Visiting Seoul in the winter can be a magical experience, with festive decorations, seasonal activities, and opportunities to enjoy the winter wonderland. It gets cold so wrap up warm and experience all the amazing sights, sounds and surprises of Seoul in the winter!
Winter Festivals: Seoul hosts several winter festivals that celebrate the season with various activities and events. One of the most popular is the Seoul Christmas Festival, which features festive decorations, holiday markets, concerts, and light displays around the city.
Ice Skating: During the winter, outdoor ice-skating rinks pop up in various locations around Seoul, offering a fun and festive activity for locals and visitors alike. Popular spots for ice skating include Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink and Grand Hyatt Seoul Ice Rink.
Snow-Covered Landmarks: Seoul's landmarks and attractions take on a different charm when covered in snow. Places like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Park, and Bukchon Hanok Village are particularly scenic during the winter months, offering picturesque views and photo opportunities.
Winter Sports: For those who enjoy winter sports, Seoul is within easy reach of several ski resorts, including the popular destinations of Yongpyong Resort and Vivaldi Park. These resorts offer skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and other winter activities.
Warm Food and Drinks: Winter is the perfect time to indulge in warm and comforting Korean cuisine. Seoul's street food stalls and traditional markets offer a variety of winter specialties such as hotteok (sweet pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and hot soups like samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup). Warm beverages like sikhye (sweet rice drink) and hot tea are also popular choices to stay cosy in the wintry weather.
Indoor Attractions: Seoul has numerous indoor attractions where you can escape the chilly weather and still have a great time. Visit museums, art galleries, shopping malls, and indoor theme parks like Lotte World or COEX Mall's Starfield Library for entertainment and relaxation.
New Year's Celebrations: Seoul celebrates New Year's Eve with various events and festivities, including fireworks displays, countdown parties, and special performances. Join the locals in welcoming the new year with joy and excitement. It is a tradition to welcome in the first day of the New Year by watching the sunrise. Find a good spot, join the locals and watch as the new year dawns.
Winter Fashion: Seoulites are known for their stylish winter fashion, so take the opportunity to update your wardrobe with trendy winter coats, scarves, and accessories from the city's fashionable shopping districts like Myeong-dong and Gangnam.
Remember to dress warmly, as Seoul's winters can be cold with temperatures dropping below freezing. With the right clothing and a sense of adventure, visiting Seoul in the winter can be a delightful and memorable experience.
