As it turns out, May is one of the top best months to be traveling in South Korea. Therefore, we have handpicked 5 best places to visit for your next holiday destination. Further to this, if you can't travel in May then October is the next best month for South Korea. But where can you travel in May for the best places in South Korea?
It's no secret South Korea is a top travel destination, like Japan's most popular destinations are.
Travel in May is the highlight of the year, it's perfect in South Korea. There are clear skies and plenty of warm sunshine. The mad rush in tourists for the April cherry blossoms are over and life returns to normal. It's the time of year, still springtime that the flowers are in their full glory. South Korea is painted in all colors of the rainbow and seeing this is so uplifting.
It's the best time to travel, before the rains arrive from June, July, August and September.
Avoid traveling to South Korea in the months of July and August. Those are the months with the heaviest rainfall. Okay, the rains arrive a month before in June. But are gone by September, so July and August are the worst time to visit South Korea. And yet, July and August are the hottest, seeing temperatures as high as 86° Fahrenheit. Settle for May though, and enjoy a cooler 74° Fahrenheit most days.
Now that, that's sorted, the decision lies in where to travel in South Korea. There may be as many as 5 international airports in South Korea. Many international flights though, go to Seoul, the capital. So, we'll go with Seoul for your holiday starting point. If you can land a flight to Jeju Island in May, grab it with both hands. The Island is the ideal introduction to South Korea, and even if you've already visited, go again.
It's pleasant to spend a few days there and hop over the water to Seoul afterwards. The Island puts you in the perfect mood for a South Korean holiday vacation. It's the same when holidaying in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. You are free to arrive in Phu Quoc's international airport as first port of call. Spend your first few days' holiday in Phu Quoc Islands before taking flight to the mainland.
A nice interlude before the main holiday happens.
We've established the best time for South Korea travel is in May. It's still springtime in May and Seoul couldn't be a better city for your travel plans. There are all kinds of reasons why visiting Seoul in spring is a good idea:
In springtime there are tulips everywhere. They're in all the city's parks including Seonyudo Island Park, one of Seoul's best kept secrets. You'll come across the Island on the Han River. Located between Hapjeong and Dangsan subway stations. The park is a beautiful place to visit in May, peaceful too. Immediately once you arrive you get a surreal sense in this metropolis city. What's more is that Seoul City has other amazing park experiences.
Okay, it could be you should actually travel in April for the very best of the flowering blossoms. But we prefer May, as the temperatures are more pleasing. There are two more parks you should visit in Seoul. These two parks are Namsan Park and Yeouido Hangang Park. Both parks promise you so much, like the Seonyudo park. Even as late as May, there's so many other flowers. Seoul in May must be one of the best destinations for families, that's a fact.
Why many tourists from Malaysia and Singapore travel to South Korea in April, May and June.
One more thing about Seoul you must do. And that's to sit down by the concrete banks of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. When booking your Seoul accommodation, try to find a hotel within a 10-minute walk of this river. It's a place where people gather to rest and enjoy their snacks, at all times of day and night. In our opinion, it's the nighttime that's the best because of the neon reflections off the water.
Returning from a meal, find a quiet spot by the river to enjoy city life passing by. Dare we say it, but the settings can be romantic? All kinds of colors splash off the water's surface, it's mindful therapy with the city sounds. Perfect moments before heading back to your hotel.
There are so many cities in South Korea to visit, it pains you to choose which to visit. But you must. When traveling to any country, couped up in the capital puts a dampener on any holiday. Holidays are about travel and that's still true, once at your final destination. So, our cities picked out for this guide will give your 7-day, or 10-day holiday a big boost. Getting to one of the following cities isn't a problem in South Korea, from Seoul.
You need to buy a rail pass that'll take you everywhere and off you go. There's always a convenient train station close to most hotels, even the low budget ones. Although you can buy your rail pass at the last minute, don't bet on doing the same with accommodation. May is a big month for tourists in South Korea so plan ahead.
The longer you delay the greater the risk of not securing a roof over your head. If that happens, you have no holiday.
With Seoraksan National Park on the doorstep, what more could you want? This is the top national park for outdoor activities in South Korea. There are many parks in South Korea, but this one offers you the best hiking experiences. For those of you not interested in hiking the trails to the top, there's a cable car system. Whichever way you travel to the top, you get amazing views of the city in the distance.
Even if hiking is your least favorite outdoor activity, give the park a chance. Because there are many temples you'll come across once exploring, and caves too. One such temple, Sinheungsa Cave Temple borders the national park. It's one destination that most Koreans visit, when visiting the park. If you do decide to travel to Sokcho City, we recommend you also visit this Buddhist temple.
As with many Buddha temples, there's a giant Buddha to worship. We're not suggesting you worship a Buddha, only to view one. Sokcho City is a coastal location. That means there is at least one beach. It's on the east side of South Korea that you find the best beaches, so you're in good hands. Are the beaches in Sokcho any good? They'll suffice, if you've traveled from Seoul to stay a day or two.
Another coastal city that comes with beautiful scenery. One of the first things to see and do in Tongyeong is visit the nearest Island. That's correct, you must visit Mireukdo Island on a half day trip or as part of a larger city tour. The city's positioned in among great hills, responsible for the gorgeous scenery. And good luck has it, there's a hill on the Island reaching almost 500 meters.
High enough for you to see greater distances. Enjoy panoramic views of the other smaller Islands and of Tongyeong City. You can hike to the top of Mount Mireuk, or if you prefer you can ascend by cable car. We took the cable car, for convenience, both ways.
On the way up and down we saw a lot of people on the trails. That made us question if we made the right decision or not taking the cable car. The journey up takes only 10 minutes and cost per person was US$12 for a return ticket. Getting to the Island is easy too. There's a bridge on a bus route from the city's main bus station, dropping you off near to where the cable car is.
We stayed a full 3D2N in this city, and the reason why was it reminded us so much of Atami City, in Japan. Like for like there's the same uneven, hilly landscape. Both cities are perfect for a coastal retreat or getaway. We fell in love with this city and can't wait to get back there.
When you're finished with Mireukdo Island, there is a coastal cycle route we recommend you use. Prepare a picnic of fresh fruits and snacks and rent bicycles and safety gear. It's so rewarding to disappear for hours on end. Head towards Tongyeong Beach first thing early in the morning. Shops are close to the beach for you to buy the necessary bottled water and picnic items.
One of South Korea's largest cities, third in the queue after the capital. We took the bus south to Dongdaegu on a US$24 return ticket (per person). Staying in Dongdaegu one night cost us US$40 for a room in a good quality hotel. Dongdaegu is close to Daegu City, on the outskirts in fact. We opted for staying in Dongdaegu as it was a little cheaper, but you could go with Daegu if you want.
A large city, you'd imagine there are lots of things to do in Daegu City. There are, and sadly we hadn't the luxury of time on our hands. We arrived late morning and stayed until late evening the next day, to return to Seoul for our trip back home. Aside from the obligatory city tour bus, that's a must do thing in Daegu without a doubt. It's the tour that opens your eyes to the charms of the city, and you realize how traditional the city is.
Once you hop off the tour bus, you must hop on the Daegu Monorail soon afterwards. It feels like another tour of the city, only from another perspective. You're elevated far higher and can see far more. It's another way of sightseeing the city. An exciting experience, especially if you've never rode on a monorail before.
The large metropolis manages to hold onto much of what lingers of old, such as the Seomun Market. If you love the style of the traditional Hanbok attire worn by the Korean's, you must visit this market. There appears to be thousands of shops selling everything imaginable. Some are selling the traditional dress; the vendors are more than happy to kit you out in one. A little way from the day market is the night market with street vendors and food courts.
If you love Korean food back home, visit the market early evening for true authenticity. The best thing we loved about the food courts was the food was fresh, especially the sea food. One of the most common dishes in South Korea you'll come across is Kimchi Mandu, or dumplings. For an idea of our favorite Korean dishes, find the link below to another other guide.
The market is one of South Korea's most famous, dating back to more than a century. It's little things like that, that attract you to a country. If you can't make the market during the evening, venture to Anjirang Gopchang Street. It's another top gastronomic choice for sampling local cuisine.
The highlight of our short stay must surely be Suseong Lake, without a doubt. We had hours of fun and enjoyment at the lake, and you could too. Lakes are an amazing experience and should never be missed. Be it here in Daegu City, South Korea, or elsewhere, say in India's hill stations, being near to water is so uplifting. Fun too, for families.
The best part of the lake is the swan paddling boats you can hire. Spend a lazy hour on the water paddling aimlessly, soaking up the peaceful ambience. Darned marvelous, and to top it off there are the musical fountains. Maintained paths and walkways all around the lake encourage you to explore and relax. If you've kids following behind you, there's also an amusement park to delight them.
Is Anyang a good place to visit? We pondered this ourselves and took a leap of faith. After all, it's not far from central Seoul so we decided on a short-day trip to Anyang. It' was only 35 minutes on the subway. Tickets were a few US dollars, which wasn't so bad either.
We had heard other travelers talk about Anyang Art Park on the flight over. Curiosity got the better of us and we're happy it did.
The park is beautiful in terms of scenery and woodland landscape. What you can expect when you arrive are features implanted in the park, randomly it feels. Each feature is a unique artistic creation you can interact with, in one way or another. Each piece of art isn't remarkable alone, but collect the dozens of pieces together and you have the means to create lasting memories:
The tower is the best part of the park in our opinion, because you can enjoy views out over the park's forest canopy. You can imagine enjoying beautiful views no matter what time of the year, spring or autumn. Who is the park most suited to? If you love photography, then visit the park. But if you also love the outdoors and are keen on trekking, visit too. For us, it turned out to be a little of both, we enjoyed wandering around for a couple of hours.
We returned to our hotel to refreshen up by early afternoon, so not quite a full day trip. If you're lost for something to do when in Seoul and have exhausted everything else, the park would be an interesting time for you.
Suwon, like Anyang is within easy reach of central Seoul. Taking the train, you are there in no time at all. One of the attractions we visited was the fortress. The UNESCO World Heritage landmark brings in countless thousands of visitors. You must visit the ancient Hwaseong Fortress too, it's the only way to appreciate Korean history. The best way to enjoy the fortress and its grounds is by taking a guided group tour.
We had one booked a few days in advance on one trip and honestly, the guides give you all the full details. The fortress and the importance of it through the ages you discover, heightens your interest for everything Korean. Be sure your guided tour also involves the Hwaseong Museum because not all do. On any holiday abroad, it's the museums (and art galleries) that shed more light on local history and culture, we've found.
Visiting the museum is a must for the exhibits and video presentations. The next thing to see and do in Suwon is the Haenggung Palace.
After your tours have finished, find yourself on Haenggung Street. The street is where you go for shopping for Korean gifts or souvenirs to take back home. It's a location you will come to spend some time on due to the traditional ambience of the street's buildings. But contemporary mixes well with the tradition as you come across a restaurant to your liking.
Suwon has local cuisine you should try, such as BBQ beef ribs and fried chicken with sauce dips.
Pro Tip: When in Seoul and traveling by train always buy tickets for the KTX service. The tickets aren't noticeably more expensive, and the journey is far more comfortable and pleasant. The routes are quicker too.
By the time autumn comes around, the rains have all cleared up. The city continues to thrive, attracting international crowds due to beautiful autumn colors. Many Koreans continue to make an escape to the great outdoors before winter arrives. Have you saved up your holidays for a special destination? Great, now plan a vacation trip to Seoul for October.
The South Korean national parks beckon those who love nature, or photography. The fall colors are in plentiful places in Seoul City, and the city limits. The city is transformed once more. It underwent a transformation in spring, and now again for autumn. Quite a contrast from rainbow colors to brown hued tones. Both spring and autumn are beautiful times to be in Seoul, and South Korea for that matter.
Travel to Seoul in October for the fall colors, and appreciate the great beauty with a tour of:
The one-day tours are amazing. They give you that one off chance to get out of Seoul for the day, into the countryside. Some tours are more involved with trekking and hiking than others. So, take your time to find a tour more to your liking. Also, be sure to enjoy a few hours in a spa salon before flying home. It would be a crime not to pamper yourself when in Seoul, so arrange for that after a tour.
If you forget to book a spa appointment, don't panic. Ask your hotel if they can arrange something for you? Our hotel did, and we got an appointment in a nice salon the following day.
May is the time of year in South Korea for outdoor activities and festivals. That's when you see most Koreans out and about. They're making the most of things, enjoying the parks and waterways. The mountains and forests see the heaviest footfall, too. May is amazing for incredible family day trips. As we said earlier at the beginning, if you can't travel to South Korea in May, don't fret.
You have a second window of opportunity to enjoy South Korea in October.
Seoul is the Asian city to be. Yes, there are other top cities, such as Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. All three give you sensations and feelings of luxury and being spoilt rotten. But we're about South Korea in this travel guide. Not all your time in the capital will be spent in the parks and walking along the banks of a lake or river.
There's the delectable Korean cuisine for one thing you come to Seoul for, and of course the shopping malls and beauty salons. The city is ideal for couples and families, those with energy and those enjoying their retirement. However, you find yourself traveling, South Korea in May has a lot to offer you. This guide, we're positive has helped you decide for yourself if South Korea is where you should be or not.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.