While South Korea is a fascinating country to visit at any time of year, there’s no better time to do so than in the spring, particularly in April. Read on to find out why you never really need an excuse to visit Korea in April.
Hello, Sunshine!
In Korea, April is the month of spring breeze and warm sunlight. The weather continues to get warmer throughout the month.
While the average April’s high temperatures in Seoul are around 12~18ºC (53.6~64.4ºF), the temperatures in the southern region of Korea, including Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju Island, are 2~3 degrees higher.
※There may be some sporadic cold snaps and big gaps in temperatures at night, so make sure you bring a couple of warm sweaters or a light-weight jacket or coat!
At this time of the year, you will start seeing restaurants and cafes reopen their beautiful terraces and locals going outdoors to enjoy a family outing or spring picnic.
The weather in April also offers travelers and tourists the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors dressed in Korean traditional outfit ‘hanbok‘ as well. Moreover, you can enter the palaces in Seoul for free if you wear hanbok!
More Hanbok Experiences in Seoul:
- Daily Hanbok Rental in Seoul
- Modern Hanbok Rental & Photoshoot at Korean Traditional House or Gyeongbokgung Palace
More Palace Tours in Seoul:
- Korean Palace Tour
- Deoksugung Palace & Jeongdong (Outdoor Library of Modern Korean History) Walking Tour
- Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden & Bukchon Hanok Village Walking Tour
Blooms ‘n’ Blossoms
Weather is not the only reason why April is the best time to visit Korea. It is when you can admire the colorful blooming flowers on the streets everywhere. Here are some of the best features of spring not to be missed in Korea.
1. Cherry Blossoms
Korea’s cherry blossom season reaches its peak in early April. The flowers tend to bloom earlier in the southern parts of Korea. Since most of them fall when there is a strong wind or rain, be sure to check the weather forecast before you plan a cherry blossom trip!
*Most spring festivals are canceled this year due to the pandemic, however, you can still join the spring tours.
Best Cherry Blossom Tours:
- Spring Flower Destinations 1 Day Private Tour (Mar 21~Apr 10)
- Incheon 1 Day Spring Tour: Wolmi Island & Masian Beach (Mar 27 & Apr 3)
- Seoraksan + Naksansa Temple / Nami Island + Everland / Wolmi Island + Masian Beach Join-in Tour (Mar 27~Mar 2)
- Seoraksan National Park & Sokcho Beach 1 Day Tour from Seoul
Best Jeju Spring Tours:
- Jeju Island Cherry Blossom & Canola Flower Private Taxi/Van Tour (Mar 22~Apr 11)
- Jeju Island All-Inclusive Package: Flight + Private Flower Tour (+ Hotel option) (Mar 22~Apr 11)
2. Tulips
Don’t be disappointed when the cherry blossoms are gone as there are colorful tulips for you to enjoy.
1) Taean Tulip Festival
Taean Tulip Festival is by far the largest tulip festival in Korea, which features more than 1.5 million colorful tulips. It is also known as one of the world’s top 5 tulip festivals! If you visit here in the evening, you will be able to witness the flower garden shining with dazzling lights at the light festival.
Date: April 14~May 10. 2021
Location: Taean County, Chungcheong-do (mid-west province)
Best things to see: Flower gardens (tulips, canola, digitalis, lupine)
The following tours are not running yet:
- Taean Tulip Festival & Light Festival Shuttle Bus Package
- Magnolia Festival + Mallipo Beach + Strawberry Picking 1 Day Tour in Taean
2) Everland Tulip Festival
If you want to celebrate spring with tulips in full bloom somewhere closer to Seoul, head out to Korea’s largest theme park, Everland. Everland’s annually held tulip festival at the Four Seasons Garden awaits you!
Date: From mid-March to late April
Location: Everland, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do (mid-west province)
Best things to see: Tulip Festival, Four Seasons Garden (tulips, grape hyacinths, daisies)
- Discount Ticket for Everland
- Everland Discount Ticket & Shuttle Bus Package
- Everland Discount Ticket & Private Van Transfer
▷▷Browse more Everland Deals◁◁
3. Azaleas
Azaleas are the late-bloomers of the spring season in Korea. You will be able to see them until late-April, so catch them before they are gone.
1) Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival
Only a two-hour bus ride from Seoul, you can enjoy a short excursion to Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival. Covered with various shades of pink and magenta azaleas, Goyreosan Mountain in April just seems like an otherworldly place!
*Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festivals is canceled this year due to the pandemic.
Date: The festival is canceled this year.
Location: Ganghwa County, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do (mid-west province)
Best things to see: azaleas, azalea tea tasting, azalea rice pancake making experience
The following tours are not available this year.
- Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival One Day Tour
- Hwangmaesan Mountain Royal Azalea Festival 1 Day Tour
- Mt. Wonmisan Azalea Festival + Ilsan Lake Park Cherry Blossom + Strawberry Picking 1 Day Tour
4. Spring Flower Gardens & Parks
This April, visit two of Korea’s best-loved spring flower gardens and parks: The Garden of Morning Calm and Hallim Park. Featuring fascinating displays of seasonal flowers, tropical gardens, exotic plants to scenic paths, they are the perfect places to revel in spring.
1) The Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm is a popular tourist destination near Seoul where visitors can admire fantastic botanical gardens and flowers all year round. Every year the garden’s spring flower festival is held from mid-April to the end of May.
Date: Mid-April~Late May
Location: Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi-do (mid-west province)
Best things to see: Wildflower exhibition, cherry blossoms, magnolia, azalea, Japanese apricot, forsythia
- Nami Island + Petite France + Gapyeong Rail Bike + Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour
- Seoraksan National Park + Nami Island (+ Garden of Morning Calm) 1 Day Tour
- Nami Island + Gapyeong Rail Bike + Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour
2) Hallim Park
Stop and smell the flowers at Hallim Park in northwest Jeju. In April, the cherry blossoms and canola flowers burst into bloom all over the park!
Date: Throughout April
Location: Hallim-eup, Jeju City, Jeju Island
Best things to see: Cherry blossoms, canola flowers, botanical gardens, Ssangyonggul Cave
3) Camellia Hill
Witness 500 different species from 80 countries and 250 native plants in Camellia Hill. You can see flowers blooming all year round, but in June, the pure blue hydrangeas offer an instagrammable spot.
Date: All year
Location: Seogwipo City, Jeju Island
Best things to see: Cherry blossoms, canola flowers, botanical gardens, Ssangyonggul Cave
Check Out Trazy Blogs for More Spring Travel Tips in Korea!
- Spring in Korea: Cherry BLossom Korea 2021 Forecast
- Korea’s Best Spring Festivals in April
- Korea’s best Cherry Blossom Festivals
For more spring tours and travel deals to enjoy Korea in April, make sure you visit Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
[Photo Credits]
Taean Tulip Festival Official Homepage
Jindo Sea Parting Festival Official Homepage
Everland Official Homepage
The Garden of Morning Calm Official Homepage
Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal Festival Official Website
Bongeunsa Temple Official Homepage
Gyeongju City Government Official Homepage
By KOREA.NET – Official page of the Republic of Korea Korea_YeonDeungHoe_20130511_18 via photopin (license)