Late spring · Weather & things to do
Seoul in May
Seoul warms up: highs climb to 70°F (21°C), from 60°F in April, with lows of 51°F (11°C) and about 3.3 in (84 mm) of rain.
May opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 86/100 (2nd of 12).
- Avg high
- 70°F (21°C)
- Avg low
- 51°F (11°C)
- Rain
- 3.3 in (84 mm)
- Humidity
- 75%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 01 min
- Comfort score
- 86/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are warm, averaging 70°F (21°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
Lows average 51°F (11°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.3 in (84 mm).
Plan around May
May is one of Seoul's best months on the climate data.
- First warm month: highs reach 70°F, up from 60°F in April.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May and October.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by June, the score drops to 75/100.
- Comfort improves from 80/100 in April to 86/100.
- May sits inside the Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov window our Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes70°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Seoul in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
N Seoul Tower
Tower atop Namsan with a cable car and city views stretching to the mountains.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Hillside lanes of traditional tiled-roof homes between two palaces.
Bukhansan National Park
Granite peaks inside city limits; the Baegundae summit hike takes about 4 hours round trip.
Why now May scores 86/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Changdeokgung Secret Garden (Huwon)
Guided walks through a royal garden of ponds, pavilions and old trees behind Changdeokgung.
Why now Highs near 70°F and 3.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Euljiro Nogari Alley
Plastic tables, cheap beer and dried pollack snacks spill into the street each evening.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in May
- Gyeongju in May~172 mi · highs 71°F, 3.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Busan in May~202 mi · highs 64°F, 5.8 in rain · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Seoul in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Seoul?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 86/100. Expect highs of 70°F (21°C) and 3.3 in (84 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov window our Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan route recommends.
How hot is Seoul in May?
Average highs are 70°F (21°C) and average lows 51°F (11°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Seoul in May?
Some: about 3.3 in (84 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 48.9 in (1241 mm).
What should I pack for Seoul in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (70°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in May
- Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
Planning Seoul in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.