Seoul in April
April is one of the best months of the year to visit Seoul. Cherry blossoms typically peak early to mid April, varying year to year: Yeouido and Seokchon Lake are the famous mob scenes. The city's best-loved month.
Weather
Mild and bright, highs near 63F (17C)
Crowds
Prices
What's on in April
Typically early to mid April, varies year to year
Cherry blossom season. Yeouido's riverside avenue and Seokchon Lake draw enormous local crowds for about a week of peak bloom.
The weeks before Buddha's Birthday, a shifting lunar date usually in May
Lotus Lantern Festival. A massive lantern parade and temple displays centered on Jogyesa. One of Asia's most beautiful festival nights.
Things to do in Seoul
- 1
Gyeongbokgung Palace. The grandest of the five palaces. Catch the changing of the guard, and note most palaces close one day a week (Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays). official site ↗
- 2
Changdeokgung's Secret Garden. The UNESCO-listed rear garden is by guided entry with capped numbers; book ahead, especially for fall color.
- 3
Bukchon Hanok Village. Traditional homes on a hillside between the palaces. It is a residential neighborhood: go early, keep voices down, and the photos come easy.
- 4
Gwangjang Market. Bindaetteok pancakes, knife-cut noodles, and the famous fabric hall upstairs. Lunch here beats any food tour.
- 5
N Seoul Tower and the Namsan walk. Ride the cable car up, walk down through the park at dusk as the city lights come on. official site ↗
- 6
DMZ tour. The border with North Korea, about an hour out, visited on regulated tours that book out ahead. Sobering, strange, and singular.
- 7
Hongdae and Seongsu nightlife. Street performers and clubs in Hongdae, converted-warehouse cafes in Seongsu. Seoul's night energy is half the visit.
- 8
A jjimjilbang (Korean sauna). Multi-floor bathhouse culture: hot pools, ice rooms, sleeping halls, and sheep-towel hats. Best appreciated on a cold or rainy day.
Beat the crowds
- →See the palaces at 9am opening or in the last two hours; midday belongs to tour groups, and Bukchon's lanes are quietest before breakfast.
- →For cherry blossoms, walk Yeouido at sunrise or choose quieter stretches along the Han River tributaries over the festival core.
- →Never plan intercity travel during Seollal or Chuseok without tickets booked the moment they release; those are the country's two travel crushes.
Know before you go
- !Seollal and Chuseok (dates shift yearly on the lunar calendar) close many small restaurants and shops for two to four days while department stores shorten hours; major palaces and museums typically stay open with holiday programming.
- !Most royal palaces close one day a week (Gyeongbokgung on Tuesdays, most others on Mondays); pair your palace days accordingly.
- !The jangma monsoon (roughly late June through July) cancels outdoor plans without notice; Seoul's answer is an unmatched indoor bench of museums, malls, and saunas.
Seoul in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Seoul?
April is one of the best months of the year to visit Seoul. Cherry blossoms typically peak early to mid April, varying year to year: Yeouido and Seokchon Lake are the famous mob scenes. The city's best-loved month.
What is the weather like in Seoul in April?
Mild and bright, highs near 63F (17C).
Is Seoul crowded in April?
Seoul is busy in April, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Seoul in April?
Cherry blossom season (typically early to mid april, varies year to year); Lotus Lantern Festival (the weeks before buddha's birthday, a shifting lunar date usually in may).