Month guide · Busan · South Korea
Busan in May
What May is really like in Busan: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 이중 환상, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Busan. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Warm and sunny before the humidity; public holidays bring domestic crowds to the beaches.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Sea temperature
- 18°C (64°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Busan: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with April (19°C (66°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:19
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:20
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Sea
- 18°C (64°F)
Spring (March–May). Cherry blossom in late March and early April, mild days and sand and anchovy festivals; the sea is still cool for swimming.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Haeundae Sand Festival (usually May)
- Buddha's Birthday lantern displays at temples (usually May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · Gijang and Osiria
Haedong Yonggungsa
Come for sunrise, which the temple is known for, before tour groups arrive.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- History
Beach · Gwangalli
Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge
A 1.4-km beach facing the 7.4-km Gwangan Bridge, which is lit up in changing colours every night.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Couples
- Free
- Views
- Iconic
Nature · Yeongdo
Taejongdae
Ride the Danubi train out and walk the downhill sections back for the best cliff views.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
- Kids
Experience · Haeundae
Haeundae Blueline Park
A disused coastal railway between Mipo and Songjeong has been turned into a seaside park with two rides: a slow Beach Train along the old line and small pod-shaped Sky Capsules on an elevated track above it, passing Cheongsapo and its lighthouses.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Couples
- Views
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 15°C and 9 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Busan?
One of the best months to visit Busan, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April and September–November. Compare every month.
Busan in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Busan?
It is one of the best months to visit Busan. Warm and sunny before the humidity; public holidays bring domestic crowds to the beaches.
+How warm is Busan in May?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Busan in May?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.