When to visit - South Korea

What is the best time to visit South Korea?

What is the best time to visit South Korea?

The best time of year to visit South Korea is the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and low levels of rainfall between March and May, and then again between September and November provide the perfect conditions for a holiday to South Korea. Those who time their trips especially well will see bursts of colour in the largely mountainous interior with the pinks and whites of spring giving way to rich oranges and reds in autumn – perfect for hiking and photography.

Which are good months to be in South Korea?

Which are good months to be in South Korea?

South Korea has four distinct seasons, so there are still good times to travel to South Korea outside the main spring and autumn period. February can be chilly but still pleasant and dry; June is very warm but not unbearably so, with usually less rainfall than July and August; and November can also be a great time to visit Korea to catch the tail end of the Autumn colour, and before the coldest weather kicks in.

When is the rainy season in South Korea?

When is the rainy season in South Korea?

South Korea does not have a pronounced rainy season but there is a notable increase in rainfall over the summer months between June and August - known as jangma, or the East Asian Monsoon. Summer in South Korea can be steamingly hot with long periods in the low 30s during July and August. This is also the stickiest and the most humid time to travel to South Korea, so it is advisable to avoid travelling during this time if at all possible. That said, summer can still be a good time for a tour of South Korea if you enjoy warm weather and also if you are planning on spending time in coastal or island regions.

Winter weather in South Korea

Winter weather in South Korea

Winter in South Korea is usually very dry and bitterly cold, with temperatures never much above freezing throughout December, January, and February. Snowfall is common, especially in areas at elevation, and temperatures will occasionally dip as low as -20C. On the other hand, this is the best time for winter sports in South Korea, especially in the winter sports hubs around Pyeonchang and Seoraksan.

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Seoul & Around Weather Information (Seoul)

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Max Temp °C251113232729302620124
Min Temp °C-6-3281318222217103-3
Hours Daylight160163189205213182120153176199153153
Rainfall (mm)211894765106133394364169525322

January – April

January and February in South Korea can be bitterly cold with temperatures averaging around freezing. Spring brings rising temperatures and the arrival of cherry blossom make March and April some of the best months to travel throughout South Korea. Lunar New Year, known as Seollal, is a three-day holiday which usually falls between late January and mid-February and largely brings the country to a standstill so travel during this period is best avoided if possible. January to April is generally a very dry time of year with little rainfall and low humidity making it a wonderful time to embark on a tour of South Korea.

May - September

The fine spring weather and often cheaper hotel rates and airfare make May an excellent time to travel to South Korea. The arrival of Korea’s rainy season brings wetter weather with the months of July and August being especially prone to occasional heavy storms and sticky humidity, with humidity levels sometimes reaching 100%. The summer months are considered peak season for domestic tourism when families hit the beaches of Jeju Isand, Busan and the east coast resulting in peak rates for hotels and travel. This is a time to enjoy popular Korean summer foods such as cold noodles (naengmyeon), shaved syrupy ice (bingsoo), fresh watermelon and juicy peaches. By September temperatures start to cool again and there is markedly less rainfall although the occasional storm can still blow in from the East China Sea

October – December

The climate in South Korea during October and November sees low rainfall, especially from mid-October when the chance of stray storms from the East China Sea has largely passed, becoming progressively drier and cooler as winter approaches. The breath-taking autumnal colours of October and early November make it the best time to walk or trek in South Korea’s National Parks on an active holiday. South Koreans celebrate a couple of festivals in autumn: the three-day harvest festival, known as Chuseok, usually falls sometime in October and sees similar travel disruption to Seollal as many city dwellers visit their families in the country; the Seoul Lantern Festival is a two week festival in November which features hundreds of lanterns following a set theme festooned along the Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul  and a walk along the Cheonggyecheon at night when the lanterns are lit up is especially memorable.