Geoje is a shipbuilding city spread across an archipelago off South Gyeongsang Province, near Busan. The largest island, Geoje Island, holds most of what a visitor comes for: the Oedo botanical gardens, Haegeumgang, the Hill of Wind, fortress remains and the former POW camp site. Ferries to the outlying islands leave from harbours on the coast, and the interior is mountainous enough that a tourist map is the practical way to plan a day's driving.
For a visitor, the useful way to think about Geoje is as a string of townships rather than one downtown. Gohyeon is the main urban centre, Okpo is the port and shipyard district, and Jangpyeong-dong is the third of the named dong. Outside these towns, the coast is dotted with villages where minbak homestays sit beside restaurants. This guide covers which of those bases to choose, and what kind of accommodation each level of budget buys.
Best areas to stay in Geoje
1. Gohyeon
Gohyeon is the city's main town and the most practical base for a first visit. It is one of the named dong of Geoje, it gives its name to Gohyeon Castle, and it is where Samsung Heavy Industries is located. You will find the usual array of motels here, along with larger hotels, since Geoje is largely a resort island.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who wants shops, meals and transport within walking distance rather than a car journey. The castle is in the town itself, which makes it the easiest historic site to reach without planning a full day out.
2. Okpo
Okpo is the port and shipbuilding district, home to Hanwha Ocean, Geoje Museum and Okpo Great Victory Park, which commemorates Yi Sun-sin's 1592 victory nearby. It is one of the named dong, and the harbour here is also where ferries to the neighbouring islands leave from.
This is the area to choose if you want to be close to the water and to the island ferries, or if you are travelling on a tight budget: a jjimjilbang operates in Okpo roughly halfway between Geoje Museum and Okpo Port, with sauna access, cotton pajamas and blankets on a heated floor, for around ₩11,000 a night. Okpo also has the largest concentration of big hotels.
3. Jangpyeong-dong
Jangpyeong-dong is the third of the named dong and part of the same built-up core as Gohyeon and Okpo. Expect the same mix of motels and larger hotels that the townships generally offer.
It suits travellers who want a town base with everyday amenities but would rather not be right on the port. Treat it as an alternative to Gohyeon rather than a separate destination, and check how far any address is from the sights you plan to visit.
4. The coast and villages outside the towns
Outside the larger towns, minbak — homestays for tourists — are scattered around the coast, often attached to restaurants. This is where you stay if you would rather be near the beaches and the ferry harbours than in a town.
It suits families and groups, and anyone with a car, since the attractions are spread across a large island and discovering them is most easily done with a tourist map. The trade-off is that you will depend on your own transport for meals, shops and getting to the historic sites.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: a jjimjilbang in Okpo, with sauna access, cotton pajamas and blankets to sleep on the heated floor, at roughly ₩11,000 a night.
- Mid-range: the usual array of motels in the townships, plus minbak homestays scattered along the coast outside the larger towns, often attached to restaurants.
- Splurge: large hotels, which are found everywhere on what is largely a resort island, with the heaviest concentration around Okpo and the port.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in Gohyeon. It is the main town, it has the widest choice of motels and larger hotels, and Gohyeon Castle is right there, so you can see something historic without committing a whole day to driving. From there you can reach Okpo and the ferry harbour for the island trips, and set out with a tourist map for the coast.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to get around Geoje?
It helps. Geoje is the second largest island in Korea and the attractions are spread out, so the sources recommend a tourist map for finding them. If you base yourself in Gohyeon or Okpo you can cover the town on foot, but the coastal sights and ferry harbours are easier with your own transport.
Where do the ferries to the islands leave from?
Visitors reach Oedo, Naedo and the other islands by ferry boat from the harbour neighbouring them. Okpo is the port district, which makes it the convenient base if island trips are the focus of your stay.
Is there anywhere cheap to sleep in Geoje?
Yes. A jjimjilbang in Okpo, roughly halfway between Geoje Museum and Okpo Port, takes overnight guests for about ₩11,000, with sauna access, cotton pajamas and blankets on the heated floor. Look for the neon sign.
What is a minbak?
A minbak is a homestay for tourists. Outside the larger towns they are scattered around the coast, often attached to restaurants, which makes them a reasonable option if you want to stay near the water rather than in a town centre.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page before you commit.