Namhae
A slow island trip for sea views, seafood and a short detour from the Korean mainland.
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Namhae is an island county off South Korea's south coast, in South Gyeongsang Province. It is one of the country's larger islands and is joined to the mainland by bridges, so you can reach it by car or bus without a ferry. The coast has inlets and small fishing harbors, and the island suits travelers who want to slow down by the water.
Travelers come for the sea views and the seafood. Namhae German Village has European-style houses that recall Korean miners and nurses who worked in Germany, and Bogwangsa, a Buddhist temple, sits in the hills above the coast. Two or three days covers the main sights at a relaxed pace, and a car makes the coast and villages far easier to reach. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking and driving the coast roads.
Namhae in five
- Check bus and taxi times for each legNamhae is an island, so every trip starts with a road crossing from the mainland. Check bus or taxi times for each leg before you leave, and ask your lodging to confirm the last bus back.Getting around
- Carry a T-money card and some cashT-money works on buses in many Korean cities and at convenience stores. Small rural buses and village cafes may still want cash, so carry some won.
- Download KakaoMap or Naver MapKorean map apps are the usual choice for bus stops, addresses and walking routes in Korea. Save offline maps before you reach the coast.Phones and eSIM
- Remove your shoes at guesthouses and templesTake shoes off at the door of guesthouses, restaurants with floor seating and temple halls. Look for the shoe racks by the entrance.
- Book beds ahead for summer weekendsKorean travelers visit the coast in large numbers on summer weekends and public holidays, so beds fill up. Book early for those dates.Where to stay
Need to know
- Currency
- Won (KRW)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check whether K-ETA applies to yours Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchSpring, mild
- AprilMild, green
- MayMild, green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy, humid
- AugustHot, typhoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberClear, mild
- NovemberAutumn, clear
- DecemberCold, quiet
Right now in Namhae
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 56%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Namhae
05:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today14°7°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed14°9°6%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Thu15°9°96%Thursday: Rain. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Fri14°5°0%Friday: Fog. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat9°2°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun8°2°2%Sunday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Mon11°2°3%Monday: Fog. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 05:01 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tongyeongabout 1 hour by carA harbour city on the south coast with its own sea views.
- Jinjuabout 1.5 hours by carA city with a riverside fortress and a historic old town.
- Busanabout 2 hours by carThe port city, with a large fish market and seafront beaches.
Before you go to Namhae
Rules for Namhae, checked
- Check whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry and whether K-ETA applies to you on the Korea Immigration Service site before you book.
- Remove your shoes at guesthouses, floor-seating restaurants and temple halls, and follow the signs at the door.
- Dial 112 for police and 119 for fire or an ambulance anywhere in Korea.
- Tipping is not expected at restaurants, cafes or for taxi rides.
Plan around Namhae
Entry, transport and money for a Korea trip
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses, car hire and the road crossing from the mainland
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMaps, data and offline setup for the coast
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and hotels on the island
Read the guideMoney and costsWon, cards and typical prices
Read the guideCultureCustoms, etiquette and temple visits
Read the guideNamhae FAQ
Is Namhae worth visiting?
Yes for a slow coast trip with beaches, sea views and a quiet island pace. Public transport is limited, so it suits people with a car or a few days. Skip it if you want big-city sights.
How do you get to Namhae?
By car over the road crossing from the mainland, or by bus to the island. Check bus times for your travel date before you leave, and allow extra time for the crossing.
How many days do you need in Namhae?
Two nights covers the coast, a walk and one day trip. One night works if you stay near the bus route and only want the beach.
Do you need a car in Namhae?
A car makes the coast and the villages much easier to reach. Without one, stay in the town and use taxis for beach trips.
When is the best time to visit Namhae?
Late April to May and October to November are the mildest months. Summer brings rain and typhoon risk, and beaches are crowded on weekends.