South Korea, Asia

Seoul in April

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.

BestMild and bright, highs near 63F (17C)

Geunjeongjeon throne hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul — SeoulPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

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: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What April is like in Seoul

April is Seoul's best-loved month. Days are mild and bright, with highs near 63F (17C), and cherry blossoms usually peak in early to mid April, though the timing varies each year. Yeouido and Seokchon Lake draw huge local crowds. Prices and demand rise, and the lanterns for Buddha's Birthday start going up.

This month suits nearly everyone, especially first-timers and families who want pleasant weather for palaces and parks. Book hotels early. If crowds bother you, see the famous blossom spots at sunrise, or pick May or October for similar comfort with less of a rush.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Seoul this month.

Cherry blossom season

About a week of peak bloom brings pink avenues to Yeouido and Seokchon Lake. Go at sunrise to beat the crowds.

Lotus Lantern Festival lead-up

In the weeks before Buddha's Birthday, lanterns fill Jogyesa temple and the streets around it.

Palace gardens in bloom

Changdeokgung's Secret Garden is by guided entry with capped numbers, and spring slots book up fast.

What to pack for April

A light jacket for cool mornings and evenings
Comfortable walking shoes for long days
A face mask for occasional dusty days
Sunglasses for bright spring light

Our timing tip

Watch the blossom forecast in late March and time your April visit to Yeouido or Seokchon Lake for a weekday sunrise.

Book Seoul for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Seoul
Opens a hotel search for Seoul in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Seoul
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Seoul
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Seoul for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in April

Cherry blossom season

Typically early to mid April, varies year to year

Yeouido's riverside avenue and Seokchon Lake draw enormous local crowds for about a week of peak bloom.

Lotus Lantern Festival

The weeks before Buddha's Birthday, a shifting lunar date usually in May

A massive lantern parade and temple displays centered on Jogyesa. One of Asia's most beautiful festival nights.

Things to do in Seoul

Full guide

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 ↗Tickets and tours →

Changdeokgung's Secret Garden

The UNESCO-listed rear garden is by guided entry with capped numbers; book ahead, especially for fall color.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

Gwangjang Market

Bindaetteok pancakes, knife-cut noodles, and the famous fabric hall upstairs. Lunch here beats any food tour.

Tickets and tours →

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 ↗Tickets and tours →

DMZ tour

The border with North Korea, about an hour out, visited on regulated tours that book out ahead. Sobering, strange, and singular.

Tickets and tours →

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.
Book the Secret Garden, DMZ tours, and popular Korean barbecue houses days to weeks ahead in spring and fall.

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.
DMZ tours run on government schedules and can suspend without warning when border conditions change; book refundable and early in your stay so a canceled day can slide.

Seoul in April, quick answers

Is April a good time to visit Seoul?

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).