Where to Stay in Sokcho — Complete Guide (2026)
Sokcho is the east coast city that earns its place on every serious Korea itinerary — the gateway to Seoraksan National Park, one of the country's most dramatic mountain landscapes, paired with a working fishing harbour, an atmospheric lagoon village, and some of the best fresh seafood you'll find outside Busan. The bus from Seoul's Express Bus Terminal takes around 2.5 hours, Cheongcho Lake sits right in the city centre, and Abai Village — made famous by a TV drama — stretches out on a sandbar between the lagoon and the sea. Most visitors treat Sokcho as a day trip from Gangneung, but it rewards a dedicated stay.
17 accommodations | Data: Korea Tourism Organization | Updated: May 2026
Price tiers: $$–$$$$–$$$$$$ (estimates — check Booking.com for live rates)
📅 Peak: Seoraksan autumn foliage (mid-Oct), summer beach season (Jul–Aug). Best value: April–June and November (mild weather, no crowds, mountain trails open). Note: The autumn foliage window is extremely short — accommodation within 5 km of the park entrance books out months ahead. Reserve early or base yourself in Sokcho city.
Area Quick Guide
| Area | Best For | Transport | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan Entrance / Outer Seorak | Direct park access, hiking, cable car, hot-spring spas | Bus 7 or 7-1 from Sokcho Bus Terminal (~20 min) | $$–$$$ |
| Sokcho Beach & Central | Beach, city centre, restaurants, Cheongcho Lake walking path | 5 min walk to most amenities; city bus to park (30 min) | $–$$$ |
| Abai Village & Harbour | Lagoon atmosphere, fresh seafood restaurants, cable ferry crossing | Hand-pulled cable ferry (1 min) from Cheongho-daero | $–$$ |
| Jangsa Harbour & North Beach | Fisherman's harbour, Daepohang seafood market, quieter beach strip | City bus or taxi from central Sokcho (~10 min) | $–$$ |
Seoraksan Entrance & Outer Seorak — Mountain Gateway
Staying close to the park entrance puts you on the trail before day-trippers arrive from Seoul. The Cheoksan hot-spring district sits just outside the park gate and is home to Sokcho's best spa hotels — a natural reward after a long hike. The Seoraksan cable car (Gwongeumseong Cable Car) is walkable from most properties in this cluster.
1. Lotte Resort Sokcho (롯데리조트 속초) $$$ Resort
📍 100 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩180,000–500,000/night (~$133–370)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 250+ |
| Facilities | Outdoor pool, waterpark, fitness center, restaurant, bar, spa, mountain-view rooms, direct shuttle to park entrance |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-635-6000
2. Cheoksan Spatel (척산스파텔) $$–$$$ Hotel
📍 327, Gwangwang-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩80,000–250,000/night (~$60–185)
| Check-in | 14:00 (Family room 18:00) |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 44 |
| Facilities | Sauna, Ladies' Spa Healing Center, outdoor hot springs, water park, convenience store, walking trail, observation deck |
| Parking | Available |
3. NewStart Seorak Resort [Korea Quality] (뉴스타트설악리조트) $$–$$$ Resort
📍 6, Seoraksan-ro 836beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩100,000–300,000/night (~$75–220)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 12:00 |
| Rooms | 50 |
| Facilities | PC, mountain-view rooms, walking distance to park entrance |
| Parking | Yes |
| Airport Pickup | Available |
📞 +82-33-637-2239
4. Cho Won Resortel (초원리조텔) $$–$$$ Resort
📍 19, Cheongbong-ro 5-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩100,000–300,000/night (~$75–220)
| Check-in | 14:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 33 |
| Facilities | Convenience store, laundry room, walking trails, family rooms |
| Parking | Yes |
| Airport Pickup | Available |
📞 +82-33-636-7169
5. Seorak Park Hotel (설악파크호텔) $$–$$$ Hotel
📍 74-2, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩90,000–240,000/night (~$67–178)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 80 |
| Facilities | Restaurant, bar, mountain-view rooms, direct bus stop at door for Seoraksan entrance |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-636-7000
Sokcho Beach & City Centre — Beaches, Lake, and Easy Access
The central strip between Sokcho Beach and Cheongcho Lake is the city's most convenient base — close to restaurants, the intercity bus terminal, and the Expo Cable Car (Sokcho Eye). Bus routes to Seoraksan run frequently, and the lagoon-side walk around Cheongcho Lake is one of the best evening strolls on the east coast. Gangwon-do's wider accommodation options are easy day-trip distance.
6. Kensington Hotel Sokcho (켄싱턴 호텔 속초) $$$ Hotel
📍 88, Cheongcho-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩150,000–400,000/night (~$111–296)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 156 |
| Facilities | Indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, cafe, Cheongcho Lake views, Sokcho Eye cable car nearby |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-632-8000
7. Park Beach Hotel Sokcho (파크비치호텔) $$–$$$ Hotel
📍 55, Sokcho Haean-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩100,000–280,000/night (~$74–207)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 118 |
| Facilities | Beachfront location, restaurant, bar, ocean-view rooms, sauna, direct beach access |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-631-7500
8. Sokcho Central Hotel (속초 센트럴 호텔) $–$$ Hotel
📍 33, Jungang-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩60,000–150,000/night (~$45–111)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 64 |
| Facilities | Restaurant, coin laundry, PC room, 5 min walk to express bus terminal |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-631-0001
9. Seorak Sunrise Hotel (설악 선라이즈 호텔) $–$$ Hotel
📍 22, Sogongwon-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩55,000–140,000/night (~$41–104)
| Check-in | 14:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 48 |
| Facilities | Sea-view rooms on upper floors, PC room, close to Sokcho Expo Tower |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-632-3355
Abai Village & Harbour — Lagoon Atmosphere & Seafood
Abai Village occupies a narrow sandbar between Cheongcho Lagoon and the East Sea — a location so cinematic it became the backdrop for a beloved Korean drama. Cross by the iconic hand-pulled cable ferry (요금: ₩500 each way) from the eastern side of Cheongho-daero. The streets are dense with squid restaurants, sundae (blood sausage) shops, and pensions with lagoon-facing balconies. This is the most atmospheric base in Sokcho for travellers who want to feel the city's fishing-village character. The fresh Sokcho seafood scene — yangmyeong octopus, fresh-caught squid, and crab stew — is best explored from here.
10. Abai Village Pension (아바이마을 펜션) $–$$ Pension
📍 Cheongho-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩60,000–160,000/night (~$45–118)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 14 |
| Facilities | Lagoon-view balconies, family rooms, kitchenette, BBQ on request, cable ferry 2 min walk |
| Parking | Limited (street) |
📞 +82-33-633-4466
11. Sokcho Lagoon View Hotel (속초 라군뷰 호텔) $$–$$$ Hotel
📍 44, Cheongho-daero, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩90,000–220,000/night (~$67–163)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 56 |
| Facilities | Lagoon-view rooms, restaurant, rooftop terrace, near Abai Village cable ferry crossing |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-635-5500
12. Cheongcho Guesthouse (청초 게스트하우스) $ Guesthouse
📍 15, Cheongho-daero 4-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩20,000–65,000/night (~$15–48)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | Dormitory & private rooms |
| Facilities | Shared kitchen, lagoon-view common area, bicycle hire, Abai Village walking distance |
| Parking | No |
📞 +82-33-633-2211
Jangsa Harbour & North Beach — Fishing Village Feel
The northern stretch of Sokcho runs from Jangsa Harbour past Daepohang fish market to the quiet sand at the top of Sokcho Beach. The fish market at Daepohang is the place for early-morning crab, and the beaches here get a fraction of the summer crowds of the main beach strip. Motels in this area tend to be better value than the central beach hotels.
13. Helios Motel (헬리오스모텔) $ Motel
📍 33, Jangsahanghaean-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩40,000–80,000/night (~$30–60)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 28 |
| Facilities | Rooftop, close to Jangsa Harbour and Daepohang seafood market |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-632-7676
14. Daepohang Seaview Pension (대포항 씨뷰 펜션) $–$$ Pension
📍 60, Daepohang-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩60,000–160,000/night (~$45–118)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 12 |
| Facilities | Sea-view balconies, kitchenette, direct access to Daepohang crab market, family rooms |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-638-1200
15. Sokcho International Youth Hostel (속초국제유스호스텔) $ Hostel
📍 1, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩18,000–55,000/night (~$13–41)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 10:00 |
| Rooms | Dormitory & private rooms |
| Facilities | Shared kitchen, common lounge, bicycle hire, coin laundry, near bus terminal |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-638-3105
16. Sokcho Backpackers (속초 배낭여행자 호스텔) $ Hostel
📍 12, Jungang-ro 3-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩15,000–50,000/night (~$11–37)
| Check-in | 14:00 |
| Check-out | 10:00 |
| Rooms | Dormitory & private rooms |
| Facilities | Shared kitchen, lounge, laundry, hiking gear storage, hiking trail maps provided |
| Parking | No |
📞 +82-33-631-5599
17. Seorak Mountain Pension (설악산 펜션) $–$$ Pension
📍 180, Osaek-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
💰 Typical range: ₩70,000–180,000/night (~$52–133)
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Rooms | 16 |
| Facilities | Mountain-view rooms, BBQ terrace, river-side location, natural hot-spring access nearby, ideal autumn foliage base |
| Parking | Yes |
📞 +82-33-673-5050
Sokcho Travel Tips
- Getting here: Express bus from Seoul's Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho takes ~2.5 hours. Intercity buses also run from Dong Seoul Terminal. There is no direct train — the closest KTX station is Gangneung (1 hour by bus from Sokcho).
- Getting around: City buses 7 and 7-1 run from the express bus terminal to the Seoraksan park entrance (~20 min, ₩1,500). The park itself charges a separate entrance fee. Taxis are cheap for short hops within the city.
- Sokcho Eye: The cable car gondola over Cheongcho Lake is a 5-minute ride but gives a memorable aerial view of the lagoon, harbour, and mountains — go near sunset.
- Abai Village cable ferry: The hand-pulled rope ferry across the lagoon entrance costs ₩500 and takes about a minute. Operates during daylight hours — confirm the last crossing time if you're eating late.
- Don't miss: Daepohang crab market for live snow crab (대게) in season (Dec–May), Sokcho sundae from the Abai Village pojangmacha stalls, and grilled squid at the beach-side stalls near Sokcho Beach on summer evenings.
- Park entrance fees: Seoraksan National Park charges ₩3,500 adult admission. The Gwongeumseong Cable Car (round trip ₩13,000) has long queues in peak season — aim to be at the station by 8 am.
Related Guides
- Sokcho & Seoraksan National Park Travel Guide — trails, cable car, entry tips
- Where to Stay in Gangneung — 1 hour south by bus, Coffee Street and Gyeongpo Beach
- Where to Stay in Gangwon-do — full provincial accommodation overview
- Sokcho Cafes & Coffee — the best cafes near Cheongcho Lake and the beach
- Getting Around Korea — buses, trains, and taxis explained
Data from Korea Tourism Organization. Price ranges are estimates by accommodation type — actual rates vary by season and availability. Check Booking.com for live pricing.