Autumn is Seoul at its best. The summer humidity is gone, the sky turns a deep, clear blue, and for a few weeks the whole city is framed in gold and red. You don't need to leave town to see it β some of the most beautiful foliage is on the same streets you'd walk anyway.
When the colours peak
Timing moves a little every year, but the pattern is reliable:
- Mountains around Seoul (Bukhansan, Dobongsan) turn first, usually from mid-October
- The city centre peaks roughly from late October to early November
- Ginkgo trees go bright yellow around the same time and drop their leaves quickly β often within a week or two
- Silver grass (eulalia) is at its best from late September through October
Korean weather services and tourism sites publish a foliage forecast in early autumn. Check it before you lock in your dates β a week can make a big difference.
Ginkgo avenues: the golden streets
Seoul planted ginkgo trees along many of its streets, and in autumn they turn the city yellow.
- Deoksugung Stone-Wall Road (Deoksugung-gil) β a curving, car-light road beside the palace wall. The classic autumn walk, especially on a weekday morning
- Samcheong-dong-gil β the street running up past Gyeongbokgung toward Bukchon, with galleries and cafΓ©s under the trees
- Seoul Forest β ginkgo paths and open lawns, easy to combine with a Seongsu day
- Yangjae Citizen's Forest β tall trees and quiet paths in the south of the city, a favourite with locals
Palaces in autumn
The royal palaces are spectacular in autumn, with maples framing tiled roofs and pavilions.
- Gyeongbokgung β the pond around Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is a classic autumn shot
- Changdeokgung's Secret Garden β the most beautiful garden in Seoul in autumn. It's only visited on a guided tour with limited places, so book ahead
- Deoksugung β small, central and lovely at golden hour
Hanbok wearers get in free, which makes autumn the most popular hanbok season of the year β see our hanbok guide.
Namsan and the city wall
Namsan is covered in trees, and in autumn the walking paths up to N Seoul Tower turn red and gold. The Namsan circular road is car-free and gently sloped. For a bigger view, walk sections of the Seoul City Wall trail β Naksan and Inwangsan both have autumn views over the old city.
Silver grass at Haneul Park
In the west of the city, Haneul Park sits on top of a former landfill that's now part of World Cup Park. In autumn its hilltop is covered in tall silver grass that glows at sunset. There's a long staircase up (or a shuttle at busy times), and the view over the Han River is excellent.
An easy autumn hike
Seoul is surrounded by mountains, and autumn is hiking season. Two easy options:
- Inwangsan β a short, steep climb from central Seoul with rocky viewpoints and the city wall
- Bukhansan β a national park inside the city limits. Trails range from gentle valley walks to steep granite peaks. Weekends are very busy
Wear proper shoes, bring water and layers, and start early β it gets dark sooner than you'd think by November.
Day trips for autumn colour
If you have an extra day:
- Nami Island (Gapyeong) β tree-lined avenues and famous ginkgo and maple paths, about 1.5 hours from Seoul. See our Nami Island day trip guide
- Seoraksan National Park β one of Korea's most famous foliage destinations, but a long day or an overnight trip from Seoul. See our Seoraksan and Sokcho guide
Both are extremely busy on October weekends. Go on a weekday if you can.
Autumn food to try
Autumn is also a great season for eating:
- Roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes β sold from street carts as soon as the weather cools
- Persimmons β fresh, or dried into chewy gotgam β are everywhere in markets
- Jeon and makgeolli β savoury pancakes and rice wine, a classic combination on cool or rainy evenings
- Hotteok β the first sweet pancake carts appear as the evenings get colder (street food AβZ)
- Seasonal cafΓ© menus β chestnut lattes, sweet potato cakes and persimmon desserts in cafΓ©s across the city
Photo tips for autumn colour
- Go early. Morning light is soft, and the famous streets are nearly empty before 9am
- Shoot into the light. Backlit leaves glow β face the sun and let it shine through the canopy
- Overcast is good. Soft cloud makes reds and yellows look richer, with no harsh shadows
- Look down. A carpet of ginkgo leaves on a stone path can be the best shot of the day
- Include people. A figure walking under the trees gives your photos scale and mood
Our honest take
Autumn is the best time to visit Seoul, and you don't need a special trip to enjoy the leaves β they're on the streets, in the palaces and on the hills you'll see anyway.
Plan around it if:
- You're flexible on dates and can aim for late October or early November
- You love photography or walking
- You want the most comfortable weather of the year
Don't stress if:
- You miss the exact peak β something is always colourful between mid-October and mid-November
- It's busy β go early in the morning, on a weekday, or to the less famous parks
Our tip: do Deoksugung Stone-Wall Road in the morning, a palace before lunch, Samcheong-dong for coffee, and Namsan or Haneul Park for sunset. That's the perfect autumn day in Seoul.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best week for autumn leaves in Seoul?
Usually late October to early November in the city, a bit earlier on the mountains. Check the foliage forecast in early October.
Is it very crowded?
Famous spots are busy on weekends, especially the palaces and Nami Island. Weekday mornings are much calmer.
What should I wear?
Layers. Days can be warm and sunny, but mornings and evenings get cold quickly, especially from November.
Do I need to book anything?
Only the Secret Garden tour at Changdeokgung and any day tours. Everything else is free or pay-at-the-gate.
