Namhae German Village: A Piece of Germany in South Korea
This post is the second entry in my six-day winter journey through Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk, setting the tone for a trip shaped by coastal views, lived-in history, and a slower rhythm of life.
The journey begins in Sancheong—read the first entry here: https://enko.co.kr/sancheong-travel-guide/
For the full itinerary, see: https://enko.co.kr/korea-winter-trip/
Before Reading this post,
Before you dive in, be sure to download Naver Map — Korea’s most reliable navigation app.
It provides accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English, making your travels easier and more enjoyable.
🏠 Namhae German Village: A Returnees’ Settlement by the Sea
Namhae German Village is more than a scenic tourist spot. It is a returnees’ settlement where Korea’s modern economic history intersects with the lived experiences of Korean expatriates in Germany.
The village was formed by former Korean miners and nurses who were dispatched to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s and later returned to Korea after retirement. Today, it stands as a rare place where history, residential life, and tourism coexist.
Now overlooking the blue waters of the South Sea, the village has become one of Namhae’s most popular destinations, known for its beautiful coastal scenery, European-style village landscape, German restaurants and bakeries, and seasonal beer festivals.
📜 1. Background: Korean Miners and Nurses in Germany (1960s–1970s)
In the decades following the Korean War, South Korea faced severe poverty and a shortage of employment opportunities. To secure foreign currency for national development, the government dispatched workers to West Germany, primarily miners and nurses.
- Miners worked deep underground—often more than 1,000 meters below the surface—in extreme heat and dangerous conditions.
- Nurses worked in unfamiliar hospitals, often beginning with physically and emotionally demanding tasks, while providing devoted patient care far from home.
The foreign currency they sent back to Korea became a crucial foundation for the country’s rapid economic growth, later known as the “Miracle on the Han River.”
🏗️ 2. The Dream of Returning Home & Namhae County’s Vision (Early 2000s)
After decades of life in Germany, many Korean expatriates began to hope for a peaceful return to their homeland in their later years. Recognizing this, Namhae County launched a settlement project in 2001.
Purpose
- To provide a peaceful home for overseas Koreans who contributed to Korea’s modernization
- To introduce German culture and architecture as a distinctive local tourism asset
Development Process
- Construction began in 2001, and residents began moving in from 2002
- Namhae County developed essential infrastructure such as roads and water systems
- Residents imported building materials directly from Germany and constructed their own homes
Strict Residency Guidelines
- Eligibility initially limited to returnees who had lived in Germany for 20 years or more
- Mandatory use of German-style architectural design
- Large-scale, purely commercial development prohibited
As a result, the village continues to feel like a real community, not just a themed tourist attraction.
Since 2013, residency has gradually opened to non-returnee households as well.
🌿 3. Namhae German Village Today: Three Faces
🏠 A Living Residential Community & Authentic German Houses
The homes in Namhae German Village are not decorative imitations. The village is still home to first- and second-generation returnees. Most houses were built using materials brought directly from Germany and follow traditional German residential design, featuring orange-tiled roofs, clean white façades, and German-style windows and layouts.
🍺 Cultural & Tourist Space
The village is lined with charming shops and restaurants selling bakeries made with flour imported from Germany, authentic German sausages, schnitzel, beer, Schmalzgebäck-style snacks, souvenirs, and more.
In spring and autumn, visitors can also enjoy lively festivals inspired by Germany’s Oktoberfest.
🌊 A Landscape That Speaks for Itself
Set against the blue waters of the South Sea, the village offers the impression of a small European hillside town transplanted into Korea’s southern coast. Red roofs cascade down the slope toward the sea, and on clear days, the scenery feels calm and distinctly European—more atmospheric in person than in photographs.
🏛️ 4. Key Places in the Village
- Public Facilities: German Square, German Emigration Exhibition Hall (Exhibition Hall for Korean Miners and Nurses Dispatched to Germany in the 1960s), memorial spaces, viewpoints, parks, tourist information center, restrooms, and parking areas
- Pensions & Guesthouses (B&Bs)
- Restaurants serving German-style dishes
We had lunch at Kunst Lounge, and it was one of the most satisfying stops in the village.
The restaurant has a spacious interior and large windows that open up to a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and the sea below. Everything felt unhurried and comfortable, making it easy to linger over the meal.
The German-style dishes were hearty and well-prepared, exactly what you’d hope for in a place like this. Combined with the relaxed atmosphere and the scenery outside, it was the kind of lunch that quietly completes a day rather than overwhelms it. - Shops offering authentic German beer and handmade sausages
- Shops offering traditional German bread and snacks, including Schneeballen.
We picked up a few rustic loaves—dense, wholesome, and very German—along with some Schneeballen to enjoy later.
📍 5. Visitor Information & Tips
- Location: Mulgeon-ri, Samdong-myeon, Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Best Seasons: Spring and autumn (October, when Oktoberfest-style events are held, is especially recommended)
- Accommodation: Overnight stays in German-style guesthouses within the village
- Nearby Attractions: Various beautiful beaches and Daraengee(Terraced Paddy Fields) Village
Daraengee Village is a traditional coastal farming village in Namhae, known for its terraced rice fields carved into steep seaside slopes.
Created by hand over generations, the fields reflect how local residents adapted to the rugged landscape to survive.
Today, the village offers one of Namhae’s most striking views, where everyday life, agriculture, and the sea come together.
🏡 Where We Stayed and What We Ate for Dinner: Healing View Pension and Haesanmul Party
We stayed at a small seaside pension called Healing View, located about 30 km from Namhae German Village and conveniently close to Daraengee Village.
What we loved most was the open ocean view—quiet, wide, and deeply relaxing. The owner was warm and attentive, and the homemade-style breakfast was simple but satisfying, adding to the overall feeling of a slow, restful stay.
There are a few things to keep in mind. The area is very quiet, with limited dining options nearby, and hot water was sometimes inconsistent, especially during peak usage times.
With few restaurants around, we picked up fresh sashimi from Haesanmul Party, a local takeaway seafood shop. The seafood was prepared from fish caught on-site, making it exceptionally fresh. It wasn’t inexpensive, but we were very satisfied with the quality and the experience (54,000 KRW, approx. $40 USD). Enjoying a quiet seafood dinner back at our pension felt far more relaxing than dining out.
🚗 Transportation Tip
Renting a car is highly recommended. Coastal drives are one of the highlights of traveling in Namhae.
🚕 Private Tour Program
If you prefer traveling at your own pace, a private taxi tour is one of the easiest ways to explore Namhae—especially if you’re short on time or traveling with family.
Namhae Private Taxi Tour – Klook
A flexible option that lets you visit Namhae German Village and nearby coastal spots without worrying about public transportation.
🏨 Where to Stay in Namhae
Namhae offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to charming guesthouses near the German Village.
THE ANANTI NAMHAE
A high-end resort known for its architecture, ocean views, and serene atmosphere—perfect if you’re looking to slow down and unwind.Hotels near Namhae German Village – Booking.com
Ideal for comparing prices and locations if you want to stay within walking distance of the village.
💡 Affiliate note:
Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support this blog and allows me to keep sharing detailed travel guides like this one—thank you!
Next, I’ll be posting a review of the Padok Exhibition Hall, a place that adds important historical context to Namhae German Village.
