When to go · South Korea
South Korea, month by month
The best months for South Korea: Apr, May, Oct.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodCold and dry, low prices; ski in Gangwon; Seollal can fall late in the month — check.Seoul and north-west: cool · Busan and south-east coast: cool · Jeju: coolCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedSeollal shuts shops for 3 days in most years; the rest of the month is cold and quiet.Seoul and north-west: cool · Busan and south-east coast: cool · Jeju: coolCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedCold start, fine dust peaks; cherry blossom reaches Jeju and Busan late in the month.Seoul and north-west: smoke haze · Busan and south-east coast: fine · Jeju: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGreatCherry blossom in Seoul and Gyeongju early in the month; dust days still happen.Seoul and north-west: best weather · Busan and south-east coast: best weather · Jeju: best weatherCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatWarm and dry; Buddha's Birthday lanterns and Children's Day crowds.Seoul and north-west: best weather · Busan and south-east coast: best weather · Jeju: best weatherCrowds: High · 6 festivals or holidays
- JuneGoodWarm and green until the monsoon arrives late in the month.Seoul and north-west: fine · Busan and south-east coast: fine · Jeju: rainyCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedMonsoon rain then heat; summer holidays fill beaches and Jeju.Seoul and north-west: rainy · Busan and south-east coast: rainy · Jeju: rainyCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- AugustMixedHottest month and the typhoon season starts; Busan beaches at peak.Seoul and north-west: hot · Busan and south-east coast: storm or typhoon risk · Jeju: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberMixedHeat eases; typhoon risk remains and Chuseok shuts the country for 3 days in many years.Seoul and north-west: fine · Busan and south-east coast: storm or typhoon risk · Jeju: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatClear skies, autumn colour in the mountains, festivals everywhere; Chuseok falls here some years.Seoul and north-west: best weather · Busan and south-east coast: best weather · Jeju: best weatherCrowds: High · 5 festivals or holidays
- NovemberGoodColour moves south to Seoul's palaces early in the month; cold arrives by the end.Seoul and north-west: fine · Busan and south-east coast: best weather · Jeju: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGoodCold and dry; Christmas markets and lights in Seoul; ski season opens.Seoul and north-west: cool · Busan and south-east coast: cool · Jeju: coolCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul and north-westSeoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZ | Cool | Cool | Haze | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Hot | OK | Best | OK | Cool |
| Busan and south-east coastBusan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsan | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Storm | Storm | Best | Best | Cool |
| JejuJeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasan | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Wet | Wet | Storm | Storm | Best | OK | Cool |
| Gangwon mountains and east coastSokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchang | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | OK | Wet | Hot | Best | Best | OK | Cool |