Seoul Plaza Winter Ice Rink

The Seoul Plaza Winter Ice Rink at 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, turns the lawn in front of Seoul City Hall into a public outdoor rink each winter. It sits in the historic centre, next to Deoksugung Palace and close to the City Hall subway exits, so it fits easily into a day of sightseeing. Sessions typically last one to two hours. The activity is easy and suits first-time skaters, children and casual groups; no fitness or experience is required beyond being able to stand and walk on ice, and staff and railings help beginners. Younger children usually skate with a supervising adult. The ticket costs just 1,000 KRW and includes skate rental, which makes it one of the cheapest winter activities in the city. Visitors bring warm clothes, gloves and socks, since skates are rented on site. The rink is run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (seoulplaza.or.kr), and general questions can go to the Dasan Call Center on 120, with English support via 1330. The season typically runs from mid-December to late February, with hours around 10:00 to 21:00, though dates and hours depend on weather and are set each year. Safety is handled by rink staff, who limit the number of skaters on the ice, hold periodic ice-resurfacing breaks and can provide first aid; the central location means emergency services can reach the site quickly. Weekday afternoons are calmer, while weekends, evenings and Christmas holidays draw large crowds and queues for skate rental. Mild days can soften the ice, and rain or extreme cold can cause closures, so visitors should check the schedule before going.