South Korea in December-March

With far fewer crowds to contend with at iconic sites, winter in South Korea can be a delightful time to visit. But you can expect cold temperatures and frequent periods when the country is blanketed in crisp, white snow. Temperatures in Seoul range from the low 20s to mid-40s (ºF). It is about 10 degrees warmer in Gyeongju and along the southern coast. 

Holidays & Events

• Mid-January: The Taebaeksan Snow Festival is held annually in Taebaek, a small mountain town in Gangwon Province, and is famous for its giant snow sculptures.
• January & February: One of South Korea’s most popular celebrations, the Hwacheon Ice Festival is an annual 23-day festival where more than a million visitors enjoy activities like ice fishing, bare-hand fishing, bobsledding, viewing ice sculptures, and more.
• February: The 2018 Winter Olympics will take place in PyeongChang, South Korea from February 9 to February 25.
• Early March: Jeju Fire Festival is a four-day celebration of spring featuring torch-lit processions, stone lifting contests, and jwibulnori, where people spin around cans filled with burning wood or charcoal.

Must See

Korea is a mountainous country, and the winter months are perfect for journeying almost anywhere outside of Seoul to take in breathtaking scenes of the country when it is blanketed in snow and turns into a white wonderland. The mountains in winter are also great for both skiing and hiking, and as you get farther south you can find rolling hills of pearly white snow.

South Korea in April-June

During the spring months, the South Korean countryside comes alive with blossoming flowers and lush greenery. One of the most popular times to visit also means it can be crowded at popular sites. Expect mostly sunny days and temperatures ranging anywhere from the 50s to the 80s (ºF).

Holidays & Events

• Early May: The Lotus Lantern Festival is an annual celebration of Buddha’s birth. In the days leading up to the popular festival, over 100,000 brightly colored lanterns are hung around the streets of Seoul.

Must See

April is cherry blossom season in South Korea. It is a magical time throughout the country, and especially in places like Gyeongju, as a myriad of pink flowers bursting into bloom.

South Korea in July-August

Summers in South Korea are generally warm and wet, with July and August seeing the arrival of monsoon rains. The average temperature during these months is about 70°F. Many South Koreans escape to the coastal cities and beaches to escape the heat and humidity, so you can expect crowds along the coast.

A typhoon is possible during the summer months, but rare: Japan and China shield South Korea from most major storms.

Holidays & Events

• Late July: Each summer, hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on the coastal city of Boryeong for the Boryeong Mud Festival, which celebrates the healing properties of the local mud. Getting dirty has never been this much fun.

South Korea in September-November

With the summer rains gone, South Korea is bathed in shades of orange and red as the autumn leaves start to bloom. Mild temperatures (averaging 60 to 70°F) and abundant natural beauty make these months close rivals to spring at the best time to visit.

Holidays & Events

• September 23-25: Chuseok is an annual autumn holiday honoring ancestors and centered around cultural traditions and family bonds.
• September/October: Typically beginning in late September, Andong Mask Festival is a 10-day celebration of dancing, games, and cultural exhibitions.
• October: Icheon Rice Festival is held annually in mid-October when farmers working in the rice fields and city dwellers alike become united in a feast celebrating good harvest.

Must See

Seoul Lantern Festival is a two-week celebration that takes place each November where downtown Seoul comes alive with bright lanterns and glittering lights for early winter.