-11 (수정동))
- Admission: Adults: W29,500; Children: 26,500 (For a discounted rate, buy your tickets on Klook.com.)
- Hours: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
Odongdo Island (오동도)
Just down from the expo and port area, this island is connected to the mainland via a bridge for pedestrians and local electric trains so take people over so no need to figure out ferries and boats. It was beautiful when we visited mid-summer but actually it’s extremely Instagram-worth in the spring when the camellia flowers are in full bloom. Apparently there are a lot to see on the island so maybe spring is an ideal time to plan a trip to Yeosu.
- Address: 222 Odongdo-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 오동도로 222 (수정동))
Arte Museum (아르떼뮤지엄)
Arte Museum is an immersive art exhibition that provides a visual experience that is completed with stimulating sound and aromas. There are 11 colorful media art exhibitions that are meant to showcase the sea and natural scenery of Yeosu. The theme of this space is “Ocean”. It’s a great indoor option if you happen to visit while it’s raining, but also.. it’s just great.
- Address: 3rd floor, A-dong, Gukje-gwan, 1 Baklamheo-gil, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전남 여수시 박람회길 1 국제관 A동 3층)
- Hours: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm
- Website: https://artemuseum.com/
Jasan Park (자산공원)
After coming in from Odongdo Island, there’s an elevator/staircase that you can take up to Jasan Park which connects you to the cable car as well. Jasan Park is the oldest park in Yeosu and has the largest statue of Yi Sun Sin which is 15 meters high. There’s also a large traditional pavilion and the fence surrounding it is adorned with hundreds of wooden hearts that couples have professed their love on. It’s the new love locks I guess. Take in the views and buy a snack or ice cream while you’re there and then you can jump onto the cable car.
- Address: 54 Jasangongwon-gil, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 자산공원길 54)
Yeosu Maritime Cable Car (여수 해상케이블카)
The cable car which is a must-do runs between Jasan Park (자산공원) and Dolsan Park (돌산공원). Passengers can choose either the standard cabin or the crystal cabin. The crystal cabins have a see-through floor, but honestly, the standard cabin is juuuuust fine. The trip is 13 minutes one-way and 26 minutes round trip but you’ll get off at the other side no matter what. Get out and walk around a bit.
We really enjoyed the ride and definitely recommend this major touristic draw. If you like cable car rides, there are a ton in Korea to choose from. Check out this guide to 18 cable cars in Korea to find.
- Address:
- 3600-1 Dolsan-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 돌산읍 돌산로 3600-1 (돌산읍))
- 39 Jasan 4-gil, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 자산4길 39)
- Admission: Standard Cabin: Adults: W15,000; Children: W11,000; Crystal Cabin: Adults: W22,000; Children: W17,000
- Hours: Weekdays, Holidays, & Sundays: 9:00am ~ 8:30pm; Saturdays: 9:00am ~ 10:30pm
Dolsan Island Park (돌산공원)
We started and ended our trip on the cable car in Dolsan Park. Created in 1987, there is a teahouse in the park that was originally a TV drama shooting set and now you can get great views of Dolsan Bridge. From the park, you can see Dolsan Bridge, Marine Park, and Janggundo Island. There’s also the Memorial Time Capsule which contains various objects related to the merger of Yeosu city. It was buried in 1994 and won’t be reopened until 2094. When we came back as the sun had set, we also found some fun light installations to check out too.
- Address: 3600-1 Dolsan-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 돌산읍 돌산로 3600-1 (돌산읍))
Hamel Lighthouse (하멜등대) & Pocha (포차)
As you’re whisked through the sky in the cable car, you may look down and notice a bright red lighthouse. If you are going through in the evening, you’ll see the lighthouse and nearby pocha tents lit up beckoning.
The lighthouse and nearby museum is devoted to Hendrick Hamel. He was one of 36 survivors from a merchant ship from the Netherlands that encountered a storm and ended up on Jeju Island in January of 1653. The crew, including Hamel, were taken into custody under royal decree and were taken to Gangjin, Jeollanam-do. They spent 7 years in captivity there and then 12 of them were sent to Yeosu where they were made gate guards.
Eventually, the captives now turned guards attempted an escape in 1666 and made it. To be honest, after reading the story, it seems odd that Hamel would be celebrated but so it is. Visit in the evening and see the lighthouse lit up and then visit the nearby pocha tents for some grub. It’s a great place to spend a night out in Yeosu.
- Address: 458-7 Jonghwa-dong, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 종화동 458-7)
Yeosu Ocean Railbike (여수해양레일바이크)
This ocean railbike runs 3.5 kilometers along the coastline. Head through open air and tunnels. There are railbikes around the country and they really do provide a fun activity to get your heart pumping just a bit and to see some beautiful scenery.
- Address: 187 Mangyang-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 여수시 망양로 187 (만흥동))
- Hours: March – October: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; November – February: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
- Admission: 2 seater: W26,000; 3 seater: W31,000; 4 seater: W36,000
What To Eat In Yeosu
Ganjang Gejang (간장 게장)
This is definitely a dish that is for the more adventurous eater. Ganjang gejang is rock crabs that have been preserved in a soy sauce mixture and they’re eaten uncooked. Yes, it’s served cold.
Most restaurants in the region will serve ganjang gejang baekban (게장백반) which means it comes with a ton of side dishes, rice and soup. This is great if you want to try the dish but aren’t so sure you’ll be able to eat it all up. You’ll still have plenty to try.
Grilled Fish
Don’t overlook those fish restaurants where you can get a ton of good fried fish and a ton of side dishes to go with it. These restaurants are popular throughout Korea, but you’ll get some very fresh catch in Yeosu and be able to try the side dishes and see how things taste down south.
These restaurants can be found throughout Yeosu and are a good idea for everyone from picky to adventurous eaters.
Cockles (꼬막)
Cockles can be served various ways. Seasoned cockles (꼬막무침) comes with a spicy topping, but you can also get the cockles just steamed and these tend to be a bit gritty with mud still left on them. These are my least favorite way to enjoy them but my husband LOVES them while I’m scarfing down the spicier seasoned version.
You can get them served with jeon, soup, and lots of side dishes. Yum yum yum.
Yeosu is definitely a city in Korea that you should see sooner rather than later. Don’t take 14 years like me and go go go! Have some fun and eat the eats.
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