Seoul in May: a seasonal travel plan
Seoul, South Korea. In may, the average daytime high is 21.8 °C and the night-time low is 11.1 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Choose a month
Selected month: May
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Seoul
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 21.8 °C
- Nighttime low
- 11.1 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 92.0 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 8.0
- Daylight
- 14.2 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 20.1 | 9.3 | 2.4 |
| Days 11–20 | 21.8 | 11.1 | 2.8 |
| From day 21 | 23.3 | 12.8 | 2.8 |
What this month is like
Seoul, South Korea. In may, the average daytime high is 21.8 °C and the night-time low is 11.1 °C. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
There are 8.0 wet days on average, with about 92.0 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
Average daylight is 14.2 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 16.6 °C, May — 21.8 °C, next month — 26.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 7.5, 8.0 and 10.4.
Things to do
Seoul spreads across both banks of the Han River, and its districts differ sharply: palaces and hanok lanes in Jongno, shopping streets in Myeongdong, nightlife in Hongdae and offices in Gangnam. The subway reaches everything, and trips between outer districts take up to forty minutes.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung keeps the Gyeonghoeru pavilion and the throne hall, and guards in traditional dress change at the gate. Arrive for the opening, then climb to the Blue House and the palace museum.
Bukchon and Insadong
Narrow lanes in Bukchon are lined with hanok houses under tiled roofs, and the hill looks over palace rooftops. Walk down to Insadong, where shops sell ceramics, brushes and calligraphy paper.
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market serves bibimbap and potato pancakes in shared rows, with herbal medicine stalls nearby. Order at a counter where locals are sitting and take a place at the long tables.
Where to stay
Jongno
Jongno works for a first stay: the palace complex, Insadong and Gwangjang Market are all within walking distance. Evenings are calm, and the hotel is close after a long day.
Myeongdong
Myeongdong suits anyone who wants to stay among shops and street food, with the subway and department stores at hand. Streets stay loud late, so ask for a room set back from the main lane.
Hongdae
Hongdae lives on music, bars and buskers around the university, with plenty of cheap cafés. The district is young and noisy, and the palaces are a twenty-minute subway ride away.
Getting there and around
From Incheon Airport the AREX express reaches Seoul Station in about an hour, and from Gimpo the line 5 subway runs into the centre. Inside the city the subway covers every district, and a T-money card makes transfers between lines and buses simple. Taxis are handy in the evening, but streets jam at rush hour, so the subway stays more reliable.
Three days in Seoul
Palaces and Jongno
Start at Gyeongbokgung for the guard change, then walk into Bukchon and Insadong. In the afternoon see Jogyesa Temple and end at the Cheonggyecheon, a stream that runs below street level and is reached by steps.
Myeongdong and Naksan
Wander Myeongdong, then climb Naksan hill to N Seoul Tower, following the old city wall along the path. Come down in the evening for dinner at a shared bench in Gwangjang Market.
The Han and Gangnam
Cycle or take a boat in the Han River park, where picnic spots fill at weekends and shops at the entrance sell noodles. Then cross to Gangnam and finish at the Lotte World Tower observation deck.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.5 | -6.1 | 19.9 | 3.2 | 9.9 |
| February | 4.1 | -4.0 | 29.2 | 4.0 | 10.8 |
| March | 10.5 | 0.3 | 41.8 | 5.2 | 11.9 |
| April | 16.6 | 5.9 | 64.5 | 7.5 | 13.1 |
| May | 21.8 | 11.1 | 92.0 | 8.0 | 14.2 |
| June | 26.2 | 17.0 | 131.8 | 10.4 | 14.7 |
| July | 28.6 | 21.7 | 305.6 | 18.4 | 14.5 |
| August | 29.2 | 22.5 | 252.3 | 17.9 | 13.6 |
| September | 25.5 | 17.4 | 135.5 | 11.0 | 12.5 |
| October | 18.9 | 10.2 | 75.8 | 7.9 | 11.3 |
| November | 11.5 | 3.2 | 66.0 | 7.6 | 10.2 |
| December | 3.3 | -3.9 | 29.6 | 4.8 | 9.6 |
Frequently asked questions
Seoul: what is the temperature in May?
The average daytime high is 21.8 °C and the night-time low is 11.1 °C. Daytime is suitable for a longer walk around the city. Leave time for breaks and lunch along the way.
How many days with precipitation are there in May?
On average, there are 8.0 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 92.0 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in May?
Bring light daytime clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for cooler hours. The day-to-night temperature difference is noticeable, so dressing in layers is practical. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 20.1 °C; 11–20 — 21.8 °C; 21 to month-end — 23.3 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in May?
The average is 14.2 hours. Long daylight hours make it easy to split a walk between morning and evening, with a longer break in between.
Is Seoul worth visiting in May?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 21.8 °C and nights around 11.1 °C work for you. Daytime suits a longer city route; keep a break and some flexible time around midday.
What can I do in Seoul on a wet day in May?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Seoul in May?
Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes and an extra layer for the evening. Average daylight is 14.2 hours.