Seoul During Seollal 2026: Survival Guide for
Travelers 🧧🏮
Are you worried about Seoul becoming a "ghost town" during the Lunar New Year (Seollal, 설)? While it's true that many family-owned spots close, Seoul never truly sleeps. From major shopping malls to trendy hotspots like Seongsu, here is everything you need to know about surviving and thriving during Seollal 2026.
📍 Holiday Schedule 2026
- 📅 Seollal Day: Feb 17 (Tue), 2026
- 📅 Holiday Period: Feb 16 (Mon) – Feb 18 (Wed)
- ⚠️ The "Ghost Town" Peak: Feb 17 (Most smaller shops close on this day).
🏢 What’s Open vs. Closed?
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Major Palaces | OPEN (Often Free!) |
| Dept. Stores (Lotte/Shinsegae) | Closed on Feb 17-18 |
| Starfield/COEX/Lotte World Mall | OPEN (Normal Hours) |
| Franchise Cafes (Starbucks, etc.) | OPEN |
| Local Markets (Gwangjang) | Partial Closure |
✨ Survival Pro-Tips
🟢 WHERE TO GO
- Seongsu & Myeongdong: Modern "hotspots" have many shops that stay open to catch the holiday crowd.
- Major Palaces: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are usually free to enter during Seollal!
- Large Malls: Starfield COEX or Lotte World Mall are safe bets for food and shopping.
🔴 WHAT TO AVOID
- Travel via KTX/Bus: Unless you booked months ago, traveling out of Seoul is almost impossible. Stay in the city!
- Family Restaurants: Authentic "Mom & Pop" shops will likely be closed for 2-3 days.
- Traditional Markets: Many stalls will be closed on the actual day of Seollal.
📱 How to Check if it's Open
Before you walk 20 minutes to a restaurant, use these apps:
- Naver Maps: Search for the shop and look for a red "Closed today" notice or holiday hour updates.
- CatchTable Global: Check if you can make a reservation. If the slots are open, they are working!
- Instagram: Many Seongsu cafes post their holiday schedules on their Stories.
Don't let the holiday slow you down. 🏮
Seollal is a great time to enjoy a "quieter" Seoul and explore traditional events. Enjoy your trip!
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