Hot Springs in South Korea

Are there hot springs in South Korea?

Yes. South Korea has hot spring towns across the country, from Onyang, the oldest, to Busan's Dongnae district and Suanbo in the mountains, plus hot spring water parks such as Asan Spavis.

Most soaking happens indoors, in single-sex bathhouses where you bathe nude, often with a jjimjilbang (sauna and rest area) attached. For outdoor soaking, Seokmodo Island has sea-view pools, and water parks have outdoor hot spring pools where swimsuits are worn.

Onyang and Dongnae are both on the subway, so you can soak without a car.

Hot springs in South Korea map

Where each of the 14 hot springs in South Korea is. Pin shapes show the type; open the larger map for more detail.

Best hot springs in South Korea

The hot springs most visitors plan a trip around, from historic oncheon towns to spa parks.

• Onsen town

  Onyang Oncheon

  Asan, South Chungcheong

  Korea's oldest hot spring town, visited by Joseon kings, at the end of Seoul's Line 1 subway.

• Spa

  Hurshimchung

  Dongnae, Busan

  A huge spa in Busan's historic hot spring district, with dozens of baths under one roof.

• Onsen town

  Suanbo Hot Springs

  Chungju, North Chungcheong

  A mountain hot spring town near Woraksan National Park, with hotels, public baths and a free foot bath.

• Outdoor baths

  Seokmodo Mineral Hot Spring

  Seokmodo, Incheon

  Open-air pools on an island west of Seoul, looking out over the sea; best at sunset.

• Water park

  Asan Spavis

  Asan, South Chungcheong

  A hot spring water park with outdoor pools and slides, about an hour from Seoul.

• Spa

  Deokgu Oncheon Spa World

  Uljin, North Gyeongsang

  A spa fed by a natural spring that bubbles up in a mountain valley near the east coast.

• Onsen town

  Bugok Oncheon

  Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang

  A hot spring town with very hot sulphur water, about 70 km from Busan.

• Spa

  Spa Land Centum City

  Haeundae, Busan

  A big spa and jjimjilbang inside a Busan department store, with hot spring baths and themed saunas.

• Hot springs

  Osaek Hot Springs

  Near Seoraksan, Gangwon

  Carbonated hot springs near Seoraksan, a classic soak after hiking.

Famous hot springs in South Korea

All 14 hot springs we list in South Korea, A to Z, from Onyang and Busan to Seoraksan.

• Water park

  Asan Spavis, South Korea

  Hot spring water park about an hour from Seoul, with outdoor hot spring pools, a wave pool and a sauna.

• Onsen town

  Baegam Hot Springs, South Korea

  Hot spring village in the mountains near the east coast, with hotels and public baths.

• Onsen town

  Bugok Oncheon, South Korea

  Hot spring town with sulphur water from a 78°C source, about 70 km from Busan.

• Spa

  Deokgu Oncheon Spa World, South Korea

  Spa fed by a natural spring that bubbles up in a valley of Eungbongsan; swimsuit and cap required.

• Spa

  Hurshimchung, South Korea

  Large spa in Busan's historic Dongnae hot spring district, with dozens of baths.

• Water park

  Icheon Termeden, South Korea

  Hot spring spa and water park in Icheon, south of Seoul, with outdoor pools.

• Hotel spa

  K Hotel Gyeongju Spa, South Korea

  Hotel spa in Gyeongju's Bomun resort area, with alkaline spring water in indoor and outdoor baths.

• Onsen town

  Onyang Oncheon, South Korea

  Korea's oldest hot spring town, visited by Joseon kings, with public baths and hotels near the station.

• Hot springs

  Osaek Hot Springs, South Korea

  Carbonated hot springs near Seoraksan National Park, with hotel baths and a sauna.

• Spa

  Paradise Spa Dogo, South Korea

  Sulphur spring spa near Asan with indoor baths, outdoor pools and glamping.

• Outdoor baths

  Seokmodo Mineral Hot Spring, South Korea

  Open-air mineral spring on Seokmodo Island with pools facing the West Sea; lovely at sunset.

• Spa

  Spa Land Centum City, South Korea

  Big spa and jjimjilbang inside a Busan department store, with hot spring baths and themed saunas.

• Onsen town

  Suanbo Hot Springs, South Korea

  Mountain hot spring district near Woraksan with alkaline water, hotels, public baths and a free foot bath.

• Foot bath

  Yuseong Hot Springs, South Korea

  Free public foot bath with 40°C spring water in Daejeon's Yuseong hot spring district.

Hot springs in South Korea FAQ

Planning a hot springs trip to South Korea

Timing your trip

All year, but autumn and winter are the classic seasons for a hot soak. Weekends and holidays are busiest, especially at the water parks.

What you will pay

Public bathhouses are cheap, and a jjimjilbang ticket often includes a set of clothes to wear in the shared areas. Hotel spas and water parks cost more. Yuseong's foot bath is free.

Reaching the springs

Onyang Oncheon is on Seoul's Line 1 subway, and Busan's Dongnae district is on Busan Metro Line 1. Seokmodo is reached by road bridge from Ganghwa Island, and mountain springs like Suanbo and Osaek by bus or car.

Rules and etiquette for hot springs in South Korea

Korean bathhouses have clear rules that locals follow closely.

• Wear a swimsuit at water parksSpa water parks, and some outdoor pools, need swimwear and often a swim cap.
• Tie up long hairHair shouldn't touch the bath water.
• Wash thoroughly firstShower and scrub at the washing stations before getting into any bath.
• Check about tattoosSome bathhouses turn away visitors with large tattoos.
• Bathe nude in bathhousesIndoor baths are single-sex and swimsuits are not worn.
• Keep your towel out of the waterLeave it on your head or beside the bath.

Pictures of hot springs in South Korea

Photos of Spa Land Centum City, a hot spring in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.

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