Beat Seoul Summer Heat! Top 3 Air-Conditioned Indoor Escapes - Cool Summer Spots Locals Love

The heatwave has begun ㅠㅠ

I was really shocked when I saw the news that the temperature in Seoul reached 37 degrees yesterday! It's only mid-July, and if it's already this hot, I wonder how we'll endure August. Last year, I impulsively went to the Han River and got exhausted from the heat, so I decided to spend this summer more wisely.

So, this weekend, I explored indoor retreats in Seoul with a friend. We found places with full-blast air conditioning that aren't boring even if you stay all day! For those who feel it's a shame to stay home because of the heat, I highly recommend these TOP 3 places.

1st Place: National Museum of Korea - A Perfect Blend of Culture and Coolness

Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Wednesdays and Saturdays until 21:00)
Admission: Permanent exhibitions are free, special exhibitions are separate

The first place I'd like to introduce is the National Museum of Korea! Honestly, I thought a museum might be a bit boring, but once I went, it turned out to be a perfect summer retreat. The cool air from the air conditioning felt like heaven as soon as I entered.

There was so much more to see than I expected. Starting from the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery on the first floor and slowly touring up to the Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, three hours flew by. The air conditioning was so good that I regretted not bringing a cardigan ㅋㅋ

The garden behind the museum was also really beautiful! After cooling off indoors, it was perfect for a short walk. The area around the fountain was cooler than expected, so I took a lot of photos.

2nd Place: COEX Aquarium - An Urban Sea Adventure

Address: B1, Starfield COEX Mall, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Hours: 10:00-20:00 (Open year-round)
Admission: Adults 33,000 KRW, Children 29,000 KRW

The second place is COEX Aquarium! I hesitated because aquariums are a bit pricey, but a friend highly recommended it, saying it's really cool in the summer. My friend was right!

I was truly amazed as soon as I entered the 'Undersea Tunnel'! Sharks and rays swam overhead, making me feel like I was walking under the sea. The sound of water and the mysterious lighting made me completely forget about the heat.

There are 16 themed zones, each with its own charm. The shark zone was especially popular. The penguins were adorable, and I couldn't stop laughing while watching the otters ㅋㅋ There was also a stamp rally, making it fun to explore!

The best part was the experience programs! You can feed carp and try the doctor fish experience, and the mermaid show was really beautiful. Although the admission fee is a bit high, it was totally worth it.

3rd Place: Starfield COEX Mall - A Perfect Combination of Shopping and Relaxation

Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Open year-round)
Parking: 3,000 KRW for 30 minutes (1,500 KRW per 15 minutes)

The third place is Starfield COEX Mall! Although it might seem odd to call a shopping mall a retreat, it's truly a perfect place to spend all day in the summer. It's directly connected to Samseong Station on Subway Line 2, so you won't feel the heat at all getting there.

The most famous spot here is the 'Starfield Library'! The library I had only seen on Instagram was even more grand and beautiful in person. The air conditioning was cool, and you could freely read books, making it perfect for cooling off and healing.

The mall itself is really large and diverse. With over 320 stores, time flies just browsing. Brands like H&M, ZARA, and UNIQLO are all here, and the atmosphere around the Hyundai Card Library on the first floor was especially nice.

There's a wide variety of food options! From the basement food court to restaurants on each floor, there are over 100 places to choose from. We had lunch at the food court and dinner at a rooftop restaurant, and both were satisfying.

My Personal Tips for Indoor Summer Retreats

After visiting these three places, I found each has its own charm! If you want a quiet healing time alone, I recommend the National Museum of Korea. If you want a special experience with friends or a partner, go to COEX Aquarium. If you want to enjoy a variety of activities all day, Starfield COEX Mall is the place.

Especially around the COEX area, the aquarium and Starfield are connected, making it perfect for a day course. Visiting the museum in the morning → COEX after lunch → until dinner, would make for a really fulfilling summer outing!

If you're wondering where to go because of the summer heat, choose from these three places! They have full-blast air conditioning and aren't boring even if you stay all day. It's especially fun with friends or family.