When to go to South Korea?

South Korea has a temperate climate, with four highly distinct seasons. The weather conditions can easily become extreme in summer, during the typhoon and rain seasons, and in winter, when polar winds coming directly from Siberia can cause the temperatures to plummet far below 0°C. It is therefore really important to choose the right season carefully for your trip to South Korea as that is naturally going to influence what you put in your suitcase as well as your travel itinerary.

Autumn is the Koreans’ favourite season and is the most enjoyable for exploring ‘the land of the Morning Calm’. Temperatures are mild (10°C - 20°C), the sky is clear, and the trees are tinged with a beautiful crimson colour. In October, you can still catch sight of people in shorts and T-shirts, a time which is especially good for walks along the Han river and for visiting the temples. From the end of September to the start of October (depending on the year), the ‘Chuseok’ harvest festival takes place – one of the major traditional Korean festivals. During this time, a lot of locals leave the city to meet up with their families. The streets become especially peaceful, and you should expect a certain number of small shops to be closed.

Spring is the second most recommended season for a successful stay in South Korea. Between April and May, temperatures are ideal (18°C to 23°C) and the air is cool, even if you should expect there to be a few rainy days from May onwards along the eastern coast in particular. Several festivities take place during this favourable time to visit, including the lantern festival celebrating Buddha’s birthday in May. The blooming of the cherry tree flowers is also an anticipated event, which generally takes place at the start of April.

The Korean summer can be especially difficult to cope with because of the high temperatures (27°C - 30°C, sometimes more) and its considerable levels of moisture. Beware! From June to August it is the monsoon season. Heavy rainfall can come pelting down on the country, even sometimes going as far as becoming typhoons. If you travel during this season, don’t hesitate to enjoy the beaches and water parks to cool yourself down, as well as in the large number of air-conditioned museums.

Lastly, winter is particularly harsh in South Korea, and is the least recommended season in which to visit, unless you are planning to go and ski in the mountains. Even if the sky is blue and clear, the air is very dry and the polar winds from Siberia can bring the temperatures plummeting to as low as -20°C. In February, the entire country celebrates ‘Seollal’, the Korean New Year. Just like the ‘Chuseok’ holiday season, the cities become empty and certain shops momentarily close their doors. In summary, we recommend that you explore South Korea in autumn (particularly in October), or in the spring (ideally in April or May) in order to enjoy the best weather conditions and make the most of all the outdoor activities that this splendid country has to offer!