The Absolute Best & Worst Times to Visit Seoul in 2024

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a major tourist destination, thanks to its bustling modern culture as well as its historic roots. Seoul is actually home to some amazing historical sites, such as traditional Bukchon Hanok Village and Changdeok Palace.

Most visitors come to the city for its hypermodern city center and excellent cultural scene, including K-pop gigs and merch shops, world-famous clubs in the Hongdae district, and excellent food and shopping.

Seoul is a must-visit destination on any trip to South Korea, but like any city, some seasons are better than others. But don’t worry — we’ll show you the best, least busy, cheapest, and worst times to visit below; let us be your guide!

Overall Best Time to Visit Seoul

The best time to visit Seoul is in the spring (March to mid-May) or fall (September to November), when the weather in town is the best. The climate in Seoul is temperate, like in most of South Korea.

There are drastic differences between seasons, especially when it comes to temperature. Spring and fall have the mildest temperatures, compared to the extremes of winter and summer. Spring is warm and pleasant.

March can be a bit cool, with average high temperatures around 50 degrees towards the beginning of the month.

Later in the season, it gets even warmer, with average temperatures in April around 63 degrees, and May averaging at 73 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect weather for walking around in short sleeves.

Japan’s cherry blossoms may be more famous, but Seoul also has cherry blossoms. The trees usually blossom in early April, and areas such as Namsan Park are beautiful.

Spring is also the best season for rowing down the Han River, a popular local pastime. In recent years, spring has become more popular among visitors. While this means more crowds, it also means there are more festivals and pop-up events.

The Seoul Marathon (March) draws runners from around the world and the National Museum concert series, which begins in April. Fall is another season with mild, pleasant weather.

Average temperatures in September are around 77 degrees Fahrenheit, a welcome break from the hot, muggy summer. By October, the weather is much cooler, around 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall is also much sunnier than summer, and you can expect fewer storms.

The cooler weather brings changing fall foliage. The mountains around Seoul are gorgeous during this time, and it is the perfect season for day trips.

Fall is also the best season to visit if you want to see traditional Korean festivals. One of the biggest festivals of the year is Chuseok, the mid-autumn harvest festival.

In September, Koreans go home to visit family, eat foods prepared just for this festival, and hold ritual processions (and create legendary traffic jams as everyone in Seoul tries to go home to their ancestral villages).

For festivals that are just as fun but slightly less challenging logistically, check out the Seoul Lantern Festival, held later in the autumn, or the more modern Hi Seoul Festival.

Cheapest Time to Visit Seoul

The cheapest time to visit Seoul is in the winter, the city’s low season. Winter tends to get the fewest visitors in Seoul because there are fewer festivals and the weather is very cold.

The benefit is that hotel rooms are lower than they are during the rest of the year. In mid-January, you can save 20% to 25% on hotel rooms compared to summer prices. The biggest expense that you can save on during the winter is on flights.

Getting to Seoul can be expensive from Europe or North America since flights are so long, but they are cheaper in winter when there is less demand. Early December and early January tend to have the lowest prices.

Keep an eye out for sales by the main national carrier, Korean Air, which tend to happen in January and early February. Prices tend to increase slightly around Seollal, or Korean Lunar New Year.

This festival happens in late January/early February (the exact dates change each year). However, costs are still lower than visiting in the summer or autumn, and you’ll get to experience special meals, traditional dances, and other folk customs at historic areas around the city.

Least Busy Time to Visit Seoul

The least busy time to visit Seoul is in the winter, when the city receives its lowest load of tourists compared to the rest of the year. However, it’s never going to be completely empty.

The city itself is massive, with a population of 9.5 million people. However, during the winter popular tourist sites are less crowded because the city receives fewer international visitors. The weather is a major reason why tourists tend to avoid Seoul during this time.

Winters can be bitterly cold, with average high temperatures in January just barely above freezing. At night, temperatures can get as low as 22 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, some advance planning and a good winter coat can make your wintertime experience in Seoul a pleasant one. There are fewer people around, so this is a great time to experience the city’s indoor attractions, such as museums and shopping malls, without having to elbow other tourists for space.

Winter is also the best time to visit for lovers of Korean cuisine. Koreans eat seasonally, and many locals say that wintertime is the best season for eating.

Restaurants are serving spicy stews and meals that warm you up from the inside, and the streets are full of vendors selling roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and other winter snacks.

Worst Time to Visit Seoul

The worst time to visit Seoul is the summer. Like much of East Asia, Seoul gets crowded, muggy, and very hot in the summer. The weather in Seoul is highly unpleasant from June to August.

The days are very hot, with average high temperatures in the low 80s. However, due to the high humidity and lack of green areas in many parts of the city center, it feels much hotter.

It’s no wonder that many locals try to escape the city in the summer. Summer is also South Korea’s monsoon season. From June to early August, almost all of the country’s annual rain falls. The monsoons bring heavy rain, winds, and flooding.

They bring Seoul to a standstill and sometimes cause deaths. It’s better to avoid traveling during this time; not only is it unpleasant, but it’s also downright dangerous.

Most tourists didn’t get the memo that summer has the worst weather in Seoul, or they have to travel during this time due to work and school breaks. June, July, and August are three of the most crowded months in all of South Korea.

Expect packed flights, hotel rooms booked in advance (and for high prices), and very long lines at popular attractions. However, you can still have a good experience in summertime if you plan properly.

Check the weather forecast ahead of time and try to book indoor activities, such as galleries and shopping malls, for times of day that are rainy and hot. Summer also has the most events celebrating modern Korean pop culture, which is quickly shaping global culture as well.

Popular events include:

• Seoul Rose Festival (late May)
• Waterbomb Festival (June)
• Seoul Fringe Festival (August)

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most common questions people have asked about visiting Seoul:

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Seoul?

For the best experience in Seoul, visit in the fall or spring, when you can avoid the seasonal extremes of the city’s weather. For discounts, visit in the winter, which has fewer visitors.

So, with so much to see and do and plenty of amazing times to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Seoul has to offer. Happy travels!