When to go · Seoul, South Korea
Best time to visit Seoul
The sweet spot is September, June and May — averages 21°C, 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
April - May, September - November
Four distinct seasons. Spring (April-May) brings cherry blossoms - the Han River parks and Yeouido are carpeted in pink for 2 weeks; the city celebrates with festivals and picnics. Summer (June-August) is hot and humid (32-35 degrees C) with a monsoon season (jangma) in July - still good for markets and indoor culture. Autumn (September-November) is the finest season: clear skies, low humidity, and the mountains around the city turn red and gold. The foliage at Bukhansan National Park and Namsan is extraordinary. Winter (December-February) is cold (-5 to 5 degrees C) and dry - skiing is 90 minutes away at Yongpyong or Vivaldi Park.
The short answer
21°C · 8 rainy days · mid season
22°C · 10 rainy days · mid season
18°C · 9 rainy days · high season
Hardest months: December and January. averages a raw 0°C, 7 rainy days, few other visitors.
Month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain days | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2°C | 7d | low | Cold |
| February | 0°C | 6d | low | Cold |
| March | 6°C | 8d | mid | Cold |
| April | 12°C | 9d | high | Chilly |
| May | 18°C | 9d | high | Comfortable but damp |
| June | 22°C | 10d | mid | Comfortable but damp |
| July | 25°C | 16d | low | Wet |
| August | 26°C | 14d | low | Wet |
| September | 21°C | 8d | mid | Comfortable but damp |
| October | 14°C | 7d | high | Mild |
| November | 7°C | 8d | mid | Cold |
| December | 0°C | 7d | low | Cold |
Verdicts are read off the three columns to their left — temperature distance from 21°C first, then rainfall, with crowds breaking ties. Averages, so any given week can differ.
If you'd rather go cheap than perfect
January, February, July, August and December are low season in Seoul — thinner crowds, and the months where accommodation is easiest to book late. Budget travellers already work to about $35–55 a day here; low season is where the accommodation share of that goes furthest.
Book the month you picked
Fares move with the same seasons as the crowds — the quiet months above are usually the cheap ones to fly.