Wellness & spa
Health, safety & support

Wellness, spa & beauty

Jjimjilbangs you can sleep in, K-derm clinics with English desks, Korean traditional medicine, and the one massage place we keep going back to. Plus the 8-step jjimjilbang flow if you've never done one.

Your first jjimjilbang — 8 steps

  1. 1
    Pay & take a key
    At the counter — you get a wristband (locker) and uniform.
  2. 2
    Shoe locker
    Right at the door, shoes off, keep the small key inside the big locker.
  3. 3
    Gender-split bath floor
    Strip down — bathing is fully nude. Wash thoroughly at a stool (Korean rule: never enter the soaking tub dirty).
  4. 4
    Bath / sauna circuit
    Rotate hot pool → cold pool → wet sauna. 5–10 min each, drink water between.
  5. 5
    Dress in the uniform
    After bathing, towel off, put on the issued T-shirt + shorts. This is the public-area uniform.
  6. 6
    Sleeping & food common area
    Mixed-gender. Sleeping rooms (often heated floors) + restaurant + ice room + jjimjil sauna pods.
  7. 7
    Sleep
    On heated floor with a wooden block pillow + a small pillow you can rent.
  8. 8
    Checkout
    Hand back the wristband. Settle any food / drink charges (auto-billed to the wristband).

Tips before you go

Cash before card
Many smaller spas + massage shops are cash-only. Bring ₩100k just in case.
No tattoos allowed at some spas
Older traditional spas refuse heavily tattooed guests. Dragon Hill and Spa Land have softened — verify by phone.
Bring your own toiletries (some)
Most spas sell mini sets at the counter; bring your own for sensitive skin.
Hair: bring a photo
Korean salons work magic from a photo. "K-Pop hairstyle of X" is a valid request.
Skin clinic consults are usually free
A 15-min consultation costs nothing at most beauty clinics. Pay only if you book a procedure.

Jjimjilbang (Korean sauna)

Dragon Hill Spa

Yongsan, Seoul
EN

7-floor mega spa with bath floors, sleep floors, food court, ice room, cinema.

Cost
₩14,000 day / ₩15,000 night
Hours
24h

Most foreigner-friendly. English signage. Sleep here if you miss the last train.

Walk-in
Make a cab card →

Itaewon Land Spa

Yongsan, Seoul

Walk-in jjimjilbang minutes from Itaewon nightlife.

Cost
₩12,000
Hours
24h

Quieter than Dragon Hill. Korean-only staff but rules are universal.

Walk-in
Make a cab card →

Spa Lei (women-only)

Gangnam, Seoul

Female-only spa with a serene aesthetic — daytime relaxation, not a sleep spot.

Cost
₩24,000 weekday
Hours
06:00–22:00

No nighttime sleeping. Excellent for first-time spa visitors uncomfortable with mixed-gender open floors.

Walk-in
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Silloam Fire Pot Sauna

Jung-gu, Seoul
EN

Across from Seoul Station — strong sleep option after a late KTX.

Cost
₩13,000 day / ₩15,000 night
Hours
24h

KTX-adjacent — pop here after midnight arrivals.

Walk-in
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Modern spa resorts

Haeundae Spaland

Haeundae, Busan
EN

Inside Centum City — 22 themed saunas, no late-night sleeping (closes 24:00).

Cost
₩20,000
Hours
06:00–24:00

Best mid-day relaxation spot in Busan. Pair with Shinsegae Centum shopping.

Walk-in
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Paradise City Cimer Spa

Incheon Airport (next door), Seoul
EN

High-end European-style spa with infinity pool overlooking the runway.

Cost
₩40,000+
Hours
09:00–22:00

Treat-yourself before a flight — luggage storage on-site.

Reservation
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Club D Oasis (Kensington Jeju)

Jeju-si, Jeju
EN

Jeju resort spa with citrus-themed treatments.

Cost
₩80,000+ for treatments
Hours
10:00–21:00

Use the citrus signature scrub for the Jeju story.

Reservation
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Sulwhasoo Spa (Flagship Bukchon)

Bukchon, Seoul
EN

Aman-tier facial spa run by Korea's premium herbal cosmetics brand.

Cost
₩250,000+
Hours
10:00–20:00

Book 2–4 weeks ahead for evening slots.

Reservation
Site ↗Make a cab card →

Skin & beauty clinics

Lirit Skin & Beauty Clinic

Apgujeong, Seoul
EN

English-speaking K-derm clinic — facials, skin boosters, peels.

Cost
₩60,000–250,000 per treatment
Hours
Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00

Strong on Lumecca / Inmode treatments. Concierge service for inbound patients.

Reservation
Make a cab card →

Renaissance Clinic Cheongdam

Cheongdam, Seoul
EN

Mid-luxury skin clinic popular with K-Pop stars.

Cost
₩70,000–500,000
Hours
Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00

Photo of the skin condition in advance recommended (use SeoulTrip concierge to translate intake).

Reservation
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Banobagi (plastic surgery + skin)

Sinsa, Seoul
EN

Major medical-tourism clinic with full English / Chinese / Japanese desk.

Cost
Varies — consult first
Hours
Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00

Concentrate visits — consult day 1, procedure day 2, follow-up day 6.

Reservation
Site ↗Make a cab card →

Hanui (Korean medicine)

BCM International Korean Medicine

Gangnam, Seoul
EN

Hanui clinic with English-speaking doctors offering pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, herbal prescriptions.

Cost
₩30,000–200,000
Hours
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00

Best entry point for travelers curious about traditional Korean medicine.

Reservation
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Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine

Sinsa, Seoul
EN

Major non-surgical spine + joint hospital. International department on the 7th floor.

Cost
Varies
Hours
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00, Sat 09:00–13:00

Famous for chiropractic + acupuncture for chronic back pain.

Reservation
Site ↗Make a cab card →

Massage

KJ Healing Massage (visually-impaired)

Itaewon, Seoul

Massage performed by certified visually-impaired masseurs — Korean tradition.

Cost
₩50,000 / 90 min
Hours
Daily 10:00–24:00

Walk-in. Strong / deep tissue. Cash sometimes preferred.

Walk-in
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Hair salons

Park Jun Beauty Lab

Gangnam, Seoul
EN

Big chain with English menus and "K-Pop hairstyle" requests.

Cost
₩40,000–150,000
Hours
Mon–Sun 10:00–21:00

Show a photo; many designers trained on K-Pop looks.

Reservation
Make a cab card →

Soonsiki Hair

Sinsa, Seoul
EN

Designer salon — trendsetters and editorial work.

Cost
₩80,000–250,000
Hours
Tue–Sat 11:00–21:00

Book 1–2 weeks ahead, especially for color.

Reservation
Make a cab card →