Best time to visit

Best time to visit South Korea

Autumn (September–November) is spectacular with fiery foliage. Spring cherry blossoms rival Japan’s. Summer is hot and monsoon-prone; winter is bitter but festive.

Best monthsMarch–May, September–November

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Month-by-month overview

South Korea at a glance

GreatGoodOkayAvoid

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Verdict	okay	okay	good	great	great	okay	avoid	okay	great	great	good	okay
Temp (°C)	1° -6°	4° -4°	10° 1°	18° 7°	23° 13°	27° 18°	29° 22°	30° 22°	26° 17°	20° 10°	12° 3°	4° -4°
Rain (mm)	20	25	45	65	85	135	370	275	130	45	45	20
Crowds	low	low	medium	high	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium	high	medium	low
Price	$	$	$$	$$$	$$	$$	$$	$$	$$	$$$	$$	$
Notes	Cold but great for ski resorts	Lunar New Year	—	Cherry blossom season	—	Monsoon season begins	Heaviest monsoon rains	Hot and humid	Chuseok (harvest festival)	Peak autumn foliage	—	Ski season; Christmas lights

Festivals & events

Cherry Blossom Festival

Apr

Jinhae’s festival draws millions to see 360,000 cherry trees in bloom.

Chuseok

Sep–Oct

Korean harvest thanksgiving with ancestral rites and family reunions.

Boryeong Mud Festival

Jul

Unique festival on the west coast with mud baths, slides, and wrestling.

Book your South Korea trip for March–May, September–November

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