Top things to do in Geoje
1. Haegeumgang
Haegeumgang is a rocky island of tall cliffs off the southeast coast, named for its resemblance to the Haegeum mountain in North Korea. The ferry cruise threads through extremely thin cliffs into a sea cave, then backs out and departs by a different route, which is the part most visitors remember.
Cruises run from ports on the southeast coast, including Jangseungpo, with departures between 09:30 and 16:20. A round-trip cruise of about three hours typically includes both Haegeumgang and a stopover on Oedo; check whether Oedo admission is included, because you cannot land there without paying the separate fee.
2. Oedo Island
Oedo is Korea's first privately owned island and holds the Oedo Botanica, an expansive botanical garden laid out in a tight valley surrounded by sheer cliffs. It is landscaped in a Mediterranean style and dotted with Greco-Roman statues.
Most visitors arrive on a Haegeumgang cruise from a southeast coast port, so pair the two in one trip. There is a restaurant and coffee shop at the highest point of the garden, and the views from just outside some of the bathrooms are among the best on the island.
3. Windy Hill and Shinseondae
Windy Hill is a cliffside hill in Galgot village with a windmill on one side and purple-green cliffs you can climb down onto on the other. It sits above the South Sea and lives up to its name, and it became widely known after appearing on the television show 2 Days & 1 Night.
A theme museum covering Korean modern life and European decorative art stands at the same site. Intercity buses to Tongyeong and Masan depart from here, so it works well as a final stop before moving on.
4. Maemiseong
Maemiseong is a privately built stone fortress in Jangmok-myeon, created by local resident Park Myeong-jong, who began stacking stones after Typhoon Maemi struck the southern coast in 2003. It resembles a medieval European castle, with stone walls, towers and ramparts, and it was built without professional equipment or architectural expertise.
It sits on a hillside with panoramic sea views and is open year-round, around the clock, with no admission fee. Sunrise and sunset are the times photographers favour, and it is often visited together with Geoga Bridge, Windy Hill and Oedo Botania.
5. Great Victory Park
Great Victory Park in Okpo commemorates the naval victory of General Yi Sun-sin over the invading Japanese navy on 7 May 1592. Next door is a shrine to the admiral, along with a small museum explaining the war and Korean naval strategies, with English explanations available.
The park closes at 18:00 and entry is free. It is a short drive northeast of Okpo around the coast, or a 2.5-km coastal walk from Okpo; follow the scenic boardwalk past the abandoned theme park on the cliffs and turn right where the path crosses a road.
6. Jisimdo
Jisimdo is an island off the east coast of Geoje, visited mainly for its large expanse of camellia vegetation. The Maemi typhoon in 2003 severely affected the island's plant life, but the camellias have mostly returned. A Japanese military installation from the early 20th century occupation also stands on the island.
The island is a trekking destination, so plan on walking rather than sightseeing from a vehicle. Confirm ferry arrangements before you set out, as access is by boat.
7. Geoje POW Camp
Geoje POW Camp was a prisoner of war detention camp for captured North Koreans, established during the Korean War in 1951. It was the site of a prison riot on 8 May 1952, which is the subject of Ha Jin's novel War Trash. After the war, a portion of the site was converted into a tourist attraction.
Because the camp is tied to a specific period and event, it rewards a little reading beforehand. Allow time to walk the grounds rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
8. Geoje Museum
Geoje Museum in Okpo displays local artifacts used over the centuries by the people of Geoje. It is a compact way to put the island's fortresses, the POW camp and the shipyards into context before or after visiting them.
Since it sits in Okpo, combine it with Great Victory Park and the coastal walk from Okpo to Deokpo in the same outing.
9. Geoje Shipbuilding Marine Cultural Center
This center in Jisepo village combines a Fishing Village Folk Museum and a Shipbuilding Theme Park museum. The folk museum covers two floors with exhibits on the living sea and the traditions of the sea, plus an ocean experience section, while the shipbuilding side covers sailing vessel history, shipbuilding technology and the future of the oceans, with a movie theatre.
It is the natural stop for anyone curious about the industry that dominates Geoje's working life. Set aside enough time for both halves, as each covers two floors.
10. Haegeumgang Theme Museum
Haegeumgang Theme Museum in Galgot village is a museum of travel during the 1950s to the 1970s. Its subject is a period rather than a place, which makes it an unusual counterpoint to the island's natural sights.
It sits in the same village as Windy Hill, so the two fit easily into one visit.
11. Blue Horse (Poet) Museum
The Blue Horse Museum in Bangha village is a cultural exhibition and the preserved birthplace of the poet known as Blue Horse, or Cheongma. It is a small, quiet site devoted to a single writer.
It is in Dundeok-myeon, the same area as Pyewang Fortress, so pair the two if you are heading inland.
12. Gohyeon Castle
Gohyeon Castle in Gohyeondong was established during the Joseon period in 1451 and is named the 46th national treasure of South Gyeongsang Province. Historical records describe it as the largest castle in the South Sea.
It is in Gohyeon, which makes it convenient to combine with the town's everyday amenities rather than a separate expedition.
13. Pyewang Fortress
Pyewang Fortress is the oldest surviving fortress in Geoje, first built during the Silla Dynasty. It later sheltered King Uijong, the 18th king of Goryeo, while he was escaping from a military coup. It is regarded as South Gyeongsang Province's 11th cultural treasure and National Historical Site no. 509.
It is located in Dundeok-myeon, so combine it with the Blue Horse (Poet) Museum nearby.
14. Oksangeum Fortress Area
The Oksangeum Fortress Area was an unsanctioned fortress built on Sujeong peak to defend against Japanese invasion. The strain it placed on the people during construction led to the dismissal of the magistrate responsible. It is regarded as South Gyeongsang Province's 10th cultural treasure.
It is one of several fortress sites on the island, so if you are working through them, group it with the other historic and cultural sites rather than treating it as a standalone trip.
15. Geoje Township Government Office
The Geoje Township Government Office is regarded as Korea's 84th cultural treasure. It was established in 1470 to administer all military and shipbuilding plans during the time of the Japanese invasions.
Its interest lies in administration and shipbuilding rather than scenery, so it suits visitors already following the island's historic sites.
If you only have one day
Morning: Take a ferry cruise from a southeast coast port such as Jangseungpo to Haegeumgang, threading through the cliffs and into the sea cave. If your cruise includes the stopover, land on Oedo Island and walk the Oedo Botanica gardens up to the restaurant and coffee shop at the highest point.
Afternoon: Head to Okpo and spend the early afternoon at Great Victory Park, seeing the shrine to Admiral Yi and the small museum before the 18:00 closing. If time allows, add the Geoje Museum in Okpo, then walk the coastal trail from Okpo towards Deokpo, passing the park on the way.
Evening: Finish at Windy Hill and Shinseondae in Galgot village, climbing down onto the cliffs below the windmill and looking out over the South Sea. If you still have daylight, Maemiseong is open around the clock with no admission fee and is at its best at sunset.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Haegeumgang and Oedo?
Both are reached by ferry cruise from ports on the southeast coast, including Jangseungpo. Round-trip cruises of about three hours typically cover Haegeumgang and a stopover on Oedo, and landing on Oedo requires paying a separate admission fee on top of the cruise.
Is Maemiseong open at set times?
No. Maemiseong is open to the public year-round, 24 hours a day, with no admission fee.
What can I do in Geoje on foot?
The 4-km trail from Okpo to Deokpo follows the coast through pine forest and along a red boardwalk, passing Great Victory Park. Deokpo at the end has a couple of sashimi restaurants and a coffee shop; one restaurant does not welcome foreigners, but the one two doors down does and is signposted that way.
Which beaches can I swim at?
Hakdong Black Pearl Pebble Beach is a rocky pebble beach, and Deokpo Beach is a very small sand beach just outside Okpo. Gujora and Wahyeon Beaches are a pair of large sand beaches overlooking pine-covered islets, reached by taking the #11 to Jangseungpo Port, getting off at the Geoje Art Centre, walking down to the ferry terminal and switching to the #22.
Decide which ferry port suits your route, check the cruise departure times, and start building your days around the coast.