As the temperatures rise and the sun shines brightly, it’s time to dive into some summer adventures! During this season, escaping the heat and humidity is a priority, and luckily, Korea offers many great ways to get a refreshing break.

So, buckle up and get ready for four unforgettable activities to make your summer truly epic!

VISIT A WATER PARK

Enjoying thrilling water slides and entertaining pools at any of the many water parks is an easy way to cool down. Check out Korea’s top water parks packed with exciting attractions!

*Water parks usually have extended hours during peak season (July–Aug.), and the ticket prices may vary depending on the season and discount deals. Before your visit, check their website. You can also find discount deals on Naver or online travel platforms like Trazy. 

Ocean World

Located in Vivaldi Park, a popular ski resort in Gangwon-do province, Ocean World allows visitors to enjoy leisure time at a resort amidst the area’s beautiful forests and mountains. This large-scale water park features a variety of exciting attractions. It’s especially known for the eye-catching Egyptian theme, including replica pyramids and sphinx.

• Address: 262, Hanchigol-gil, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do, Naver Map

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

• Ticket: 39,000 won – 55,000 won

Caribbean Bay

As everyone knows, Caribbean Bay is a top water park in Korea located within the Everland theme park complex. Most large-scale water parks are away from the city but thanks to its proximity to Seoul, it’s easily accessible. It’s only a one-hour drive from Camp Humphreys. The incredible park is fantastic for young people and families to enjoy a day trip. It features numerous entertaining attractions and five distinct themed zones, including indoor and outdoor pools, spas, and water rides.

• Address: 199 Everland-ro, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

• Hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (7 p.m. on weekends)

• Ticket: 30,000 won – 70,000 won

Spa Valley

Just a short drive from the bases in Daegu, it’s a favorite summer destination among Daegu residents. Spa Valley offers a diverse range of attractions along with hot springs and cool pools. Within the same site, visitors can also find Nature Park with a botanical garden and zoo throughout the year.

• Address: 891, Gachang-ro, Daegu, Naver Map

• Hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

• Ticket: 19,000 won – 48,000 won

California Beach

Right next to Gyeongju World, California Beach is one of the best water parks in Korea, offering a mix of thrills and fun for families and adventure seekers. This water park, inspired by California’s beach, operates during the summer season and is famous for diverse options of thrilling attractions. Make sure to explore all the high-speed and massive slides as well as wide and easy-going wave pools.

• ADDRESS: Bomun-ro 544, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Naver Map

• HOURS: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

• TICKET: 15,000 won – 70,000 won

Lotte Water Park

Lotte Water Park in Gimhae is widely recognized as the largest water park in Korea. With its Polynesian theme, the park transports visitors to the stunning beaches of the South Pacific. While basking in the exotic atmosphere, visitors can enjoy a wide array of thrilling water attractions.

• Address: 555 Jangyu-ro, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Naver Map

• Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (6 p.m. on weekends)

• Ticket: 27,500 won – 56,000 won

Seorak Waterpia

Nestled at the foot of Seoraksan Mountain, Seorak Waterpia is famous not only for the breathtaking scenery but also for their year-round hot spring pools. It’s a resort-style destination where families can enjoy both thrilling slides and peaceful spa experiences. The water is sourced from a hot spring with rich minerals, and the water stays pleasantly in good temperatures even during summer. The waterpark features exciting attractions like Shark Wave’s 18 wave patterns, the 1.2-ton bucket drop at Atlantis, and the high-speed thrilling slides. There are also kid-friendly zones, spa therapy pools, and relaxing lazy rivers.

• Address: Jangsa-dong 24-1, Sokcho-si, Gwangwon-do, Naver Map

• Hours: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.

• Ticket: 21,000 won – 79,000 won

JOIN WATER GUN FESTIVAL

Don’t hesitate to embrace your playful side and grab a water gun to defeat the summer heat! Below are some fun water gun festivals you won’t want to miss. While they’re fun, you can get hurt, so make sure to prioritize safety and wear goggles when participating in water gun festivals.

Water Stellar

Everland features a fantastic festival where visitors can play with cool water and shoot water guns in the water wonderland while enjoying spectacular shows! There are also water playgrounds and photo zones, perfect for families with children to have fun and beat the summer heat.

• Address: 199 Everland-ro, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

• Dates: June 20 (Fri.) – Aug. 24 (Sun.)

Summer Water Wars

Seoul Land hosts an annual summer festival with musical shows and water gun fights for a fun time perfect for the whole family. After enjoying the Summer Water Wars to the fullest, it’s time to have the finale of the summer nights at Luna Park for glittering lights and fireworks.

• Address: 181 Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

• Dates: Late June – late August

Waterbomb 2025

Part-water fest, part-music fest, Waterbomb 2025 is a good one to check out this summer. Explore a diverse mix of music like K-pop, hip-hop, and EDM performances and enjoy a refreshing large-scale water bomb battle. Waterbomb 2025 is held in three major cities: Seoul, Busan and Sokcho. Visit their website for more information and ticketing.

• Dates: Seoul - July 4 (Sat.) – July 6 (Sun.) / Busan - July 26 (Sat.) / Sokcho - Aug. 23 (Sat.)

• Website

ENJOY SPOOKY HAUNTED HOUSES

In Korea, summer is the season where people love enjoying horror movies and spooky experiences. Horror themed events will give you chills and scare away the summer heat!

Lumina Horror Night

Gyeongju Expo Grand Park hosts the longest outdoor horror experience program in Korea, lasting over 40 minutes. This program is famous for its thrilling experience. Participants must pass through 14 points while navigating the lair of evil spirits in the mountain at night. The dark and spooky forest makes it unpredictable when ghosts might pop out, and participants are allowed to scream as much as they want since it’s an outdoor program. At the entrance, there’s a horror photo zone, horror blood drinks, face painting, and tarot reading. Ticket is available on site at Gyeongju Expo Park.

• Address: 130 Cheongun-dong Gyeongju-si Gyeongsangbuk-do (Gyeongju Expo Grand Park), Naver Map

• Dates: Only during August (Please check their website for the accurate schedule)

• Hours: After sunset (around 7-8 p.m.) – 11 p.m.

• Ticket: 10,000 won (50% discount for Gyeongju Expo Park visitors)

• Website

Ghost Park Awake

The Ghost Park is held at the Hapcheon Film Theme Park, where various movies and dramas are filmed. This spooky ghost park offers various horror attractions where visitors can encounter scary zombies while completing missions. Visitors can also enjoy horror events, performances, booths and flea markets.

• Address: 256-5 Gaho-ri Yongju-myeon Gyeongsangnam-do (Hapcheon Film Theme Park), Naver Map

• Dates: Aug. 1 (Fri.) – Aug. 17 (Sun.)

• Hours: 6 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

• Ticket: 21,000 won – 30,000 won (Online ticketing offers discount deals)

• Website

Haunted Houses in Joseon Dynasty

If you want to see Korean-style ghosts, then you should visit the Korean Folk Village this season! The Folk Village runs two traditional haunted houses where visitors can experience true Korean-style horror and the atmosphere from “Kingdom,” a famous Netflix show. You can encounter various Korean-style ghosts and enjoy spooky ambiance, especially during the outdoor experience held in the dark of night. You can make reservations on Naver or purchase tickets on-site. It is recommended to book in advance as on-site ticket availability may be limited. Also, please note that you must enter Korean Folk Village first and these experiences require a separate ticket.

Korean Folk Village

• Address: 90 Folkchon-ro, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Naver Map

• Dates: 10 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.) / 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Fri.-Sun.)

• Ticket: 18,500 won – 37,000 won

• Website

Haunted Prison

• Dates: April 19 (Sat.) – Nov. 9 (Sun.) – Fri.-Sun. and holidays only

• Hours: 1:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Break: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

• Ticket: 13,000 won

Haunted Den

• Date: April 19 (Sat.) – Nov. 9 (Sun.) – Fri.-Sun. and holidays only

• Hours: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Break: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

• Ticket: 8,000 won

EXPLORE GREAT BEACHES

Since summers can be scorching, many flock to the great beaches for memorable vacations. If you aren’t sure where to choose, here are six of Korea’s top beaches spanning the East, West and South coasts!

Gwangalli Beach

Just a short ride from Haeundae, Gwangalli Beach boasts a trendy, youthful vibe where beach culture meets city lifestyle. It’s famous for the stunning nighttime views of Gwangan Bridge, which beautifully lights up the skyline after sunset. The neighborhood is packed with stylish cafés, restaurants, bars and beachside lounges, making it a favorite among couples and young travelers. Visitors can also enjoy marine activities like paddleboarding and jet-skiing. When in Busan, make time to enjoy both Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches for the full coastal experience!

• Naver Map

Haeundae Beach

Without a doubt, Haeundae Beach in Busan is Korea’s most iconic summer destination. Surrounded by high-rise buildings, the beautiful soft white sand meets the crystal-blue waters of the Southern Coast, offering a perfect blend of nature and urban energy. The beach provides a variety of convenient facilities, including shower booths and rental shops. It also offers easy access to hotels, restaurants and exciting water sports. Beloved by all visitors including young adults and families, Haeundae is safe, accessible and unforgettable, wrapped in a festive summer vibe.

• Naver Map

Sokcho Beach

Sokcho Beach is one of the best East Coast vacation spots for those seeking natural beauty and family-friendly comfort. Korea’s East Coast is known for its clean water, refreshing sea breezes and stunning sunrises. Sokcho Beach stands out for enjoyable waves, clean facilities, and easy access from the city center, making it a great spot for safe swimming, picnics and easy beach days with the whole family.

• Naver Map

Surfyy Beach

Surfyy Beach in Yangyang is famous for its unique and exotic summer atmosphere. Known as the country’s top surf spot, it features beach lounges, surfing lessons and an after-party zone. The atmosphere is young, stylish and energetic, drawing creative crowds, solo travelers and groups of friends. Visitors can easily enjoy professional surfing classes, yoga classes, paddleboarding and water activities. You can camp and party by the beach under exotic scenery. Please note that this beach is more popular among young adults than families.

• Naver Map

Daecheon Beach

Daecheon Beach in Boryeong is the most beloved beach on Korea’s West Coast, known for the wide shoreline, clean water and soft sand with many convenient facilities. The beach becomes especially livelier during the Boryeong Mud Festival, attracting thousands of locals and international visitors. Even outside of festival season, Daecheon is a great destination for all ages thanks to clean facilities, rental shops, seafood market and a variety of entertainment options, including marine activities and ziplines.

2025 BORYEONG MUD FESTIVAL: July 25 (Fri.) – Aug. 10 (Sun.)

• Website

• Naver Map

Hamdeok Beach

Among Jeju Island’s many scenic beaches, Hamdeok stands out with its turquoise water, white sand and calm waves, making it a top pick for both families and beach lovers. The shallow waters are great for kids while swimmers and paddleboarders can still find plenty to enjoy. Right by the beach, there is also a snorkeling hotspot near the rocky edges where you can swim among colorful fish and sea creatures. With cozy cafés, walking trails and breathtaking views, Hamdeok offers a peaceful, tropical escape without ever leaving Korea!

• Naver Map

SPEAKIN’ KOREAN: BAECH TRIP

-Summer: Yeoreum (여름)

-Vacation: Hyuga (휴가) / Banghak(방학)

-Sea/Ocean/Beach: Bada (바다)

-Beach: Haebyeon (해변)

-Mountain stream: Gyegok (계곡)

-Swimming: Suyeong (수영)

-Watermelon: Subak (수박)

-Hot (temperature): Ddeugeowo-yo (뜨거워요)

-Hot (weather): Deowo-yo (더워요)

-Cool: Siwon-haeyo (시원해요)

-When are you going on summer vacation?:

Eonje yeoreum hyuga-gayo? (언제 여름 휴가 가요?)

-I like summer:

Jeoneun yeoreum-ee joa-yo (저는 여름이 좋아요)

-It’s very hot today:

Oneul neomu deowo-yo (오늘 너무 더워요)

-I don’t like hot weather!:

Jeoneun deoun-ge sireo-yo! (저는 더운게 싫어요!)

-I need something cool:

Siwonhan-ge pilyo-haeyo (시원한게 필요해요)

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• Summer escapes in Korea: Don’t miss a trip to the beach!
• Summer escapes in Korea: Get the chills at seasonal haunted houses
• Summer escapes in Korea: Catch a wave and some sun at area water parks
• Summer escapes in Korea: Have a blast at water gun festivals