What's the Weather like in Seoul in December
Temperature
December is one of the coldest months in Seoul, right behind January, with an average monthly temperature of -2°C. The daytime average is seven degrees cooler than November, averaging only 3°C. Nights average a chilly -7°C. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Seoul happened in December, registering a freezing -23.1°C.
Rainfall
December is also one of the driest months in Seoul, with rainfall totals averaging 22mm. The chances of precipitation decrease to 10% in December. Some of this is in the form of snow, but most snowfall in Seoul will mostly be insignificant amounts.
Sunshine Hours
December 22ndis the shortest day of the year, and Seoul sees 9 hours 34 minutes of daylight on this day. The chances of a clear sky are up at a constant 67% throughout the month, so you should get plenty of sunshine. Despite the short days, the clear skies will give you an average of five hours of sunshine every day.
Humidity
The air in Seoul is very dry in December. The average relative humidity is only 66%, and because of the already cool temperatures, the air will feel even colder and drier than it really is.
Wind
Winds average a steady 4.0 m/s in December. They are mostly from the northwest, bringing cold air from Siberia.
Dress Code
Dress in plenty of layers if you're visiting Seoul in December. You'll want a thin layer against your skin, one or two layers on top of that, and then a thick coat. A scarf, warm hat, and gloves will also help you fight the freezing temperatures. It rarely rains in Seoul in December, so raingear shouldn't be a priority. Also keep in mind that you'll want footwear you can get in and out of comfortably, because you'll have to take off your shoes when entering certain buildings. Most people in Seoul dress in a smart-casual style. The Seoul extended forecast will give you a good picture of expected conditions before your visit.
Seoul Hotels in December
Vista Walkerhill Seoul
Vista Walkerhill is an upscale five-star hotel right on the Han River in Gwangjin-gu. The modern high-rise glass tower features bright, contemporary rooms with plush beds, large windows, and chic furnishings. Most rooms are available as suites that feature living areas, floor-to-ceiling windows along the entire wall, and Jacuzzi tubs right in front of these windows. Larger suites also include kitchens. Vista Walkerhill is home to the stylish Re:BAR, a hip lounge with upper-level views, an Italian restaurant, and a Japanese restaurant with sushi bar. The hotel also features a large day spa, fitness center, and an indoor pool.
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam
The Novotel Ambassador is another five-star hotel, this one located in the trendy Gangnam district. This towering hotel boasts 332 rooms and suites, all with bright, modern décor and contemporary bathrooms. The hotel is equipped with a large fitness center featuring a jogging track, large gym and aerobics room, day spa, and indoor pool. There are also four restaurants at the Novotel Ambassador, including an international buffet, Japanese cuisine, and a casual café. A live music bar is open Monday through Saturday. Novotel Ambassador is located less than five minutes from the nearest metro station, and next to the popular COEX.
The Grand Hotel Myeongdong
For more modest travelers, the three-star Grand Hotel Myeongdong is a highly rated hotel in a busy shopping district. Grand Hotel Myeongdong features numerous rooms in various arrangements, all with modern, minimalistic furniture, minifridges, and flatscreen TVs. Guests are also offered breakfast in a casual dining area, have access to a laundromat, lounge, craft center, and business center. There are numerous restaurants and shops in the neighborhood, and you're only seconds away from the nearest metro station.
Metro Hotel
The Metro Hotel is a popular three-star hotel in central Seoul. This stylish hotel offers guests a selection of standard rooms, deluxe rooms, family rooms, and suites. All rooms are fitted with modern, simple furnishings, comfortable beds, flatscreen TVs, minifridges, and bright bathrooms. The Metro Hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet in their casual ClubHouse dining room; other hotel amenities include a gym, children's playroom, coin-operated laundry, and a meeting room. The Metro Hotel is situated on a street with numerous shops and restaurants. The nearest metro station is less than two minutes away.
Bars and Restaurants
Toh Lim
Toh Lim is a Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in central Seoul, located within the Lotte City Hotel. The upscale dining room has wonderful panoramic views of attractions around Seoul and maintains a cozy feeling. Set menus include ginseng & chicken soup, sautéed lamb chops, steamed live lobster, fried eel, Chinese cold noodles, and dessert. A la carte menu items are also available, and include sautéed chicken in peanut sauce, Korean beef with pine mushrooms, and fried king prawns with chili sauce. Toh Lim is open daily for lunch from noon until 3PM and for dinner from 6PM until 10PM.
Brera
If you're looking for a break from all of the outstanding Asian food in Seoul, check out Brera Italian restaurant. This cozy restaurant is located near downtown Seoul and is some of the best Italian food you'll find in Asia. Everything about Brera is homemade; in addition to making their own pastas, they also ferment their own limoncello, make their own fresh cheeses, and create their own sausages and ravioli by hand, instead of using machines. Traditional thin-crust pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven. They offer a great selection of Italian wines and beer. Brera is open daily from 11AM until 11:30PM.
Kyochon Chicken Hongdae
Kyochon is a very popular chicken restaurant in Seoul. One of their most popular locations is Hongdae, near Hongik University. The restaurant is a wonderful, casual location to just enjoy some flavorful wings, drink a variety of beer, and enjoy conversations with your companions. Wings are available with their original flavor, spicy sauce, and crispy honey. There are also salads and crispy potato wedges on the menu. Their craft beers include golden ales, pale ales, and hefeweizen. Kyochon Chicken Hongdae serves lunch and dinner and is open late at night.
BeansBins Myeongdong
BeansBins Coffee is a warm, cozy café that makes a perfect stopover on a cold winter day. This is Korea's original coffee brand, and their first store is in Samcheong-dong. They now have over 50 locations. Over 15 different roasts are available, made with beans from all over the world. BeansBins offers a number of specialty coffee drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, waffles with all of the toppings you can think of, and homemade cakes and pies. BeansBins is open daily from 10AM until midnight.
Things to do in Seoul in December
Seoul Christmas Festival
Seoul really gets into the holiday spirit approaching the Christmas season. One of the more popular Christmas events is the Seoul Christmas Festival, which takes place along Cheonggyecheon Stream throughout December. The festival features a giant decorated Christmas tree, concerts, Christmas lights displays, and different zones with various themes. There are special events for both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The nearest metro station is Gwanghwamun Station.
Seoul Plaza Ice Skating
Seoul Plaza features a large park in summer months and it is a popular hangout for tourists and locals. During the winter this park transforms into a giant ice skating rink. There are actually two skating rinks in the moon-shaped park. One rink is for advanced skaters. The other is for beginners and also offers ice skating lessons. If you've never tried ice skating, this is a beautiful setting to learn, especially with all of Seoul Plaza's Christmas decorations. The rink is open until 9:30PM during the week and 11PM on the weekends. They do rent ice skates.
Christmas Shopping
Seoul is known for their wonderful shopping opportunities, making the city a perfect place for Christmas shopping. One of the seasonal markets is a European Christmas market in Ginkgo Park featuring foods and crafts from many European countries. You'll also find many great deals at the modern shops in Myeongdong market area. While you're there, don't overlook the more traditional Namdaemun market, where you can find authentic crafts and souvenirs from Seoul, as well as great deals on clothing and fabrics. You'll never be more than a stone's throw from great Christmas shopping opportunities while in Seoul.
National Folk Museum of Korea
The National Folk Museum of Korea was established in the mid-20thcentury to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Korean people. The museum is located at Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul. There are many exhibits that will teach visitors how Koreans lived in the past, featuring farming, fishing, and other domestic displays. In addition to exhibiting the Korean way of life, there is also a large section dedicated to Korean history. There are over 4,000 artifacts on display. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9AM until 5PM and Saturday & Sunday from 9AM until 7PM. Admission is free with your Gyeongbokgung Palace ticket.
