After visiting a trampoline park(VAUNCE Trampoline Park near Samsung Station: A Fun Indoor Activity for Adults in Seoul), I headed to Lotte World Ice Rink to try another activity I’d promised myself I would do this year: ice skating. One of the best things about this rink is that you can skate indoors all year round. There are other indoor ice rinks in Seoul, of course, but if you’re looking for somewhere to have fun with friends or add a little activity to your Seoul trip, it’s hard to beat this location. Besides Lotte World(Lotte World Seoul: A Local’s Insider Guide) and Lotte World Concert Hall(Unforgettable Things to Do in Jamsil: A Visit to the Lotte Concert Hall), which I’ve written about in previous posts, there’s so much to explore nearby, including Lotte World Mall, Seokchon Lake(석촌호수), Bangi-dong Food Alley(방이동먹자골목), and Songnidan-gil(송리단길).
To find the ice rink, enter through the Lotte World ticketing and entrance area. Look for the sign that says “ICE GARDEN” in the central area, with stairs leading down. Head down one level, and the ice rink will open up right in front of you.
Lotte World Ice Rink
- Address: 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:50 PM / Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:20 PM
- Admission (including skate rental): KRW 21,000 for adults on weekdays / KRW 24,000 for adults on weekends
- Official Website: https://adventure.lotteworld.com/icerink/
- Map: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
As you walk around the rink in one direction, you’ll come across the ticket counter. Buy your ticket there, then pick up a pair of skates in your size at the rental counter right next to it. You can store your belongings and shoes in the paid lockers before putting on your skates. Gloves are mandatory, but there’s no need to worry if you don’t have a pair with you. You can bring your own or buy some from the vending machine in the locker room.
It had been quite a while since I’d last gone ice skating. Even then, my most recent experience had been a one-hour session at the Seoul Plaza Ice Rink in winter. (If you’re visiting Seoul around the end of the year, I’d definitely recommend checking out the ice rink at Seoul Plaza!)
So, naturally, I felt a little nervous. I also remembered how quickly I’d gotten tired at the trampoline park and wondered how long I’d last on the ice this time. As it turned out, though, my body started getting used to skating after just two or three laps, and I ended up having so much fun. I skated for about two hours in total, and honestly, I could easily have stayed for another hour.
Compared with other ice rinks, Lotte World Ice Rink is a little more expensive. However, one of its biggest advantages is that, apart from the scheduled ice resurfacing breaks, there’s no strict time limit on how long you can skate. You can enjoy as much time on the ice as you like during your visit. Another thing I love about this rink is the atmosphere. Look up from the ice, and you’ll see Lotte World Adventure right above you. You can even hear the amusement park’s parade music, and once the sun goes down, the lights come on, giving the rink a special atmosphere of its own.
+ A little tip : During the scheduled ice resurfacing breaks, which take place five times a day and last around 20–30 minutes each, I recharged with a snack from the BHC chicken shop connected directly to the rink. I went for a Col-Pop, a popular Korean snack combining fried chicken and a drink. Seating is limited, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on the resurfacing schedule and grabbing a seat before the break begins.
A Walk Around Seokchon Lake
After working up a sweat at the ice rink, I headed outside to Seokchon Lake, which is right across from Lotte World. Since both Lotte World and Lotte World Mall connect directly to the subway, it’s easy to spend your entire visit indoors without even stepping outside. But if the weather is nice, I’d say a walk around Seokchon Lake is an absolute must when you’re in Jamsil(잠실). And if I have some extra time, I especially enjoy spending it at this cafe right by the lake.
JBOUT COFFEE
- Address: 2F, JBOUT COFFEE, 206 Songpanaru-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (Takeout orders only from 10:00 PM to 10:20 PM)
- Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/jbout_coffee
- Map: Google Maps | Naver Map (Recommended for navigation in Korea)
I found a seat on the outdoor terrace right in front of the lake. To be honest, if you’re visiting in the middle of summer or during winter, when you’d rather sit indoors, I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this cafe. In that case, I’d recommend exploring the Seokchon Lake cafe street on the opposite side of the lake instead.
This place is best enjoyed when the weather is nice and you can sit outside. Besides coffee, the menu includes beer, ice cream, and meals such as pasta. Prices are a little on the high side compared with other places nearby, but I think the experience makes up for it. Being able to sit by the lake, enjoy something delicious to eat and drink, and simply take in the view makes the time feel all the more worthwhile.
+ After spending some time on the terrace and walking around Seokchon Lake, we weren’t quite ready to call it a night, so we headed to Bangi-dong Food Alley for a beer. It was around 8 PM on a Saturday, and many places were already full. After looking around for a while, we ended up at this craft beer pub. As it turned out, it was a great find — not too noisy, with just the right atmosphere for a relaxed drink. I thought I’d share it briefly!
SteinDorf-Bräu | Seoul
- Address: 11, Ogeum-ro 15-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
- Hours: 3 PM–11 PM / Closed on Sundays
- Maps: Google Maps | Naver Map (recommended for navigation in Korea)
Safe travels, Soy Kim
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