To capture Songdo’s harmony of the city and nature, go to IFEZ* Promotion Hall Observatory on the 33rd floor of the G-Tower. Clear view of Songdo as well as Oido Island, famous for its tidal flat and grilled clams, and the Incheondaegyo Bridge, 23 km away from the platform, makes this observatory an essential part of any visit to Songdo.

Each observation point has inscriptions of the scenery and the buildings that can be seen from that point, so those not familiar with Incheon’s cityscape can enjoy the view as well. Since March 2023, the observatory has been open to the public at night to enjoy the night view of Songdo.

Before going for a leisurely walk through Songdo Central Park, head to Ginosko, a renowned spot for good coffee and dessert in the area. Ginosko offers various beans to choose from including single-origin beans sourced from Costa Rica, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Brazil to two house blends. Signature menu "Heavy White," which brings together bold and intense notes with a sweet and dense milk body.

Café Americano and Heavy White at Ginosko

If the weather permits, one can also opt to get baked goods and cake as takeout for a picnic at the park. Ginosko’s dessert selection is as equally varied and delicious as its coffee selection, from canelé to financier and madeleine

Desserts from Ginosko: Holiday Cake

Fraisier, a strawberry shortcake made with custard cream, and holiday cake, a cake with raspberry jam are especially popular for its cute appearance.

With a cup of coffee or some desserts in hand, embark on a walking tour of Songdo’s urban park, Songdo Central Park. A rectangular park with a land area of 46.3 ha, is nearly 56 times the area of a soccer field. It takes about 1 hr 30 min just to circle the park alone, giving a good idea of how big the park is. Songdo Central Park is the first park in Korea to have seawater flowing through it, which is collected from the water plant about 4 km away from the park, treated, and then sent to the waterway. The treatment process helps maintain the water quality at grade 1, so it can accommodate aquatic life like gray mullet, rockfish, and blue crab.

Other interesting things to look for are the distinctly Korean motifs hidden throughout the park. For example, the park recreates the unique topography of Korea* in its premises, as flat fields turn to rolling hills as one moves eastward in the park. There are also artificial islands in the middle of the waterway, which take their likeness from Dadohae* on the southern coast of Korea. In addition to being a great place to go on a light walk, there’s plenty to see and do in the park as well. This itinerary will take you to Songdo Hanok Village, Tri-Bowl, and the West and the East Boat Houses within the park.

Entrance to Songdo Hanok Village in Songdo Central Park

Hanok Village is the most eye-catching of all the attraction within Songdo Central Park, especially with the beautiful clash between futuristic buildings and traditional residential houses.

Café in Hanok Village

It is home to hanok hotels, restaurants, and cafés, so it is a great place to stop by for some rest.

Tri-Bowl during the day

Tri-Bowl is named after its semblance to three bowls that are connected together. It functions as a cultural space that offers exhibitions, dance performances, and musical performances. The interior space, with a capacity of about 400, hosts jazz festivals, photography exhibitions, musicals, and other performances and exhibitions catering to all age groups.

Tri-Bowl at night

The building is interesting enough during the day, but it truly impresses with its view at night when the lights are turned on.

Water taxis at Songdo Central Park

The eastern and western parts of Songdo Central Park offer various activities on water. When the weather becomes warmer during spring, people begin to flock to the boat marinas and water taxis. Specifically, the West Boat House offers water taxis that run along specific routes, while the East Boat House provides boating experiences that passengers can manually control.

To find the water taxi in the picture, head to the West Boat House. The water taxi service offers a 20-min ride going back and forth along a 2-km-long route. The taxi’s interior has windows to enjoy the view of the G-Tower, Tri-Bowl, and the Hanok Village while seated. Fares are KRW 4,000 (March 2023) for adults.

Boat rides available in Songdo Central Park

East Boat House offers a more diverse boating experience. One can take these boats on a ride along the waterway and listen to music from the Bluetooth device installed in the boat while enjoying the view of the high-rise buildings, Hanok Village, and the surrounding area. In particular, boat rides allow one to get the most out of Songdo Central Park at sunset or night.

View of the Hanok Village at night

The boats are controlled with a joystick, so control is easy and accessible. There are four different types of boats including the Moon Boat, Cloud Boat, Party Boat, and Family Boat. Boat rides cost about KRW 40,000 (March 2023) per 30 min.

Now that you’ve had your food, sightseeing, and shopping, wrap up your trip by heading to this massive café in Songdo Recreation Area. It takes about 30 min by bus to reach Songdo Recreation Area from Hyundai Premium Outlet and Triple Street. Cheongnyangsan Mountain and the Incheon Dulle Trail can be found at the back of the recreation area, and because there are plenty of cafés that can be visited after a walk, Songdo Recreation Area draws a large group of visitors every weekend. Forest Outings is notable because it resembles a botanical garden in its design. One can have something beyond desserts and a cup of coffee, as the interior is divided into spaces with different themes for a relaxing time.

Photo spots in Forest Outing

Dessert Bûche de Noël and signature drinks

Forest Outings offers a large menu that includes pasta, pizza, brunch menus, and baked goods. The sheer variety of luxurious baked goods like scones, cakes, and croissants is another draw of this place.

Baked goods on display

Forest Outings’ signature drinks are Coco Oat Latte and Strawberry Latte. Coco Oat Latte is a rich and sweet drink made with oat milk, coconut juice, and sweet syrup. Bûche de Noël is a fluffy and sweet chocolate cake, shaped like a bamboo tree, that you can try for a sugar rush.