The Best Times of Year to Visit Seoul

South Korea experiences four distinct, extreme seasons. Because Seoul is a highly walkable city, the weather will dictate much of your itinerary. Here is a breakdown of what to expect in each season so you can time your trip perfectly.

1. Spring (Late March to May): The Golden Window

Spring is widely considered one of the two best times to visit Seoul. The brutal winter cold breaks, and the city erupts in color.

• Cherry Blossoms (Early to Mid-April): The city turns pale pink. Yeouido Park and Seokchon Lake become massive, crowded festival grounds. Note that the bloom window is short (about 7-10 days).
• Weather: Crisp, cool mornings and warm afternoons (10°C to 20°C). Light jackets are perfect.
• Warnings: "Yellow Dust" or fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the Asian continent can cause poor air quality. Bring high-quality masks just in case.

2. Autumn (September to November): Perfect Weather

Autumn rivals Spring as the premier season for tourism. The monsoon rains end, leaving behind crystal-clear blue skies and stunning foliage.

• Fall Foliage (Late October to Mid-November): The Gingko trees turn piercing yellow, and the maples turn bright red. Hiking Namsan, Bukhansan, or walking the palace grounds is spectacular.
• Weather: Comfortable and dry. September is still warm, but October is crisp sweater weather.
• Warnings: Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) usually falls in September or October. It is a 3-to-4 day major holiday where many shops close, and train/bus tickets out of Seoul are impossible to get.

3. Winter (December to February): Cold but Magical

The Siberian winds hit Seoul hard. It gets freezing, with temperatures frequently dropping well below -10°C (14°F).

• Highlights: The palaces covered in snow are incredibly quiet and beautiful. Winter is the season for hot street foods like sweet potatoes, fish cakes, and hotteok. You can also visit ice skating rinks at Seoul Plaza and Lotte World.
• Advice: Buy a long padded coat (the unofficial winter uniform of Korea), known as a "long padding." You will need long johns and heat packs (hot packs), which are sold cheaply at every convenience store.

4. Summer (June to August): Hot, Humid, and Raining

Summer in Seoul is intense. It is extremely hot and highly humid. Unless you are used to tropical climates, walking outside for long periods can be exhausting.

• Monsoon Season (Jangma): Usually late June to late July, heavy, unrelenting rains hit the peninsula.
• Highlights: This is the time to embrace Seoul's unmatched indoor infrastructure. Visit massive subterranean malls like COEX, stay out late in Hongdae (when the temperature drops slightly), and enjoy chilled bowls of Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles). Bingsu (shaved ice dessert) cafes are also at their peak.