South Korea
The best time to visit
When to go to South Korea
Go in spring, April to June, for cherry blossom, or autumn, September to November, for crisp air and golden foliage. Summer is hot, humid and wet, and winter is cold and dry, with skiing.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Seoul. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Oct.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
The year at a glance
South Korea has four sharp seasons, and Seoul sets the ratings below. Spring and autumn are the two highlights, when the weather is mild and dry and the country is at its most colourful, with blossom in April and foliage in late October.
Summer is hot and humid with a rainy season, the jangma, in July, while winter is cold and dry, cold enough for ski resorts in the mountains. The shoulder seasons are short but spectacular, so they draw the crowds and the highest prices.
Month by month
South Korea month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Seoul.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C / 36°F | -6°C / 21°F | 20 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| February | 5°C / 41°F | -3°C / 27°F | 25 mm | Avoid 24 | Cold and dry. |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 1°C / 34°F | 45 mm | Good 57 | Cool and dry. |
| April | 18°C / 64°F | 7°C / 45°F | 65 mm | Ideal 90 | Mild with a little rain. Seoul hotels in April |
| May | 24°C / 75°F | 13°C / 55°F | 105 mm | Ideal 76 | Warm with a little rain. Seoul hotels in May |
| June | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 130 mm | Great 66 | Warm and wet. |
| July | 29°C / 84°F | 22°C / 72°F | 395 mm | Avoid 23 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| August | 30°C / 86°F | 22°C / 72°F | 365 mm | Avoid 26 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 17°C / 63°F | 170 mm | Good 56 | Warm and wet. |
| October | 20°C / 68°F | 9°C / 48°F | 50 mm | Ideal 98 | Mild and dry. Seoul hotels in October |
| November | 11°C / 52°F | 2°C / 36°F | 50 mm | Great 58 | Cool and dry. |
| December | 4°C / 39°F | -4°C / 25°F | 22 mm | Avoid 18 | Cold and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Seoul and the centre
Mild and lovely in spring and autumn, hot and wet in summer, cold and bright in winter.
Gangwon and the mountains
Summer hiking and autumn colour, then a cold, snowy winter with skiing around Pyeongchang.
Jeju and the south
Milder and a little warmer year round, with spring blossom arriving first and gentle winters.
Go for
Best time to visit South Korea for
Cherry blossom
Late March to mid April, sweeping north from Jeju to Seoul, lighting up parks and palace grounds.
Autumn foliage
Late October to early November, when the mountains and city parks turn red and gold.
Skiing
December to February in the Gangwon mountains, on the slopes that hosted the Winter Olympics.
Hiking
May to June and September to October, the mild, dry shoulders, for the national parks.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Cherry blossom, April
Festivals bloom across the country, from Jinhae in the south to Seoul's palaces.
Autumn colour, late October
Maples and ginkgoes set the mountains and temple grounds alight.
Rainy season
Jun to Sep.
Hard cold
Dec to Feb.
Where to stay
Where to stay in South Korea
Compare hotels and rentals around Seoul, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit South Korea?
When is the rainy season in South Korea?
Is winter a good time to visit Korea?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.