Summer is steadily approaching, the days are getting hotter and longer. Seoul is a beautiful place during that season as it has many options from shopping to eating as well as exploring to relaxing.

Here are some student-friendly suggestions for you to enjoy your summer in Seoul! This is also a gentle reminder to not to forget to apply sunscreen and stay hydrated!

Parks

Nothing like escaping from the city for the great outdoors! Parks are your best friend this summer, especially in Seoul. The parks here are gorgeous, providing you with the right balance of elements between nature and the cityscape.

 

This is a great spot to spend time with your friends or in solitude. From picnics to reading a book, you have the freedom to enjoy yourself however you want! The park is very versatile spot as you can enjoy activities at any time from day to night! Here are some activities to consider:

• Bike riding
• Hiking
• Picnics
• Camping
• Music Festivals/Performances

Here are some spots that you can visit:

• Seoul Forest Park
• Yeouido Hangang Park (Han River)
• Haneul Park

Museums and galleries

Immerse yourself in history, culture and art in a Korean museum or gallery! Walk aimlessly through exhibits and get inspired. Seoul is home to different types of venues: contemporary and modern versus historical and traditional. There are also some that are also quite quirky and unique in their own way! This is ideal for students since venues can offer benefits such as perks and discounts. Also, admissions are usually free for students in the evenings after 18:00 (6:00PM) – make sure you check on their website!

Here are some spots that you can visit:

• National Museum of Korea
• MMCA Seoul
• Seoul Museum of History
• Trickeye Museum Seoul
• Love Museum

Animal Cafe

Seoul is the home for many unique cafes, so why not try an animal themed one! Be in the company of cute dogs, cats, birds as well as sheep, raccoons, meerkats and more! In order to engage with the animals, you usually only pay for a drink and can stay for however long you wish. Some cafes even allow you to buy treats for them! Make a furry or feathery friend this summer!

 

Sauna/Jimjilbang (찜질방)

Something that you must experience during your stay in Korea are saunas, also known as jimjilbang (찜질방).  For those that may be looking some place to relax for the day (or night), Korean saunas are the perfect place for you! The sauna is accessible to all ages, where anyone could spend up to 24 hours with access to pools, hot rooms, cold rooms, and sleeping facilities. They also offer massages and body scrubs to get both you and your skin in the best condition that it can be!

DISCLAIMER: The bathing area with hot tubs and pools usually does not allow people to wear any clothing, so if you’re not comfortable with that, it’s important to research a sauna that might suit your needs!

Foods

Food is a must anywhere you go. Korean desserts are something you can’t miss out on, especially if you’re someone with a sweet-tooth.

Some different foods to try include:

• Patbingsu (shaved ice) – This is a very popular dessert in Korea and it would be very hard not to find a shaved ice cafe in Seoul (they’re everywhere!). This is definitely something you wouldn’t find much back home.
• Ice cream waffles – It’s quite self-explanatory. Ice cream waffles are something that people often sell on the street in Korea, it consists of a waffle sandwich with your choice of any different flavored ice cream, creams, jams, cookies, and even fruits!
• Fruity shakes (or bubble tea) – Fruity drinks are popular in Korea, and most cafes sell shakes and smoothies with a variety of fruit choices (try the watermelon and mango smoothies/shakes – they’re life-changing). Bubble tea is also quite popular, and you can easily find a bubble tea shop without even trying in Seoul.
• Naengmyeon (cold noodles) – If you’re experiencing a hot summer Seoul day, a go-to dish is naengmyeon or cold noodles. It’s a go-to dish for those that may want to have something cool and refreshing to eat, it’s also delicious – so that’s a plus!