Writer : Sandra Bakker
Summer in South Korea is a season of heat and humidity, some monsoons, but also a lot of fun! Are you planning to travel to Korea in the summer? Here are some tips to help you survive the hot and humid weather.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 김지호
1. Visit the Beach
This is easily one of the best summer activities in Korea. Pack your swimwear and sunscreen, pick a spot on the beach, and relax as the gentle waves rock you to sleep.
Get active with beach sports before enjoying a seaside dinner of fresh fish and cold beer. The evening is perfect for cooler weather, and a night visit offers fireworks and stunning night lights.
Sokcho Beach, Sokcho
Sokcho Beach on Korea’s east coast boasts soft white sands and scenic pine trees. It offers great facilities and rentals. While swimming is restricted to July and August, the beach is open year-round.
Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung
Gyeongpo Beach is a summer favorite, with a long sandy stretch that blends into other beaches. Enjoy water sports, family activities, and great coffee spots.
Haeundae Beach, Busan
Haeundae Beach, a top Busan attraction, is known for its lively atmosphere and beautiful sand. Evenings are perfect for fireworks and live music.
Surfyy Beach, Yangyang
Surfyy Beach, located in the Hajodae Beach area, is a haven for surfers, offering a surf-only zone free from swimmers.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 김지호
2. Enjoy a Summer Festival
Sinchon Water Gun Festival – August 12 to August 13, 2024
With the slogan “Making Korea More Fun Through Festivals,” the Sinchon Water Gun Festival is definitely achieving its goal. It’s one of Korea’s wildest and most refreshing summer events.
Boryeong Mud Festival – July 19 to August 4
Embrace the mud at the Boryeong Mud Festival, one of the area’s biggest and most famous celebrations. Held between July to August annually, the festival promises a lineup of exciting activities like fireworks, live performances, and busking. The mud in Boryeong is from Daecheon beach, and is known to be full of benefits, including anti-aging and healing effects.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 김지호
3. Try some Refreshing Typical Korean Dishes
Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles)
Naengmyeon comes in two primary varieties: mul-naengmyeon (served in icy broth) and bibim-naengmyeon (spicy noodles without broth). Both versions are straightforward dishes, featuring a hearty serving of noodles, some vegetables, a boiled egg, and a few side dishes. Despite their simplicity, they are incredibly tasty and refreshing.
Samgyetang
Samgyetang translates directly as Ginseng Chicken Soup and is one of Korea’s most popular summer dishes. It is hearty and highly nutritious, packed with ginseng and a whole fresh chicken stuffed with glutinous rice served boiling hot in an earthen clay pot. While it sounds counterintuitive to be eating hot foods in the summer, it’s a common local practice in Korea called 이열치열 (iyeolchiyeol) or quite literally ‘managing heat with heat’.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 프레임스튜디오
Bingsu
When it comes to summer desserts, nothing defines the season quite like bingsu. This treat is made with shaved ice topped with various toppings and sauce. It’s incredibly refreshing and perfect for staying cool during the hottest days.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 김지호
4. Go Island Hopping on the South Coast
Korea boasts thousands of islands along its southern coast, with the world-famous Jeju Island just a short flight away. Island trips often combine several summer activities into one adventure. Some top destinations along the south coast, known for their beautiful beaches, BBQs, and natural attractions, include Geoje, Yeosu, Tongyeong, Jindo, Wando, and Namhae.
You can enjoy a variety of summer activities in these areas, such as water sports, hiking, camping, BBQs, boat tours, skyline luge (in Tongyeong), canoeing or kayaking, and even visiting K-drama filming locations (in Wando). If you have an international driver’s license, renting a car to explore the south coast is a fantastic way to take in the region’s breathtaking scenery.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 조광연
5. Spend your Summer Nights at the Han River
The Han River is an ideal spot for summer activities in Korea, both day and night. During the day, it’s popular with locals who come to enjoy picnics on the grass, cycling, skating, swimming, and simply unwinding. At night, the area buzzes with life, featuring music, food trucks, night markets, and crowds enjoying the warm summer evenings.
For an affordable night out, stop by the convenience stores near Yeouinaru Station (Line 5 / Purple Line) to pick up discounted beers, instant ramyeon, or gimbap. Then, relax by the river and soak in the tranquil summer atmosphere.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 선우철호
6. Go to Water Parks
Korean summers are notoriously hot, and nothing beats cooling off by slipping into your swimwear and enjoying the refreshing waters of a water park.
Korea offers a variety of fantastic water parks for some splash-filled fun, including Caribbean Bay (Seoul), Ocean World (Vivaldi Park, Gyeonggi Province), Lotte Water Park (Busan), Sealala Water Park (Seoul), and Onemount Water Park (Seoul).
Caribbean Bay, inspired by the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, is a top choice for water park enthusiasts in Korea. With an array of pools, slides, rides, and sun-soaked relaxation spots, it’s one of the best summer day trips from Seoul.
Lotte Water Park near Busan, the largest in Korea, is packed with attractions. Modeled after a Polynesian island, it features both indoor and outdoor wave pools, a 118-meter tornado slide, Tiki Island spa, and numerous other facilities to keep you entertained and cool.
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 김지호
7. Try Kayaking
If you want to enjoy cool and healthy summer activities in Korea, renting a kayak and paddling on a river or in the ocean is a great choice. Rental places can be found all over Korea. Here are some of the best spots to rent a kayak:
- Ttukseom Hangang Park (Seoul)
- Gwanggali Beach (Busan)
- Hado Beach (Jeju Island)
- Baekripo Beach (Taean)
- Naerincheon Stream (Inje)
ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아, 부산관광공사
