Month-by-Month South Korea
March
Spring begins arriving in the south. Jeju Island cherry blossoms bloom early-mid March. Seoul still cool (5–12°C). Good time to visit southern regions.
April ⭐
Cherry blossom season peaks nationwide. Seoul blooms late March–early April. Crowds at popular spots (Yeouido Park, Gyeongbokgung Palace). Temperatures ideal (12–18°C). Very popular time — book accommodation ahead.
May ⭐
Warm and beautiful. Less crowded than April. Green landscapes. Excellent month for hiking (Bukhansan in Seoul, Hallasan on Jeju).
June
Summer begins. Hot and humid (22–27°C). Rainy season (jangma) begins late June, bringing heavy rainfall for 2–3 weeks.
July
Rainy season continues. Hot (26–30°C), humid, heavy rain periods. Some excellent summer festivals. Less crowded by foreign tourists.
August
Hottest month (28–33°C). Rainy season ends early August. Summer crowds peak domestically. Boryeong Mud Festival (early August) — one of Korea’s most famous events.
September ⭐
Excellent. Temperatures cooling (20–26°C), dry, clear skies. Crowds reducing. Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) usually falls in September or October — nationwide holiday, transport busy but culturally rich.
October ⭐
Peak autumn foliage. Temperatures ideal (12–20°C). Colors peak in northern mountains first, then Seoul. Naejangsan and Seoraksan national parks are spectacular.
November
Autumn ending, temperatures dropping. Early November still beautiful. Late November getting cold.
December
Cold (0–6°C), possible snow. Christmas atmosphere in cities. Ski resorts open. Ice fishing festivals.
January
Coldest month (-5 to 3°C). Snow likely. Quiet tourist season. Good ski conditions (Pyeongchang area). Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival — ice fishing through frozen river, uniquely Korean.
February
Still cold. Lunar New Year (Seollal) usually in February — major holiday. Seoul Lantern Festival in some years.
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South Korea Cherry Blossom Season 2026
Cherry blossoms typically bloom:
- Jeju Island: late March
- Busan: early April
- Seoul: late March – early April (around April 1–8)
- DMZ area: mid-April
Check Korea Tourism Organization’s annual forecast (visitkorea.or.kr) from January.
Best cherry blossom spots:
- Yeouido Hangang Park, Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
- Jinhae (Gyeongnam) — Korea’s most famous cherry blossom city, extremely crowded
- Busan Daeyeon Cherry Blossom Road
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Autumn Foliage in South Korea
Foliage peaks October–November:
- Seoraksan National Park (Gangwon): October — one of Korea’s most dramatic autumn landscapes
- Naejangsan National Park: Late October–November — arguably Korea’s best foliage
- Bukhansan (Seoul): late October
- Jirisan (south): November
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Book Your South Korea Hotels
Cherry blossom season (late March–early April) and autumn foliage (October) fill up fast in Seoul.
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