Best time to visit South Korea

Updated: 08th June 2021

Cherry Blossoms in Busan city - South Korea - On The Go Tours
Cherry blossoms decorate the walkways of Busan city in South Korea

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 travellers 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.

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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 favourite 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


JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp Min °C-9-7-25111621221570-7
Temp Max °C03817222729312619113
Rainfall (mm)3120387681130376267119414625

Climate | Jeju Island


JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp Min °C34610141923242015105
Temp Max °C8913182225293026211611
Rainfall (mm)6562899097181240283222806248

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