When to go · Seoul
Seoul in May
Great month. Warm and dry; a good month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) / 13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- High
- South Korea overall
- Prices
- High
- South Korea overall
Verdict
Warm and dry; a good month.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than May?
No other month rates higher than May for Seoul in this guide.
Weather in May
- SeoulHighs around 24 °C (75 °F), lows around 13 °C (55 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 75 °F (24 °C), lows around 55 °F (13 °C), rain on about 10 days
- Seoul and north-west, South Korea · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZbest weather
Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C (5 °F) on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.Continental: dry winters down to 5 °F (−15 °C) on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.
Spring season
Cherry blossoms in early April, azaleas on the hills, the Lotus Lantern parade.
Watch: Fine and yellow dust days; blossom-week crowds and hotel prices.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Fine and yellow dust season
March to May · Whole city
Some days the air quality index is unhealthy: move outdoor plans and wear a KF94 mask.
Royal Culture Festival check
Spring (and some autumn events) · The five palaces and Jongmyo
Re-enactments, concerts and night openings; some events need online booking.
Lotus Lantern Festival check
The weekend before Buddha's Birthday · Dongdaemun to Jogyesa along Jongno
Evening lantern parade on the Saturday; street festival by Jogyesa on the Sunday.
Buddha's Birthday check
8th day of the 4th lunar month; 13 May in 2027 · Temples citywide
Lanterns over Jogyesa and Bongeunsa; free temple meals at some.
Children's Day
5 May · Parks, zoos, Lotte World
Family crowds everywhere; palaces often free for children.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Korea overall
- High
- Prices · South Korea overall
- High
South Korea overall: Warm and dry; Buddha's Birthday lanterns and Children's Day crowds.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Seoul, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Apr: Great
Daytime high
May: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Apr: 18 °C (64 °F)64 °F (18 °C)
Night low
May: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Apr: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Rain days
May: 10
Apr: 9 (better)
Crowds
May: High
Apr: High
Prices
May: High
Apr: High
Festivals listed
May: 5
Apr: 4
May: Warm and dry; a good month.
April: Blossoms and mild; palaces are busy.
Seoul: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast