When to Go and Weather

Seoul has four very distinct seasons - and people never tire of telling you. Weatherwise, the best time of year to visit is autumn, from September to November, when the weather is usually sunny, and in October Seoul’s surrounding hillsides are ablaze with autumn colours. Spring, from April to early June, is another beautiful season, with warm temperatures and cherry blossoms in late April.Winter is dry but often bitterly cold, with average temperatures in Seoul hovering around zero from December to February, when you appreciate the ondol (underfloor heating). But white snow on the temple roofs is very picturesque and it’s a good time to visit if you enjoy skiing, snowboarding or ice-skating. Try to avoid summer as late June to late July is the wet season when Seoul receives 60% of its annual rainfall. Some weeks in August are unpleasantly hot and humid although most places have air-con these days, which makes it more bearable.