Seoul weather by month
If you ask when to go up N Seoul Tower, start with the climate. The table shows the long-term averages for Seoul from the Korea Meteorological Administration, passed on by the World Meteorological Organization, for the period 1991 to 2020. Maximum and minimum are average daily temperatures, not records, and rain is the average monthly total. They describe a typical month and are not a forecast for your travel date, and they were not measured on the tower itself.
A palace tour for the right season
A half-day palace and Bukchon walk with optional hanbok rental is an easy way to use a clear day in town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Palace tours with hanbok in Seoul
A half-day palace and city highlights tour includes a historical guide and entrance fees. Hanbok rental depends on the option you choose, so check it before you book.
Monthly averages
Normal values 1991 to 2020 for Seoul.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.1 °C | minus 5.5 °C | 16.8 mm |
| February | 5.1 °C | minus 3.2 °C | 28.2 mm |
| March | 11.0 °C | 1.9 °C | 36.9 mm |
| April | 17.9 °C | 8.0 °C | 72.9 mm |
| May | 23.6 °C | 13.5 °C | 103.6 mm |
| June | 27.6 °C | 18.7 °C | 129.5 mm |
| July | 29.0 °C | 22.3 °C | 414.4 mm |
| August | 30.0 °C | 22.9 °C | 348.2 mm |
| September | 26.2 °C | 17.7 °C | 141.5 mm |
| October | 20.2 °C | 10.6 °C | 52.2 mm |
| November | 11.9 °C | 3.5 °C | 51.1 mm |
| December | 4.2 °C | minus 3.4 °C | 22.6 mm |
Read the table as a rough guide. April, May and October have milder temperatures than the depths of winter and the heat of high summer. Nothing in it promises a clear day.
Spring and cherry blossom on Namsan
April on the mountain.
A city article from 28 March 2025 shows Namsan as an April motif and names the path from the Namsan Public Library to the tower as a cherry blossom route. The article gives no bloom date for a coming year, and blossom shifts from season to season, so keep a few days of buffer. The walk along that route is described on the Namsan Park page.
Summer rain
July and August bring the most water.
Average rainfall jumps from 129.5 mm in June to 414.4 mm in July and 348.2 mm in August, and it stays at 141.5 mm in September. In a rainy spell the view from the tower can be weak, and mountain paths can be slippery. Pack a light rain jacket, and keep a plan B, such as a museum day, for the wet days.
Autumn leaves
Late October into early November.
Visit Seoul says autumn colour in Seoul typically arrives at the end of October or the start of November, and that Namsan turns a little later than the inner city. For 2026 the city also lists the Namsan Night Festival from 23 October to 14 November, with some activities that need registration in advance. A palace and hanbok tour fits this season, or the spring, as a daytime programme.
Winter on the mountain
Cold, dry months.
January averages a high of 2.1 °C and a low of minus 5.5 °C, with only 16.8 mm of rain. Dress in layers, and be careful on the footpaths on cold mornings. The cable car runs from 10:00 to 23:00 and closes early in bad weather, so keep the walk down in mind as a back-up.
Clear views and fine dust
The view range depends on the air.
The operator says you can see as far as 50 km, but only in clear weather. Treat clear air as a bonus in any month, because a clear view depends on the day. Check the sky on the day, and if it looks hazy, move the visit to another day if you can. Before you buy a ticket for the observation deck, also check its operating status, because the operator site has shown a notice that the observatory is temporarily closed, without a period.
Day or evening?
Two different visits.
A daytime visit gives you the longest view and the best light for the mountain paths. An evening visit gives you the city lights, and the cable car and the buses run until 23:00. Read the evening page for sunset, lights and dinner at the tower. If you are not sure, plan the late afternoon and stay on for the first lights.
Best time to visit N Seoul Tower: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit N Seoul Tower?
April and October are the mild choices in the climate averages, with the blossom in spring and the leaves in autumn. Neither season has a guaranteed date, so keep your plan flexible.
When does the cherry blossom start on Namsan?
The city presents April as the Namsan blossom month. The bloom date changes each year, so check the local news close to your trip.
Is summer a bad time to go?
July and August are hot and very wet, with 414.4 mm and 348.2 mm of rain on average. You can still go, but pick a dry day for the view.
How cold is Seoul in winter?
January averages a high of 2.1 °C and a low of minus 5.5 °C. Wear layers and warm shoes.
Is there a month with no fine dust?
No month can be promised. The 50 km view the operator mentions needs clear weather, so look at the sky on the day.
Are these weather values a forecast?
No. They are long-term averages for 1991 to 2020 and show a typical month.