Season guide · Seoul · South Korea
Seoul in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Republic of Korea, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cherry blossom in early April and warm, green May; fine dust and yellow dust can reduce air quality on some days. Expect highs up to 24°C (75°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F), with about 24 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 2°C (36°F) to 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 24
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 11°C (52°F) | 2°C (36°F) | 7 | 11.9 h | 3/5 |
| April | 18°C (64°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 8 | 13.1 h | 5/5 |
| May | 24°C (75°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 | 14.2 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 18°C (64°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 24 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 spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Seoul Marathon (usually March)
- April: Cherry blossom festivals at Yeouido and Seokchon Lake (usually early April)
- May: Lotus Lantern Festival — lantern parade along Jongno (usually the weekend before Buddha's Birthday, April or May)
- May: Seoul Jazz Festival (usually late May)
Make the most of the weather
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
Waterfront · Jongno
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Walk it in the evening on the way from Gwanghwamun to Gwangjang Market for dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
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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
Day trips in spring
- DMZ (Full-day organised tour) — Tours to the Demilitarised Zone visit observatories looking into North Korea, infiltration tunnels and Imjingak park.
- Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (About 1 hour by subway or train) — The UNESCO-listed walls of Hwaseong, built in the 1790s, loop for about 5.7 km around central Suwon with gates, watchtowers and the reconstructed Hwaseong Haenggung palace.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Seoul?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Cherry blossom in early April and warm, green May; fine dust and yellow dust can reduce air quality on some days.
+What is the weather like in Seoul in spring?
Highs of up to 24°C (75°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F), with about 24 rainy days over the season.