What To Do on Rainy Days in Seoul, South Korea

You can plan for everything, but all it takes is a little rain (or monsoon) to rain on your parade. Whether it’s an outdoor picnic in spring or a walk through the park in summer, a rainy forecast can ruin the best laid plans. That’s why we’ve put together these ideas for things to do and places to go when it rains in Korea.

When is the Rainy Season in Korea?

Korea tends to get a bit of rain in the spring from March through June. The rain rarely lasts more than a day or two. And it’s rarely bad enough to spend an entire day inside. Still, it can be exhausting to spend a day in the cold rain, so it’s best to spend some time indoors to warm up.

The real trouble starts in July until September when Korea is in its monsoon season. During this time, the rains get torrential with winds strong enough to break umbrellas and blow the rain sideways. This is also when parts of Korea can flood, ruining the best laid plans. Believe me, when monsoon season is in full swing, you’ll want to limit your time outside as much as possible.

That’s why we’ve split this list into three categories: shopping, museums & galleries, and activities. All of these activities will focus on indoor locations to keep you out of the cold rain and wind, but still help you get the most out of your trip.

Indoor Shopping Malls

There are plenty of shopping options in Korea, but the rain knocks more than a few options out. Insadong is great, but most of the shopping malls are open air and walking down the mainstreet in the rain is a wet experience. The same goes for Myeongdong.

But, on the other hand, The Hyundai Seoul is completely indoors and so is the Starfield COEX mall. While The Hyundai is by far bigger, the Samsung Hyundai Mall is connected to the Starfield COEX mall which makes for an overall large shopping experience. If you’re okay with a bit more travel, you can also head to the Suwon Starfield Mall and check out the new Starfield Library while you’re there.

Museums & Galleries

If you’re looking to learn more about history or explore art through the ages, there are more than a few places to get your fix in Seoul. The National Museum of Korea (Naver Map) is the biggest museum in Seoul and, impressively, it’s permanent exhibitions are free. They do host seasonal and temporary exhibitions which can require an additional fee, but there’s more than enough in the permanent exhibitions to take up an entire day.

If you’re more interested in the history of the palaces or royal families, the National Palace Museum of Korea is located right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Like the NMoK, it is also free although it is significantly smaller. An hour or two is enough to explore this one completely.

For art enthusiasts, there are countless galleries but the Leeum Museum of Art (Naver Map) is one of the most popular. The museum is split into two parts with one section dedicated to traditional Korean art and the other contemporary art. And, if you’re looking for free entry, Culture Station 284 (Naver Map) often has free exhibitions going on throughout the year.

Indoor Activities

If you’re looking for an old-school Korean experience, there’s always jjim-jjil-bangs. Unlike bathhouses, jjim-jjil-bangs offer more amenities and facilities to occupy your time. While they all differ a bit, they always offer a multitude of saunas and sweat-rooms as well as open lounge areas to rest in. Not to mention the snacks! At the least, they offer smoked eggs and ramen, but many also offer baked potatoes and rice cakes you can grill yourself.

Of course, if you’re looking for a more culinary experience, cooking classes have slowly been back on the rise with more than a few being offered in English. Check out our review of Tofu Artist’s 2 hour vegan cooking class in Itaewon.

If you’re looking for a more active experience, then an activity cafe might be better. There are archery cafes, board game cafes, as well as reading cafes all over Seoul, but we prefer painting cafes. Our favorite is the Grim Factory (Naver Map) in Yeonnam-dong. For about 25,000 KRW, you get a cup of coffee, a canvas, and access to a huge number of paints and brushes. It’s definitely worth the time, especially on rainy days.

Of course, if we’re looking for indoor activities, it’s hard to miss one of the biggest ones in Seoul: Lotte World (Naver Map). About two-thirds of the park is located indoors which makes it perfect for days with heavy rains. Lotte World isn’t up to any Disney or Universal comparisons, but it is a lot of fun anyway. For a bit of an extra discount, book your tickets through KLOOK (use LEXI5OFF for a extra discount).

Finally, rainy days offer a good chance to catch a movie. And, if the stars align, you can experience one of the more unique theaters in Seoul. There are theaters with beds, couches, and recliners if you so choose. For our money, we recommend the Luxury M Megabox at COEX as well as the beanbag theater at the CGV in Yeonnam (Naver Map). Luxury M offers dangerously comfortable recliners while the Yeonnam CGV’s beanbag chairs are one part comfort and one part fun.