Planning a trip to the Land of Morning Calm in the springtime? You’ve picked the right season if cherry blossoms and fun festivals are on your travel bucket list!
Spring in South Korea is an experience like no other. With heaps of places to visit and things to do in the country, you’re in for a journey of culture, food, and tons of memories to keep for a lifetime! Consider this your guide to everything you should know about spring in South Korea!
When is the spring season in South Korea?
Spring in South Korea lasts from April to June and is considered the best time to visit the country. You’ll most likely encounter pleasant weather daily; flowers and green spaces blanket the whole landscape.
To experience spring, you can visit South Korea as early as mid-March, when the sun shines past the winter clouds!
Why should I visit South Korea in spring?
Beautiful blue skies, vibrant festivals, and cherry blossoms — need we say more?
If you need more convincing, well, spring in South Korea is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit the country. You’ll be welcomed by clear, warm days and you’ll get to see the streets lined with blossoming trees. At night, the weather turns cool, so you won’t have to worry about breaking into a sweat when you sleep. Since the weather is so lovely during spring, most festivals also happen during this season, which means more fun activities in South Korea to add to your itinerary!
Cherry blossom festivals in South Korea
Much like Japan, South Korea also has its fair share of cherry blossom festivals. The largest festival in the country is the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. A 10-day festival packed with float parades, street food stalls, performances, and more — it’s where all the buzz is.
Staying in Seoul? Join the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival and picnic under the cherry blossom trees lining the Han River. Two hours from Seoul is Gyeongju, where the annual Cherry Blossom Marathon happens. If you don’t mind tightening your laces, you should participate in one of the four courses: the 5 km run, the 10 km run, the 21.09 km, and the 42.19 km marathons.
What can I do during spring in South Korea?
Heaps of activities in South Korea await you when you visit during the springtime. Read on below to see our recommendations:
1. Nami Island Day Tour
Adorable alpacas, blooming flowers, and a nice sunny day — if this is your idea of a fun trip, join this wonderful Nami Island day tour! An island in the Gangwon Province, Nami Island is brimming with fun places to visit during spring in South Korea. You can visit Alpaca World, Petite France (for the Little Prince fans out here!), and the Garden of Morning Calm. If you want to soak in nature views a little more, you can ride the Gangchon Rail Bike and enjoy the green landscape surrounding you.
2. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Tour
Did you know that two of Korea's best cherry blossom spots are in Jinhae? In this quaint village, Yeojwacheon Stream and Gyeonghwa Station are brimmed to life with delicate cherry blossom flowers. Yeojwacheon Stream is also known for its Romance Bridge, featured in the 2002 K-drama Romance. Here, you can also join the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival!
3. Gwangyang Maehwa and Jeonju Hanok Village Tour
Plum trees are also something to watch out for when you visit South Korea, and Seomjin Village is the best place to learn more about how these fruits are grown. In the spring, plum trees bloom snow-like flowers before bearing ripe plums in Korea. In fact, there is an annual Plum Blossom Festival every March to celebrate when they are in full bloom. After a visit to Seomjin Village, head towards Jeonju Hanok Village, where you can see 800 traditional Korean hanok houses!
4. Chasing Cherry Blossoms Tour
Wanna chase cherry blossoms all over South Korea? This Cherry Blossom Random Tour will indulge you with the best viewing spots, which the guide will tailor to fit your group! As the name suggests, there is no set itinerary. You'll be given options on which sites to visit, and your guide will also ensure that you'll be touring the best places for the best photo opportunities.
5. Jeju Canola Flower and Cherry Blossom Private Day Tour By Wondertrip
Tucked in Jeju Island is a must-visit destination during spring in Korea: the canola flower fields! These mesmerizing yellow blooms are abundant in Jeju from the end of winter until spring. In fact, you'll almost certainly pass by a field every time you go out. Cherry blossoms in Jeju are also something to watch out for. They're different from those on the mainland as they have larger petals and are more vivid in color.
6. Cherry Blossom Hunting Tour from Seoul
Prefer cherry blossom hunting in Seoul? Then this tour is for you! Aside from cherry blossom spots in Seoul like Seoul Forest Park, Jeongdok Public Library, and Mt. Ansan, your time will take you to Chungcheong Province and Gyeonggi Province areas as well. Once you've taken in all the cherry blossoms you want to see, you'll get to dine at a Blue Ribbon restaurant, the Korean equivalent of a Michelin star!
Need more ideas for your trip to Seoul? Check our five-day itinerary here:
7. Cherry Blossom Hunting tour from Busan
If you're staying in Busan or Gyeongju, this cherry blossom hunting tour is something you should go for when you visit South Korea during the spring! On this tour, a visit to Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple and Busan Democracy Park is fixed. Still, your guide will check on the day which cherry blossom spot is the best to visit for your group. Depending on the weather conditions, you may go to Bomun Lake, Samnak Ecological Park, Oryukdo Island, and many more!
Written by: Elle David