The 11 Best Day Trips from Gwangyang
Drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan for every place worth the trip.
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There are 11 good day trips from Gwangyang, South Korea, led by Busan, Daegu, Changwon. The closest is Suncheon, about 30 min by car, and 3 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Day trips from Gwangyang at a glance
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Best as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan | 123 km E | 1 hr 55 min | Full-day trip |
| Daegu | 131 km NE | 2 hr 5 min | Full-day trip |
| Changwon | 95 km E | 1 hr 30 min | Full-day trip |
| Jeonju | 110 km NW | 1 hr 45 min | Full-day trip |
| Masan | 81 km W | 1 hr 15 min | Full-day trip |
| Chinju | 45 km NE | 50 min | Half-day trip |
| Iksan | 130 km NW | 2 hr | Full-day trip |
| Suncheon | 19 km W | 30 min | Half-day trip |
| Yeosu | 20 km S | 30 min | Half-day trip |
| Mokpo | 120 km W | 1 hr 55 min | Full-day trip |
| Gunsan | 146 km NW | 2 hr 15 min | Long day or overnight |
Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.
The best day trips from Gwangyang
- 1
Busan, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car123 km east of Gwangyang3 hr 50 min round tripWhat travelers see in Busan
- Beomeosa Temple - Beomeosa Temple offers a serene atmosphere amidst nature, showcasing traditional Korean architecture and significant Buddhist heritage.
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple - This seaside temple beautifully combines spiritual heritage with stunning ocean views, making it a unique and serene location for visitors.
- Haeundae Beach - Haeundae Beach is known for its beautiful sandy shores and vibrant atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and leisure.
Also nearby: Kimhae, Yangsan.
- 2
Daegu, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 5 min by car131 km north-east of Gwangyang4 hr 10 min round tripKnown for 이월드 E World.
Also nearby: Gumi, Gyeongsan-si.
- 3
Changwon, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car95 km east of Gwangyang3 hr round tripKnown for 다독다독 동물병원.
- 4
Jeonju, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car110 km north-west of Gwangyang3 hr 30 min round trip - 5
Masan, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car81 km west of Gwangyang2 hr 30 min round trip - 6
Chinju, South Korea
Half-day tripAbout 50 min by car45 km north-east of Gwangyang1 hr 40 min round trip - 7
Iksan, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr by car130 km north-west of Gwangyang4 hr round trip - 8
Suncheon, South Korea
Half-day tripAbout 30 min by car19 km west of Gwangyang1 hr round trip - 9
Yeosu, South Korea
Half-day tripAbout 30 min by car20 km south of Gwangyang1 hr round trip - 10
Mokpo, South Korea
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car120 km west of Gwangyang3 hr 50 min round trip - 11
Gunsan, South Korea
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car146 km north-west of Gwangyang4 hr 30 min round trip
A sample day trip: Gwangyang to Busan
A realistic pace for Busan, 123 km from Gwangyang. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.
- 07:30Leave Gwangyang
- 09:25Arrive in Busan (1 hr 55 min drive)
- 09:40Beomeosa Temple
- 11:40Lunch
- 12:55Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
- 14:40Haeundae Beach
- 16:10Head back to Gwangyang
- 18:05Home in Gwangyang
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Gwangyang?
- The best day trips from Gwangyang are Busan, Daegu, Changwon, Jeonju, Masan. The closest is Suncheon, about 30 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Gwangyang?
- Suncheon is the closest, 19 km west of Gwangyang, roughly 30 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Gwangyang?
- 3 places are within about an hour's drive of Gwangyang: Suncheon (30 min), Yeosu (30 min), Chinju (50 min).
- What is the biggest city near Gwangyang for a day out?
- Busan is the largest city in day-trip range, 123 km east of Gwangyang and about 1 hr 55 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Gwangyang?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Gunsan at 146 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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