Nami island is about a two-hour drive from downtown Seoul. Known for its distinct beauty across all four seasons and its fame as a filming location for numerous Korean variety shows and K-dramas, it has become a bucket-list destination. Many travelers planning a Seoul travel guide itinerary will specifically arrange a day trip from Seoul to explore this picturesque location.
While you can reach Nami island from Seoul by subway, train, or bus, most visitors prefer to combine it with nearby attractions. Using public transport can be quite inconvenient due to the multiple transfers required. Therefore, I highly recommend joining a tour from KKday or Klook. It makes the entire day trip from Seoul much more relaxed and effortless!
I joined a KKday tour, which offered various combinations of attractions. I chose the package that included The Garden of Morning Calm + Nami Island + Chuncheon Dakgalbi Lunch + Gangchon Rail Park. The timing was perfect—neither too rushed nor too slow—and it felt like a great value for the money!
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Transportation for a Day Trip from Seoul
Most of these day tours depart from convenient meeting points like Hongdae or Myeongdong. The meeting times and locations are clearly listed on the booking pages. Since we were staying near Dongdaemun, we found a tour that offered a specific pickup point there. I recommend checking the available pickup locations when you book to find the one closest to your accommodation.
The Garden of Morning Calm Overview
The Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원) was founded by Professor Han Sang-kyung of the Department of Horticulture at Sahmyook University. Located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, it covers 330,000 square meters and houses over 4,000 species of trees and flowers. Each season brings a new look: tulips in spring, hibiscus in summer, and the highly anticipated maple leaves in autumn.
This garden is a famous filming location for popular K-dramas such as “Love in the Moonlight”, “She Was Pretty”, “You’re Beautiful”, “Mary Stayed Out All Night”, “Faith”, and “The Red Sleeve”. It has also been featured in the movie “Il Mare” and the variety show “Infinite Challenge”.
You can generally follow the park map to loop through the main areas, and the tour guide will point out the best photo spots. We had about 1.5 hours to explore, which felt just right for enjoying the scenery and taking photos. Even as someone who isn’t a huge “garden person,” I found the colorful summer blooms and lush greenery truly enjoyable!
Chuncheon Dakgalbi (Spicy Stir-fried Chicken)
Since Nami island is located in Chuncheon, the birthplace of the famous Korean cuisine Dakgalbi, our guide took us to a local restaurant before we headed to the island. We ate at Hanok Restaurant. While its online ratings are mixed, I personally found it quite tasty!
The staff helps with the stir-frying at your table. I highly recommend adding fried rice at the end—they mix rice and seaweed with the remaining sauce and chicken bits. The meat was tender, the sauce wasn’t overly spicy, and it was a very satisfying meal.
Nami Island Overview
Nami island is an icon of Korean tourism. Even though “Winter Sonata” aired over a decade ago, the island remains packed with visitors. To get onto the island, you can take a ferry or choose the Zip Wire (which requires an extra fee and is usually not included in standard day trip packages).
The island offers different vibes year-round: cherry blossoms in spring, gingko trees in summer, maples in autumn, and snow in winter. During my summer visit, the island was vibrant and green. The Metasequoia Road is particularly famous, and you’ll find it hard to stop taking photos. Don’t forget to explore the lakeside paths, visit the local artisan shops, or rent a bicycle to tour the island.
Once you arrive, the guide will give you a designated time to return to the ferry. You are then free to explore Nami island at your own pace. Fans of “Winter Sonata” should look for the statues of the main characters, which are popular photo spots for drama lovers.
Gangchon Rail Park Overview
Gangchon Rail Bike was created using a defunct section of the Gyeongchun Line railway. It’s a brilliant way to repurpose old tracks and has become a massive hit thanks to being featured on variety shows like “Running Man” and “We Got Married”.
The course is about 8.5 kilometers long. You can choose between two-seater or four-seater bikes. Despite the distance, the pedaling is surprisingly easy because the route is mostly designed with a slight downhill incline. The guide will help arrange your seating and bike assignment.
The highlight of the ride is passing through several themed tunnels, each featuring unique music and lighting effects—ranging from disco vibes to romantic melodies. At the end of the course, a free shuttle bus typically takes visitors back to Gimyujeong Station, but for those on a day trip from Seoul tour, your bus will be waiting for you at the finish line.
Overall, I was very satisfied with this day trip from Seoul. Our guide spoke excellent English and provided great insights into the culture and history of the area. Each stop on our Nami island tour felt well-timed. If you’re interested in other variations, such as visits to Petite France or Alpaca World, you can find many options on KKday or Klook to suit your preferences. Or you can see Seoul travel guides, Seoul attractions articles!
Check some hot tours in Seoul:
📌 Seoul | Hanbok Rental at Gyeongbokgung Palace: KKday
📌 Seoul | Lotte World & Aquarium Discount Tickets: KKday｜Klook
📌 Everland Theme Park Admission Ticket: KKday｜Klook
📌 N Seoul Tower Tickets: Klook
📌 South Korea Daily Unlimited Data SIM/eSIM: KKday｜Holafly
📌 NAMANE Card | Customizable Prepaid & Transit Card: KKday｜Klook
📌 Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul Station AREX Express Train: KKday｜Klook
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