Nami Island in Autumn: Everything You Need to Know

Pond on Nami Island surrounded by autumn foliage.

Last updated on May 24, 2024 by Krysti

Planning a trip to Nami Island? Wondering if fall is a good time to go? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to autumn in Nami Island!

Made famous by the Korean drama, “Winter Sonata,” Nami Island is a small river island known for its remarkable natural beauty and fun-filled attractions.

Situated just outside of Seoul, this picturesque destination becomes a visual masterpiece in the fall when its many maple trees blanket the landscape in vibrant autumn colors.

I recently had the opportunity to explore Nami Island during the fall season and was amazed by the beautiful scenery I encountered.

From the lush forests to the spectacular waterfront views and the stunning autumn foliage, it truly was a sight to behold.

That being said, my visit wasn’t without its challenges – which were much more impactful than anticipated.

Like many other seasonal destinations, Nami Island is incredibly popular and crowded during the autumn season. And, while I did expect this to some extent, it was much more intense than I thought it would be.

Given this, I can’t fully recommend Nami Island without offering a few words of warning first.

I’ll lay it all out for you below, so you can decide for yourself whether or not it’s worth the trip.

That said, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Nami Island in autumn.

Table of Contents

What is Nami Island?

Large wooden gate at entrance to Nami Island that says "Welcome."

Nami Island, also known as Namiseom or the Naminara Republic, is a small moon-shaped island that lies in the midst of the North Han River in Chuncheon, South Korea.

Spanning a mere four square kilometers, this man-made destination was developed into a tourist attraction and functions as a mini amusement park of sorts.

Its main goal has been to create a magical fairytale-like world, one separate and distinct from the rest of the country.

To this end, the island declared itself “culturally independent” from Korea in 2006. And even went so far as to adopt its own flag, passport, and currency.

Of course, the island is still geographically and politically a part of South Korea, so you don’t need special visas or anything like that to get here.

But, you will need to pass through “immigration.” Don’t worry, though, this is just where you show your entrance ticket before embarking on your journey over to the island.

Best Time to Visit Nami Island in Autumn

Trees covered in red and yellow leaves on Nami Island.

If you’d like to experience Nami Island during the autumn season, your best bet is to visit in the month of October.

While it’s hard to predict exactly when fall foliage will peak on the island, historically speaking, it typically occurs towards the middle or end of October.

Of course, this can vary greatly depending on the weather. So, it’s best to keep an eye out and track the foliage online, if you can.

The Visit Korea website usually provides foliage updates beginning in early fall, sometime around September.

What to Expect from Nami Island in Fall

As can be expected with any travel destination, Nami Island comes with its own unique set of perks and challenges – especially during the fall season. Before you book a trip here, I highly recommend that you weigh these pros and cons.

The Pros of Visiting Nami Island in Autumn

Trees with yellow leaves on Nami Island.

We’ll start with the positive stuff – the pros! While there are many other benefits to visiting Nami Island, I’ve limited this list to fall-specific perks.

Autumn Foliage

If you visit Nami Island in the fall, you’re bound to encounter some incredible autumn foliage. The island is covered in maple trees, so there are stunning views literally everywhere you look.

On top of this, Nami Island is full of picturesque gardens, ponds, and tree-lined lanes that are especially beautiful during the fall.

You can take in all of these views as you explore the island. Or better yet, you can appreciate them from above – if you’re adventurous enough to try out the zip line course (more on that below)!

Seasonal Events

During the fall months, Nami Island is decked out in Halloween-themed decor. You can find these festival decorations spread out across the island – hanging from trees, featured in art installations, and more.

Some of the cafes and restaurants even offer Halloween-inspired treats and drinks!

In addition to this, the island hosts its annual Nami Island World Music Festival in October. During this event, several performers come to the island and play a variety of musical genres.

I was lucky enough to visit during the festival last year and really enjoyed it. In fact, it was the highlight of my trip to Nami Island!

Pleasant Weather

Fall, in general, is a great time to visit Korea, given the pleasant weather conditions it offers.

Typically speaking, temperatures around this time of the year are mild and the country experiences minimal rain.

This makes fall a great time to partake in outdoor activities, like those found on Nami Island.

The Cons of Visiting Nami Island in Autumn

Crowded walkway lined with autumn trees on Nami Island.

If you visit Nami Island in the fall, it’s important to be aware of the following challenges. They can have a significant impact on your trip, especially if you’re not prepared.

Major Crowds

While Nami Island is a year-round destination, it is especially popular during the fall. As such, you should expect to encounter significant crowds and long lines.

This translates into longer wait times, fewer opportunities for activities, and more congested scenic views.

You can try to work around this by arriving early, staying late, or better yet spending the night. While you will still encounter other people, this should help provide some relief from the crowds.

Pro Tip: If you come for the day, be mindful of the ferry schedule and line up early! When we were leaving the island, we had to wait forever to board the ferry, because the line was so long!

Higher Costs & Limited Availability

Fall is peak travel season for Korea, which means things are going to cost more – even on Nami Island.

Generally speaking, you’re likely to encounter higher prices for everything from hotels to tours, transportation, food, and activities.

In addition, accommodations and tours are likely to fill up quickly. So you’ll want to plan ahead and book your reservations as early as possible.

Unpredictable Foliage

As with any seasonal destination, the autumn foliage on Nami Island can be very unpredictable. Fall leaves are weather-dependent, so it’s hard to know for sure exactly when they will peak.

Given this, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get to see any foliage – especially if you book your trip in advance.

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to change that. Just be aware that it is a possibility and be flexible with your expectations, if you decide to visit.

How to Get to Nami Island

The Nami Island Ferry

The island of Nami is located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of downtown Seoul.

When traveling here, you’ll want to transit to Gapyeong Wharf. This is where you can either catch the ferry to Nami Island or take a zip line across the river (more on that below).

If visiting Nami Island from Seoul, you have a few transit options to consider. You can either hop aboard the ITX train, take the subway, hire a private car, take a shuttle bus, or join a guided tour.

Each of these comes with its own perks and benefits – it just depends on what your priorities are.

For example, a private car is the most convenient option, but also the most expensive. Meanwhile, the subway is going to be significantly cheaper, but also takes much longer.

I’d personally recommend either taking a shuttle bus (it’s still affordable but more convenient) or the ITX train.

The ITX, also known as the Intercity Train Express, is a high-speed train that travels between Seoul and Nami Island. Transit times for this take about an hour and the trip costs between 11,000 and 13,000 KRW one way.

You can board the ITX at two train stations in Seoul, the Cheongnyangni Station and Yongsan Station – both of which offer service to Gapyeong Station, which is the closest train station to Nami Island.

Once you arrive in Gapyeong, it’s about a five-minute drive over to Gapyeong Wharf. You can either hail a taxi or hop aboard the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to get there.

Pro Tip: If you plan to travel by taxi while in Korea, be sure to download the Kakao T transit app ahead of time. This Korean app helps users find, request, track, and communicate with taxi drivers – all in English

Nami Island Map

This map of Nami Island provides an overview of the Island’s most notable attractions.

6 Fall Time Activities to Do on Nami Island

Local performers playing outside at the Nami Island World Music Festival with autumn foliage in the background.

Local performers at the Nami Music Festival in October.

While there are countless activities to enjoy on Nami Island, these are some of the most popular things to do during the autumn season.

Wander Along Foliage-Lined Paths: Nami Island is full of tree-lined paths, many of which are absolutely beautiful in the fall. Some of my favorites to explore include: Ginkgo Tree Lane, Maple Lane, and The Maple Lane of True Love.
Listen to Live Music: The Nami Island World Music Festival is held every October and offers a great variety of genres performed by local artists. At these open-air venues, you can enjoy the music, while also appreciating the beautiful natural surroundings.
Zip Line Across the River: Instead of taking the ferry over to Nami Island, you can travel by zip line instead! This zip line, which soars over the North Han River, spans 940 meters and reaches speeds of up to 80 kilometers/hour. It also offers an incredible birds-eye view of the autumn foliage on Nami Island!
Take in the Views From the Sky Bike: Situated along an elevated platform above the tree line, the sky bike is a great way to explore Nami Island. From here, you can take in an aerial view of the island and appreciate the fall foliage!
Go For a Ride on the UNICEF Charity Train: Weaving across the island, the UNICEF Charity Train is another fun way to see the fall foliage. And, as an added bonus, every ride on this train benefits the UNICEF program, which works to help Korean children in need.
Take a Speed Boat Around the Island: There are several boating experiences available for those who’d like to get out and enjoy the water. While the speed boats are the most thrilling, there are also swan boats and paddle boats available for rent – all of which offer incredible views of the island and foliage from afar.

Other Things to Do Near Nami Island

Green rail bikes traveling along a river with mountains in the background.

Gangchon Rail Park

Interested in exploring beyond Nami Island? Consider checking out these nearby attractions as well!

Gangchon Rail Park: Traveling 8.5 kilometers, Gangchon Rail Park is a rail bike course that winds across the countryside near Seoul. Created out of repurposed train tracks, the course passes through themed tunnels, by serene lakes, and around majestic mountains.
Petite France & Italian Village: Situated in the Korean countryside, Petite France and the Italian Village are two European-inspired cultural theme parks. Located right next to each other, they offer a variety of French and Italian architecture, restaurants, shops, and exhibits.
The Garden of Morning Calm: Encompassing more than 20 uniquely themed gardens, The Garden of Morning Calm is a beautiful and expansive complex. Here, you’ll find a variety of trees, flowers, and shrubbery – all of which explode with color during the fall season.
Alpaca World: Spanning 110,000 square feet, Alpaca World is home to Korea’s largest alpaca herd. Visitors here can interact with the alpaca and feed them, while also visiting some of the other farm animals that reside on the property.
Seoraksan National Park: Home to the third highest mountain in South Korea, Seoraksan National Park is an incredible outdoor destination known for its scenic views. Hiking is very popular here, but there is also a cable car that offers rides to some of the mountain’s more beautiful lookout points.

Pro Tip: Join a guided day tour out of Seoul that combines a few of these destinations. I did this one and was able to visit the Gangchon Rail Park and Petite France/Italian Village along with Nami Island!

Where to Stay on Nami Island

Elysian Waterfall, a man-made waterfall on Nami Island.

If you’re really excited to see Nami Island and have extra time to spare, it may be worth it to spend a night on the island. Not only will this provide you with more opportunities to explore, but you’ll be able to do so without the crowds that accumulate during the day.

There’s only one hotel on the island, Hotel Jeonggwanru. So, you’re guaranteed to have some alone time during the evening and early morning hours.

That being said, this hotel does book up quickly, especially during the fall. So, it’s best to make your reservations as far in advance as possible!

Frequently Asked Questions About Nami Island in Korea

Krysti standing in front of autumn foliage at Nami Island.

Here are my thoughts on some commonly asked questions about visiting Nami Island in South Korea.

Is Nami Island Worth Visiting?

Honestly, it depends. If you’re a fan of K-Drama, then I’d say it’s definitely worth it. It would also be a fun destination if you’re traveling with kids. But aside from that, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. It’s very pretty that’s for sure. But, there are a lot of other places around Korea and Seoul that are just as pretty – and not nearly as crowded.

Why Is Nami Island Famous?

Throughout the years, Nami Island has been featured in several Korean dramas. However, its main claim to fame came in 2002, when it served as the backdrop for the famous TV show, “Winter Sonata.” Since then, K-drama fans have been flocking to the island to take in the sights and visit some of its most famous filming locations.

How Far Is Nami From Seoul?

Nami Island is situated about 80 kilometers northeast of downtown Seoul. If traveling by car, it typically takes about an hour and a half to get there. Meanwhile, the high-speed train can get you there in about an hour. And the regular subway takes an hour and a half to two hours.

How Long Should You Spend on Nami Island?

Nami Island is a small island, so you don’t need much time to explore it all. You’d probably be good with a half-day trip – that’s what I did. Unless you’re traveling with kids, in which case you might want to dedicate an entire day to the island.

How Much Is the Entrance Ticket to Nami Island?

On Nami Island the entrance ticket is actually called the visa fee – remember the island is a micronation! This fee covers both the entrance to the island as well as the round-trip ferry ride. The typical cost for this is 16,000 KRW for adults, 13,000 KRW for senior citizens and students, and 10,000 KRW for elementary-aged children. There are also special prices available for those who arrive extra early or later in the day. To see the most up-to-date prices and ferry schedules, please visit Nami Island’s official website.

Final Thoughts: Nami Island in Autumn

So there you have it – my completely honest guide to Nami Island during the autumn season. As you can see, I’m pretty conflicted about this destination and, because of this, wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to everyone.

While the island is beautiful, especially during the fall, there are a lot of other beautiful places to visit throughout Korea. So, don’t limit yourself. Be sure to explore all of your options and make a decision that works best for you.

I, personally, won’t be headed back to Nami Island any time soon. But if you’re a fan of K-Drama or are traveling with kids, you may very well love all that the island has to offer.