Highlights
- •Cherry blossom festivals: Jinhae (2026: Mar 27–Apr 5) and Yeouido in Seoul (2026: Apr 3–7).
- •Palaces and parks at their prettiest.
- •Lotus Lantern Festival parade in Seoul before Buddha's Birthday (2027: May 8).
When to visit
Explore & experiences
When to visit Korea
Five distinct seasons — including monsoon as its own thing — and what each one is actually like. Plus a one-line read on every calendar month so you can match your trip to your tolerance for heat, crowds, and cherries.
Month-by-month at a glance
Jan
Coldest month (Seoul averages −1.9°C); winter festivals in Gangwon.
Feb
Still cold; Seollal falls in late Jan or Feb (2027: Feb 6–9).
Mar
Cool (2–11°C); the first cherry blossoms appear in the south late in the month.
Apr
Cherry blossoms in Seoul in early April; mild (8–18°C).
May
Warm and pleasant (14–24°C); Labor Day, Children's Day, Buddha's Birthday (2027: May 13).
Jun
Warming up (19–28°C); the rainy season usually starts late in the month.
Jul
Wettest month (414 mm on average) and humid; beach season.
Aug
Warmest month (23–30°C); summer festivals and beaches.
Sep
Cooling down (18–26°C); Chuseok falls in Sep or early Oct (2026: Sep 24–26).
Oct
Clear and comfortable (11–20°C); BIFF and autumn festivals.
Nov
Autumn colors in Seoul; chilly (4–12°C).
Dec
Cold and dry (−3 to 4°C); Christmas lights; ski season begins.
🌸
Spring
Mar — May · 2°–24°C
Seoul warms fast: March averages 2–11°C and May 14–24°C (daily low–high, KMA 1991–2020 normals). Cherry blossoms in Seoul usually come in early April.
Watch-outs
- ⚠ Yellow dust and fine dust can push PM10 into the unhealthy range — check /air-quality each morning.
- ⚠ Spring pollen can bother allergy sufferers.
- ⚠ Early May stacks Labor Day and Children's Day — trains and hotels fill up, so book early.
What to wear
- • Light jacket + layers — mornings are cold
- • Comfortable sneakers
- • A small umbrella
Pack extras
- • KF94 / KF80 mask
- • Sunglasses
- • Allergy medicine
Best for
First-timers · Photo trips · Couples
Worst for
Allergy sufferers
☀️
Summer
Jun — Aug · 19°–30°C
Hot and humid. August is Seoul's warmest month (23–30°C on average) and monthly humidity averages 66–76% from June to August (KMA normals). Air-conditioned subways, malls and cafes are your friend.
Highlights
- •Beach season on the coasts and Jeju.
- •Bingsu (shaved-ice dessert) season.
- •Festivals: Boryeong Mud Festival (2026: Jul 24–Aug 9), Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (2026: Jul 31–Aug 2), Busan Sea Festival (2026: Aug 7–13).
Watch-outs
- ⚠ Heat illness is a real risk — drink water and electrolytes and rest in the shade.
- ⚠ The rainy season (jangma) usually runs from late June to late July; July is Seoul's wettest month.
- ⚠ In budget guesthouses, check reviews for the air-conditioning.
What to wear
- • Breathable cotton / linen
- • Sandals or breathable shoes
- • Hat and sunglasses
Pack extras
- • Folding umbrella
- • Reusable water bottle
- • High-SPF sunscreen
Best for
Beach lovers · Festival-goers · Nightlife
Worst for
Heat-sensitive travelers · Long hikes
🌧
Monsoon (장마)
late Jun — late Jul · 19°–29°C
In the central region, including Seoul, the rainy season normally starts around June 25 and lasts about a month (KMA 1991–2020 normals). It doesn't rain every day, but when it does it can pour.
Highlights
- •Indoor days shine — museums, COEX, big malls.
- •Pajeon (savory pancake) + makgeolli is the classic rainy-day pairing.
Watch-outs
- ⚠ During heavy-rain warnings, stay off riverside paths along the Han River and streams — they can flood.
- ⚠ Keep plans flexible — outdoor activities may be called off.
What to wear
- • Waterproof shoes or sandals
- • Light rain jacket
- • Quick-dry layers
Pack extras
- • Compact umbrella
- • Waterproof phone pouch
- • Spare shoes
Best for
Museums and indoor culture · Foodies
Worst for
Beach plans · Long hikes
🍁
Autumn
Sep — Nov · 4°–26°C
Clear, dry and comfortable. Seoul cools from about 18–26°C in September to 4–12°C in November (KMA normals). Autumn colors reach the high mountains first and Seoul later in the season.
Highlights
- •Autumn foliage — typical dates by region at /bloom.
- •Chuseok (2026: Sep 24–26; 2027: Sep 14–16) — see /holidays.
- •Festivals: Busan International Film Festival (2026: Oct 6–15), Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival (2026: Oct 3–18).
Watch-outs
- ⚠ Trains and hotels fill up around Chuseok — book early.
- ⚠ By November, mornings average about 4°C in Seoul — pack a warm layer.
What to wear
- • Light jacket / trench coat
- • Layers — mornings get cold by November
- • Closed shoes for hiking
Pack extras
- • Light gloves for late November
- • Scarf
- • Spare camera battery
Best for
Photo trips · Hikers · Couples · Anyone heat-averse
Worst for
Beach swimmers
❄️
Winter
Dec — Feb · -6°–5°C
Cold and dry. January is Seoul's coldest month (−1.9°C on average; daily −6 to 2°C, KMA normals), and December–February brings only about 5% of the year's precipitation.
Highlights
- •Ski and snowboard season at mountain resorts.
- •Winter festivals: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (2027: Jan 9–31), Taebaeksan Snow Festival (2026: Jan 31–Feb 8).
- •Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon (2025–26 edition: Dec 12–Jan 18, free).
Watch-outs
- ⚠ Seollal (Lunar New Year) is one of the two big shutdowns — 2027: Feb 6–9. See /holidays.
- ⚠ Indoors is heated hard — wear layers you can take off.
- ⚠ Sidewalks can ice over after snow.
What to wear
- • Thermal base layers
- • Wool sweater
- • Down jacket, scarf, gloves and hat
- • Waterproof boots for snowy areas
Pack extras
- • Hand warmers
- • Moisturizer and lip balm
- • Sunglasses for snow glare
Best for
Skiers · Winter festivals
Worst for
Cold-averse travelers · Long night walks