Visiting Seoul in June? Here is what you need to know about the weather and what to bring, as well as the best events to check out, based on my last 8-10 visits to Seoul, South Korea!
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I have a confession.
The month of June- or any of the summer months- is NOT my favorite time to visit Seoul. The weather is hot and muggy. (June is the beginning of 장마 jangma, the Korean rainy season, which starts in mid-June- the heavy rains will last for about 2-6 weeks.) The perfect weather of Seoul in April and the cherry blossoms of May have unfortunately ended.
However, if you enjoy long sunny days that are chock-full of fun events to have a good time at, summer in Seoul is the season for you! Scroll down for more information on what to bring, what to do, and what to eat in June! (For a 7 day Seoul itinerary, click here.)
Note: if you plan to shop, here's a FREE Dongdaemun voucher from Klook! (It's a Super Pass that gets you exclusive discounts and sometimes free gifts)
Weather
Korea has distinct seasons and the weather in June is warm.
However, the first 2 weeks, before the summer solstice on June 20/21, are not as suffocating as the end of June (the beginning of the summer season) or July. The humidity really kicks in around the middle of June. (Personally I much prefer to visit Seoul in September.)
Temperatures generally range between an average low of 18 degrees C/ 64 degrees F and average high temperatures of 27 degrees C/ 81 degrees F, with humidity levels of approximately 68%. (However, this may change due to global warming.)
Since this is also the start of jangma, the monsoon season, expect rainy days but still bring your SPF50+ suncreen. (The rain is milder compared to Seoul in July.)
Things to Note
- June is a popular month to visit Seoul so expect crowds and higher prices at hotels. However, Seoul in June is typically the least crowded of all the summer months. Be sure to book everything early!
- June is also a great time to visit the seaside city of Busan and Jeju Island.
June 6: Memorial Day
June 6 is a major national public holiday in South Korea. It's Memorial Day, on which the whole of Seoul Korea commemorates veterans who have defended Korea.
Most tourist venues and restaurants will continue to open but there will be more events around the day.
Festivals & Events
Gugak Performance
- Dates: Saturday (June 15, 22, 29)
Sing and dance to Gugak music (traditional Korean music) at the National Gugak Centre. There will be:
- classical music (Jeongakdan)
- dance theater (Muyongdan)
- original music (Changjakakdan)
- folk music (Minsokakdan)
It starts with music before moving into more exciting dance, and you can even take photos at the end. (There's also a shuttle bus to the subway station.)
THE PAINTERS Season 2 : Show in Seoul
- Dates: 5, 6 June 2024
The Painters is the World’s First and Only! Live Painting Performance, which combines live drawing with 3D visual effects, dance, and comedy. 4-8 actors that resemble Korean idols will express famous paintings such as Michelangelo's 'Creation of Heaven,' Vincent Van Gohee's 'Self-Portrait,' and Gustav Klimt's 'Kiss.'
The Painters has performed in 133 cities in 19 countries and reached over 1 million people a year, making it one of the "top 5 most popular attractions in Korea in the last 5 years."
Ultra Korea 2024
- Festival dates: June 7 - 9, 2024
This is the 10th year anniversary of Ultra Korea, which is one of the biggest outdoor electronic music festivals in the country. It brings together the world’s top DJs like Marshmello, Martin Garvix.
The event is actually in Paradise City, Incheon, so outside of central Seoul, but close enough! (Incheon is where the international airport is located.)
BTS FESTA
- Festival dates: June 13, 2024 (In 2023, it was held on June 12 - 25)
- Address: Seoul Sports Complex but there will be supporting events all over Seoul, such as at Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square
This is an annual event by BTS (a K-pop boy band that has a HUGE following everywhere and that you've probably already heard of since you're on this page!) to celebrate their anniversary with their BTS ARMY (their fans are known as Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth). 2024 is the 11th anniversaty!
Expect exciting events such as an appearance by Jin, who will hug or shake the hand of 1000 lucky fans.
Fun fact: BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan/ 방탄소년단 or Bulletproof Boy Scouts”, referring to the group’s desire "to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets".
World DJ Festival 2024
- Festival dates: June 15 - 16, 2024
- Address: Seoul Land (181 Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwachon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 13829)
The World DJ festival is one of Asia's best EDM festivals and is the first Korean festival to be ranked in DJ MAG's TOP100 festivals. You'll get to hear artists like Trivecta, Alan Walker, Adventure Club, Darren Styles and Monstercat.
2024 Super Junior (Super Show Spin-off: Halftime) Asia Tour in Seoul
- Dates: June 22, 2024 (Sat) 7:00PM (KST) / June 23, 2024 (Sun) 4:00PM (KST)
- Venue: KSPO DOME
- 424 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
8 Super Junior members- LEETEUK, YESUNG, SHINDONG, EUNHYUK, DONGHAE, SIWON, RYEOWOOK, and KYUHYUN- will attend this Super Junior Show. (Click through for tickets.)
Lotte Family Concert 2024
- Festival dates: to be advised. (Last year, it was held on June 16-18)
This Lotte Free Family Concert was started in 2006 but was held online over the last few year. After a four-year physical absence, it returned to its offline form last year.
This popular K-pop concert, organised by Lotte Duty Free, will have performances by famous K-pop groups and artists.
P.S. Last year, the ticket included a $100 Lotte Duty Free coupon for concert-goers to shop and buy their cosmetics! (Korea is a great place for beautifying oneself- click here for the best facials and hair salons in Seoul (that I've tried)!)
Outside Seoul
Yongsugol Red Poppy Festival
- Dates: to be advised. (Last year, it was held on May 19 - June 6, 2023)
- Address: 1632-1, Seogok-ri, Panbu-Myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do
At the Yongsugol Red Poppy Festival in Wonju, the 41,000 square meters of poppy fields showcase a continuous landscape of bright crimson flowers. Besides Wonju, red poppies can be seen in June in Sangdong Lake Park in Bucheon Hedong Bucheon in Gyeongsangnam-do, Simhak Mountain in Paju and Olympic Park in Seoul.
Herb One Lavender Festival
- Dates: to be advised. Last year, it was held on May 26 - June 30, 2023
- Address: 188 - 29, Guryangl-gil, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do
Herb One is the largest lavender farm in Korea with lavender fields measuring 330,000 square meters!
Gangneung Danoje Festival 2024
- Dates: June 6 - 13, 2024
- Address: 1, Danojang-Gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
The Gangneung Danoje Festival is deeply rooted in the Korean history. It is one of the country’s 3 most significant traditional holidays! (The other 2 are Chuseok and Korean New Year.)
During the Joseon Dynasty, the people of Gangneung (a city 2 hours from Seoul) gathered together about 4 weeks before to:
- honor the rigorous and grueling work in the fields
- pray to the mountain gods for a prosperous harvest
- wish prosperity within the town and each family.
This Festival was recognised by UNESCO in 2005 and is over 1000 years old. It starts with a shamanistic ritual, continuing with a variety of events. Plans to offer year-round ritual performances for tourists at the Ojuk Hanok Village are in the works too.
To book a 3 hour taxi tour around Gangneung for 33,000 Won (pretty inexpensive really!), click here. (Affiliate link- I get a small commission if you book through this link with no extra cost to you.)
21st Toechon Tomato Festival
- Festival dates: June 14 - 16, 2024
- Address: 104 - 7, Ori- gil, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
This annual event showcases tomato juice!
There are many sampling booths, exhibitions, various games and events relating to tomatoes, concerts, and other performances. There is also an auction for tomatoes and festival goers can look forward to purchasing the country’s best produce at a good price.
Outdoor Activities
The weather in early June is still pleasant, so you can enjoy the outdoor attractions offered by Seoul. Explore the City’s green spaces and natural parks, stroll along the famous ancient Hanok villages and Joseon Dynasty palaces, or visit museums and galleries.
As the mornings are cooler, it is better to plan one’s outdoor activities during that time and leave the indoor attractions (like art galleries, museums etc) for the afternoons.
River cruises
Take advantage of the cooler evenings to enjoy a cruise on the iconic Han River- you'll see scenic views and many attractions (such as Bamseon Islet, Jeolsusan Park, 63 Square, Naming Seoul Tower, Jamsil Tower, etc) as you cruise along.
Royal Palaces
The weather in June is the perfect time to stroll along the grounds of the Korean Royal palaces, and travel back in time to Seoul's past. the Joseon Dynasty.
Renting a hanbok (you get free entry to ALL of these palaces if you wear a hanbok) and posing for pictures is a popular thing to do.
There are 5 Royal Palaces in Seoul:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- If you are only planning to visit 1 palace in Seoul, I recommend either Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung, so there are longer write-ups on the 2 below.
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Changgyeonggung Palace
- Address: 185 Changgyeonggung-to, Jongno-gu
- Hours: 9am - 6.30 pm
- This simple and compact palace boast of a forest of 50,000 trees, including Japanese apricot, zelkova, maples, cherry and peach.
- Deoksugung Palace
- Address: 99 Sejong-Darrow, Jung-gu
- Hours: 9 am - 9 pm
- This is the smallest of the 5 palaces and was the final residence of King Gojong, the last King of the Joseon Dynasty and the first Emperor of Korea. It is also the only palace with a western-style garden and fountain.
- Gyeonghuigung Palace
- Address: 45 Saemunan-rom Jongno-gu
- Hours: 9 am - 6 pm
- Within the palace grounds are the Seoul Museum of History and the Gyeonghuigung Annex Building of the Seoul Museum of Art.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 is the oldest, largest and, to many, the most beautiful of the 5. If you only have time for 1 palace in Seoul, visit either Gyeonbok Palace or Changdeok Palace.
- Address: 161 Sajik-do, Jongno-gu
- Hours: 9 am - 6.30 pm
- Closed: Tuesdays
Free guided tours (included in your ticket price) are conducted in English every day, except Tuesdays, at 11 am, 1.30 pm, and 3.30 pm. Tours last for 1 hour, are limited to 30 people, and start in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace Information Centre (inside the Heungyemun Gate.)
You can enter for free on Culture Day (last Wednesday of the month) and major holidays like Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving and Seollal, the Lunar New Year, or if you wear a hanbok (Korean traditional costume- click to see where you can rent them near Gyeongbokgung and near Changdeokgung.)
Note: The National Folk Museum and the National Palace Museum of Korea are within the palace grounds. At the Folk Museum, visitors can get insight into Korea’s 5,000-year-old history from the Paleolithic Age to Japanese colonization through the many exhibits.
Tip: Nearby attractions that are worthwhile exploring are the vibrant Insadong (known for its wooden tea houses, boutique art galleries and Korean traditional crafts) and the must-visit Bukchon Hanok Village (home to hundreds of hanok (Korean traditional houses) that date back to the Joseon dynasty.)
Changdeokgung Palace
- Address: 99 Yulgok-do, Jongno-Gul
- Hours: Palace Halls 9 am to 6 pm
- Hours: Secret Garden 9 am to 6.30 pm
This UNESCO World Heritage site was the 2nd palace to be built (and is the most well preserved of the five remaining Joseon Dynasty palaces.)
It was the principal residence for the Joseon Dynasty kings and is famous for its Secret Garden. Located behind the palace’s inner hall, the garden was constructed during King Taejong’s reign and entrance to it is via a guided tour at an extra cost.
Enjoy a Picnic
Take advantage of June’s warm and sunny weather to dine alfresco at these popular spots:
- Yeouido Hangyang Park (Yeougdeungpo-gu)
- Seoul Forest (Seongdong-gu)
- Don't forget to check out the shops along the cafe street next to Seoul Forest!
- Seonyudo Park (Seonyudo Island, Yeongdeungpo-gu)
- Namsan Park (Jung-gu)
- Besides being the largest park in Seoul, Namsan Park has a wide range of trees, plants and animals. There are scenic walking trails, Baekbeom Square, Namsan Cable Car, and Namsan Seoul Tower.
- Olympic Park (Songpa-gu)
- Nami Island (Chuncheon, Gangwon Province)
- This half-moon shaped island offers a panoramic view of Seoul City and has several walking trails. It is a shooting location for k-dramas such as Winter Sonata (2002), making it one of the most popular day trips from Seoul.
- Personally, I'm not super keen on Nami Island- click the link for the day trips from Seoul that I recommend instead!
Other Things to Do
Why not get a facial in Seoul? (Click through for reviews of the various spas I've tried.)
My favorite way to relax on a hot day is to get a Sulwhasoo facial. (Click through for my detailed review of the beauty treatment!)
What to Bring
Since the weather will be warm, make sure to bring clothing made of natural materials such as cotton. Some of the things you'll need are:
- T- shirts
- Korean people are very well groomed so don't bring any holey ones if you want to fit in
- Cardigan
- for the malls which have AC and cooler evenings
- Shorts, skirts or thin pants
- Either a light raincoat or foldable umbrella
- Good walking shoes
- you'll walk quite a bit in Korea! (I've broken TWO shoes there.)
- Bring flip flops if you plan to go to a water festival or beach!
- Sunglasses
- Any Prescription Medication you may need: South Korea does not always acknowledge your Doctor's prescription so make sure you check their laws before visiting.
- Travel documents, passport, air ticket, itineraries, hotel reservations, visa and insurance papers.
- Credit cards
- Note that, although Seoul is very technologically advanced, it is not 100% cashless. Some food stalls only take cash
- Mobile phone, chargers, and travel adapters
- eSIM or physical SIM card: the previous (affiliate) link is for one that can be picked up at the airport. At the time of writing, you get a free T-money card if you get a SIM for more than 3 days.)
For a more detailed summer in Seoul packing list, click here.
Any questions about visiting Seoul, South Korea in June? Let me know in the comments!
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