Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung
Swimming beach · Data as of
Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung is open at all times with no admission fee, with a long sandy beach and a pine forest behind it. The beach is 1.8 km long. It spans Gangmun-dong and Anhyeon-dong, 6 km north of the city center and 1 km from Gyeongpodae Pavilion, and is introduced as the largest beach on the East Coast. The sand covers 1.44 km², and with an average water depth of 1 to 2 m and a gentle slope, it draws large crowds every year. Every summer a Summer Night Arts Festival is held on the permanent stage on the beach, and you can rent a bicycle to ride around Gyeongpoho Lake. For inquiries, call +82-33-640-4531.
- Location
- 강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로 514 (안현동)
- Opening hours
- Always open
- Closed
- Open all year
- Admission
- Free
- Contact
- +82-33-640-4531
- Restrooms
- Available
Official information page (Korean)
What is Gyeongpo Beach?
Short answer: Gangneung’s signature beach, with 1.8 km of white sand backed by pine forest.
Official information introduces Gyeongpo Beach as the largest beach on the East Coast. The sand is 1.8 km long and covers 1.44 km², and with an average depth of 1 to 2 m the water is a comfortable depth with a gentle slope.
Thick pine forest surrounds the beach, and official information notes that you can enjoy both sea bathing and forest bathing.
What are the opening hours and admission fee?
Short answer: Admission is free, and it is always open, every day of the year.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 강원특별자치도 강릉시 창해로 514 (안현동) |
| Opening hours | Always open |
| Closed | Open all year |
| Admission | Free |
| Contact | +82-33-640-4531 |
| Restrooms | Available |
Gyeongpo Beach is always open, with no closing time. It is 1 km from Gyeongpodae, so it fits well in a plan with a walk around Gyeongpoho Lake and a visit to Gyeongpodae.
What should I see at Gyeongpo Beach?
Short answer: Walk along the sand, then continue to the pine forest behind it and the cycling path toward Gyeongpoho Lake.
Every summer, the Summer Night Arts Festival is held on the permanent stage at Gyeongpo Beach. Around Gyeongpoho Lake you can rent a bicycle for a ride, and the location makes it easy to explore mountains, sea and valleys as far as the nearby Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks.
Where can I stay near Gyeongpo Beach?
Short answer: The closest is 호텔마레 (hotel), about 5 min walk. These are the 3 closest stays within 1 km.
| Stay | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 호텔마레 | Hotel | 364 m | About 5 min walk |
| 호텔 큐브 | Hotel | 473 m | About 6 min walk |
| H.AVENUE 호텔 | Hotel | 556 m | About 7 min walk |
Distances are straight-line distances, so the actual route may be longer; walking times assume 80 m per minute. Select a stay to open its page (in Korean) with check-in times and nearby restaurants and cafés. Property names are shown as officially registered in Korean.
Where can I eat or get coffee near Gyeongpo Beach?
Short answer: 5 restaurants between 65 m and 82 m, and 5 cafés between 93 m and 479 m, listed from the closest.
| Restaurant | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 서울식당 | Korean | 65 m | About 1 min walk |
| 돌고래횟집 | Japanese | 70 m | About 1 min walk |
| 영덕대게 | Korean | 79 m | About 1 min walk |
| 울진대게횟집 | Korean | 80 m | About 1 min walk |
| 로바다야끼모루 강릉경포대점 | Outdoor pub | 82 m | About 1 min walk |
| Café | Type | Signature menu | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 발리아커피(BALIACOFFEE) | Café | 아메리카노, 카페라떼 | 93 m | About 1 min walk |
| 빽다방 강릉경포해변점 | Café | 아메리카노 | 103 m | About 1 min walk |
| 달빛491커피 | Café | 테이크아웃 아메리카노 | 132 m | About 2 min walk |
| 투썸플레이스 경포스카이베이점 | Café | 피스타치오 초콜릿 모카, 로얄 밀크티 쉐이크 | 229 m | About 3 min walk |
| 메가MGC커피 경포해수욕장점 | Café | 커피초코칩 젤라또 슈크림라떼, 애플머스캣 요거트스무디 | 479 m | About 6 min walk |
Select a name to open its page on our restaurant or café guide (in Korean). The small dots on the map also show nearby places that are not in the tables.
See it on the map
The large purple pin is Gyeongpo Beach. Tap a pin to see its name and distance.
What else is there to see near Gyeongpo Beach?
Short answer: The closest is Gyeongpoho Lake (about 13 min walk), and there are 5 attractions within 4 km.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongpoho Lake | Lake, migratory bird habitat | 1.0 km | About 13 min walk |
| Gangmun Beach | Beach | 1.2 km | About 1.2 km (straight line) |
| Heo Nanseolheon Pine Forest | Pine forest | 1.3 km | About 1.3 km (straight line) |
| Heo Nanseolheon Birthplace | Birthplace site, cultural heritage material | 1.3 km | About 1.3 km (straight line) |
| Sageunjin Beach | Swimming beach | 1.4 km | About 1.4 km (straight line) |
Who is Gyeongpo Beach good for?
- Anyone who wants to walk a long sandy beach and pine forest
- Those who want to see Gyeongpodae and Gyeongpoho Lake as well
- Anyone who wants to combine summer swimming with forest bathing
Check before you go
- Check the swimming season and water rules with the City of Gangneung
- Check the Summer Night Arts Festival dates before you go
Checklist
- Plan time for Gyeongpodae and a walk around Gyeongpoho Lake
- In summer, check when the beach is open for swimming
- Pick nearby restaurants and cafés on the map in advance
Photos of Gyeongpo Beach
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission to Gyeongpo Beach?
It is free and always open, every day of the year.
How long is the beach?
It is 1.8 km long and covers 1.44 km². The average water depth is 1 to 2 m.
Are there any events at Gyeongpo Beach?
Every summer, the Summer Night Arts Festival is held on the permanent stage on the beach.
Where is the closest place to stay near Gyeongpo Beach?
Hotel 호텔마레 is the closest (about 5 min walk). Its page, in Korean, shows the check-in time and nearby restaurants and cafés.
Things to do in Gangneung
This page contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Prices and availability are set by each partner and can change at any time.
Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI, Korean-language tourist information (attraction details) · Korea Tourism Organization · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
- Official information page · Operator · accessed 2026-10-23 (Korean-language source)
Fees, hours and closing days can change. Please check with the site before you visit.