South Korea, Asia
Seoul in May
Ideal walking weather. Lantern displays and parades around Buddha's Birthday (a shifting lunar date, usually May) light up the temples.
The straight answer
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Seoul. Ideal walking weather. Lantern displays and parades around Buddha's Birthday (a shifting lunar date, usually May) light up the temples.
- Weather
- Warm and green, highs near 73F (23C)
- Crowds
- 4 of 5
- Prices
- 4 of 5
What May is like in Seoul
May is warm and green, with highs near 73F (23C) and ideal walking weather. Crowds and prices are high, just like April. Buddha's Birthday, a lunar date usually in May, brings lantern displays to the temples and a big lantern parade in the weeks before it.
This month suits everyone: families, hikers, couples, and first-timers. It is one of the most comfortable months of the year. Book the Secret Garden, DMZ tours, and popular barbecue spots ahead. If you want lower prices with similar weather, early June or late September are good alternatives.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Seoul this month.
Lotus Lantern Festival
The lantern parade and temple displays centered on Jogyesa are one of the most beautiful festival nights in Asia.
Han River parks
Warm evenings bring picnics, bike rides, and playgrounds along the river, a great family outing.
Hiking weather
Clear, mild days make May a good time for a hike in the mountains around the city.
What to pack for May
- Light layers for warm days and cool nights
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and a sun hat
- A small bag for picnic supplies
Our timing tip
Look up the year's date for Buddha's Birthday and book a hotel near Jogyesa for the lantern parade weekend before it.
Book Seoul for May.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in SeoulOpens a hotel search for Seoul in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in SeoulWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in SeoulTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Seoul for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in May
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
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).
Changdeokgung's Secret Garden
The UNESCO-listed rear garden is by guided entry with capped numbers; book ahead, especially for fall color.
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.
Gwangjang Market
Bindaetteok pancakes, knife-cut noodles, and the famous fabric hall upstairs. Lunch here beats any food tour.
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.
DMZ tour
The border with North Korea, about an hour out, visited on regulated tours that book out ahead. Sobering, strange, and singular.
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 May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Seoul?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Seoul. Ideal walking weather. Lantern displays and parades around Buddha's Birthday (a shifting lunar date, usually May) light up the temples.
What is the weather like in Seoul in May?
Warm and green, highs near 73F (23C).
Is Seoul crowded in May?
Seoul is busy in May, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Seoul in May?
Lotus Lantern Festival (the weeks before buddha's birthday, a shifting lunar date usually in may).
Keep planning Seoul.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
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