Spring (April–May)
Spring is the most popular season to visit, largely because of cherry blossom season, which typically peaks in early-to-mid April but shifts year to year with the weather. Days are mild, palace gardens are at their best, and this is peak tourist season — book accommodation and popular restaurants earlier than you think you need to.
Summer (June–August)
Hot, humid, and including a monsoon-style rainy season (jangma) that typically runs through parts of late June and July. August can be intensely muggy. Summer is a reasonable time to visit if you're prioritizing indoor attractions, shopping, and food over long days walking palace grounds — or if you're combining Seoul with a beach stop elsewhere in Korea.
Autumn (September–November)
Widely considered the best season: cooler, drier, and with excellent foliage at palaces and in the mountains ringing the city, typically peaking in late October to early November. Like spring, this is a high-demand season.
Winter (December–February)
Cold and can be genuinely icy, especially January. Fewer crowds, lower accommodation rates, and a completely different, quieter atmosphere in the palaces and hanok villages — plus winter markets and ice festivals if you're prepared for the cold. Layering matters more here than almost anywhere else in the itinerary.
| Season | Feel | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mild, blossoms, gardens at their best | Crowded, book ahead |
| Summer | Hot, humid, rainy stretches | Cheaper, but less pleasant for walking |
| Autumn | Cool, dry, best foliage | Also crowded, especially late Oct |
| Winter | Cold, quiet, atmospheric | Requires real cold-weather gear |