Seoul in Autumn: Best Places to See Fall Foliage & Things to Do

Last updated on September 3rd, 2026

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Autumn in Seoul is undeniably one of the most beautiful seasons to spend in the city.

The crisp morning air is perfect for cafe hopping, the cooler temperatures invite you to try all that delicious Korean cuisine, and the Korean fall fashion sense is just something else.

Still, the highlight of the season has to be seeing the warm autumn colors peek through different areas of the South Korean capital, making Seoul one of the best cities to visit in October for the ultimate city trip mixed with stunning fall foliage.

While living in Seoul from October to January with our touring circus job, we got to experience the best of both worlds: the start of a colorful autumn in Seoul and a part of the magical winter as well.

I loved spending those three months aimlessly walking through the city on chilly autumn days, trying new coffee shops, wandering through tunnels of bright yellow trees—it was just magical, and everything I ever wanted autumn to be.

With that in mind, I wanted to share with you some tips on experiencing autumn in Seoul, from what to wear, things to do, an autumnal itinerary, and some of the most beautiful locations in the city to enjoy autumn in Seoul in all its glory.

I hope you’ll have an autumn in Seoul as magical as I did. So let’s get into it…

Seoul in Autumn: Best Places to See Fall Foliage & Things to Do

Is Seoul worth visiting in autumn?

Absolutely, yes! Autumn in Seoul offers the best of both worlds: an incredible city trip combined with beautiful fall foliage, and chilly but comfortable weather, perfect for exploring the city all bundled up.

The city turns bright yellow with the popular Ginkgo trees lining the streets, Seoul’s incredible coffee shop scene tastes even better on a crisp fall day, and the fashion is just at its peak.

There’s just so much to enjoy when visiting Seoul in autumn. It’s the perfect mix of a city trip, which you can also very easily complement with more nature-focused activities, such as taking day trips for fall foliage viewing and hiking.

When to visit Seoul in autumn: Weather & fall foliage

First of all, when is autumn in Seoul, and what is the weather like? Autumn in Seoul takes place from September to November, with weather and foliage varying considerably from month to month.

Month	Average Temperature	Fall Foliage	My opinion
September	17-27°C (62-80°F)	Mostly green trees	Great for warm-weather exploring, but the autumnal vibes are not fully there yet
October	9-21°C (48-69 °F)	Changing trees; fall foliage peaks towards the end of the month	Best overall month for crispy fall weather and peak fall foliage
November	2-13°C (35-55°F)	Starting at peak, then fading	Enjoyable chill at the beginning, much colder as the month goes on

As you can see, October is the best time to visit Seoul in autumn to enjoy your fall trip to the fullest, with crisp weather and stunning fall foliage peaking towards the end of the month. Later, the first weeks of November still give you a chance of enjoying the end of the colorful trees.

What to wear in Seoul in autumn

As mentioned, the temperatures you’ll experience in Seoul will really depend on what month you’re visiting, so your packing list will change with it.

September in Seoul

If you’re visiting Seoul in September, you should be fine with short-sleeved T-shirts, jeans, and even dresses, as long as you also bring some outer layers for the chillier evenings, such as a light to medium cardigan, and a rain jacket or umbrella for the occasional rainy autumn day.

October in Seoul

If you’re visiting Seoul in October, the temperature drop is significant at night, so I would recommend packing mid-layers for the in-between temperatures, such as cardigans or pull-overs.

Definitely pack a warmer outer layer, such as a light coat, sherpa-lined denim jacket, or, when in doubt, those packable puffer jackets are great for traveling: light to carry and keep the warmth in.

I’d also recommend bringing at least one scarf and hat for windy days, and an umbrella for occasional rainy days.

And because I hate being cold, I’d also pack some thin long-sleeved thermal tops, just in case, and if I were to wear dresses in October, I would definitely wear them with tights.

November in Seoul

If you’re visiting Seoul in November, you definitely want to come better equipped for colder temperatures, even if it doesn’t seem that cold. Consider that you’ll spend most days out and about walking, so it’s better to be prepared.

Stick to all of the above items from October, but I would wear heavier outerwear or layer up more under the outerwear I already have.

So for November, I would wear long-sleeved thermal tops, cozy wool sweaters, and a coat on top, a chunky scarf, a warm headband or beanie to cover my ears, gloves, jeans, and if I’m freezing, maybe even tights under denim, and warmer boots, or wool socks with comfortable tennis shoes.

If you’re too worried about packing, just remember that if you forget something, you can always buy it in Seoul, and honestly, with Uniqlo, that’s super easy to do; they have great basics at great prices.

I bought a lot of my autumn/winter closet in Seoul at Uniqlo, and it has lasted me pretty well.

Best places to see fall foliage in Seoul

N-Seoul Tower: Panoramic fall foliage views

N-Seoul Tower is a popular spot in its own right due to the beautiful views you get over the city, which is why it should be on your Seoul itinerary regardless of whether you’re visiting in autumn or any other season.

What makes N-Seoul Tower a special autumn location is the fact that the hill the N-Seoul Tower is on is covered in trees, and once autumn rolls around, the whole hill starts to change colors. This turns the hike or ride up the mountain into a gorgeous autumn spectacle.

To get to the top of the hill, you can either hike your way up a long staircase or take the Namsan cable car. Whichever one you choose, if you’re visiting Seoul in autumn, you’ll get a spectacular view either way.

When we visited, we took the cable car up and got a beautiful view of the fall foliage below us. For the way down, we decided to walk, which allowed us to immerse ourselves in the gorgeous fall colors of the park.

Definitely one of the best places to visit in Seoul in autumn for great fall foliage viewing.

Bukhansan National Park: Hiking through dramatic autumnal vibes

The Bukhansan National Park is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous views I’ve ever seen in autumn, which is why it’s such a special place to witness autumn in Seoul.

While visiting the park, we committed to doing the full hike; however, I must point out that it’s quite rigorous, and we saw some people turn around halfway through.

If you’re in good physical shape, I would definitely recommend doing the full hike to get the breathtaking view at the top of the mountain. Even if you don’t finish the whole hike, the view is totally worth it along the way, but keep in mind that it is quite steep.

If your body allows it, Bukhansan National Park is definitely a spot worth checking out to enjoy peak fall foliage in Seoul.

Seoul Forest Park: Cozy autumnal stroll

One of the best places to visit in Seoul in autumn is the gorgeous Seoul Forest Park, an expansive, lush city park.

Seoul Forest Park is the perfect cityscape year-round, but especially during autumn, when the whole place comes alive with bright shades of red, yellow, and orange. It’s one of the best things to do in Seoul to immerse yourself in nature and go for an autumnal walk without having to go too far out of the city.

This place also comes highly recommended by a local friend of mine, who mentioned this is her favorite place in the city to enjoy the seasonal colors.

Gyeongbokgung Palace: Iconic location with fall foliage

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit in Seoul year-round, but there’s something about fall that makes this place seem even more magical.

The trees around the lake start to change colors, the leaves start to float through the air as you walk through the traditional hanoks, and you can see the green hills behind the palace start to warm up as well.

Definitely a location in the city you don’t want to miss if you are visiting Seoul in autumn.

Street Yulgok-ro-3-gil: Casual street lined with Ginkgo trees

Street Yulgok-ro-3-gil is an unassuming street located between the Seoul Museum of Craft and Art and Yeolrin Songhyeon Park. This is one of the streets I walked through the most while living in Seoul, since it leads you straight into the gorgeous Bukchon Hanok Village.

This random road is full of surprises, with little eateries, cafes, and shops between the alleys, and most importantly, the street entrance is lined with Ginkgo trees that come alive during the autumn months, when the leaves turn bright yellow.

I loved walking up this street regularly, making my way to Salt 24 to get a croissant in the morning and walking around the neighborhood under the eye-catching yellow leaves of the Ginkgo trees.

Sinsa-dong Shopping Street: Cute shopping street lined with Ginkgo trees

Sinsa-dong is one of my favorite areas in Seoul, and while it’s a vibey shopping district and not a park, the main road of Sinsa-dong is lined with small Ginkgo trees that just add that cozy autumn feel to a shopping day in the area.

I had so many perfect autumn days in Seoul, walking around this neighborhood, getting a coffee during chilly October days, hopping into shops, and trying on chunky sweaters. I just remember how cute the street looked with those vibrant yellow trees.

Fun fact: When autumn in Seoul is over and the temperatures drop, the trees get their own personal handwoven sweaters too— it’s so cute!

Downtown Seoul: Ginkgo tree-lined streets

The beauty of Seoul in autumn is that you don’t have to go out of your way to experience it.

Autumn is all around you while strolling through the city, with trees lining main avenues and little green spaces around office buildings changing colors—it’s easy to be immersed in the season wherever you are in the city.

Things to do in Seoul in autumn

With the weather changing, and some rainy days sprinkled in between, it’s good to have options. So here are some of the best things to do in Seoul in autumn:

Go cafe-hopping in Seoul

Seoul is heaven for coffee lovers, especially if aesthetics matter to you as much as the coffee itself. Seoul coffee shops are all about design and personality, and there are just so many to discover!

With the chilly fall temperatures, cafe hopping is the perfect way to seek refuge from windy days and discover the city one coffee shop at a time.

To help you plan your cafe-hopping itinerary, check out our guide to some of the best cafes in Seoul for good coffee—they are also cute!

Best neighborhoods for coffee-shop hopping in Seoul:

• Bukchon Hanok Village: Cute cafés inside traditional Korean houses.
• Insadong: Contemporary coffee shops tucked between alleys.
• Sinsadong: Great coffee shops in a trendy shopping district.
• Seongsudong: Alternative coffee shops in a cool and up-and-coming neighborhood.

Go on an autumnal hike

If you’re an outdoorsy person, then going on a hike while visiting Seoul during autumn is a great way to enjoy the colorful season.

Just make sure to research the temperatures for the place you’re going, as they will definitely get chillier the higher you go.

The only hike we did while in Seoul was the challenging but beautiful Bukhansan National Park. As I mentioned earlier, if you don’t feel like hiking to the peak, you could just do a small portion of it to admire the colorful fall foliage all around.

Shop Korean fall fashion

One autumnal activity I was really excited about while in Seoul was being able to witness the stylish Korean fall fashion trends and get some inspiration from them.

Korea is becoming a world sensation when it comes to beauty and fashion trends, and their fall fashion is by far one of my favorites: simple, clean, and elegant.

With that in mind, updating your fall wardrobe is a great activity to do while in Seoul, especially with all the stylish inspiration the city has to offer.

If you’re looking for shops, Myeongdong is a good neighborhood for international brands, but you can also find smaller local shops spread throughout the city.

Insa-dong Street has some great accessory shops, including wool scarves and Korean cashmere socks, and for classic fall basics, Uniqlo is a great place to start.

Visit a museum

Museums are a great addition to any trip, no matter the time of year, but they can become a strategic activity for those unpredictable autumn days too.

Too cold, too windy, or just straight up pouring down? No better way to use your time in the city than to visit a museum.

The National Folk Museum of Korea is a great stop for any first-time visitor to Seoul. It’s conveniently located next to the must-visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and close to the historic Bukchon Hanok Village; it has a great exhibition about Korean culture, and it is free!

So definitely a good place to have in your itinerary, and maybe save it for a rainy day.

Indulge in a Korean facial treatment

The temperature change, the traveling, the jet lag—they can all take a toll on your skin, which is the perfect excuse to immerse yourself in another aspect of Korean culture: their world-renowned skincare.

Seoul is known for amazing skincare clinics offering treatments at very affordable prices; one of the top ones—and a personal favorite—is Muse Clinic, where you can get professional facial treatments at prices unheard of in North America and Europe.

I did the hydrafcial here a few times and loved it! Definitely a nice little addition to any cold autumnal day in the city.

Try seasonal Korean snacks

Another great thing to do in autumn in Seoul is to try all the delicious seasonal snacks.

Seoul has amazing Korean street food year-round, but there are snacks that only appear during specific seasons of the year, and autumn marks the beginning of cozy snack season—I made that up— but it means all the warm, cozy snacks start appearing at the street food carts.

To find all the tasty street food dishes, go to Myeongdong Night Market and Gwangjang Food Market; some of the best places to eat in Seoul in general.

Korean autumn foods to try in Seoul:

• Bungeo-ppang: The popular fish-shaped pastry filled with either red bean or custard.
• Hotteoks: Thick, chewy little pancakes filled with brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Gyeran-ppang: Small fluffy loaf of bread baked with a whole egg on top.
• Sweet potatoes: Korean sweet potatoes roasted until caramelized.
• Gunbam: Chestnuts roasted over an open flame.

Visit Nami Island: One of the best day trips from Seoul in autumn

Visiting Nami Island in autumn is an absolute must if you’re already in Seoul during this season.

Nami Island, also known as Namirana Republic, is a picturesque river island not too far from Seoul that offers some of the most beautiful fall foliage displays in Korea.

This dreamy little island seriously looks straight out of a fairy tale, with wild rabbits hopping around unbothered by human visitors, squirrels jumping into piles of colorful leaves, and the whole place turning into a colorful mosaic of bright red, orange, and yellow once autumn comes around.

This easy day trip destination from Seoul is everything autumn dreams are made of!

How to spend 3 days in Seoul in autumn

If you’re visiting Seoul in autumn for three days, here’s how I’d organize your time to make the most of the fall foliage, café-exploring, neighborhoods, and seasonal food.

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
• Gyeongbokgung Palace • Bukchon Hanok Village • Walk along Yulgok-ro-3-gil • Go café hopping in these areas	• Stroll through Seoul Forest • Explore the cafés in Seongsu-dong • Shopping and cafés in Sinsa-dong	• Namsan/N-Seoul Tower • Myeongdong street food market • Evening in central Seoul

🍁 Have more time? Add a day trip to Nami Island or a hike through Bukhansan National Park.

Final thoughts on visiting Seoul in autumn

After living in Seoul for three months and experiencing a whole autumn, I truly believe this is the best time to visit the city.

The crisp temperatures are perfect for bundling up and exploring the coffee shop scene, visiting museums, trying out all the delicious Korean street food, and most importantly, admiring the beautiful fall foliage throughout the city.

And if the city foliage is not enough, you can always take a day trip to admire even more dramatic autumnal scenes, like Nami Island or Bukhansan Park.

From breaking down the temperatures throughout the season to what to wear, the best places to see fall foliage in Seoul and things to do in autumn, this mini guide to Seoul in autumn has everything you need to plan your perfect fall itinerary.

I hope you fall in love with this city as much as I did, but if you visit in autumn, I’m sure you will!

What are you most looking forward to when visiting Seoul in autumn? Let us know in the comments.