Visiting Seoul is a good idea for most of the year. Winters can be harsh, so you can expect February to not give you mild temperatures and colourful blooms. So, what to do in Seoul in February? Here are my personal tips for outdoor attractions, since going to museums is too obvious, if you ask me.
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How to Stay Warm
Before I give you my tips for things to do in Seoul during February, I want to briefly give you my advice on staying warm.
You can expect temperatures ranging between 4° and -4°C (39°F to 25°F) with only 3 days of rain.
This means: You have to bundle up. Seats at bus stops and on the metro trains are usually heated. Buildings have the heater on, too. So you might have to constantly dress up and take off layers. Make it easy for yourself.
Thermal underwear is the way to go to stay regulated and avoid trapping sweat. Daiso usually stocks them, but they sell out fast, too. More breathable are UNIQLO pieces. But of course, you can order your own set in advance and avoid hunting down stores to maximise your sightseeing time.
Definitely, bring a hat, ear muffs, scarf and long, padded jacket.
Hanbok Photo Session
Did you know that if you rent a hanbok, you have free entry to the palaces and temples? Even in winter, you can wear a pretty traditional outfit.
You will be given a white fluffy jacket to keep you warm. I still recommend wearing thermal underwear because winters in Seoul can be icy and posing for photoshoots can also cool you down.
For securing your spot with your personal photographer, book here*.
Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival 2025
Running from 1 Dec 2024 to 16 Mar 2025, visitors who enjoy colourful light installations should definitely check out the Garden of Morning Calm Light Festival.
There is an admission fee. After all, you get to see the biggest festival of lights in all of Korea! The garden is stretched over 330,000 sqm and features 30,000 lights. It’s basically a flower garden if flowers were light bulbs.
You can come here around sunset already, as it’s open between 5pm and 9pm (11pm on Saturdays). For more information, you can visit the official website.
Seokchon Lake Luminarie Festival 2025
Another light festival in Seoul is close to Lotte World around Seokchon Lake. It’s called Luminarie Festival and ends 28 February 2025. Entry is free.
This year’s theme is “Dream, Universe and Love.” Expect gorgeous light installations, sculptures and photo points for your selfies.
To get there, take the metro to Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway lines 2 & 8), take Exit 2, and walk for 5 minutes. You can get more information here.
Foodie Market Tours
There are a lot of local markets all over town, serving traditional yummy Korean treats and meals. The good thing is that most markets are situated in arcades and have a roof overhead, so you can stay dry, albeit not warm.
It can get overwhelming fast and speaking Korean definitely helps. In case you want assistance and company, you can join a guided tour.
I found one for you where you can see Changgyeonggung Palace, Ikseondong Hanok Village AND Gwangjangmarket at night with a local expert. Magkeolli and fried foods are included. Secure your spot here*. For a day tour to Gwangjang market, you can book this tour*.
Naksan Panorama View
I love mentioning it as often as I can because I am quite the fan of Seoul’s City Wall Hike. Plus, there are many different sections you can visit to suit your own fitness levels or mood of the day.
The easiest way is staying level and seeing gates at Nandaemun and Dongdaemun. But that’s not really a hike, is it?
A fairly easy one with gorgeous murals along the way is the trail through Naksan Park (낙산공원). You can even take the bus close to the foot of the mountain or further up near the plaza. From there, you have excellent views over the rooftops below. Plus, there is a nice selection of cafes.
In case you want your own personal guide to show you the best spots around Naksan (and have a meal and drink included), you can book a guided tour here*.
Skywatching at N Seoul Tower
One of the most iconic spots, which also happens to be part of the ancient city walls, is Namsan Mountain. And on the highest point is N Seoul Tower. At the plaza and on various levels, there are many restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and more.
You can also head up to viewing platforms for free to check out the city – especially beautiful during sunset and on snowy days.
A paid option for a 360° view is up on Seoul Tower. It’s very popular, so it’s a good idea to get your ticket in advance. This one* also includes a burger for you.
Nightly River Cruise
Since nature isn’t as colourful, you gotta focus on the night lights. And when you walk all day (and there are a lot of stairs and inclines in Seoul), you deserve to rest your feet in the evening.
Hence: a boat tour on the Han River!
This way, you’ll see Seoul’s sights at night from a different and relaxing perspective. Plus, you can enjoy a fun K-style party and traditional Korean games, including the Dalgona game from Squid Games. This is a great idea to meet other tourists, especially for solo travellers. Book here.*
Modern Culture Walks
Many people come to Korea drawn by K-dramas and K-Pop. But there is so much more to how modern Korean life. And one guided tour with a local historian will focus especially on the hip Gangnam area. (Where a lot of idols happen to live.)
The walk takes less than 3 hours and you’ll not only get a peek at the luxury of Gangnam, but also learn how it evolved like that. As a bonus perk, you get a hot pack to keep your hands warm during the tour. If you want to join the group, claim your spot here*.
Lofty Hanok Villages
There are different Hanok Villages in Seoul. Here, you can walk around the residential areas and get a glimpse of the traditional houses, some of which you can also rent a stay in.
Hanok villages also host workshops, where you can try your hand at traditional crafting, such as fan painting or bag decoration.
Walking around Hanok villages is free. A good one for seeing more of the traditional houses up close (and take photos in a hanbok) is at Namsangol Hanok Village.
A lesser known one is Eunpyeong Hanok Village, which offers amazing views from the mountains back to a distant Seoul city centre.
If you find it too stressful to hop on metro trains and buses to get up there, you can take a tour. It also includes a walk on Gamaksan SuspensionBridge (which is a stunner during icy season) and respite at the IceWall Café. Book here.*
Icy Waterfall Views
Hiking is a thing for locals and there are local maps (and even apps – in Korean tho) that show you the many trails within Seoul’s bounds. You can collect stamps if you want.
A great area for a nice hike with a gorgeous waterfall is Uidong Valley in the North. There’s even a metro station nearby, called Bukhansan Ui (북한산우이). Further up the valley, when you follow the river, you get to the Bukhansan National Park Ui Visitor Center (북한산국립공원 우이탐방지원센터), where you can ask local experts for tips and grab any maps you don’t already have.
