Seoul Summer Vacation on a Budget: Staying Economical vs. "Flexing" It
There are two kinds of people among the planning travelers out there ready to come to Seoul for their summer vacation. The first includes those looking to use up their disaster relief stipend from the government with little impact on their wallets, while the second describes those that are less economically constrained, using the money they have saved up over the long term. So, we have prepared some great summer getaway courses that are sure to fit your budget and leave you satisfied! Why go overseas this year when you have the whole city of Seoul at your fingertips?!
Economical Course - The best vacation for your buck!
Below, we have prescribed the perfect course for those with a tight budget! The summer heat won’t stop us this year! Let’s see what kind of wallet-friendly courses there are in store for the summer vacation ahead!
KRW 10,000 Course
Eunpyeong Hanok Village’s Three Authors' Gallery → Jinkwansa Temple → Jinkwansa Temple Valley
Eunpyeong Hanok Village’s Three Authors' Gallery Even on those hot and humid summer days , hanoks provide cooling relief from the heat, all without the use of an air conditioner. The Eunpyeong Hanok Village put a modern spin on the entirety of Jingwan-dong, a neighborhood boasting a history of 1,000 years, while also serving as the home to the Three Authors' Gallery, which includes the works of the works of poet, Cheon Sang-byeong, monk, Junggwang, and author, Lee Oisoo, located at the far end of the village. The works of these three characteristic figures can be accessed in the first-floor book café of the gallery for further reading. The gallery is the perfect destination to reward you with a sense of calming ease in the midst of the summer heat for a refreshing hanok getaway away from the bustling downtown atmosphere.
#ThreeAuthorsGalley #EunpyeongHanokVillage #CheonSangByeong #MonkJunggwang #LeeOisoo SeoulTrail #EighthSection
Information
- Address 23, Jinkwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (12:00-13:00 break / Last admission 17:30)/ Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year’s break, Chuseok break, and Tuesdays after holidays that fall on a Monday)
- Tel +82-2-355-5800
- Admissions Free
Jinkwansa Temple Jinkwansa Temple is one of Seoul’s most recognized temples, and has been maintained such a reputation for a long time. Since its creation in the Goryeo Period, Jinkwansa Temple stood as one of the four primary temples of Hanyang, or present-day Seoul, earning it much admiration from the public. Currently, with the flood of visitors seeking out a temple-stay experience, you can find crowds from as early as ten in the morning. For those planning to stop by the Jinkwansa Temple Valley while in the area, you’ll want to be sure to stop by the temple for a greeting of sorts! Even just a simple greeting will bring peace to your heart and mind.
#TempleStay #IndependenceMovement #Eunpyeong
Information
- Address 73, Jinkwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
- Tel +82-2-359-8410
Jinkwansa Temple Valley Taking a walk along the Baekchowol-gil, christened after the independence movement activist and Buddhist monk, Baek Chow-wol, will bring passed the Jinkwansa Temple to beginnings of the valley right below it. In fact, this course leading up to the valley is hugely popular among hikers visiting the area. Hikers walking along the streamlet have their olfactory senses gently stimulated by the aroma of phytoncide filling the air. Another 10 minutes upstream will bring you upon a beautiful overlook of Seoul at a distance. Everyone is welcome to come experience a taste of summer in Seoul as the sounds of the flowing valley streamlet induces a sensory stimulation that rings throughout your body. Without costing a dime, visitors are sure to come away with a priceless memory they’ll never forget.
#JinkwansaTempleValley #BaekchowolGil #BugaksanTrail #SeoulSceneryHotSpot
Information
- Address Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
KRW 30,000 Course
Golden Blue Marina → Hangang Ramen
Golden Blue Marina’s Rainbow Bridge Yacht Tour Imagine being able to enjoy a luxury yacht ride on the Hangang River, capturing a wonderful vista of the Namsan Mountain! Well, visitors are welcome to join the daily yacht festivities at the Sebitseom Island, surrounded by the refreshing, cool waters of the Hangang River! The course carves its way through the bustling heart of Seoul, spanning from the Banpodaegyo Bridge to the Yeouido area. Simply turn on some fitting background music during the boat ride and you’ll be transformed into the protagonist of the latest, hot drama with the city backdrop. All this for just under KRW 25,000 is nothing short of getting your money’s worth for a summer getaway in the city!
Catch the 19:30 ride to watch the sunset, and the 20:30 ride for a view of the Seoul nightscape!
#HangangNightscape #HangangYacht #BanpodaegyoBridge #SebitseomIsland
Information
- Address 2085-14, Olympic-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- Hours Mon-Thu 14:00-21:30 / Fri-Sun 14:00-22:30
- Tel +82-507-1428-0901
- Reservations Visit website
- Price KRW 25,000
Hangang Ramen There’s a surprising hit snack that beats out the formulaic concept of ordering delivery at the Hangang River. Following the constant posts on social media, the popularity of Hangang Ramen has spread like wildfire among the crowds. However, even with all the pictures posted and shared online, if it wasn’t for the delicious taste of the ramen, it wouldn’t have come as far as it has! Below, we share the perfect recipe so that you can enjoy Hangang Ramen for both its location, but more importantly, its sought after taste!
Hangang Ramen Recipe!
1. Select the ramen flavor of your choice
2. Press the correct course button for the type of ramen selected
3. Adjust the amount of water with the “Add water” button
4. Add an egg and/or cheese 30 seconds prior to finishing cooking
* 5. Once the 3 minutes and 30 seconds of cooking time are up, please use caution by gripping the very ends of the bowl and taking it to your seat as it will be very hot to the touch!
Flex Course – Spending your vacay savings in style!
Every so often, a luxury vacation is well-deserved for all your hard work! And for that, you have earned the right to that lousy price tag! Am I right?! Here, we offer a worthwhile “flex” course that rewards you with a sense of entitlement!
KRW 200,000 Course
Viking’s Wharf → Smashing Bowl (Cheongdam Branch)
Viking’s Wharf Is it possible to get a course of varied cuisine with lobster as the sole main ingredient? Well, Viking’s Wharf offers its entire lobster cuisine menu on an unlimited basis! Be it lobster cake or lobster bisque, a world of unique, unimaginable flavors awaits! But there’s more than just lobster. Seemingly taking the form of a large-scale seafood market, Viking’s Wharf is packed with an array of delectable items to stimulate your palette! What’s more, after selecting the in-season seafood of your choice, you can even get a close-up view of the chefs preparing your selection right on the spot! This seafood palace is also famous for its ribs and desserts, as posted on social media. For just US$ 110 you can take to the buffet for an unforgettable feast!
#LobsterBuffet #US$110 #FamousRibs #TraditionalItalianGelato #NoahBakery
Information
- Address 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (2F COEX Convention Center)
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 12:00-21:00 (break time 14:00-18:00) / Sat-Sun 11:30-21:00 (13:20-13:40 / 15:30-17:00/ 18:50-19:10 break time)
* Hours vary per day - Tel +82-1644-4446
- Admissions Adults $110 / Children $50 * Cost may vary upon daily currency rate
Smashing Bowl Smashing Bowl is one of the clear choices when it comes to seeking a unique bowling experience in Seoul. The minute you step inside you’re sure to think you’ve entered some millionaire’s mansion filled with riches! It’s the ultimate in premium bowling! But don’t be burdened by the fancy setup. There are regular lanes available, in addition to the private VIP and VVIP rooms! And you can even bowl with a cocktail to keep you company between turns! Are you ready or what?!
#BowlingAlley #PrivateRoom #Cheongdam
Information
- Address 818, Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Hours Daily 0:00-24:00 (05:00-13:00 is the machine inspection time but service is available upon prior reservation)
- Tel +82-2-546-2231
KRW 400,000 Course
Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel Vacay
Exhausted by the summer heat all day long? Well, fret no more! Enjoy this summer vacation at the number one summer getaway for a hotel vacay at Asia’s oldest and historically-rich, yet most beloved hotel, Grand Hyatt Seoul. Check out the itinerary below!
Grand Hyatt Seoul Offers Views of Hangang River & Namsan Mountain Located in the heart of the city, the Grand Hyatt Seoul offers capturing views of the Hangang River and Namsan Mountain. In fact, the vistas provided at the hotel are among the best in Seoul! Come and see for yourself the beautiful landscape that makes up the city of Seoul. You can look at it all day long and still not get enough!
- Hangang River Peering down from the guest rooms, you can see the outdoor swimming pool below, and with a simple turn of the head, you can catch a spanning overlook of the Hangang River, popular among younger tourists. The entirety of the city panorama rewards you with a view of not only the river , but also Seoul in all its glory!
- Namsan Mountain Guests are also invited to the calming ambience of the view of Namsan Mountain! Taking a glimpse out into the city lights at night will give you a feeling that perhaps Seoul’s true beauty is in its nightscape, rather the scenery captured during the day. Simply lay back in your cozy nook of a room and take in the picturesque Namsan Mountain lighting up the night sky for some quality healing time.
Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pools And you can’t leave out swimming pools for that true hotel vacay experience! Once summer vacation time hits its peak season, visitors flood to the hotel for a dip in the pools. Let’s explore, for a moment, what each pool setting has to offer!
- Indoor Swimming Pool Open all year round, the Grand Hyatt Seoul’s indoor swimming pool is perfect for visitors of all ages with just the right temperature and depth. The pool is available from the early morning hours to late at night, so that anyone with the urge can get their swimming fix whenever they desire!
- Outdoor Swimming Pool Downtown Seoul is laid out to be embraced in a single glimpse afront the expansive breadth of the outdoor swimming pool. Having officially opened last June, the outdoor pool only stays in operation through early October each year. Since we don’t all the time in the world to enjoy it, why don’t you make your way over to the poolside this summer vacation and take in the wonderful city view!
Information
- Address 322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Hours Daily 00:00 - 24:00
* Indoor - Weekdays 06:30 - 21:30 / Weekends & Holidays 06:30 - 21:00
* Outdoor - 7:00 - 18:00 (Pool use limited to one day only among length of stay) - Check-in / Check-out 15:00 / 12:00 [Following day]
- Tel +82-2-797-1234
Upon the arrival of vacation season every year, the once bustling downtown area miraculously seems to grow vacant. So why not use the opportunity to explore all Seoul has to offer for a much deserved and relaxing vacation experience? And with the itinerary provided, choose the course that best fits your budget and go explore the city!