Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit South Korea is during the warm Spring or Fall seasons; and the best months to visit are April, May, September, and October. These months are all during the Korean school semester, so there won’t be as many local travelers around during the weekdays.

 

Spring in Korea (March – May)

Spring starts in late March with the awakening of the cherry blossoms and ends in early June with the start of the rainy season.

Beautiful cherry blossoms as well as many other spring flowers that brighten up Korea after a cold winter

Spring festivals: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Damyang Bamboo Forest Festival, Yeon Deung Hoe Lotus Lantern Festival, Jindo Sea Parting Festival, and Boseong Green Tea Plantation Festival.

Summer in Korea (June – August)

Best activities: camping or glamping by the beach, hiking in shaded valleys in the national parks, and water sports such as surfing, kayaking, and scuba diving.

Cool down with a bowl of Korean bingsu (shaved ice dessert) or a cool latte in one of the many cozy Korean cafes in popular beach destinations.

Fall in Korea (September – November)

The start of the fall foliage season in Korea coincides with the end of the hot and humid summer, with clear skies and cool weather, making it the perfect time to travel in Korea.

The Chuseok holidays (mid-autumn festival) in late September / early October are the biggest public holidays of the year, with cultural events held in popular tourist destinations.

Cultural festivals: Andong Mask Festival, Baekje Culture Festival, Jinju Namdang Yudeung Lantern Festival, Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, and the Seoul Kimchi Festival.

Winter in Korea (December – February)

Winter is the driest season and it very rarely rains. If you don’t mind the cold weather, it’s perfect for traveling around South Korea.

A chance to see snowy Korean landscapes, from snow-bedecked royal palaces to frosty peaks atop Korea’s many mountains

Winter attractions: sledding, winter illuminations, and Christmas parades.

Winter sports are also very popular in Korea, with ski and snowboard resorts aplenty.