How to Visit Korean Jjimjilbangs: The Best Bath Houses in Seoul + South Korea

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Korean jjimjilbangs (찜질방) (traditional bathhouses) are a place for locals to come together to bathe, soak and scrub and to do so completely in the nude, and no visit to Korea is complete without trying it out yourself!

Not only do jjimjilbangs offer visitors somewhere to relax in gender-segregated baths that include saunas and hot pools, but it’s also a place for everyone to enjoy heated rooms, massage chairs, flat-screen TVs, exercise equipment and more. 

I fell in love with the Korean spa experience during my time living in South Korea. And weirdly, I still dream about the naked scrubs I’d get. Yes, you heard that correctly! I can’t adequately put into words how incredibly relaxed and smooth I felt after getting every inch intensely scrubbed. 

As scary as an experience it first seemed, learning to embrace being naked surrounded by others of all shapes and sizes helped me feel very comfortable in my own naked skin. So even if you’re terrified or it freaks you out, I highly recommend pushing through it and doing it anyway! It’s just so great. 

One little warning though – you will very likely be the only non-Koreans in the entire place, so expect a few lingering curious eyes when you first walk in. But those curious stares quickly fade, and so will your cares as you relax in a bubbling hot pool. 

Things to Know about Jjimjilbangs in Seoul and Korea

• Visiting a traditional Korean bathhouse is often done in the nude, and most spas don’t allow bathing suits for hygiene reasons. 
• Korean bathhouses are gender-segregated so you don’t need to worry about being naked in front of the opposite gender.
• Many jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours and they can be a unique way to save on accommodation if traveling on a budget. They typically have napping rooms so you can pay the entrance as a way to relax and sleep!
• Getting naked in front of strangers isn’t as scary as you may think it is, and frankly, it’s pretty empowering. Everyone else is naked and happily enjoying their relaxing visit to the spa. 
• There are many small and local Korean jjimjilbangs around the country that you can visit for a more local and traditional experience. However I recommend visiting the bigger and more modern spas for a more tourist-friendly visit.

Best Bath Houses in Seoul

Some of the best jimjilbangs in Seoul:

• Dragon Hill Spa
  Spa Lei
• Spa in Garden 5

Best Bath Houses in Korea

Some of the best jimjilbangs in South Korea:

• Centum Spaland (Busan)
• The Hurshimchung Spa Hotel Nongshim (Busan)
• Aquafield (Goyang)
• Jeju Sanbangsan (Jeju)
• Spa Elybaden (Daegu)

How to Visit a Jjimjilbang

1. Purchase your package at the front desk and get your wristband and locker key. You can pay for just the baths, or just the recreation areas, or both. 

2. Take off your shoes in the lobby’s designated shoe area and put them in the appropriate shoe lockers. 

3. Enter the locker room, pick up your towel and jjimjilbang outfit (if needed) and find your spa locker. 

4. Decide if you want to enjoy the nude baths first or the other areas of the spa!

How to Visit a Nude Bath in Korea

• Strip down to your birthday suit in the locker room and head off to the baths.
• Before getting in, you need to thoroughly shower and wash up – including your hair.
• Enjoy what the baths have to offer:
  • Hot, warm, cold and very cold baths. 
  • Individual showers for self-care.
  • Various different saunas – some even have salt scrubs available for free use. 
  • A professional scrub.

Things to Do at a Jjimjilbang Recreation Area

• Put on the provided jjimjilbang outfit. 
• Enjoy…
  • Massage chairs
  • Saunas – hot rooms, warm rooms, stone rooms
  • Snack/drink bar – try the famous jjimjilbang eggs and rice drink!
  • The quiet areas for a nap
  • Movie rooms
  • etc. 

What to Bring to a Korean Jjimjilbang

A towel

Depending on where you go, towels may or may not be included in the entrance fee. Bring a towel as back up to have something to dry off with after your relaxing soak if the spa doesn’t provide them.

Shampoo, conditioner + soap

After your soak, you’ll want to shower off and leave fresh and squeaky clean. Don’t forget your faves!

Beauty extras – lotion, face mask, loofah, etc. 

You’re at the jjimjilbang to pamper yourself so you may as well go all out! Bring your favorite face mask, your favorite body exfoliant or a good loofah for the ultimate self-service spa experience.

Cash for a scrub

Going to the jjimjilbang isn’t complete without indulging in the famous nude scrub! What’s better than getting a hardcore exfoliation treatment from older women in lace underwear? Nothing, absolutely nothing (I’m serious – everyone should try the scrub at least once). 

If you’re interested in a professional scrub, many older places only accept cash. They range from about 15,000 – 30,000+ won.

What You Don’t Need to Bring to a Korean Jjimjilbang

A hairdryer

Most spas provide plenty of mirror space and hair dryers for after your bath so no need to worry about bringing one along with you.

Swimsuit or special clothing

Most bath houses in Korea are nude only, swimsuits not allowed—you just need your fine self! And when you visit, the jjimjilbang should provide you with the special outfit you wear throughout the facilities outside of the actual spa. 

Your camera

I’m sure this goes without saying, but no photos are not allowed in the baths. It may sound like a great cultural and Instagram worthy event, but it’s the time to disconnect, relax, and respect others’ privacy and relaxation time.

There you have it – the naked truth about jjimjilbangs. I know for my fellow westerners even the idea of getting naked in front of others can be terrifying, but trust me when I say it is a Korean experience not to be missed!

Have you been to the jjimjilbang? What did you think? Share below!