Current Time in Gwangju
Best time to travel to Korea
Comparison of best months to travel to Korea
| Month | 5-point rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| January | You can enjoy snowy scenery and winter sports, but it is very cold and the temperature can drop below -10°C. | |
| February | You can experience traditional culture for the Lunar New Year (설날), but transportation is crowded with people returning home. | |
| March | Temperatures rise with the arrival of spring. Plum blossoms start to bloom, and there are fewer tourists. | |
| April | It is cherry blossom season and the weather is comfortable. The cherry blossom front moves north from Busan and Jeju Island to Seoul. | |
| May | Mild early summer weather. Beautiful greenery and various cultural festivals are held. | |
| June | Humidity starts to rise before the rainy season. Jeju Island is still comfortable. | |
| July | The rainy season begins with the full-fledged summer heat. It is very humid and not suitable for sightseeing. | |
| August | Peak of extreme heat and humidity. It is difficult to visit places other than summer resorts, and there are many domestic tourists. | |
| September | The heat subsides and there are signs of autumn. Harvest festivals and traditional cultural events are held in various places. | |
| October | The weather is stable as the leaves change color. The palaces and mountainous areas of Seoul are particularly beautiful. | |
| November | The atmosphere of late autumn. The peak of the leaves has passed, but the number of tourists decreases and things calm down. | |
| December | The Christmas illuminations are beautiful, but the cold is in full swing. |
The most recommended month is "October"
October is the most ideal time to travel to Korea. The humid summer heat is completely gone, and the weather becomes very comfortable, with temperatures around 20°C during the day and 10°C at night. The greatest attraction of this time of year is the vivid autumn leaves that color the entire country of Korea. In particular, ancient palaces such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul have an exquisite contrast between the traditional architecture and the autumn leaves, creating photogenic scenery. National parks such as Seoraksan and Jirisan are also known as famous spots for autumn leaves, and are crowded with tourists who enjoy hiking. Culturally, it is also attractive to be able to participate in harvest festivals (after Chuseok) and traditional culture experience events held in various places during this time. In terms of the climate, there is little rain and many sunny days, making it easy to plan your sightseeing. In addition, since it is a time after the crowds of summer vacation and Chuseok (Chuseok), tourist spots are relatively empty, and you can enjoy Korean culture and nature at your leisure. In terms of food, it is the time to enjoy autumn flavors such as new rice, matsutake mushrooms, and pears, and is the perfect time to enjoy Korean cuisine.
The least recommended month is "August"
August is the month to avoid the most when traveling to Korea. The temperature continues to exceed 35°C, the humidity is often over 80%, and it is not uncommon for the temperature to exceed 40°C. This period overlaps with the summer vacation season in Korea, and tourist spots are very crowded with families. In particular, seaside resorts and water parks are very crowded, making it difficult to enjoy them leisurely. In addition, this is the middle of the rainy season, and there are often sudden heavy squalls, which can easily disrupt your sightseeing plans. In terms of transportation, the rush to return home around August 15th, Gwangbokjeol, overlaps with the rush to return home, making it difficult to make reservations for express buses and KTX. Hotel prices are also peak season prices, and the cost performance is poor. Furthermore, in urban areas, the temperature difference between the air-conditioned indoors and the hot outdoors is so great that many travelers fall ill. The only relief is the various water festivals and beach parties held during this time, but you need to be prepared to fight the intense heat to enjoy them. If you are looking for comfort and economy, this is a time to avoid.
Recommended months by travel type
| Travel type | Recommended month | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First trip to Korea | April and October | Along with the beautiful nature of Korea, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, the weather is stable and it is easy to visit the main tourist spots. |
| Enjoying nature | May and October | A time when the fresh greenery of spring and the autumn leaves are beautiful. National parks and the Olle Trail in Jeju Island are perfect. |
| K-POP and drama pilgrimage | March and September | A time when fan meetings and filming locations increase. The weather is also comfortable, making it ideal for visiting filming locations. |
| Traditional culture experience | February and September | A rare time to experience traditional events around Lunar New Year and Chuseok. |
| Gourmet trip | October and November | A time to enjoy the flavors of autumn. There is a wide variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients such as crab, matsutake mushrooms, and newly harvested rice. |
| Shopping-focused | June and December | There is a year-round sale in June, and a year-end sale in December, where you can get good deals on clothes and cosmetics. |
| Quiet time | November and January | It's the off-season for tourism, so there are fewer crowds. A temple stay amid the snowy scenery is also recommended. |
| Travel with children | April and May | The weather is mild, and theme parks such as Everland and Lotte World are comfortable. |