BY THE SEA
Seaside temples in Korea
These 5 temples sit by the sea or look out over it. They are spread across Busan, Gangwon, Jeju and the south coast, so each pairs with a regional trip.
Several are known sunrise or sunset spots and can be busy at those times. Check opening hours on each temple page.
Admission and English-friendliness in the table are the same checked values as on each temple page. Open a temple for opening hours, etiquette and a taxi card you can show a driver without speaking Korean.
| Temple | Region | Admission | English | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haedong Yonggungsa Temple | Busan | Free | High | Day visit only |
| Mihwangsa Temple | Haenam, Jeonnam | Free | High | Day visit or templestay |
| Yakcheonsa Temple | Seogwipo, Jeju | Free | High | Day visit or templestay |
| Naksansa Temple | Yangyang (Gangwon) | Free | High | Day visit or templestay |
| Hyangiram Hermitage | Yeosu, Jeonnam | Adults 2,500 KRW / youth & military 1,500 KRW / children 1,000 KRW (individual rates; no charge for ages 70+, persons of national merit, disabled visitors and preschool children) | Medium | Day visit or templestay |
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple 해동용궁사
A rare seaside temple perched dramatically on rugged coastal ocean cliffs
Unlike most mountain temples, it sits directly on the ocean cliffs. Best visited at dawn to beat the dense daytime crowds.
Getting there: From Busan Metro Line 2 Haeundae Station, take bus 181 from the Haeundae Station stop to the Yonggungsa / National Institute of Fisheries Science stop and walk to the temple (about 50 minutes including walking). A taxi from Haeundae Station covers about 8 km and takes around 30 minutes in traffic (roughly 12,000 KRW).
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →Mihwangsa Temple 미황사
An old temple at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, embracing West Sea sunsets beneath Mt. Dalma's rocky cliffs
One of Korea's most celebrated sunset temples, with dramatic rocky cliffs and the Dalmagodo Trail starting right at the temple.
Getting there: Take a KTX service from Yongsan to Mokpo (about 2 hours 20 minutes), transfer separately to Mokpo Bus Terminal, then take a bus to Haenam (about 1 hour). From Haenam Bus Terminal, allow about 35 minutes by taxi, or about 40 minutes on a local bus that stops at Mihwangsa plus a 10-minute walk from the Iljumun gate. Allow extra time for station transfers and waiting.
Mihwangsa Temple: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →Yakcheonsa Temple 약천사
An imposing temple facing Jeju's sea, home to a vast main hall the temple calls the largest in Asia
Features palm-lined courtyards, open ocean views, and a towering 29-meter main hall that leaves international visitors in absolute awe.
Getting there: From the airport bus 600 stop at Jeju International Airport, take bus 600 to the Yakcheonsa / Yongsan Jeju Youth Hostel stop (about 1 hour 25 minutes including walking, 4,500 KRW, per Kakao Map).
Yakcheonsa Temple: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →Naksansa Temple 낙산사
Where the colossal seaside Guan Yin statue watches over the crashing East Sea waves
Watching the sunrise over the East Sea from Uisangdae pavilion and meditating to wave rhythms at Hongryeonam hermitage.
Getting there: Take an intercity or express bus to Yangyang Intercity Bus Terminal, then city bus 9 or 9-1 to the Naksan stop and walk to the temple (about 30 minutes including walking, per Kakao Map). A taxi from the terminal takes about 8 minutes (about 4 km, roughly 7,000 KRW).
Naksansa Temple: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →Hyangiram Hermitage 향일암
A cliffside sanctuary facing the vast southern sea horizon and rising sun
Perched dramatically on sheer coastal cliffs, offering breathtaking ocean sunrises reached through narrow natural rock gateways.
Getting there: From a stop near KTX Yeosu-Expo Station, take city bus 111 or 111-1 to the Impo (Hyangiram) stop and walk up (about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours including walking, per Kakao Map). The hermitage's own page lists the direct bus 111 for the first morning bus only and transfers otherwise, so check the route in Kakao Map before you go. A taxi from the station takes about 40 minutes (about 26 km, roughly 23,000 KRW).
Hyangiram Hermitage: Hours, etiquette and taxi card →