A Detailed Guide to Seoul’s 2026 Hangang Park Swimming Pools and Water Playgrounds
One of the most affordable ways to escape Seoul’s summer heat is to visit one of the city’s seasonal outdoor swimming pools and water playgrounds along the Hangang River, often called the Han River in English.
These facilities are located inside Seoul’s riverside parks. Visitors do not swim directly in the river itself. Instead, the city operates purpose-built outdoor pools and shallow water-play areas beside the river, offering swimming, family water play, shaded rest spaces, and evening entertainment against the backdrop of Seoul’s skyline.
For the 2026 summer season, six facilities are open: two outdoor swimming-pool complexes at Ttukseom and Yeouido, and four shallower water playgrounds at Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji, and Yanghwa. They are considerably cheaper than hotel pools and private water parks, making them especially attractive to families, students, long-term visitors, and budget-conscious travellers. (Seoul City Government)
1. Essential Information
Operating season:
Friday, June 19–Sunday, August 30, 2026
Closing days:
There are no regularly scheduled closing days during the operating period.
General operating hours:
9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Exceptions:
Gwangnaru and Yanghwa Water Playgrounds close at 6:00 p.m.
Temporary closures:
Entry may be suspended because of heavy rainfall, flooding, water-quality concerns, or other safety conditions. Visitors should check same-day announcements, particularly after prolonged rain. (Seoul City Government)
Mandatory breaks
Visitors cannot remain in the water continuously throughout the day. Water entry is suspended during the following meal and maintenance periods:
Lunch break: 12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
Dinner break: 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Additional short safety or maintenance breaks may be announced at individual facilities. Everyone must leave the water when instructed by lifeguards, even if they intend to remain inside the facility. (Seoul City Government)
2. Admission Fees
Outdoor swimming pools
Ttukseom and Yeouido
| Age category | Admission |
|---|---|
| Children aged 6–12 | KRW 3,000 |
| Teenagers aged 13–18 | KRW 4,000 |
| Adults aged 19 and over | KRW 5,000 |
Water playgrounds
Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji, and Yanghwa
| Age category | Admission |
|---|---|
| Children aged 6–12 | KRW 1,000 |
| Teenagers aged 13–18 | KRW 2,000 |
| Adults aged 19 and over | KRW 3,000 |
Children aged five and under may enter free of charge, but an original document proving the child’s age may be required. The official guidance states that photographs of supporting documents are not accepted, so families should bring an appropriate original document or confirm acceptable identification with the facility in advance. (Seoul City Government)
A 50 per cent discount is available to several eligible groups, including visitors aged 65 and over, registered disabled visitors and one accompanying carer, recognised veterans, qualifying Seoul multi-child-family cardholders, and certain other officially designated groups. Supporting identification or documentation is required. Foreign visitors who believe they qualify should ask the ticket office before purchasing admission. (Hangang)
3. Choosing the Right Location
The six facilities differ considerably in size, depth, transport convenience, and atmosphere.
Ttukseom Hangang Park Swimming Pool
Best for: First-time visitors, families with children of different ages, and anyone wanting the widest variety of pools.
Ttukseom is probably the easiest all-round recommendation. It contains four separate water areas:
Lazy River Pool: approximately 910 m², depth 1 metre
Adult Pool: approximately 3,020 m², depth 0.6–1 metre
Children’s Pool: approximately 500 m², depth 0.6 metre
Toddler Pool: approximately 210 m², depth 0.4 metre
The lazy river is its most distinctive feature. Children must be accompanied by a guardian, and all users—including adults—must wear an approved flotation device in the lazy river. Small arm floaties are not accepted as substitutes. (Seoul City Government)
Address:
112 Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Public transport:
Take Subway Line 7 to Jayang Station, officially named Jayang (Ttukseom Hangang Park) Station. Use Exit 2 or 3 and walk for approximately five minutes.
Telephone:
+82-2-452-5955 (Hangang)
Because it is close to a subway station and includes separate areas for toddlers, children, and adults, Ttukseom is generally the most convenient option for foreign families unfamiliar with Seoul.
Yeouido Hangang Park Swimming Pool
Best for: Visitors staying in central or western Seoul, mixed-age families, and people interested in evening entertainment.
Yeouido has three pools:
Youth and Adult Pool: approximately 2,200 m², depth 1 metre
Children’s Pool: approximately 2,350 m², depth 0.6 metre
Toddler Pool: approximately 200 m², depth 0.4 metre
Despite being called an adult pool, the water is relatively shallow. The facility is therefore better suited to recreational swimming, cooling off, and family play than to serious lap swimming. (Seoul City Government)
Address:
82-9 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Public transport:
Take Subway Line 9 to National Assembly Station, use Exit 1, and walk for approximately 15 minutes.
Telephone:
+82-2-785-0478 (Hangang)
Evening DJ programme
From July 24 through August 30, live DJ performances are scheduled at the Yeouido pool every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The programme is included in the normal admission price and does not require an additional performance ticket. (Hangang)
Yeouido is a particularly good choice for visitors who want to combine swimming with an evening picnic, riverside walk, or night view of Seoul.
Jamsil Hangang Park Water Playground
Best for: Families staying near Jamsil, Songpa, Lotte World, or southeastern Seoul.
Jamsil is officially classified as a water playground rather than a full swimming pool. It contains three separate areas:
Toddler Pool: approximately 151 m², maximum depth 0.3 metre
Joy Pool: approximately 864 m², maximum depth 0.6 metre
Wonder Pool: approximately 4,453 m², maximum depth 1 metre
The range of depths makes it suitable for families with both younger and older children. (Seoul City Government)
Address:
1-1 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Public transport:
Take Subway Line 2 to Jamsilsaenae Station, use Exit 7, and walk for approximately 15 minutes.
Telephone:
+82-2-3431-8475 or +82-2-3431-8476 (Hangang)
Drivers should note that access through the former Hangang Park Parking Lot 4 is currently unavailable. Official guidance directs Jamsil Water Playground visitors towards Parking Lot 5, entering through the Parking Lot 1 side. Public transportation is still the simpler option during busy summer periods. (Hangang)
Gwangnaru Hangang Park Water Playground
Best for: Families with toddlers and younger children who prefer a quieter, shallower environment.
Gwangnaru has two main areas:
Family Pool: approximately 1,249 m², maximum depth 1 metre
Toddler Pool: approximately 573 m², maximum depth 0.3 metre
It closes earlier than most other locations, at 6:00 p.m. (Seoul City Government)
Address:
351-1 Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
Public transport:
Take Subway Line 8 to Amsa Station, use Exit 3, and walk for approximately 20 minutes.
Telephone:
+82-2-470-9561 (Hangang)
Because the station is not immediately beside the facility, families carrying strollers, tents, or large bags may find a short taxi ride from the station more comfortable.
Yanghwa Hangang Park Water Playground
Best for: Young children, relaxed water play, and visitors who do not need deep water or late-night opening.
Yanghwa consists of one water-play pool:
Total area: approximately 1,700 m²
Maximum depth: 0.8 metre
Like Gwangnaru, it closes at 6:00 p.m. (Seoul City Government)
Address:
1-4 Yanghwa-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Public transport:
Take Subway Line 9 to Seonyudo Station, use Exit 2, and walk for approximately 20 minutes.
Telephone:
+82-70-8858-5460 (Hangang)
Yanghwa is a sensible choice for families seeking a compact daytime facility rather than a large, crowded swimming complex.
Nanji Hangang Park Water Playground
Best for: Spacious riverside water play, western Seoul, and visitors combining swimming with Nanji Hangang Park or the nearby camping area.
Nanji has one broad water-play area:
Total area: approximately 3,500 m²
Maximum depth: 1 metre
It is large enough to feel more open than some of the smaller neighbourhood water playgrounds, while still being relatively shallow. (Seoul City Government)
Address:
482-454 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Public transport:
Bus 9707 stops near Nanji Hangang Park, followed by an approximately ten-minute walk. From World Cup Stadium Station on Subway Line 6, the walk may take approximately 30–40 minutes, so a bus or taxi is usually more practical.
Telephone:
+82-70-7715-3934 (Hangang)
Saturday DJ programme
From August 8 through August 30, a DJ performance programme is scheduled at Nanji every Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It is included with normal admission. (Hangang)
4. Swimming Clothes and Required Equipment
Everyone entering the water must wear:
A proper swimsuit or suitable swimming clothing
A swimming cap
A baseball-style cap is accepted in place of a traditional swimming cap. Visitors arriving without appropriate swimming clothes or head covering may be refused water entry. (Seoul City Government)
A rash guard is a practical option because it offers sun protection and is widely worn at Korean outdoor swimming facilities. Visitors should also bring:
Towel
Change of clothes
Waterproof bag for wet items
Goggles
Sunscreen
Sun hat
Shower supplies
Drinking water
Snacks or a packed meal
Waterproof phone case
Identification and age documents for children receiving free entry
The city specifically recommends bringing plenty of drinking water and allows visitors to bring snacks and packed meals. (Seoul City Government)
5. Equipment That Is Not Allowed
For safety and crowd management, the following items are prohibited:
Large inflatable tubes
Swimming fins
Snorkels
Kickboards
Pull buoys
Hand paddles
Other large or specialised training equipment
Small, ordinary flotation tubes and approved life jackets may be used where permitted. Children entering pools intended for teenagers or adults must wear an approved flotation device and remain with a guardian. (Seoul City Government)
Visitors planning to buy a tube in Korea should choose a modestly sized one rather than a very large novelty float.
6. Rules for Children
Infants and children cannot enter without a parent or guardian.
For organised groups, at least one adult guardian is required for every four children. Guardians must remain responsible for the children rather than watching from a distant seating or picnic area. (Seoul City Government)
Pool depth should not be treated as a substitute for supervision. Even the adult pools are generally no more than one metre deep, but younger children may still need life jackets or tubes and must follow the instructions of safety personnel.
7. Shade, Tents, Lockers, and Rest Areas
Free parasols are available in limited numbers. Official guidance states that approximately one parasol is provided for every four visitors, while the Korean facility guidance describes them as available on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early is therefore advisable on weekends. (Seoul City Government)
Visitors may bring a picnic mat or an approved shade tent. The official 2026 guidance specifically notes:
At Ttukseom, only pop-up-style tents are permitted.
At Yeouido and Nanji, ordinary shade tents are permitted.
Tent placement and size may still be controlled by staff, especially when the facility is crowded. (Seoul City Government)
Valuables should be placed in designated lockers. The facilities do not accept responsibility for lost belongings, so passports, large amounts of cash, jewellery, and unnecessary electronics are best left at the hotel. (Seoul City Government)
8. Hygiene and Safety
Before entering the water, visitors should shower and complete a short warm-up or stretching routine.
Anyone with an infectious eye condition, skin infection, or another illness that could affect public hygiene may be refused admission. Visitors must not spit or blow their nose in the water. (Hangang)
All visitors must follow instructions from lifeguards and facility staff. Failure to comply may result in removal from the premises. Smoking inside the facility should also be avoided. (Hangang)
Seoul has installed CCTV cameras, English-language signs, and additional safety personnel at the facilities. The city also states that water-quality inspections are conducted daily, with additional detailed testing carried out regularly during the operating season. (파이낸셜뉴스)
9. Tickets and Online Booking
Tickets can generally be purchased at the entrance during operating hours. The official Seoul guidance specifically confirms entrance ticket sales for Ttukseom Swimming Pool and Jamsil Water Playground. (Seoul City Government)
Some facilities also provide online reservations through Naver Maps. Visitors should search for the Korean or English name of the relevant pool in Naver Maps and check whether a reservation button appears on the venue page. Availability may differ by facility and date. (Hangang)
Foreign visitors without a Korean Naver account or Korean payment method may find on-site ticket purchase easier. On hot weekends, however, arriving before the preferred swimming period is wise because ticket lines and entry waiting times can become long.
10. Best Time to Visit
For families with young children, arriving near the 9:00 a.m. opening time offers cooler temperatures, shorter queues, and a better chance of finding shade.
Visitors interested in the evening atmosphere should choose Ttukseom, Yeouido, Jamsil, or Nanji, which remain open until 10:00 p.m. under the current late-summer schedule. Gwangnaru and Yanghwa close at 6:00 p.m. (Seoul City Government)
Because water entry stops between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. and again between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., arriving just before those breaks may result in a long wait. A practical plan is to enter during one of these periods:
Morning visit: approximately 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
Afternoon visit: approximately 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Evening visit: approximately 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
11. Recommended Choices for Foreign Visitors
For the simplest first visit, choose Ttukseom. It is only a short walk from the subway and offers the greatest variety of pools.
For a central location and evening entertainment, choose Yeouido.
For families staying around Lotte World or southeastern Seoul, choose Jamsil.
For toddlers and a quieter daytime visit, consider Gwangnaru or Yanghwa.
For a spacious riverside atmosphere and Saturday-night DJ events, choose Nanji, although its public-transport access is less convenient than Ttukseom’s.
These recommendations are practical comparisons based on each facility’s pool depth, size, transport access, and operating programme. (Seoul City Government)
12. Final Checklist
Before leaving for the pool, make sure you have:
Swimsuit or rash guard
Swimming cap or baseball cap
Towel
Change of clothes
Sunscreen
Drinking water
Waterproof bag
Small flotation tube or life jacket, when needed
Original proof of age for children aged five and under
Payment method for admission
Naver Maps or another Korean navigation application
Use public transportation whenever possible. Roads and parking areas around Hangang Park become heavily congested during hot weekends and evening events. (Seoul City Government)
For multilingual tourism assistance, visitors may contact the Korea Travel Hotline by dialling 1330 in Korea. Assistance is available in languages including English, Japanese, and Chinese. (VISITKOREA - Imagine Your Korea)
Important Reminder
The 2026 Hangang Park swimming season ends on August 30, 2026. Operating hours, water entry, performances, and facility access may change because of heavy rain, flooding, extreme weather, maintenance, or safety inspections. Checking the official Hangang Park or Seoul Metropolitan Government announcement on the morning of your visit is strongly recommended. (Seoul City Government)
