Best Times to Visit Seoul

Beneath the skyscrapers and neon glow of one of Asia’s most futuristic capitals lies a land that pulses with ancient rhythms and seasonal splendor. Seoul, South Korea’s glittering heart, isn’t just a city—it’s an evolving story told in colors, festivals, flavors, and shifting skies. While every season in Seoul paints a unique portrait of life, timing your trip just right can transform a visit into an unforgettable adventure.

So, when is the best time to visit Seoul? The answer depends on what you crave: cherry blossoms and riverside picnics, fiery foliage and harvest celebrations, or snow-kissed palaces and steamy street food alleys. Let’s journey through the calendar and find the season that calls your name.

Spring (March to May)

There’s magic in the Seoul air when winter releases its grip and the first cherry blossoms burst to life. Spring in the South Korean capital isn’t just a season—it’s a festival of rebirth, a painter’s palette of pinks, whites, and fresh greens spread across city parks and palace grounds.

Why Visit Now:

Springtime in Seoul is widely celebrated as the city’s most beautiful and agreeable season. Temperatures climb steadily from the 50s°F into the low 70s, wrapping the city in a perfectly mild embrace. It’s the ideal climate for strolls through Namsan Park, paddling along the Han River, or getting lost in the dreamy blossoms of Yeouido Park during the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival.

Local life spills outdoors. Couples lay picnic blankets beneath flowering canopies, munching on chimaek—that beloved pairing of crispy fried chicken and beer—while families cycle along riverside trails. And for the active traveler, March brings the Seoul Marathon, a massive event open to all who register, from elite runners to enthusiastic first-timers.

Don’t Miss:

• Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival (late March–April)
• Hangang Seoraeseom Canola Festival (May)
• Seoul Jazz Festival (May): An urban picnic of sound in Olympic Park, blending jazz, indie, and global beats

Travel Tip: While spring avoids the overwhelming summer crowds, it’s still a popular time—book your hotel early to secure prime lodging without breaking the bank.

Summer (June to August)

Summer in Seoul is a paradox: steamy, stormy, and yet, electrifying. Temperatures soar past 85°F and humidity clings to every pore. This is jangma, Korea’s rainy season, when heavy showers drench the streets and summer festivals still light up the city in defiance.

Why Visit Now:

You’ll sweat. You’ll wait in long lines. You might get soaked. But you’ll also experience Seoul at its most vibrant and kinetic. Music festivals throb with energy, street food steams in the rain, and crowds cool off during massive water battles at the Waterbomb Festival, one of Asia’s wildest summer spectacles.

When the heat becomes too much, escape indoors. Seoul’s COEX Mall, Asia’s largest underground shopping complex, offers refuge with its star-studded Starfield Library, aquarium, cinema, and endless retail therapy. Or dive into Korea’s whimsical café culture—cat cafés, raccoon cafés, and even café-bookshops await.

Don’t Miss:

• Seoul Park Music Festival (June)
• Waterbomb Festival (July)
• Seoul Fringe Festival (August)
  

Travel Tip: While the city teems with tourists during summer, prices for flights and hotels are at a premium. If you can brave the humidity and budget accordingly, you’ll find a bold, boisterous Seoul ready to party.

Autumn (September to November)

As the muggy heat retreats, Seoul awakens anew under a firework of autumn foliage. Parks, palaces, and even the most urban boulevards blush in reds, oranges, and golden yellows. The air is crisp, the skies are high, and Seoul is arguably at its most romantic.

Why Visit Now:

From mid-September through November, the city basks in calm, cool weather. Daytime highs stay pleasantly between 55–75°F, ideal for exploring Seoul’s many walking trails, traditional hanok villages, and historic temples. The city’s National Parks—like Bukhansan on the outskirts—are a leaf-peeper’s paradise.

Autumn is also a time of deep tradition. During Chuseok, Korea’s harvest festival (often dubbed the “Korean Thanksgiving”), Seoul holds solemn ancestral rituals like Sajik Daeje, alongside food-sharing and celebratory dances. Later in the season, the city lights up for the Seoul Lantern Festival, where thousands of glowing orbs float above the Cheong-gye-cheon stream.

Don’t Miss:

• Chuseok Festival (September)
• Seoul Gugak Festival (September): Celebrating Korea’s traditional music
• Seoul Street Art Festival (October)
• Royal Culture Festival (October): Step into Joseon history at the palaces
• COEX Food Week (November)
  

Travel Tip: While September and October are prime for sightseeing, November offers similar charm with fewer crowds and lower hotel prices—perfect for budget-conscious romantics.

Winter (December to February)

There’s a hush that falls over Seoul in winter. Snowflakes dust ancient palace roofs, lanterns cast a gentle glow through the frost, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts floats from market stalls. Cold? Absolutely. But with cold comes clarity, calm, and affordability.

Why Visit Now:

Winter in Seoul is ideal for travelers who want to save and don’t mind bundling up. Daytime temperatures hover in the 20s–30s°F, but the dry air keeps the snow fluffy and the streets postcard-perfect. Without the tourist throngs, you’ll feel like you’ve got Gyeongbokgung Palace or Bukchon Hanok Village all to yourself.

For adrenaline junkies, Seoul serves as a gateway to snowy slopes. Resorts in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do, including venues from the PyeongChang Olympics, offer world-class skiing and snowboarding just a couple of hours away. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of traditional performances and holiday festivities during Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year.

Don’t Miss:

• Seollal (Korean New Year) (late Jan–mid Feb)
• Ice fishing and winter markets across the city
• Skiing and snowboarding excursions from Seoul

Travel Tip: Avoid traveling around Seollal itself, as the city becomes congested with locals heading to their hometowns, and prices spike accordingly.

Choose Your Season, Choose Your Seoul

The sizzle of bulgogi on a street grill. The rustle of hanbok skirts at a palace gate. The scent of gingko leaves in fall. The hum of subway rides beneath glowing billboards. Each season unwraps a new layer of this captivating city.

Whether you’re drifting beneath cherry blossoms, dancing at a summer music fest, admiring crimson mountains in October, or sipping hot tteokbokki beside a frozen lantern-lit stream, Seoul has a time—and a memory—waiting for you.

All that’s left to ask is: when will you go?