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Best time to visit Seoul: month by month
Short answer
April (cherry blossom, highs around 18°C) and October to early November (autumn foliage, about 11–18°C) are the best and busiest times. May and September (22–26°C) are also very pleasant. Summer is hot and rainy (30°C and 18 rainy days in July), and winter is very cold but dry, with highs of 1–5°C.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1°C | -8°C | 5 | low |
| Feb | 5°C | -5°C | 2 | low |
| Mar | 13°C | 1°C | 6 | medium |
| Apr | 18°C | 7°C | 7 | high |
| May | 22°C | 12°C | 9 | high |
| Jun | 26°C | 18°C | 14 | medium |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 18 | medium |
| Aug | 28°C | 22°C | 18 | medium |
| Sep | 26°C | 18°C | 11 | medium |
| Oct | 18°C | 9°C | 9 | high |
| Nov | 11°C | 2°C | 7 | medium |
| Dec | 3°C | -6°C | 5 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 13°C in March to 22°C in May, with only 6–9 rainy days. Cherry blossom usually peaks in early April; spring fine dust can affect air quality.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 26–30°C and lows of 18–23°C, with the monsoon bringing about 18 rainy days in July and August. Hot, humid and the cheapest season after winter.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (26°C) and October (18°C) are clear and comfortable; autumn leaves peak from about mid-October into early November. November cools to 11°C.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Very cold: highs of 1–5°C and lows of -5 to -8°C, but dry (only 2–5 rainy days) and clear. Quieter, with lower prices.
Events worth planning around
- Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, cherry blossom along the National Assembly roads (April)
- Lotus Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday, with a lantern parade (April or May)
- Seoul International Fireworks Festival on the Han River at Yeouido (usually early October)
- Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon (usually November–December)
When to avoid
July, when the monsoon brings heavy rain and humidity, and the coldest weeks of January if you dislike sub-zero temperatures. During the Seollal and Chuseok holidays some restaurants and shops close, though palaces usually stay open.
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Common questions
When is cherry blossom season in Seoul?
Usually early to mid-April, varying by a week or so each year.
Is Seoul worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you dress warmly. It is very cold (lows of about -8°C in January) but dry, clear and cheaper.
When is the rainy season in Seoul?
The monsoon (jangma) usually runs from late June through July, with heavy rain into August.