TravPa

Best time to visit South Korea

The best months are April, May, September, and October. Here is what every month is like, and what flights cost lately.

Month by month

Cherry blossoms usually open in Busan and Gyeongju in late March and in Seoul in early April, and autumn leaves color the palaces from late October. Book rooms early for both.

  1. JanuaryGo with a plan: ColdTypically 2°C by day, -6°C at night, rain on about 3 days a month
  2. FebruaryGo with a plan: ColdTypically 4°C by day, -4°C at night, rain on about 4 days a month
  3. MarchGo with a plan: MildTypically 11°C by day, 0°C at night, rain on about 5 days a month
  4. AprilBestTypically 17°C by day, 6°C at night, rain on about 7 days a month
  5. MayBestTypically 22°C by day, 11°C at night, rain on about 8 days a month
  6. JuneGo with a plan: MildTypically 26°C by day, 17°C at night, rain on about 11 days a month
  7. JulyGo with a plan: RainyTypically 29°C by day, 22°C at night, rain on about 18 days a month
  8. AugustGo with a plan: HotTypically 29°C by day, 23°C at night, rain on about 17 days a month
  9. SeptemberBestTypically 25°C by day, 18°C at night, rain on about 12 days a month
  10. OctoberBestTypically 19°C by day, 10°C at night, rain on about 9 days a month
  11. NovemberGo with a plan: MildTypically 12°C by day, 3°C at night, rain on about 7 days a month
  12. DecemberGo with a plan: ColdTypically 3°C by day, -4°C at night, rain on about 5 days a month

Typical weather is for Seoul: averages of NASA POWER daily data, 2016 to 2025, on a grid of about 50 km. Mountains and coasts can differ.

Plan the days

Pale pink, blue and cream homes step up the wooded hillside of Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan.
Narrow lanes run between terraced homes in Gamcheon Culture Village, a hillside neighborhood in Busan.
Busan in 2 daysGamcheon Culture Village, BIFF Square, Gukje Market, Jagalchi Fish Market, Haedong Yonggungsa, Blueline Park, Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach2 days, South KoreaBalanced pace
Geunjeongjeon’s two gray tile roofs rise above a stone terrace at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, overlooks the stone courtyard in Seoul.
Seoul in 3 daysGyeongbokgung, Bukchon, Changdeokgung, Gwangjang Market, National Museum of Korea, Namsan, Myeongdong, Mangwon Market, Han River3 days, South KoreaBalanced pace
Geunjeongjeon’s two gray tile roofs rise above a stone terrace at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, overlooks the stone courtyard in Seoul.
South Korea in 10 daysSeoul palaces, Bukchon, Namsan, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Gyeongju tombs, Bulguksa, Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae, Jagalchi Fish Market10 days, South KoreaBalanced pace