![\"Gyeongbokgung](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/gyeongbokgung-palace-south-korea-hanbok-girls.jpg\")
You’ll discover unique sceneries and most importantly, you’ll be able to admire the country’s beauty without worrying about it being packed with tourists. If you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing vacation, a trip to South Korea during winter time<\/strong> is a must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crowds are gone, the prices are lower and you’ll have the chance to enjoy some unique experiences such as interesting winter festivals, experiencing a Korean jjimjilbang<\/em> and many others!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this blog post, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about planning a winter vacation to South Korea, including important tips & tricks! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Just in case you never visited South Korea in winter before, these travel tips will help you plan an unforgettable holiday!<\/p>\n\n\n\n With incredible ski resorts, exciting winter activities, rich culture and friendly people, South Korea is the perfect destination to visit during winter. As long as you bring warm clothes, you’ll have a blast exploring this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has diverse scenery, with beautiful nature but also big cities to explore. During winter, all the tourist attractions in the country are less crowded and the hotel prices are much lower. Winter in South Korea is a dream!<\/p>\n\n\n\n No time to read now? Pin it for later!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to the Siberian winds, the weather in South Korea during winter is cold. From late November until March it’s freezing in the northern part of the country and the centre of it. The weather along the Southern Coast is milder but the nights are still very cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that due to the Siberian winds it’s always colder along the west coast compared to the east coast. When it comes to temperatures, in the southern part of the country they rarely drop under 0 degrees Celsius. However, in other parts of the country you can often expect negative temperatures and snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make things easier, I decided to group the things you can do in South Korea during winter by location and activity into the following categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grab a cup of hot coffee or your drink of choice and brace yourself because this post is going to be quite long. I wanted to include everything that South Korea has to offer in this post so here are the best things to do in winter in the country. Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seoul is a big city, a place where old temples and historical sites live in harmony with modern skyscrapers. If you’re planning to visit Seoul in winter, I’ve selected the best activities especially for you. Below are the best things to do in Seoul in winter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This traditional Korean Village is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Seoul. Wandering between the well-preserved Korean houses when they’re covered in thick snow is a unique experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The narrow streets will be mostly empty – the perfect backdrop for beautiful photos! You can even book a photographer for a photoshoot<\/a><\/strong> in this unique village! You’ll have some awesome photos as souvenirs in one of the most unique places in Seoul! <\/p>\n\n\n\n During summer, all Seoul’s palaces are packed with tourists. However, during winter, you’ll have the chance to explore the main royal palace of Joseon dynasty almost by yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Built in 1395, this is the largest of the five palaces in Seoul. Explore the Throne Hall, the Royal Banquet Hall and all the other historical sites and learn more about the Korean culture!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re looking for a bit of adrenaline for your winter vacation in Seoul, hit one of the many ice-skating rinks in the city. Even if you haven’t tried ice-skating before, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun. You can find an indoor rink at Lotte World<\/a><\/strong> or you can head to the outdoor Seoul Plaza Skating Rink<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can’t visit Seoul without stopping at the famous N Seoul Tower<\/a><\/strong>. With a height of 237 meters, the tower welcomes around 12 million people each year. You can choose to admire Seoul from the base of the tower or you can head to the Observatory for a 360 degrees view. Either way, I recommend visiting the tower at sunset, when the sky turns orange and the city lights come to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in the city of Chuncheon, Nami Island is one of the most popular day trips from Seoul. It’s also the shooting scene for the famous “Winter Sonata” (if you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you do). While at Nami Island, head to the Central Korean Pine Tree Lane and take some photos!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just 20 minutes away by car from Nami Island is the beautiful French-themed cultural village called Petite France. The beautiful houses are the perfect backdrop for photos! To get to Nami Island and Petite France from Seoul you can book a guided tour<\/a><\/strong>. If you wish to visit by yourself, please find below the entrance fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the winter, the Garden of Morning Calm<\/a><\/strong> also known as the Morning Calm Arboretum transforms into a light show. From December until March, the garden is covered in thousands of colorful lights, creating an impressive spectacle of light! To get to the Garden of Morning Calm you can take the bus from Cheongpyeong Station or Cheongpyeong Terminal or you can book a guided tour<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Built on a discontinued train track, Ganchon Rail Park is one of the best things to do in South Korea in winter. Explore the Korean countryside and admire the Bukhangang River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can visit this attraction as a day trip from Seoul<\/a><\/strong> and while you’re in the area, you can also visit Nami Island and Petite France. If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path things to do in South Korea, this activity is for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hongdae is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Seoul. It’s famous for its restaurants, nightlife and karaoke places called Noraebangs<\/em>. While in Hongdae, enjoy the live k-pop performances, play video games and try the delicious street food! If you’d like to find out more about this unique place, read my Hongdae travel guide<\/a><\/strong>. It includes all the must-see places in the area!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting North Korea might not be on your bucket list, but what if you could get to the border with North Korea and catch a glimpse of a local village? You can experience all this with a visit to DMZ<\/a><\/strong>. Find out more about the history of North and South Korea while visiting the Dora Observatory and the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would you think about visiting a European Christmas Market in the heart of Seoul? You can taste all the Christmas treats, shop for souvenirs and drink a cup of delicious hot wine. The European Christmas Market takes place each year in Seoul by the Seongbuk Global Village Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had the chance to spend a few days in Busan during my visit to South Korea and I fell in love with this city. It’s less crowded than Seoul but it has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions. Here are the best things to do in Busan in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the top tourist attractions in Busan<\/a><\/strong>, the Gamcheon Village is a colorful place where you’ll find cute local shops, cozy cafes, countless works of art and a sea of colorful houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re in Busan, make sure to add Gamcheon to your itinerary! You can read more about this colorful place in my Gamcheon travel guide<\/a><\/strong>. While in Busan, make sure to stop at the Busan Fish Market<\/a><\/strong> too and grab something to eat! The seafood there is simply delicious!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to escape the cold, head to the Busan Sea Life Aquarium<\/a><\/strong>. Admire different species of fish and learn more about the marine life. The aquarium is home to about 250 species of fish. Visiting the Aquarium is definitely one of the best things to do in Busan in winter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year, the Busan Christmas Tree Festival takes place on the streets of Gwangbok-ro in Jung-gu district, Busan. The festival starts at the beginning of December and ends at the beginning of January. At the festival, you can admire the colorful lights, the giant Christmas tree and listen to live concerts. Sounds like a lot of fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are plenty of winter festivals to choose from when traveling to South Korea. Each of them is unique and offers many incredible experiences. Below are the best winter festivals in the country!<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best winter destinations in Korea is Gangwon-do, the place where each year the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival takes place. Locals and tourists alike gather to try ice fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some participants even jump in the freezing water to try barehanded fishing. Apart from fishing, you can enjoy other activities like curling, sledding and others. You can read more about this festival here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. South Korea in Winter Travel Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Seoul](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/seoul-south-korea-winter-1.jpg\")
2. Should you visit South Korea in winter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"things](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/winter-in-south-korea-travel-guide.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"things](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/winter-south-korea-things-to-do-guide.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"things](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/winter-in-south-korea-things-to-do-travel-guide.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n3. Weather and temperatures in winter – what to expect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Things to do in South Korea in winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best winter activities in Seoul<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Explore Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bukchon](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/hanbok-village-seoul-things-to-do-winter-korea.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n2. Visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Gyeongbokgung](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/gyeongbokgung-palace-seoul-things-to-do-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n3. Hit the ice-skating rinks in Seoul<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ice](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/seoul-skating-rink.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Admire Seoul from N Seoul Tower<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Seoul](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/seoul-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n5. Visit Nami Island and Petite France<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Nami](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/nami-island-tree-alley-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n6. Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Garden](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/garden-of-morning-calm-light-festival-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n7. Have fun at Ganchon Rail Park<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Ganchon](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ganchon-rail-park-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n8. Have fun in Hongdae, Seoul<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hongdae](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/hongdae-seoul-winter-things-to-do-korea.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n9. Visit the infamous DMZ<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"DMZ](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/dmz-winter-activities-korea.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n10. Visit the Seoul Christmas Market<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Seoul](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/seoul-international-christmas-market-korea.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTop things to do in Busan in winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. Explore Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Gamcheon](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/gamcheon-culture-village-busan-winter-south-korea.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n12. Visit the Busan Sea Life Aquarium<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Busan](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/busan-aquarium-things-to-do-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n13. Attend the Busan Christmas Tree Festival<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Busan](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/busan-christmas-tree-festival-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBest winter festivals in South Korea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
14. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hwacheon](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/hwacheon-sancheoneo-ice-festival-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n15. Admire giant snow sculptures at Taebaeksan Snow Festival<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Taebaek](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/taebaek-snow-festival-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Seogwipo](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/seogwipo-penguin-festival-jeju-island-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Pyeongchang](\"https:\/\/dailytravelpill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pyeongchang-trout-festival-south-korea-winter.jpg\")
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