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When to Go

Best Time to Visit Seoul

Asia · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: The summer monsoon (jangma, late June-late July) brings torrential rain and flash floods; pack rain gear and check forecasts. Book ahead for cherry-blossom (early April) and autumn-foliage (mid-late October) peaks.
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
Flights from the US
🟢 Non-stop options
Great for
couples · female solo traveler · adult group · families with kids
Seasons at a glance
AprilMayOctober MarchJuneSeptemberNovember JanuaryFebruaryJulyAugustDecember

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Seoul month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 21–36°F 6h Minimal (15mm) Off-Peak Bitterly cold and dry; palace snowscapes, ski slopes and steaming street tteokbokki.
February 25–40°F 6h Low (30mm) Off-Peak Frigid but brightening; lantern-lit palaces and cozy cafe-hopping in Ikseon-dong.
March 35–52°F 7h Low (35mm) Shoulder Thawing and fresh; early blossoms, palace strolls and market snacking without crowds.
April 45–64°F 7h Moderate (75mm) Peak Cherry-blossom peak; pink-lined riverbanks, mild days and the city in full bloom.
May 55–74°F 7h Moderate (105mm) Peak Warm, green and festive; lotus-lantern parades and perfect patio weather.
June 65–82°F 6h High (130mm) Shoulder Warm and humid as the monsoon nears; long evenings and buzzing night markets.
July 72–84°F 4h Very High (415mm) Off-Peak Sticky monsoon heat and heavy downpours; museum days and mall-hopping weather.
August 73–86°F 5h Very High (350mm) Off-Peak Peak-summer swelter and rain; river breezes, night markets and air-conditioned escapes.
September 63–79°F 6h High (140mm) Shoulder Humidity breaks into clear skies; Chuseok traditions and mild, golden afternoons.
October 50–68°F 7h Low (50mm) Peak Crisp, clear and golden; the best month, with fiery foliage and blue-sky palace days.
November 37–53°F 5h Low (50mm) Shoulder Late-autumn chill; last golden ginkgos, cozy cafes and pre-winter calm.
December 25–39°F 5h Low (25mm) Off-Peak Deep-freeze festive glow; palace snow, ski slopes and dazzling Myeongdong lights.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Seoul, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryOff-Peak21–36°F
  • Gyeongbokgung Palace in the snow
  • Ski at nearby Vivaldi Park or Yongpyong
  • Ice fishing at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival
  • Warm up in a jjimjilbang bathhouse
  • Namsan Seoul Tower winter views
FebruaryOff-Peak25–40°F
  • Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden
  • Explore Bukchon Hanok Village lanes
  • Seollal Lunar New Year traditions
  • Cafe-hop the hanok cafes of Ikseon-dong
  • Ski day trip to the Gangwon slopes
MarchShoulder35–52°F
  • Stroll the Cheonggyecheon stream
  • Gwangjang Market street-food crawl
  • Deoksugung Palace and its stone-wall walk
  • Early spring at Seoul Forest
  • Insadong art and antiques browsing
AprilPeak45–64°F
  • Yeouido Spring Flower Festival cherry blossoms
  • Cherry-lined Seokchon Lake by Lotte World
  • Namsan Park blossoms and cable car
  • Changgyeonggung Palace spring gardens
  • Picnic along the Han River at Ttukseom
MayPeak55–74°F
  • Lotus Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday
  • Hike Bukhansan National Park
  • Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheong-dong
  • Han River picnics and bike rides
  • Day trip to Nami Island greenery
JuneShoulder65–82°F
  • Night view from Naksan Park city walls
  • Gwangjang & Myeongdong night-market eats
  • DMZ and JSA day tour
  • Seoullo 7017 sky-garden walk
  • Hongdae live music and street performances
JulyOff-Peak72–84°F
  • National Museum of Korea
  • Indoor Lotte World theme park
  • Starfield COEX Mall & Library
  • Rainy-day palace visit at Gyeongbokgung
  • Korean spa day at Dragon Hill Spa
AugustOff-Peak73–86°F
  • Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain show
  • Bamdokkaebi Night Market at Yeouido
  • Escape the heat at Everland's Caribbean Bay
  • Bukchon at dusk to dodge the heat
  • War Memorial of Korea
SeptemberShoulder63–79°F
  • Chuseok harvest-festival traditions
  • Hike Bukhansan for early autumn air
  • Seoul Forest and Ttukseom picnics
  • Gyeongbokgung palace-guard changing ceremony
  • Ihwa Mural Village walk
OctoberPeak50–68°F
  • Autumn foliage at Bukhansan & Namsan
  • Ginkgo-lined streets around Deoksugung
  • Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon
  • Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm
  • Ihwa-dong and Naksan Park color
NovemberShoulder37–53°F
  • Late foliage at Changdeokgung's Secret Garden
  • Gwangjang Market warm bindaetteok
  • Seoul City Wall Trail hike
  • Leeum & MMCA art museums
  • Namdaemun Market winter-gear browsing
DecemberOff-Peak25–39°F
  • Myeongdong Christmas lights & shopping
  • Ski at Yongpyong or Vivaldi Park
  • Lotte World Tower observation deck
  • Winter palace visit at Gyeongbokgung
  • Hot spa day at a jjimjilbang

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