[FAQ] What is the Best Time to Travel to South Korea?

South Korea has become a popular destination for thousands of tourists every year, thanks to its natural beauty, diverse cuisine, and unique traditional culture. So, when is the best time to travel to South Korea to capture impressive photos and create unforgettable memories? Let's explore it with us!

Best time to visit South Korea

Each season has its own unique features, but when is the best time to travel to South Korea?

1. A Brief Overview of South Korea's Climate

Located in the northern hemisphere, South Korea has a temperate climate with distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Among them, South Korean summers from June to August are hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 19 to 27°C, and at their peak, they can reach up to 38°C. Winters, from December to February, have temperatures ranging from -8 to 7°C, and the lowest can drop to -20°C.

The period from late June to mid-July is when the monsoon season occurs in South Korea, bringing high temperatures and humidity, which can be uncomfortable for tourists during this time. Although spring and autumn are relatively short in South Korea, they are the best times of the year to enjoy the country's pleasant climate. Specifically, spring in South Korea lasts from March to May with warm and sunny weather, and temperatures ranging from 6 to 17°C. Autumn, on the other hand, falls between September and November, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 26°C, offering cool and comfortable weather.

South Korea weather

South Korea experiences a temperate climate with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

2. The Best Times to Travel to South Korea

Spring and autumn are the peak travel seasons in South Korea due to the pleasant climate. However, each season in South Korea has its unique beauty and attractions, so you might consider visiting the country during other times as well.

3. Exploring the Four Seasons in South Korea

Each season in South Korea has its unique weather characteristics, making it suitable for various exciting activities. If you're wondering when the best time to travel to South Korea is, you can consider the following for each season:

3.1. Spring (March - May)

Spring in South Korea offers warm and gentle weather, creating a pleasant atmosphere for travelers. During this season, various flowers bloom, including cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, azaleas, forsythias, and more.

When traveling to South Korea in spring, you can participate in the following activities:

Attend famous flower festivals like the Cherry Blossom Festival, Gurye Sansuyu Festival, Canola Flower Festival in Jeju, and Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival.
Visit Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul, with a total area of 580,000 square meters.
Explore Jeju Island with activities such as kayaking, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, snorkeling to see coral reefs, and visit the famous Manjanggul Cave.
Visit the Pyeongchang district in Gangwon province for spring resorts and skiing or Jirisan National Park.

Enjoy delicious spring dishes in South Korea, including:

Strawberries
Steamed Snow Crab
Live Octopus
Bibimbap

However, it's best to visit South Korea to experience spring weather between late February and March. In April, the phenomenon of "Yellow Dust" can affect your respiratory system.

South Korea spring

Spring is the time when various flowers in South Korea bloom together.

3.2. Summer (June - August)

Despite the scorching heat and high humidity, summer in South Korea also brings sudden heavy rains, especially from late July to August. However, this is the season for beach tourism in South Korea, with many exciting festivals to explore, such as:

Boryeong Mud Festival.
Participate in thrilling water park games.
Visit beautiful beaches like Jeju, Haeundae, and more.
Camping by the Han River.
The seaside city of Busan.
Everland Amusement Park.
Explore vibrant night markets like Dongdaemun Fashion Market (Seoul), Naksan Mountain along Hanyangdoseong Fortress Wall (Seoul), and more.

During a summer visit to the land of kimchi, you can indulge in various famous Korean culinary delights, such as:

Jeonju Nambu Market with dishes like fried chicken, pork intestines, and stir-fried beef.
Busan Bupyeong Kkangtong Night Market featuring local specialties like noodles, fish-shaped pastries, seafood, and stuffed fried tofu.
Daegu Seomun Night Market offering items like sushi, skewers, grilled meat, and pork stomach soup.
Some typical Korean summer dishes include: Cold noodles, Ginseng chicken soup, Patbingsu (shaved ice with red bean paste), Chilled Sashimi soup, Cold soybean soup, and more.

South Korea summer

Despite the hot weather, summer is a thriving beach tourism season in South Korea.

3.3. Autumn (September - November)

If you're wondering when the best time to travel to South Korea is, autumn is the ideal season due to its cool climate and incredibly romantic landscapes. South Korean autumn is when trees start turning vibrant shades of red and yellow. The weather in autumn becomes cool, dry, and rain-free, making your trip perfect.

When traveling to South Korea in autumn, you'll have the opportunity to visit some beautiful locations, including:

The historic Beomeosa Temple with over 1300 years of history in Busan.
Participate in festivals such as the Jinju Lantern Festival, International Fireworks Festival, Andong International Mask Dance Festival, Seoul Arirang Cultural Festival, Gwangju Kimchi Festival, Jangdan Soybean Festival, Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival, and more.
Explore Nami Island, Jeju Island, SunCheon Bay, Samcheong-dong area, Everland Theme Park, Seoraksan National Park - Sokcho, Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and more.

In South Korea's autumn, you can savor delicious dishes deeply rooted in the country's culinary culture, such as:

Hotteok (sweet pancakes)
Jeungpyeon (fermented rice cakes)
Sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch)
Jook (rice porridge)
Chueotang (loach soup)
Ganjang-gejang and Yangnyeom-gejang (crab dishes)
Jumbo shrimp
Chamchi gui (grilled mackerel)
Pine mushrooms, persimmons, and more.

South Korea autumn

Hotteok is a dish you shouldn't miss when visiting South Korea in autumn.

3.4. Winter (December - February)

Winter in South Korea is enveloped in pure white due to extremely cold temperatures that can plummet to -20°C, covering everything in snow. If you're still unsure about the best time to travel to South Korea, you can visit the land of kimchi in winter to participate in exciting activities such as:

Snowboarding, hiking, and relaxing in hot springs.
Joining famous festivals like Traditional New Year's Day, Daegwall Yeong Snow Festival, Taebaeksan Snow Festival, Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival, and the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Visiting Nami Island with its rows of redwood trees covered in pristine white snow.

For food enthusiasts wondering when the best time to travel to South Korea is, you can visit Korea in the three winter months to savor delightful dishes like:

Sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew)
Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)
Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles)
Kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodles)
Eomuk (fish cakes)
Dakgangjeong (sweet and spicy fried chicken)
Bulgogi (Korean marinated beef)

South Korea winter

Bulgogi, a Korean marinated beef dish, leaves a lasting impression on diners when visiting South Korea in winter.

>> Read more: Must-Try South Korean Specialties

Thanks to the answers to the question "When is the best time to travel to South Korea" provided above, you can see that each season in the land of kimchi has its own distinct climate, festivals, and culinary culture. If you've chosen the right time to travel to South Korea, don't hesitate to visit https://www.vietjetair.com/ to find great flight deals to South Korea.

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