South Korea
Seoul in October
🍂 AutumnPleasant and some showers. Watch for tropical cyclone risk.
Why October scores 8.9What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.4
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (20°C highs / 11°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 9.5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~52 mm rain)
- Air quality7.8
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~19 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards8.5
- !Tropical cyclone: Peak of the Western Pacific typhoon season
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Oct | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.9 Excellent | 8.8 Excellent |
| Season | 🍂 Autumn | 🌷 Spring |
| High / low | 20° / 11° | 24° / 14° |
| Rain | 52 mm | 104 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 10° | dew pt 11° |
| PM2.5 | 19 µg/m³ | 29 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Seoul weather-station normals. Rainfall: Seoul weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsOctober 2027
Peak seasonAutumn-leaf season is one of the busiest times of year for visitors. Hotels fill up and the best-known viewing spots get very crowded, so book early and go at sunrise or on weekdays.
- National Foundation Day 2–4 Oct · 3 days off in a row
- Hangul Day 9–11 Oct · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Seoul
- 2026 forecast: autumn leaves (central Korea)In October2026 forecastPeak ~31 Oct–5 Nov 2026
Forecast for the central region; first colour 10–27 Oct.
- Cherry blossomTypical datesFirst blooms ~8 Apr, full bloom ~10 Apr
Typical dates at the KMA Seoul observatory tree (normal). In 2026 the first blooms came on 29 Mar; Yeouido's Yunjung-ro usually flowers ~6 Apr. Recent years have been earlier than the normal.
- Snowy daysTypical datesSnow likely Nov–Mar (most in Jan: ~7 days)
Average number of days with snowfall at Seoul.
Source: Seoul weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)
Explore SeoulEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallySouth Korea's capital, mixing Joseon-era palaces and hanok neighbourhoods with K-pop, street food markets and late-night shopping districts.
ChuseokDate variesLunar calendar — usually September or early October
The harvest festival, when families gather for ancestral rites.
Why go: Many shops close and transport out of Seoul is busy; palaces may hold events.
Where: Nationwide
Seoul International Fireworks FestivalDate variesUsually late September or early October
A large fireworks display over the Han River.
Why go: Very crowded; arrive early.
Where: Yeouido Hangang Park
Coming up later
Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually early April
Cherry trees bloom across the city for about a week.
Why go: Popular spots are crowded on weekends.
Where: Yeouido, Seokchon Lake and parks
Lotus Lantern FestivalDate variesLunar calendar — the weeks before Buddha's Birthday, usually April or May
A large evening lantern parade and street events.
Why go: Free to watch; the parade route gets crowded.
Where: Jogyesa Temple and Jongno
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The largest of Seoul's Joseon-era palaces, with a changing of the guard ceremony at the main gate.
Bukchon Hanok Village
A hillside neighbourhood of traditional Korean houses between two palaces.
💡 People live here; keep noise down.
Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
A UNESCO-listed palace with a wooded rear garden seen on guided tours.
N Seoul Tower
A tower on Namsan mountain with city views, reached by cable car or a walk.
Gwangjang Market
A traditional market known for its street food stalls.
DMZ tours
Guided tours to the border zone with North Korea.
💡 Bring your passport; tours can be cancelled at short notice.
Korean barbecue
Pork belly or beef grilled at the table and wrapped in lettuce.
💡 Barbecue restaurants
Bibimbap
Rice topped with vegetables, meat, egg and chilli paste.
💡 Korean restaurants
Tteokbokki
Chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce.
💡 Street stalls
Bindaetteok
Crispy mung bean pancakes.
💡 Gwangjang Market
Hotteok
Pancakes filled with brown sugar and nuts, a winter street snack.
💡 Street stalls
Korean skincare
Cosmetics and skincare products.
💡 Myeongdong
Red ginseng
Korean red ginseng products.
💡 Department stores and specialist shops
Traditional crafts
Hanji paper and celadon ceramics.
💡 Insadong
Seasoned seaweed
Roasted seasoned gim, a popular snack.
💡 Supermarkets
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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