When winter hits Korea, there is one place locals naturally escape to — the jjimjilbang, a traditional Korean sauna and spa. More than just a place to bathe, jjimjilbangs are social spaces where people relax, eat, sleep, and recharge during the icy season.

Inside, you’ll find steaming hot baths, cold plunge pools, and various themed sauna rooms made of salt, clay, or jade. One of the most popular winter experiences is lying on a heated floor after a sauna session, feeling your whole body slowly warm up from the inside out.

Food is a big part of the jjimjilbang culture. Visitors usually enjoy baked eggs (maekbanseok gyeran) and sweet sikhye (rice drink) while wearing the provided sauna uniforms. Families come together, friends chat late into the night, and some people even stay overnight.

Popular jjimjilbangs like Dragon Hill Spa, Sparex, and Siloam Sauna welcome travelers as well. After a long day of winter sightseeing, soaking in hot water is one of the best ways to relax like a local.

A Korean winter without a jjimjilbang visit is simply incomplete.