Celebrating Christmas in Seoul: Turning Winter into a Romantic Getaway
楊 靜
5 days ago
If I had to sum up this trip to Korea in one sentence, it would be: spending time in my favorite season in a city that knows how to create a romantic atmosphere.
Korea Seoul Station (서울역)
I've always loved Christmas, not just because it's a holiday, but because of the atmosphere it brings. The air is filled with a sense of anticipation. Streets glow with lights, cafes put up winter decorations, and even people's footsteps seem to slow down. This year, I chose to spend Christmas in Seoul (서울), and it became one of the most memorable trips I've had in years.
Seoul (서울)’s December is cold, but not biting. During the day, the air is fresh and pleasant; at night, just wrap your scarf a little tighter. Strolling through Myeong-dong (명동), Hongdae (홍대), or Seongsu (성수) neighborhoods, the festive lights and beautiful shop windows make you stop for photos. Especially at night, when the lights reflect on the slightly damp winter streets, the whole city seems wrapped in a soft Christmas glow.
Korean Christmas
For this trip, I planned a more flexible schedule. I didn’t rush from one attraction to another, instead I let myself stroll leisurely through the city. In the early morning, I’d sit in a cozy café by the window and watch people come and go. In the afternoon, I’d browse selected shops, bookstores, and little markets. At night, I’d enjoy the night view and have a heartwarming dinner. Seoul (서울) is perfect for this pace, you don’t have to chase landmarks, because the city itself is full of reasons to pause.
Korean BBQ
There was another important reason for this trip. Since medical aesthetics will no longer be eligible for tax refund starting next year, I decided to use the Christmas holiday to book a medical aesthetics experience through a platform. To be honest, I was a bit nervous at first, after all it was being done abroad. But the actual experience completely exceeded my expectations.
From booking to the actual appointment, everything was clear and orderly. The clinic was clean and tidy, very professional, and communication was smooth and pressure-free. All procedures, steps, and potential risks were explained in advance, with no sales tactics. The whole experience felt safe, reassuring, and thoughtful. This made me understand why so many people now combine travel and medical aesthetics.
Seongsu-dong (성수동)
Seongsu-dong (성수동)
After the appointment, I didn’t rush to the next spot. Instead, I slowed my pace and took a walk nearby. It felt unexpectedly meaningful, I had just completed a small act of self-care while the city was still celebrating Christmas. Strolling under the festive lights, I really felt like I was taking care of myself, not just treating the trip as an experience.
Incheon Chicken Soup
That night, I chose a restaurant that overlooks the street. Sitting by the window, enjoying a steaming meal while watching the twinkling Christmas lights outside, I felt a calm, sure warmth rise in me. This trip wasn’t just a getaway to another place, it was time and space for myself.
Hanok (한옥)
Looking back, what made this Korea Christmas trip most memorable wasn’t any single spot, but the overall atmosphere. Seoul (서울) really knows how to tell a story in winter, and once you step in, you feel part of it. If you love Christmas, enjoy winter cities, or are thinking about how to bring travel and daily life closer together, I truly recommend visiting Korea during this season.
Some memories don’t have to be dramatic, they quietly stay in your mind and make you smile when you think of them later. For me, this Seoul (서울) Christmas trip was exactly like that.
