Visiting Seoul in Spring: what to do, where to go, and cherry blossom
Last Updated on November 11, 2024 by Alex
After a heavy winter, nothing compares to Seoul in spring. If you have planned your trip in March, April, or May, you will quickly fall in love with the city.
One of our favorite seasons, spring welcomes you with countless colorful flowers and spring-themed festivals or food. See magnolias, cherry blossoms, azaleas, tulips, wisteria, roses, and whatnot, and have your camera ready to capture it all.
The temperatures are mild, making it bliss to walk around town, cycle along the Han River, or picnic in a park.
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Table of Contents
- Things To Know When Visiting Seoul In Spring
- Things to do in Seoul in Spring
- Chase the flower blooms
- Visit Namsan Tower
- Go on a Han River Cruise
- Chase magnolias in Bukchon Hanok Village
- Wear a hanbok at the palaces
- Go to an afternoon tea or a strawberry buffet
- Head over to Daiso or Starbucks
- Go on a day trip to The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, and Petite France
- Go on a day trip to Goyang for the flower festival
- Go on a day trip to Chuncheon and bike around the lake
- 10 best places to see cherry blossom in Seoul
Things To Know When Visiting Seoul In Spring

Depending on the month you are planning to visit, it is worth knowing that you won’t be able to see all the flowers in bloom. Also, temperatures vary from one month to the other and sometimes even from one day to the other.
Plan your outfits so you can wear layers—they are easy to put on in the morning and evening and easy to take off and carry around during the day.
Some days will be more polluted than others, and it will be hard to see the blue sky because of the fine dust. Additionally, you might see locals wearing face masks during those days. Locals and people who live in South Korea often check the Air Visual Air Quality App before heading out so that they are prepared.
Locals love picnics, and plenty of services will set everything up for you and even bring the food and drinks.
Plan your itineraries by following one of our comprehensive travel guides, whether you spend 3 days or 7 days in Seoul.
Where to stay in Seoul during spring

Of course, the best places to stay in Seoul don’t change depending on the season. However, staying close to the most important attractions and places worth seeing during this season would be easier.
Look for accommodation close to the Palaces, thus anywhere around Insa-dong, Jung-gu, or Jongno-Gu.
Staying in Yongsan-gu will put you close to Namsan Mountain and the famous Seoul Tower, as well as bridges crossing over to the south of the city.
Yeouido has mostly fancy hotels from where you will have beautiful views over the river. You will also be within walking distance of the Yeouido Cherry Blossoms Festival.
Read also some of the other accommodation guides for Seoul:
- Where to stay in Myeongdong
- Where to stay in Hongdae
- Where to stay in Gangnam
- Where to stay close to Seoul Station
Choose the best Hanok Stay in Seoul
What’s the Weather like In Seoul In Spring?
As mentioned, the weather is pleasant, with mild temperatures and low precipitation. Unlike in our home country, South Korea sees a spike in humidity during summer, but it has lovely springs.
Weather in March
March is the coldest of the three spring months in South Korea, with temperatures between 4°C (39°F) and 9°C (48°F).
Bring a scarf and a jacket, with some extra layers.
What flowers bloom in March in Seoul: magnolias and forsythia (the yellow flowers).
Weather in April
April starts to become warmer, and it’s nice to wander around, even during the evenings or early mornings. With a daily average temperature of around 17°C (63°F), this is the perfect weather, if you ask us.
April also sees the city greener, and many beautiful flooms show up everywhere around town.
What flowers bloom in April in Seoul: cherries, king cherries, tulips, azaleas, wisteria.
Weather in May
May sees temperatures rise to an average of 24°C (75°F), which is close to summer.
Thus, your luggage will be lighter as you enter Seoul, leaving more space for cosmetics as you return home. Trust me, you will need it!
What flowers bloom in May in Seoul: roses, lilac, tulips, daisies (in Gyeonhsangdo), and others
Seoul in Spring Packing List
During spring in Seoul, days are getting warmer, but mornings and evenings are still chilly. That’s why you will want to pack accordingly and come prepared for these temperature differences.
Whenever I travel during spring, no matter the destination, I like to pack clothes that allow me to layer them.
Here is a rough overview of an example of Seoul spring packing list:
Some comfortable shoes – I would always wear sneakers. I’m a Converse fan, but I also love the Veja sneakers.
Long pants – 1-3 pairs, depending on the time you have in South Korea.
Long-Sleeve Dresses – I always choose dresses over pants, but that might be just me. I usually pack one dress for each day, but you can go with less when you also take pants.
A lovely spring jacket or coat – something that you can easily take off and carry in your backpack.
3-4 Long-Sleeve Tops you can pair with your jeans or pants.
2 sweaters will keep you warm and can be very stylish when paired with a simple white shirt.
1 pair of leggings to wear with your dresses.
A backpack
Things to do in Seoul in Spring

Seoul is a vibrant city with many things to do and see throughout the year. Yet, spring will offer much more and make it hard for you to choose where to go when you only have a limited time in the city.
Chase the flower blooms
If you’ve read this far, you’ve understood that there will be flowers around no matter the month you choose to visit Seoul. Here are only a few of the most popular flowers and destinations within Seoul:
Eungbongsan Mountain Forsythia – next to the Han River and Seoul Forest, the small mountain is covered in yellow flowers that foretell spring. Many photographers are passionate about heading to this place to capture the subway passing by the mountain.
Magnolias are my favorite flowers. You can find them anywhere around Bukchon Hanok Village or Yeonnam-dong. There is even a famous cafe with a swimming pool and a window in front of two magnolias that gets crazily crowded even during the week—Coffee Conhas if you want to give it a try.

You can find cherry blossoms everywhere around town, but some places are more popular than others. We will touch on those points further in the article.
To our surprise, we found azaleas almost everywhere in Seoul, especially in residential neighborhoods like ours. Parks are packed with different-colored azaleas, and they can also be found on the street, in surrounding buildings, and in small gardens.

Tulips – You don’t have to go to the Netherlands to find colorful tulips. All you have to do is head to

Canola in Hangang Seoraeseom.
Roses – the last to the party, you can find roses all over the city, and Koreans also have rose festivals to attend. Seoul Rose Festival in Jungabg Rose Park, the Rose Village in Cheonho-dong, Seullo, and Seoul Grand Park are only a few places to visit for roses in bloom.

Visit Namsan Tower
Plan your visit to the Namsan Tower and Namsan Park with our guide on how to get to Namsan.
While you can stroll through Namsan Park, climbing to the top of the mountain is a must to see the cherry trees in bloom.
I would encourage you to consider going for a hike because it only takes one hour, but you can always take the cable car. Read the complete guide here.
Go on a Han River Cruise
Cruising the Han River is the best way of admiring both sides of the city and its skyline. Choose to go for sunset and see the sky transform before your eyes.
There are several options regarding boat size, departure point, and services.
The Eland Cruise is a big ship on which you can enjoy a delicious buffet dinner while listening to live musicals. There are several types of cruises every day, and the longest cruise is 40 minutes. It leaves from Yeoido.
Alternatively, you can go on a night cruise in Han Park with a picnic and traditional food and drinks.
Chase magnolias in Bukchon Hanok Village

Visit the Bukchon Hanok Village, which has traditional Korean houses and narrow streets packed with cafes, restaurants, and art galleries.
The whole area gets even prettier during spring. Go and explore because you will find a lovely house, street, or tree at every corner.
Wear a hanbok at the palaces
The Korean hanbok is a semi-formal or formal dress for traditional occasions. The term means “Korean clothing,” but the term used today refers specifically to the clothing worn during the Joseon dynasty.
Hanboks are extremely beautiful and will catch your attention on the street, especially at the palaces and Bukchon Hanok Village.
Read my comprehensive guide for renting a hanbok in Seoul!

Even if you won’t be able to visit all five palaces in one day, especially while wearing your hanbok, try to make time to see at least one or two of their beautiful gardens.
If the Changdeokgung Palace is on your list and you want to see the Secret Garden, book your ticket ahead of time. Only guided tours are available, and there are a limited number every day. Check this out for more information!
Go to an afternoon tea or a strawberry buffet
After living for more than 2 years in Hong Kong and Seoul, I’ve come to understand that afternoon tea is a thing in this part of the world. Especially at 5* luxury hotels.
The menus change every season, and everything revolves around cherry blossoms and strawberries in spring. You can choose an afternoon tea set or a buffet with pink everything!
If you haven’t tried it before, I strongly encourage you to do it during your visit to Seoul.
The most popular are the Conrad Seoul, Lotte Hotel, Grand Walkerhill Seoul, and the W Marriott Dongdaemun Square.
Make sure to book directly with the hotel ahead of time.
Head over to Daiso or Starbucks
If the strawberry buffet is too expensive or you cannot eat so many cakes, there is always Starbucks!
In South Korea, Starbucks seasonal drinks are only available here! The Pink Peach Crème Frappuccino has meringue shaped like a pink cherry tree flower. They also sell cherry tree coffee mugs and other souvenirs.
Daiso is a Japanese chain store popular in South Korea. It carries almost anything, including plenty of pretty pink things during the cherry blossom season.

Go on a day trip to The Garden of Morning Calm, Nami Island, and Petite France
This is a day trip you shouldn’t skip even if you are not visiting Seoul during spring. This season, along with fall, is the best time to go.
Go on a day trip to Goyang for the flower festival
Not far from where we lived, Goyang is part of Seoul’s metropolitan area, and you cannot tell when exactly you will leave the capital and arrive in Goyang.
You will find an Ikea, a huge Shinsegae Shopping Mall with the best Korean SPA, and the Goyang flower festival here.
It usually occurs at the end of April and the beginning of May, but you should check the official calendar here.
How to get to Goyang from Seoul Station: Take the subway, Gyeongui-Jungang line, and get off at Haengsin Station; from there, take green bus number 11 all the way to Goyang.

Go on a day trip to Chuncheon and bike around the lake
Getting to Chuncheon by train is relatively fast and very easy. From the train station, rent a bike and head to the lake with its three small islands in the middle.
While the city of Chuncheon doesn’t have so much on display, the beauty of the blue lake surrounded by cherry trees will make the visit worth it.

Try to get here during the week, as I imagine this place getting packed with people in the evenings and on the weekends.
There are bicycle lanes around the lake; you will receive a map when you rent a bike.
How to get from Seoul Station to Chuncheon: Take subway line number 1 to Hoegi Station, and from there, take the Gyeonchun Line to Chuncheon. The train ride will take around two hours.
10 best places to see cherry blossom in Seoul

If you haven’t understood, cherry blossoms in South Korea are a huge deal.
We know that Japan is the Asian hot spot for flower lovers, but South Korea is just as charming.
Thus, if you are interested, here are the top 10 places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul.
Yeouido Cherry Blossoms Festival

If you are wondering which one is the most crowded place in Seoul during the cherry blossom season, this is your answer!
As you exit Yeouido Station, the sidewalk is covered by cherry trees, and here is where the famous Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival takes place.
Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival

In Gangnam, right behind the Lotte Sky Tower, steps away from the subway station, is Seokchon Lake, surrounded by cherry trees.
A walk around the lake with tens of other Koreans is a great way to start your day.
The Palaces In Seoul

You won’t be disappointed no matter which one you choose to visit!
Check out our 4 days in Seoul itinerary for a comprehensive guide and all the information you need to plan your palace itinerary.
Yangjaecheon Stream
You can walk from the Lotte Tower or take public transportation there, but strolling along any of the streams in Seoul will offer you a great spring view.

N Seoul Tower
Maybe the most touristic place on the list is the N Seoul Tower, which is set on top of Namsan Mountain. During spring, you will find plenty of cherry trees leading you to the tower, while during fall, the foliage is unforgettable.
Seonyudo Park

The island is strikingly beautiful during spring, and it is located in the middle of the Han River, close to the National Assembly Building.
When we visited, cherry trees, magnolias, tulips, and azaleas, along with some pretty cats and a lady playing the piano, were all waiting for us.
You can walk from Hapjeong or Dangsan subway stations or take a bus that will leave you in the middle of the bridge.
- Seoul Children’s Grand Park
- Seoul National Cemetery
- Seoul Forest
- Yonsei University and Hapjeong-dong
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