South Korea, Asia

Seoul in March

Spring stirs. Late-winter dust from the continent can haze some days; the payoff is early blossoms by month's end in warm years.

GoodThawing, highs near 51F (11C), occasional yellow dust

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

The straight answer

March is a good month to visit Seoul. Spring stirs. Late-winter dust from the continent can haze some days; the payoff is early blossoms by month's end in warm years.

Weather: Thawing, highs near 51F (11C), occasional yellow dust
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What March is like in Seoul

March is when Seoul thaws. Highs climb to about 51F (11C), and mornings are still chilly. Some days bring yellow dust blown from the continent, which can haze the sky. Crowds and prices stay low, and in warm years the first blossoms appear by the end of the month.

It suits travelers who want low prices and are flexible about the weather. Families on spring break will find the city calm and easy. If you want to be sure of cherry blossoms, plan for early to mid April instead, and check the forecast each year since the bloom varies.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Seoul this month.

Early blossoms in warm years

Late March sometimes brings the first flowers along the Han River and in palace gardens, with none of April's crowds.

Bukchon before the season

The hanok village's lanes are quiet now. Go early in the morning, keep voices down, and enjoy the old tiled roofs.

Namsan at dusk

Ride the cable car up to N Seoul Tower and walk down through the park as the city lights come on.

What to pack for March

A warm jacket and layers for chilly mornings
A face mask for days with yellow dust
Comfortable walking shoes
A light scarf and gloves

Our timing tip

Check the air quality forecast each morning in March and save outdoor walks like Namsan for the clearest days.

Book Seoul for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Seoul
Opens a hotel search for Seoul in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
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 March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Seoul?

March is a good month to visit Seoul. Spring stirs. Late-winter dust from the continent can haze some days; the payoff is early blossoms by month's end in warm years.

What is the weather like in Seoul in March?

Thawing, highs near 51F (11C), occasional yellow dust.

Is Seoul crowded in March?

March is one of the quieter months in Seoul; most sights can be done without long waits.