10 Best Islands in Incheon

Daebudo Island, known for its panoramic scenery and many restaurants nearby, is the most visited island on the west coast in the capital area. Passing through the outstretched seawall that impresses you with its sheer length and size, climb the Moon Observatory at the Sihwa Narae Rest Area that welcomes visitors. From the top of it, you can see a breathtakingly beautiful sea and the magnificent skyline of Songdo International City. Rent a bike and ride across the reed fields and metasequoia forest of Daebu Badahyanggi Theme Park, which will refresh your mind and wash away all the stress.

Taking pictures at Bangameori Beach and Seowimaebonggil Beach, which are popular sunset watching spots, is something you shouldn't miss. Daebudo, which is more popular than any other island on the west coast with foodies, has many restaurants that serve local delicacies such as kalguksu and grilled clams and lobsters. With a little search, you can find a true matjip (popular restaurant with locals) where you can have a feast. After admiring all the beautiful scenery of the island, complete your trip by having satisfying meals.

Muuido Island, which is lined with rocks in unusual shapes, is a good place for trekking along the trail in light clothes. Since the opening of Muuidaegyo Bridge in 2019, it has become one of most popular outing destinations so that the lines of cars never end on the road leading to the island every weekend. Trekking along the coastline with steep cliffs is one of the main reasons to visit Muuido Island. Take Course 8 of Muuibada Nuri-gil Trail and walk along Somuui Indogyo-gil and Myeongsaui Haebyeon-gil, then an hour will fly away.

The public parking lot you can see before passing Somuido Island is also used as an outdoor and car camping site. On a clear day, watching the night sky from a tent or from your car, you can see and count more stars than usual. Muuido is one of the rare stargazing spots in the capital area. The fresh scent of the sea adds to the refreshing atmosphere of the island.

With exciting rides lining the long coastline, Wolmido Island is a favourite seaside resort for people of all ages. It has been Incheon's representative amusement park since the 1920s, and still maintains that status. Even now, Wolmido Island attracts many locals and tourists as a meeting place and the local centre of culture and art. Every weekend, the streets on the island are crowded with people. Cafés and raw fish restaurants facing the sea and thrilling rides are the main reasons people visit the island.

The bike path formed along the beach is quite short, but features a scenic view. The cherry trees around the amusement park bloom in spring, making it a popular dating spot. At the Museum of Korea Emigration History that introduces the history of Korean emigration, you can enjoy the permanent exhibition at any time. You may lose track of the time looking at all the interesting exhibits. Have a fun-filled day on Wolmido Island, which awaits you with a full array of foods and attractions.

Ganghwado holds a significant position in Korean history as the birthplace of the founding myth of Gojoseon, the centre of dolmen culture, a military base and a place of exile of the Joseon Dynasty, and one of the last battlegrounds where people fought against foreign powers in the late Joseon era. The island, bordering North Korea along the coastline, still has an important status in the ongoing contemporary Korean history. Ganghwa History Museum, Ganghwa War Museum, and Ganghwa Natural History Museum give a glimpse into the past of the island, while dolmens, Manisan Mountain, Chojijin Fort, Gwangseongbo Fort, and Jeondeungsa Temple preserves the history of the island, maintaining their original look.

Some of the places that feature the regional characteristics of this island include its old downtown that can be travelled on foot, Ganghwa Peace Observatory that commands a view of North Korea, and Gyodongdo Island where Korean war refugees live. Ganghwa Seaside Resort's luge and zipline, hot springs, and luxury pensions, which became famous through media coverage and by word of mouth, are breathing new life into Ganghwado Island. Discover the diverse charms of this historical yet exciting island.

Seongmodo Island, well-known for Bomunsa Temple, is a gift from nature where you can explore the West Sea and lush forest at one place. Seongmodo Recreational Forest, sitting on the island against the backdrop of the panoramic blue sea, is composed of Recreational Forests 1 and 2 and an arboretum, providing rest and refreshment to those who are tired of busy city life. Since the island, which could only be accessed by boat, was connected to Ganghwado by Seongmodaegyo Bridge, it is gaining popularity with campers from across the nation as well. Some of the most popular camping spots include Minmeoru Beach and Buja Camping Site.

Bomunsa Temple, famous for the Rock-Carved Seated Guanyin that can be seen even from afar, is a treasured temple that presents stunning sceneries. Here, the gracious smile of Guanyin warmly greets visitors. To see the Rock-Carved Seated Guanyin up close, you can climb up to Nunsseopbawi Rock next to Daeungjeon Hall. After looking inside the grotto where a recumbent Buddha is carved on the wall, watch the sunset and engrave all those precious moments on your heart. Don't forget to capture those moments in pictures as well.

Yeongheungdo Island, where you can enjoy both deep-sea fishing and rock fishing, is crowded with travellers who visit the place to enjoy driving and fishing every weekend. During the fishing season, from May to November, many anglers easily catch big fish such as rockfish, spotty belly, flatfish, and goby, and entertain spectators just by casting a fishing hook from the pier or rocks. The fresh sliced raw fish or maeuntang (spicy fish stew) prepared on the spot feel tastier than any other delicacies. Deep-sea fishing, which requires advanced skills, provides greater excitement.

In addition to fishing, you can enjoy swimming or playing in the sand at Ongam Beach, Yongdam Beach, Janggyeongni Beach, and Simnipo Beach, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the island. This island is an ideal holiday destination for all, with a long beach stretching over 4 kilometres, unique rocks creating spectacular views, and a vast tidal flat where you can catch conches and clams at low tide.

Unlike most of the islands near Incheon that are connected to land by bridges, Jangbongdo Island, accessible only by boat, is a place where the literal meaning of an island hits home with visitors. Your trip to this island begins the moment you load your bike or car into a ferry at Sammok Quay on Yeongjongdo Island. On board, you meet the seagulls who fly to you and snatch snacks from your hand, leaving you smiley and embarrassed at the same time. Driving past the quay, you pass through Yongam Beach, Handeul Beach, and Jinchon Beach in turn, so pick the one you'd like to visit in advance.

The sea cave eroded by the waves into the shape of a helmet is a representative photo spot where everyone who visits this island takes a picture. Take photos with stunning contrasting effect against the frame created by nature. On the return voyage, you'll find yourself already missing the moments you had on the island, though it was a short stay of only half an hour.

Yeongjongdo Island, where Incheon International Airport is located, is the first place that most people set foot in Korea, but as the fifth largest island in Korea, it has more to see and experience, besides the airport. The island features two representative beaches on the west coast. Eurwangni Beach and Wangsan Beach can be reached by bus or maglev train from the airport and has many cafes and restaurants favoured by tourists and locals alike. Have some quality time in one of these cafes, chit-chatting over a coffee and admiring the panoramic seascape.

Paradise City is a multi-purpose resort complex with shopping and entertainment facilities, swimming pools, and clubs. At Cimer, you can have a satisfying experience of Korean dry sauna, which you'll find worth the quite expensive admission. If you like driving, don't miss visiting Asia's first BMW Driving Centre. You can experience the performance of BMW models on six different courses by making a reservation in advance. Yeongjong Seaside Park is another must-visit place where you can ride a rail bike in the cool sea breeze, which will add another happy moment to your trip.