8 Best South Korea Wellness Experiences to Have

South Korea is known for its cutting edge beauty treatments, but what if you’re looking for something more low key? This was the case for me. I wanted to experience South Korea’s amazing wellness scene, but I wasn’t in the market for invasive cosmetic treatments. It took some digging, but I ended up having some incredible wellness experiences in South Korea.

This article shares everything I learned, and what you need to plan your own wellness-focused activities in South Korea!

Ready to book? Here’s a quick look at my top wellness experiences in South Korea:

Korean Wellness Activity	How to Book
Korean body scrub	Book here
Spa Land	Book here
Traditional hanok experience	Book here
Skin analysis	Book here
Facial	Book here
Foot spa	Book here
Head spa	Book here
Visit Olive Young	No booking required!

1. Get a Korean Body Scrub

If you’ve never had a Korean body scrub, then just know it’s a pretty intense exfoliation treatment—and it’s a must try, especially in Seoul! We booked this for the day we arrived, as a way to slough off our 14-hour flight.

Korean body scrubs involve deep exfoliation, performed by a Korean auntie. Say goodbye to dead skin you didn’t even know you had!

Here’s the catch: most salons that offer body scrubs are women-only. I looked high and low to find a body scrub that would accept Dan (my husband) so we could go together.

We ended up booking an appointment at A3 Spa, because their Dondaemun location is one of the few co-ed body scrub spots in all of Seoul. 

How to book: You can book your body scrub here, and be sure to specify male or female when booking.

2. Soak in a Jjimjilbang—Preferably Spa Land!

A jjimjilbang is a Korean bathhouse, AKA spa. These involve lots of hot spring pools of varying temperatures, and sauna rooms. Trust me, you have to try this. You’ll feel all the travel stress melt off!

Traditionally, jjimjilbang are separated by gender and you must be completely naked when entering the hot spring pools.

However, there are some co-ed spas which are great if you’re traveling as a (heterosexual) couple or family. You are given a uniform (kinda like pajamas) to wear in co-ed spaces. 

We LOVED our morning at Spa Land in Busan, which is South Korea’s largest jjimjilbang. It only cost about $15 USD for four hours, and there are tons of co-ed saunas and some outdoor pools.

How to book: You can book Spa Land tickets ahead of time here.

3. Stay in a Hanok

One of my favorite wellness and cultural experiences we had in South Korea was staying in a traditional hanok in Seoul.

We stayed for three nights at this hanok Airbnb in Seoul. It was so peaceful, and I loved coming back to our room to soak in our private pool when I succumbed to jet lag one afternoon.

I will say that this one was quite traditional, inclusive of floor mattresses, which got uncomfortable after the first night.

If you want something a touch more luxurious, but still very peaceful and traditional, I recommend:

• AWIK Hanok Stay: A mid-range hanok in a great location, with wonderful reviews. You will sleep on a bed instead of a floor mattress, and have a gorgeous modern bathroom.
• Nostalgia Hanok Hotel: A luxurious hanok stay, also with wonderful reviews. Guest rooms come with beds (not floor mattresses) and you’ll even have access to wellness-focused classes, like ceramics.

And, if you don’t want to stay in a hanok, but you’d still like to experience one, then this hanok wellness ritual experience in Seoul needs to be on your itinerary!

4. Get a Skin Analysis

A Korean skin analysis is a must-do in Seoul. Basically, an advanced camera system analyzes your skin, including its underlayers, hydration, UV exposure, lines, elasticity, and more.

South Korea is known for its high-tech yet accessibly priced skin treatments. You’d be paying a dermatologist a LOT to have this done back home!

After tons of research, we booked our skin analysis at Areuke Spa in the Hongdae neighborhood of Seoul.

I loved our experience. I thought that the dermatologist was really supportive and kind. She didn’t make us feel like any of our “flaws” were our fault, but rather took a more neutral approach with advice.

I left actually feeling more confident in my skin (this shocked me) and also empowered because I knew what I needed to work on (hydration, lol).

How to book: You can book your skin analysis here.

5. Have a (Non-Medical) Facial

You also must get a facial when you’re in South Korea. I actually had trouble finding a non-invasive facial in Seoul. I kept finding intense cosmetic treatments during my searches, when all I wanted was a simple relaxing facial that supported my skin but didn’t necessarily burn it off with acid and lasers!

In the end, we got a couple’s facial at Areuke Spa, right after our skin analysis. I loved that they personalized the facial based on what the dermatologist found during the skin analysis.

This was probably the most relaxing wellness experience I had in South Korea and it’s one of my top recommendations! I will absolutely get this facial every time I return to Seoul.

How to book: You can book your facial here.

6. Chill at a Foot Bath Cafe

If you’re looking for a foot spa experience in Seoul, then I recommend this herbal market tour and foot spa! Your local guide takes you to Korea’s largest herbal medicine market (definitely a hidden gem for tourists) and then concludes the experience with an herbal foot spa.

And if your time in South Korea takes you to Busan, then you must visit this foot bath cafe with panoramic ocean views.

For a small fee (you can book upon arrival), you get a 30-minute hot foot bath, shoulder massage, and complimentary tea or coffee. All while being treated to stunning views of the Busan coastline!

7. Relax at a Head Spa

Seoul is known for its ultra-relaxing, multi-step head spas. I ran out of time to have a head spa treatment in Seoul, but I did quite a bit of research before my trip.

For a deeply personal treatment, I shortlisted Head Spa Seoul in Hongdae. This is an extremely small spa that only serves one or two people at a time. It’s the perfect indulgence for couples! They also offer massages and facials.

Prices are a bit more expensive here, because the experience is so bespoke. But if that’s what you’re looking for, you can book via Instagram!

For a more typical head spa experience, I recommend these:

• EcoJardin: This is one of the most popular head spas in Seoul, with tons of positive reviews! The basic 15-step treatment starts at $118 USD.
• Park’s Premium Head Spa: For a more affordable option, this 50-minute head spa costs $44 USD, and also is highly reviewed. It’s been operating since 1997 so you know you’re in good hands!
• Juno Hair: This hair salon has gone viral for its 15-step head spa treatments. It’s the best choice if you also want to get a haircut! Prices start from $123 USD.

8. Shop for Beauty Products at Olive Young

Does shopping count as a wellness activity? I feel like it does at Olive Young, which is like South Korea’s answer to Sephora.

Here you’ll find rows upon rows of beauty products. I definitely splurged on some face masks and skincare when I was here and it was such a fun experience. Also… a small way to take the energy from all these Korean wellness activities home!

More Wellness Activities in South Korea

I hope you enjoy your travels in South Korea! I, for one, can’t wait to return to Seoul and get another facial… and hopefully a head spa next time, too! As always, let me know in the comments if you have any questions or updates for me.