Visit a jjimjilbang and get the unique Korean sauna and spa experience! Book this foreigner-friendly jjimjilbang in Seoul for less than $10.
In a nutshell
- Looking for a good jjimjilbang in Seoul? Check out this women-only Korean spa in Myeongdong or this jjimjilbang for men and women just 15 minutes away from Hongdae.
- What can I expect in a Korean-style spa? Known among locals as a great way to relieve stress and fatigue, jjimjilbang is a place where you can relax, bathe, and destress. Some of the amenities typical in a jjimjilbang are hot tubs, sauna, body scrub areas, snack bars, and sleeping areas.
- Visit a jjimjilbang in Seoul with a local! If you’re a solo traveler or you and your friends want to be guided during your visit to a Korean spa, then you can book this tour available in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
- Is there a good jjimjilbang in Busan? Yes! Visit Spa Land Centum City, one of the finest Korean sauna and spa establishments in the country. Book your visit at a cheaper price here.
Top Picks for Jjimjilbang in Seoul
A great way to immerse in K-culture is by visiting a jjimjilbang (찜질방) or a Korean spa. Thought of as a health and recreation center, locals usually visit with their family or friends to relax. Inside a Korean spa, which is gender-segregated, you will typically find mineral-infused bathing pools of varying temperature (helps in blood circulation), sauna rooms, communal shower areas, and body scrub zones. The jjimjilbang area houses the sleeping zones, snack bars, and entertainment facilities.
If you would like to get this experience that has made it to mainstream consciousness in various K-dramas like Boys Over Flowers, then make sure to visit the following jjimjilbang in Seoul:
1. SeaLaLa Water Park & Spa
Easily accessible via Line 2 or the Green Line in Seoul, SeaLaLa is a 2-in-1 water park and Korean spa that’s popular among locals and tourists. We have had the chance of visiting SeaLala for around 4 times, and in 2 out of them, we’ve seen other foreigners enjoying their time. If you want to visit a clean and spacious Korean spa for men and women, then this is the perfect place to visit.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $8.99 (vs. regular price of $10.79)
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Access to sauna and jjimjilbang for 12 hours, access to water park (optional), towels, and jjimjil-spa clothes
- LOCATION & HOURS: SeaLaLa is located in Sealala Water Park: 164, Mullae-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (near Mullae Station). They are open daily from 7am-9pm.
2. LK SPA Seoul
Located near the bustling shopping district of Myeongdong, LK SPA Seoul offers the complete Korean jjimjilbang experience with a massage treatment. Dip your body in the hot and cold bathing pools and enter the steam rooms before you pamper yourself with a relaxing acupressure massage.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $57.6!
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 80, 90, or 100-minute access to the sauna, hanbok experience, & acupressure massage (depending on the selected option)
- LOCATION & HOURS: This jjimjilbang near Myeongdong is located in 259-1 Euljiro 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. They are open from 9am-9pm daily.
- BEST REVIEW:
It was the first time for my friend and I to enjoy steaming. Through the receptionist’s step-by-step introduction and instructions, we could clearly understand and enjoy every step in detail. After completing the entire process, we deeply felt the importance of the cultural heritage of steaming, such as [if] I have a chance to come back to Seoul again, my friends and I will come back to this steam room again.
3. Myeongdong Flower Mud Jjimjilbang (For Women Only)
With various pampering services and facilities, Flower Mud Jjimjilbang in Myeongdong has become a crowd-favorite. Its all female clientele, comprised of locals and foreign tourists, love the Korean herbal sauna, massage, body wash, and mud masks filled with nutrients that rejuvenate the skin. If you’re feeling tired after a day of exploring Seoul, make sure to drop by this jjimjilbang in Seoul!
- PRICE: Book here starting at $61.5!
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Access to infrared sauna and Korean herbal sauna, Korean body scrub, bath, cucumber or seaweed natural moisture care, essential oil care, and full body sea mud care
- LOCATION: This jjimjilbang in Seoul is located in 295-4 Euljiro 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul.
- BEST REVIEW: “This is such a lovely welcoming and relaxing space with the sweetest staff. The ladies working here were so fun and the treatment was amazing – my hair and body felt like silk after! 10/10 would recommend to anyone coming to Seoul,” reads a review from a satisfied visitor of this Myeongdong jjimjilbang.
4. Korean Sauna and Massage Tour in Seoul
Our fourth recommendation is actually a tour that includes a visit to a Korean sauna and spa in Seoul. If you’re feeling unsure about visiting a jjimjilbang without a knowledgable Korean guide, then this activity is for you. Moreover, the tour is offered in English, Japanese, or Chinese, so you will get to learn more about this cultural wellness experience on a deeper level.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $100 per person (vs. regular price of $102)!
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: English-speaking guide (available in Japanese or Chinese also), round-trip transfers, and admission fees
- LOCATION: Meet your guide at the set meeting point here. The tour typically starts at 1pm.
5. Aquafield Korea Spa & Jjimjilbang
Our last Korean spa recommendation is a premium wellness chain with branches located 1 hour away from Myeongdong, Hongdae, Dongdaemun, & Gangnam. While technically not in the Korean capital, Aquafield deserves a spot on this list. Away from the hustle and bustle in Seoul, they guarantee an extra rejuvenating and nature-themed experience for men and women of all ages. If you’re visiting, spend at least 3 hours so you can try all the luxurious and spotless amenities that are good for your body. (Oh, and make sure to dip in the rooftop pool during your visit!)
- PRICE: Book here starting at $16.2 per person (vs. regular price of $18)
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: All-access pass for 6-hours
- LOCATION & HOURS. Aquafield has the following 3 branches around Seoul:
- Aquafield Hanam at Starfield Hanam 3rd Floor, Misa-daero 750, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Open from 10am-10pm daily.
- Aquafield Goyang at Starfield Goyang 4th Floor, Goyang-daero 1955, Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Open from 10am-10pm daily.
- Aquafield Anseong at Starfield Anseong 3rd Floor, Seodong-daero 3930-39, Gongdo-eup, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do. Open from 10am-10pm daily.
- BEST REVIEW:
Convenient to book via [Klook,] and redemption was seamless too! Would highly recommend this [jjimjilbang] experience for first timers… the Starfield [Mall] Goyang is so huge… so you could go there for shopping / dining after you’re done with the jimjilbang experience! Recommend to spend a full day for this activity as you can stay up to maximum 6hrs! Many amenities to enjoy & relax! Great experience!
More Jjimjilbang to Visit in Seoul
Aside from the listed recommendations above, also consider visiting the following Korean sauna and spa in and around Seoul:
- The Spa in Garden 5
- Siloam Spa
- Spa Lei
