Last updated on August 31st, 2026
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If you’re already visiting Seoul in autumn, then a day trip to Nami Island should undoubtedly be part of your itinerary for the ultimate fall foliage viewing.
Autumn in Korea means crisp mornings, hopping around Seoul’s top coffee shops, warming up with Korean street food dishes, and admiring the impeccable Korean fall fashion scene.
But most importantly, it means breathtaking hues of red, orange, and yellow peeking through the trees throughout the country, and one of the best places to see fall foliage in all its glory is Nami Island.
While living in Seoul from October to December, we were lucky enough to witness the city go through fall from beginning to end. And while we got to enjoy so many beautiful sights, the highlight was still our visit to Nami Island.
Nami Island in autumn looks like a page straight out of a fairytale: wild rabbits hop around unbothered by human visitors, squirrels jump into piles of colorful leaves, and lines of bright yellow ginkgo trees decorate the island.
So, if you were wondering if visiting Nami Island in autumn is worth it, the answer is a resounding yes! And this mini guide will give you all the information you need to plan your day trip.
⭐️ Plan your first visit with ease: To help you better prepare for your trip, check out our Seoul travel guide—packed with practical tips on everything from getting around the city to how to get data while in Korea, cultural etiquette, and more.
Nami Island in Autumn: Beautiful Fall Day Trip from Seoul
What is Nami Island?
Nami Island, also known as Naminara Republic, is a small river island in South Korea that declared its cultural independence from the Republic of Korea in 2006.
The island focuses on celebrating imagination and welcoming visitors into its fairytale micronation. And they do a great job of it!
Even though Nami Island has declared itself independent from Korea, you don’t need to bring your passport or an actual visa to get in, but more on that later.
Being located only 62 km from Seoul, a day trip to Nami Island is an excellent addition to an extended Seoul itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Nami Island in Autumn?
While I’m sure that Nami Island is still charming and magical year-round, I can’t imagine it ever being more beautiful than it is in autumn.
It’s hard to get the perfect timing for the fall foliage to be at its peak, but mid-October to the first week of November should be when it is at its brightest.
We visited on the 1st of November, and sadly the Ginkgo trees had already lost their leaves, but the rest of the island was still covered in red and orange, and the Ginkgo leaves decorated the floor. So we were not too mad about it—it was still beautiful.
Nami Island in October
- Fall foliage: Mid-October, you should be able to see the Katsura trees turn bright orange and maple trees begin to turn red. The ginkgo trees are hard to predict, but normally they should start to turn yellow towards the end of October.
- Weather: Cool with daytime highs of 18°C to 22°C (64°F to 72°F), but pack a sweater as it can get chilly.
- Crowds: If visiting towards the end of October, you’ll surely encounter one of the busiest times. To improve your experience, try to visit on a weekday, as early as possible, and immediately head to the main areas on arrival.
Nami Island in November
- Fall foliage: According to the official Nami Island website, by mid-November you should be able to enjoy the vibrant Ginkgo Tree Lane. But as I mentioned, when we visited on November 1st, the leaves had already fallen. For more recent updates on the fall foliage progress, check the official Nami Island social media.
- Weather: Chilly, with daytime highs between 10°C and 17°C (51°F to 62°F), and dropping drastically at night, so pack layers.
- Crowds: If visiting at the beginning of November, you’ll surely encounter one of the busiest times. To improve your experience, try to visit on a weekday, as early as possible, and immediately head to the main areas on arrival. If you visit in late November, the crowds might be smaller, but the trees might also be emptier.
When is peak fall foliage in Nami Island?
Due to continuing climate changes, the exact peak fall foliage varies from year to year, especially since different types of trees peak at different times, like the fan favorites ginkgo and maple trees.
Rude, right? It would be nice if they would just coordinate themselves.
Based on my experience, visiting on November 1st and seeing the ginkgo already empty, I think that a great time to visit for peak fall foliage in Nami Island is the end of October to get a taste of everything: the red maple trees, the vibrant ginkgo trees, and the fiery orange Katsura trees.
How to get to Nami Island from Seoul
Even though Google Maps is not very effective in Korea for finding places, you can still use it to get to places.
We followed the instructions to take the metro at Cheongnyangni Station up until Gapyeong Station, and then you can take a bus, a taxi, or, like us, just walk down to Nami Island Wharf.
Google Maps doesn’t mention how long the walk would take, but it will take you between 20 and 30 minutes.
• By metro:
Add Gapyeong Station as your destination on Google Maps and follow the instructions for which metro to take depending on where you’re staying in Seoul.
• By bus:
There are intercity buses going from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Gapyeong Bus Terminal. The ride takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, with the first bus departing at 06:45 and the last at 20:50, with 10 departures daily. Gapyeong Bus Terminal is about 3 km from the Nami Island ferry dock, so you might want to take a taxi upon arrival.
• By shuttle bus:
If you want hassle-free transportation, a great option is to take a round-trip shuttle bus to Nami Island from Seoul. This shuttle bus service offers two pickup spots in Seoul and guarantees a smooth, comfortable transfer, so you don’t have to worry about logistics.
• By organized tour:
If you want an even more relaxed experience, opt for this Nami Island and Garden of Morning Calm guided tour. This includes round-trip transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and an extra stop at the serene Garden of Morning Calm, Korea’s oldest private garden.
Nami Island admission fee & ferry
If you’re wondering if there’s an admission fee at Nami Island, the answer is yes, but it’s quite small.
At the Nami Island wharf, you’ll need to pay a “visa fee“ of 19,000 won (14 USD), which includes the admission ticket and the round-trip ferry ride. Prices might change, so double-check the official Nami Island prices here.
The ferries depart every 10-20 minutes, and the trip takes about 5 min to and from the island. The first ferry leaves at 8 am and the last one returns at 9 pm.
For more details on the ferry schedule to Nami Island, double-check the official website.
Best places to see fall foliage on Nami Island
The whole island is a spectacle in itself, but make sure to stop by these specific spots to admire some of the best fall foliage on Nami Island:
- Ginkgo Tree Lane: One of the most popular spots on the island. Arrive early to avoid crowds.
- Metasequoia Lane: Bright orange tree lane, also known for being featured in Winter Sonata, a popular K-drama.
- Maple tree lane: One of my favorite spots with beautiful bright red trees.
- Riverside Ginkgo Tree Lane: Walk along the river for beautiful views of the water lined by smaller yellow Ginkgo trees.
- All around: Basically, just wandering all around the island, you’ll be surrounded by the most vibrant autumnal colors.
Things to do on Nami Island in autumn
Besides providing one of the most beautiful displays of autumn in Korea, there are also a few activities to do on Nami Island.
- Rent a bicycle: Visit Nami’s bike center to pick up a bike for the day and explore the island on your favorite vehicle: a standard bike, an e-bike, or even a tandem bike.
- Have a fall picnic: Stop by a GS25 before arriving, or visit the island’s convenience store, Nami Store Sonata, to get some picnic essentials, and enjoy them under the colorful trees.
- Explore the riverside paths: The tree-lined riverside paths offer beautiful views and tend to be quieter than the island’s center, where everyone is trying to photograph the tree lanes.
- Take the Story Tour Bus: An open-air small vehicle that drives around the island while you get to learn more about Nami’s history and culture from a knowledgeable guide. You can book your tickets on-site at the ticket kiosk.
- Ride the UNICEF Train: Enjoy a slow 15min train ride through the island, admiring all the surrounding autumnal colors before arriving at the island’s center. You can book your tickets on-site at the ticket kiosk.
- Zipline to the island: To add a little adventure to your visit, you can arrive on Nami Island via zipline, only until October, if the weather allows. You can book your tickets on-site at the ticket kiosk.
- Explore the gardens: Wander around and slowly explore the different gardens on the island, and look for fun surprises, like forest wooden giants or small rock towers.
- Look for rabbits and other animals: There are so many cute animals carelessly hopping around—you’ll feel like a Disney princess!
- Stay the night: If you want to experience the colorful Nami Island for longer than a day, spend the night at Hotel Jeonggwanru, the only hotel on the island.
What to wear for Nami Island in autumn
I would recommend packing thin but warm layers, and maybe a light coat or puffer jacket for those lower temperatures, but as always, it really depends on what month you visit and how this particular year is behaving.
And you’ll want comfortable shoes to walk around and explore.
We visited Nami Island on November 1st, and we inexplicably had super comfortable weather, around 21°C (69.8°F), so I was fine with just a T-shirt and a cardigan.
However, the temperature can really drop from one day to the next, so I recommend having some warm layers at hand during your trip to Seoul in autumn.
Tips for visiting Nami Island during fall
- Weekdays: If possible, visit during a weekday to avoid the big weekend crowds.
- Arrive early: Similarly, arrive as early as possible for a more comfortable visit.
- Foliage timing: Peak foliage timing can really vary from year to year, so keep an eye on the official Nami Island channels for day-to-day updates.
- Weather: Double-check the weather the morning of your trip to make sure you’re well equipped, as the weather can change drastically from one day to the other in the fall.
Final thoughts on visiting Nami Island in autumn
After spending three months living in Seoul and experiencing autumn in the city, I wasn’t sure a day trip to see more fall foliage was necessary, but boy was I wrong!
Nami Island is, without a doubt, one of the best places to experience autumn in Korea and an absolute must if you’re already visiting Seoul in the fall.
While you’ll see many autumnal displays in the city, visiting Nami Island is different. You’re surrounded by nature, with vibrant trees everywhere you look, and a serene atmosphere—it’s the perfect autumnal city escape.
Its short distance from Seoul makes it an easy day trip to plan, and it’s so worth it to experience a different side of South Korea—immersed in nature instead of its buzzing cities.
From what it is to how to get there, the best places for fall foliage in Nami Island and best things to do once you’re there, this guide has everything you need to plan your perfect day trip to this autumnal paradise.
Are you planning to do any activities on your visit to Nami Island, or are you looking forward to simply enjoying the place and its beauty? Let us know in the comments.
When we visited, we just explored aimlessly, had a picnic on a bench, and had a lovely time!
Save this autumnal Nami Island guide for later!
Your future self will thank you.