What is the best time to visit Korea, South?

Best Time to Visit South Korea

The best time to travel to South Korea is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

Spring in South Korea

Spring in South Korea is a wonderful time to visit. The temperatures are mild and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. There are many festivals that take place throughout the season, such as the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival and the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival. The weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 18°C.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Korea, South

Korea, South in January

Weather

January is the coldest month in Korea, South, with temperatures ranging from -5 to 5 degrees Celsius. Snow is common throughout the country, and there is usually a lot of rainfall.

Events

• Seollal: Seollal is a three-day holiday in Korea, South, which falls on the first day of the Lunar New Year. During this time, people visit their families and exchange gifts.
• Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival: The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival is held annually in the city of Gyeongju. During this time, the city is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms, and there are many cultural events and performances.
• Boseong Green Tea Festival: The Boseong Green Tea Festival is held annually in the city of Boseong. During this time, visitors can enjoy traditional tea ceremonies, tea tasting, and various cultural performances.
• Gwangju Biennale: The Gwangju Biennale is a contemporary art exhibition held every two years in the city of Gwangju. The exhibition features works from artists all over the world.
• Jeju International Wind Festival: The Jeju International Wind Festival is held annually in the city of Jeju. During this time, visitors can enjoy traditional music and dance performances, as well as wind-themed activities.

Korea, South in January

Weather

January is one of the coldest months in Korea, South, with an average temperature of around -2°C (28°F). The coldest temperature of the month is usually around -10°C (14°F). Snow is common in the northern parts of the country, while the southern parts usually experience rain.

Events

• Seollal (Lunar New Year): Seollal is one of the most important holidays in Korea, South and is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate with traditional food and activities.
• Boseong Green Tea Festival: This festival is held in the city of Boseong in the Jeollanam-do province. It is a celebration of the area’s famous green tea production and includes various activities, such as tea picking and tea tasting.
• Daegu Marathon: The Daegu Marathon is an annual event held in the city of Daegu. It is a popular event that attracts both professional and amateur runners from around the world.
• Seoul International Fireworks Festival: This festival is held in the city of Seoul and is one of the most popular events of the year. It features a spectacular fireworks show and various other activities.
• Jeju International Wind Festival: This festival is held on the island of Jeju and celebrates the area’s strong winds. It includes various activities, such as kite flying and windsurfing.

Korea, South in March

Weather

In March, Korea, South has a temperate climate with mild temperatures and occasional rain. The average temperature in the south is 9°C (48°F) and in the north is -2°C (28°F). Snow is still possible in the northern parts of the country.

Events

• The Seoul International Marathon is held in March, usually on the third Sunday of the month. The course runs through the city, passing many of the famous landmarks.
• The Jeju International Windsurfing Festival is held on the island of Jeju in March. The event includes competitions, exhibitions, and performances.
• The Seoul Lantern Festival is held in March. The festival features traditional Korean lanterns, street performances, and traditional music.
• The Jeonju International Film Festival is held in March. The festival showcases independent films from around the world.
• The Chuncheon International Mime Festival is held in March. The festival features mime performances, workshops, and competitions.

Korea, South in April

Weather

April in Korea is the beginning of the spring season. Temperatures range from lows of around 10°C (50°F) to highs of around 20°C (68°F). It is generally sunny and dry, with occasional showers and thunderstorms.

Events

• The Busan International Film Festival is held in April each year. It is one of the most prestigious film festivals in Asia and features screenings of international and Korean films.
• The Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival is held in April on Jeju Island. The festival celebrates the beauty of the cherry blossoms with a variety of events and activities.
• The Seoul International Marathon is held in April each year. It is a popular event for both professional and amateur runners.
• The Seoul International Dance Festival is held in April each year. It is a popular event for both professional and amateur dancers.
• The Daegu International Music Festival is held in April each year. It is a popular event for both professional and amateur musicians.

Korea, South in May

Weather

May is the start of the rainy season in South Korea. Temperatures are usually mild, ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. The humidity is high, so it can feel warmer than the temperature would suggest.

Events

• May 1st is the Labor Day holiday in South Korea. Many people use the day off to take part in demonstrations or to attend labor-related events.
• Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated in South Korea on May 8th. People take part in ceremonies and visit temples to pay their respects.
• The Gwangju Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition that takes place in Gwangju in May. The event attracts artists from all over the world.
• The Jeju Olle Trail is a network of hiking trails on the island of Jeju. It is a popular destination for hikers in May, when the weather is mild and the flowers are in bloom.
• The Seoullo 7017 is a pedestrian walkway in Seoul that opened in 2017. It is a popular destination for visitors in May, when the weather is mild and the flowers are in bloom.

Korea, South in June

Weather

June is the start of the rainy season in Korea, South. The temperatures are warm and humid, with an average high of 77°F (25°C) and an average low of 68°F (20°C). Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 8.7 inches (22 cm).

Events

• The Busan International Rock Festival is held in June, featuring some of the biggest names in rock music. The festival is held in the city of Busan and is one of the largest music festivals in Asia.
• The Boryeong Mud Festival is held in Boryeong in June. The festival features mud-related activities such as mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud baths.
• The Seoul International Music Festival is held in June. The festival features classical, jazz, and pop music from around the world.
• The Seoul Lantern Festival is held in June. The festival features colorful lanterns that light up the night sky, as well as traditional Korean performances and food.
• The Jeju International Wind Festival is held in June. The festival features wind-related activities such as kite-flying, windsurfing, and paragliding.

Korea, South in July

Weather

July is the hottest month in Korea, South, with temperatures ranging from 22-30°C (71-86°F). The humidity is high, making the air feel hot and sticky. The average rainfall is around 200mm, with the majority of it occurring in the first half of the month.

Events

• The Gyeongju World Culture Expo is held in Gyeongju from July 1-31. It is a celebration of the city’s long history and culture, with a variety of events and activities taking place throughout the month.
• The Boryeong Mud Festival is held in Boryeong from July 15-24. It is a fun-filled event with mud wrestling, mud sliding, and other activities.
• The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is held in Jinju from July 16-25. It is a traditional lantern festival with a variety of performances, including traditional Korean music and dance.
• The Andong Mask Dance Festival is held in Andong from July 22-31. It is a traditional Korean mask dance festival with performances from local and international artists.
• The Jeju Fire Festival is held in Jeju from July 28-30. It is a traditional festival with a variety of activities, including fireworks, parades, and traditional Korean performances.

Korea, South in August

Weather

August in Korea, South is hot and humid. Temperatures range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s Celsius (mid-70s to mid-90s Fahrenheit). The monsoon season is usually coming to an end in August, so there is less rain than in other months.

Events

• The Boryeong Mud Festival is an annual event that takes place in mid-August. It is a fun-filled event with mud wrestling, mud slides, and other activities.
• The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is held in late August. It is a spectacular event with fireworks displays from around the world.
• The Busan International Film Festival is an annual event that takes place in late August. It is one of the largest film festivals in Asia, and features screenings of films from around the world.
• The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is an annual event that takes place in late August. It is a traditional lantern festival that features illuminated lanterns, fireworks, and performances.
• The Andong Mask Dance Festival is an annual event that takes place in late August. It is a traditional festival that features performances of traditional Korean mask dances.

Korea, South in September

Weather

September is the start of the autumn season in Korea. Temperatures average around 24°C (75°F) during the day and 16°C (61°F) at night. Rainfall is common during this month, particularly in the first half of the month.

Events

• The Ulsan International Film Festival is held in Ulsan from September 5th to 11th. This festival is one of the most important film festivals in Korea and showcases both domestic and international films.
• The Jeju Olle Trail Festival takes place from September 7th to 15th. This festival celebrates the beauty of Jeju Island and includes various activities, such as hikes, bike rides, and more.
• The Busan International Rock Festival is held in Busan from September 13th to 15th. This festival features some of the best rock bands from around the world.
• The International Fireworks Festival is held in Seoul from September 21st to 22nd. This festival features some of the best fireworks displays in the world.
• The Seoul International Marathon is held in Seoul on September 29th. This marathon attracts runners from around the world and is one of the most popular marathons in Asia.

Korea, South in October

Weather

October in Korea is generally mild with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius). The South Korean autumn season typically begins in October and the weather is usually sunny and dry with occasional rain.

Events

• The Korean Grand Prix is held in October, typically in the second half of the month. The event is held at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam and is a popular event for motor racing fans.
• The Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival is held in October. This festival celebrates the music of wind instruments and is held on the island of Jeju.
• The Seoul International Film Festival is held in October. This event showcases the best of Korean and international films and is attended by many industry professionals.
• The Seoul International Marathon is held in October. This event is open to both professional and amateur runners and is a popular event for fitness enthusiasts.
• The Busan International Rock Festival is held in October. This event is a popular music festival that features both local and international rock bands.

Korea, South in November

Weather

November in Korea, South is usually cold and dry. Temperatures range from highs of around 11°C (52°F) to lows of around -2°C (28°F). November is usually the driest month of the year, with an average of only 4 days of rain.

Events

• Gwangalli Beach Festival: This festival is held annually in Busan, South Korea. It is a celebration of the city’s culture and features live music, art, food, and fireworks. It takes place in November each year.
• Korea International Art Fair: This event is held annually in Seoul and showcases the best of Korean and international art. It takes place in November each year.
• Seoul International Marathon: This event is held annually in Seoul and draws thousands of runners from around the world. It takes place in November each year.
• Seoul International Film Festival: This event is held annually in Seoul and showcases the best of Korean and international films. It takes place in November each year.
• Korea International Food Festival: This event is held annually in Seoul and showcases the best of Korean and international cuisine. It takes place in November each year.

Korea, South in December

Weather

December is the coldest month of the year in South Korea. Temperatures range from an average low of -2°C to an average high of 8°C. Snowfall is common in the northern parts of the country, while the southern parts experience rain.

Events

• The National Assembly holds its regular session in December.
• The Jeju International Fireworks Festival is held in December.
• The Seoul International Marathon is held in December.
• The Korean Music Festival is held in December.
• The Seoul International Marathon is held in December.