South Korea at a Glance: Best Time to Visit
Recommended time to visit: South Korea is a year round destination. Summer from June - August sees temperatures at their hottest, whilst spring and autumn are also popular times to visit. Spring sees cherry blossoms in bloom and in autumn travelers can enjoy the slow changing of the leaves from green to gold.
Less popular time to visit: South Korea sees a short, cold winter from December - mid-February. This is when the country is quietest, particularly in the north. Korean New Year generally falls in January or February, seeing prices rocket up around the country.
Wettest time to visit: The warm summer months of June - August coincide with South Korea's monsoon season. Characterised by short, heavy showers, this is something to be aware of if planning a visit during this time.
Best time to see cherry blossoms: If you'd like to time your visit to South Korea with the beautiful blooming of the nation's cherry blossom trees, then make sure to visit in spring, from March - May.
Best time to visit Jeju: November - May sees mild temperatures and little rainfall on the southern island of Jeju - perfect for hiking and sightseeing outside of the scorching summer months. Jeju sees its monsoons come a little later than the mainland, so July - September tend to be the wettest months.
South Korea in spring
Cherry blossom blooms at the beginning of spring. As does the warm, dry weather. It makes spring one of the most popular seasons to travel to South Korea. By April, everywhere from national parks to the city streets come back to life as the winter snow melts away. Visit South Korea in spring to make the most of the bustling city action and the vibrant scenery.
South Korea in summer
A South Korean summer can be intense. July to August sees hot temperatures, summer sun, and a lot of rain - it is monsoon season, after all. But don't be swayed if you think you can handle it. South Korea is littered with stunning parks and beaches; all ideal for a hot summer day. And there's nothing better than ice-cold delicacies like naengmyeon and patbingsu to help you keep cool.
South Korea in autumn
Comfortable temperatures, drying rainfall, and unbeatable natural scenery. Autumn is another favorite time for travel to South Korea. September to November gets gradually cooler, but it's certainly still warm enough to explore. The season adds a natural glow to modern city streets, and the most vibrant backdrop to age-old temples and ruins.
South Korea in winter
Cold, crisp, and delicately scattered in snow. The frost-covered streets and blanketed hills make for a picture perfect trip from December to March. You'll need to wrap up warm, but there's nothing quite like wandering the snowy streets of Seoul. And there's no better time to try South Korea's traditional hot teas and hearty noodle soups.
Climate | Seoul
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | -9 | -7 | -2 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | -7 |
| Temp Max °C | 0 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 19 | 11 | 3 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 31 | 20 | 38 | 76 | 81 | 130 | 376 | 267 | 119 | 41 | 46 | 25 |
Climate | Jeju Island
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| Temp Max °C | 8 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 11 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 65 | 62 | 89 | 90 | 97 | 181 | 240 | 283 | 222 | 80 | 62 | 48 |
Recommended tours
See the best of South Korea at - arguably - the best time of year. From spring in the streets of Seoul to an early summer on the beaches of Jeju.
Stray from the city and step into traditional South Korea this autumn. Lose yourself in the vibrant colors of the ancient temples - and the autumn leaves.
The frosty streets of Seoul are a firm winter favorite. Just head to a traditional teahouse or street food market to keep the cold away.
See Also
For further information to help plan your trip to South Korea, see the following:
Best Places to Visit - cities, national parks and more Top Travel Tips - covering everything from money to health, food to shopping Tourist Visas - know what visa you need prior to travel South Korea's UNESCO Sites - the country's most impressive World Heritage sites
