Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Seoul
A hyper-modern capital built around centuries-old royal palaces, with a huge food, shopping, and nightlife scene across its districts. Traditional hanok neighbourhoods sit within a few minutes of some of the most technologically advanced streets in the world.
Best time to visit: April to June or September to November, avoiding the summer monsoon and winter cold.
Local tip: Wear a traditional hanbok (rentable near the palaces) for free entry to Gyeongbokgung — a popular and inexpensive way to visit.
Getting around: Seoul's subway system is one of the most extensive and easy to navigate in the world, with English signage throughout.
Good to know: A T-money transit card, available at convenience stores and subway stations, covers subways, buses, and even taxis and small purchases — worth getting on arrival.
What to plan your trip around
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
The largest of Seoul's Joseon-dynasty royal palaces, with a daily changing-of-the-guard ceremony.
- Bukchon Hanok Village
A preserved neighbourhood of traditional hanok houses between two royal palaces.
- Myeongdong
A busy shopping and street food district in the city centre.
- N Seoul Tower
A hilltop communications tower with an observation deck offering panoramic views across the city.
Seoul weather by month
Seoul weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Seoul gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°C | -7°C | 17 mm | 76% |
| February | 3°C | -5°C | 33 mm | 73% |
| March | 9°C | 0°C | 30 mm | 74% |
| April | 16°C | 5°C | 74 mm | 73% |
| May | 22°C | 11°C | 76 mm | 73% |
| June | 26°C | 17°C | 106 mm | 74% |
| July | 28°C | 21°C | 345 mm | 83% |
| August | 29°C | 22°C | 243 mm | 82% |
| September | 25°C | 17°C | 108 mm | 77% |
| October | 19°C | 10°C | 62 mm | 73% |
| November | 11°C | 3°C | 59 mm | 75% |
| December | 3°C | -5°C | 26 mm | 76% |
Seoul through the year
January · 1° / -7°C · 17 mm
- Rain is well below Seoul's usual level (around 83% less).
- Pack for frost — nights average -7°C in January.
April · 16° / 5°C · 74 mm
- April brings mid-spring to Seoul.
- Temperatures are climbing — May is around 6°C warmer.
July · 28° / 21°C · 345 mm
- Humidity near 83% makes 28°C feel stickier than it sounds.
- Rain is above Seoul's usual level, by about 251%.
October · 19° / 10°C · 62 mm
- Good walking weather for combining N Seoul Tower and Gyeongbokgung Palace in one day.
- Temperatures are falling — expect highs around 8°C lower by November.
The best time to visit Seoul is April, May and October, when average highs are 16–22°C and rainfall is around 71 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Seoul, season by season
December – February
Cold2° / -6°C · 25 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Best time16° / 5°C · 60 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
June – August
Rainy28° / 20°C · 231 mm
The wettest part of the year. Showers are likely, so pack a rain jacket and keep plans flexible.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Seoul?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Seoul in April, May and October. Average highs are then 16–22°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Seoul?
- In April, Seoul averages 16°C by day and 5°C at night, with about 74 mm of rain and 53% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Seoul?
- August is the warmest month in Seoul, with average highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C.
- What is the coldest month in Seoul?
- January is the coldest month in Seoul: average highs of 1°C, dropping to -7°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Seoul?
- July is the wettest month in Seoul with about 345 mm of rain. The driest is January, with around 17 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Seoul?
- January is the least pleasant month in Seoul, with average highs of just 1°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- How can I check the weather in Seoul before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Seoul from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Seoul. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/south-korea/seoul
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/south-korea/seoul">Best time to visit Seoul</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/south-korea/seoul" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit Seoul"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/south-korea/seoul">Best time to visit Seoul</a> – WeatherCompare</p>