Gimpo-si is located on the outskirts of Seoul, with the Gimpo International Airport being an hour away from Gimpo's centre. However, if you're landing there, Gimpo could be in your itinerary! There are a ton of attractions that you can visit on a day trip or an overnight one too.
PS: If you're heading to Seoul afterwards, check out our guide here!
Laveniche March Avenue
This famous river walkway has been on screen for a ton of K-dramas such as Oh My Baby (2020). The picturesque river flanked by quaint shophouses housing cafes, shops and more is a great place to spend an evening. The river is best visited at night when the neon lights are out and fill the night sky with colourful arrays of light. The river bank itself is also lined with these pretty visuals. This is when the iconic boats also start to fill the river. What iconic boats you may ask? Well there are crescent moon-shaped boats that you can ride on and enjoy the view from the river. They light up at night, giving the area an ethereal feel.
Address: 12, Gimpohangang 4-ro, Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do 10090 South Korea
Monsterrium
If you're a lover of animals and nature, you should head down to Monsterrium to see a variety of animals, from lizards to alpacas. You can learn more about these wonderful creatures or visit the baby alpacas. When you enter the attraction, you'll be given food which you can feed to the animals there. It's a great place to bring your kids!
Rate: Weekdays: KRW14,900 | Weekends: KRW17,900
Address: 52, Daehang1-ro, Daegod-myeon 1F, Block Ga, Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do 10041 South Korea
Opening hours: Mon-Fri (11AM - 7PM) | Sat-Sun (10AM - 7PM)
Jangneung
History buffs, you can visit the only royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty in Gimpo! The tomb is of Danjong, who is the 6th king of the Joseon dynasty. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site as well! The trails to and around the tomb are quiet and it's beautiful in the fall season. It's a beautiful area to relax and take in history right before your eyes. It's a 39-minute train ride away from Gimpo International Airport and it's on the way to Gimpo itself.
Address: 141-1, San, Pungmu-dong, Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do 415-070 South Korea
Munsusan
If you're thinking about enjoying nature or taking a break from the city, Munsusan is a great place for hiking. The 600m mountain boasts a spectacular view of the city and is lined with local flora and fauna. There is a signboard with the different trails and its difficulty so you need not worry about getting lost. Just make sure that you give yourself ample time to hike down with daylight. Bring along enough food and water and wear shoes that are fit for hiking!
Address: 102-38, Munsusan-ro, Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do 10000 South Korea
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
One of the main attractions of Gimpo is its proximity to North Korea. With one of the clearest views of North Korea, you'll be able to learn about the history and the ongoing conflict. You can climb up to Jogang Observatory to view North Korea, or head inside a battleship that was used during the war at Gimpo Marine Park nearby. If you're planning to head there, go towards Aegibong Peace Ecopark!
Address: 139 Pyeonghwagongwon-ro, Haseong-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
There's a lot more to do and see in Gimpo! It's a worthwhile day-trip before, during of after your Seoul trip. With a rich history, beautiful scenery and a testament to Korea's history as a whole, Gimpo should be a city to visit!