Season guide · Seoul · South Korea
Seoul in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Clear skies, comfortable temperatures and fiery foliage on the mountains and in the palaces; the Chuseok holiday brings closures. Expect highs up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 23 rainy days across September–November. September–November are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 3°C (37°F) to 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 26°C (79°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 9 | 12.4 h | 4/5 |
| October | 20°C (68°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 6 | 11.1 h | 5/5 |
| November | 12°C (54°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 8 | 10.1 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 19°C (66°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 107 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Chuseok — harvest holiday with palace events and closures (September or early October)
- October: Seoul International Fireworks Festival over the Han River at Yeouido (usually early October)
- October: Autumn foliage at the palaces and Bukhansan (late October to early November)
- November: Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon (usually November)
- November: Kimjang — kimchi-making season (November)
Make the most of the weather
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Park · Yeouido and Banpo
Han River parks and Banpo Bridge
Riverside parks line both banks of the Han, with cycle paths, rental bikes and convenience stores for picnics.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- After dark
- Kids
Nature · Northern Seoul
Bukhansan National Park
Start early from Bukhansanseong trailhead, wear proper shoes and avoid icy winter days without crampons.
- Time needed
- 4–6 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Palace · Jongno
Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Changdeokgung follows the slopes of its hillside rather than a rigid grid and was the favourite residence of many Joseon kings.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Nature
Viewpoint · Namsan
N Seoul Tower and Namsan
Walk up through Namsan Park from Myeongdong in about 40 minutes, and stay for the city lights after sunset.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
- Kids
Viewpoint · Jamsil
Lotte World Tower and Seoul Sky
Korea's tallest building rises 555 metres over Jamsil, and its Seoul Sky observatory on the top floors has a glass-floored deck over the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Nami Island (About 1.5 hours by train and ferry) — A half-moon island in the Bukhan River known for tree-lined avenues of ginkgo and metasequoia, especially vivid in autumn.
- Incheon (About 1 hour by subway) — Korea's only official Chinatown, birthplace of jjajangmyeon noodles, sits beside the colourful Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village and Jayu Park; the modern Songdo district has a canal-side Central Park.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Seoul?
Yes: September–November are among the best months. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures and fiery foliage on the mountains and in the palaces; the Chuseok holiday brings closures.
+What is the weather like in Seoul in autumn?
Highs of up to 26°C (79°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.