Best Places to Visit in Autumn in Korea

Last updated: July 10, 2026

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Korea, bringing cool weather and stunning landscapes painted in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The season typically lasts from September to November, with peak autumn foliage appearing from mid-October to early November, depending on the region. Since the colorful leaves only stay at their best for a short time, planning your trip around the peak dates is key. In this guide, you’ll find the best places to see autumn foliage in Korea, the best time to visit each destination, and tips for making the most of your fall trip.

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Korea’s Autumn Foliage Map 2026

Autumn Weather in Korea

Some even say coming to Korea in Autumn is better than visiting in spring. Autumn weather is a perfect blend of the seasons. You can wear just a few layers of clothing and ankle boots while sipping coffee, breathing in the beautiful atmosphere, and living the moment. Here’s what you can expect each month:

• September (18–26°C / 64–80°F): September still feels a little like summer, especially at the beginning of the month, but the weather quickly cools down once the rainy season is over. It’s warm enough for short sleeves during the day, but it’s worth packing a light jacket for the evenings.
• October (11–20°C / 50–68°F): If you could only visit Korea in one autumn month, make it October. The weather is cool, dry, and just right for walking around all day. Bring a few sweaters or long-sleeve tops, a light jacket, and comfortable shoes—you’ll probably be outside a lot.
• November (4–12°C / 38–53°F): November gets chilly, especially in the mornings and after sunset. You can still catch beautiful autumn leaves early in the month, but by the end of November, it starts feeling like winter. A warm coat and a few layers will keep you comfortable.

Read our blog Seoul Weather & Temperature.

Recommended Korea Autumn Itineraries

Not sure where to start? We’ve put together a few autumn itineraries to help you make the most of your trip, from quick Seoul getaways to week-long adventures around Korea.

These itineraries were created using our free Korea Trip Planner, which builds personalized travel plans based on your travel dates and interests. Feel free to use them as they are or create your own itinerary in just a few clicks.

Best Places to See Autumn Foliage in Seoul

Seoul’s Royal Palaces

Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung are all surrounded by colorful maple and ginkgo trees, making them some of the city’s best fall photo spots. Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden is especially beautiful during peak foliage, while Gyeongbokgung offers stunning mountain views behind the palace. Renting a hanbok is a fun way to complete the experience.

Right next to Deoksugung, Deoksugung Stone Wall Road is one of Seoul’s most famous autumn streets, lined with golden ginkgo trees that create a picture-perfect walk. After exploring the palaces, take a stroll along Samcheong-ro, a charming street filled with colorful trees, cozy cafés, art galleries, and traditional hanok buildings. Renting a hanbok is a fun way to complete the experience.

Seoul Forest

Seoul Forest is one of the most popular places to enjoy autumn in the city. The park is filled with golden ginkgo trees, colorful maple leaves, and peaceful walking paths. After your walk, head to Seongsu-dong, Seoul’s trendiest neighborhood, where you’ll find plenty of popular cafés, bakeries, and restaurants. It’s also just a short walk from Ttukseom Hangang Park, making it easy to enjoy a picnic by the river if the weather’s nice.

Haneul Park

Haneul Park is best known for its silver grass fields, which reach their peak in October. Along the way, you’ll also see plenty of autumn colors and enjoy panoramic views of the Han River. If you’re visiting during the Seoul Eulalia Festival, expect even more beautiful scenery.

Namsan Tower

The walk up to Namsan Tower is just as rewarding as the view from the top. In autumn, the trail is surrounded by colorful trees, and once you reach the observation deck, you’ll get a panoramic view of Seoul covered in shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Yonsei & Ewha Womans University

You don’t have to be a student to enjoy these campuses in autumn. Yonsei University is famous for its long avenue lined with golden ginkgo trees, while Ewha Womans University is known for its beautiful architecture and colorful walking paths. They’re only a short walk apart, making it easy to visit both in one afternoon. Don’t forget to explore the surrounding Sinchon and Ewha neighborhoods for shopping, cafés, and street food.

Best places to visit in Autumn in Korea (outside Seoul)

Bukhansan National Park

The autumn foliage experience gets a little more interesting when you go to visit Bukhansan National Park. It’s a national park in Seoul with mountain tops suitable for hiking and other scenic views. Walking along the lake or taking deep breaths in the park makes you feel fresh. You can also go hiking in Bukhansan National Park. However, wear comfortable and non-tight clothes if you plan to hike in the park. Also, carry your snacks and a big bottle of water because you don’t want to feel too fatigued during your hike.

Koreans like hiking in the park this season, so you’ll be in luck in making friends with the locals. Many Buddhist temples can also be visited in the Bukhansan National Park. Check the best hiking course here on the official website.

Seoraksan Mountain National Park

Seoraksan is one of Korea’s most beautiful national parks, three hours away from Seoul. Even though the distance is a lot from Seoul, it remains a popular site for tourists and locals, especially during the autumn foliage in Korea. It is quite famous for its natural surroundings, mountain views, and streams, filling the area with a peaceful atmosphere.

Korea’s third-largest mountain for hiking trails is founded in Seoraksan National Park. For those who don’t know, here’s a fun fact about the word Seoraksan, which roughly translates into “Snowy peaks mountains.” Also, the park has mountains that are smaller in size and over 25 peaks for hiking. A famous site for visitors is the Ulsanbawi Rock, which has six granite peaks.

Moreover, the park also offers cable car rides for the young and old ones who come along. Head here for more of the Seoraksan Mountain Autumn Day tour.

Read our blog: All About Seoraksan National Park 설악산 국립공원

Naejangsan Mountain National Park

Another one of Korea’s famous destinations to visit during the autumn is Naejangsan National Park. The park has a range of pretty mountains of Korea, nutmeg trees that can be as old as 600 years old, and waterfalls. 

Furthermore, the park is also home to two of Korea’s oldest Buddhist temples, Baekyangsa Temple and Naejangsa Temple. These temples get covered under white snow in the winter, which is a different sight. During autumn, people who go up for a hike love to stop by these temples and enjoy the breathtaking view. 

The location of the park is in the southwest of Korea near Jeongeup-si. So it would take around 4 hours by express bus and 1.5 hours by KTX train. If you are going by KTX, get a discount KTX ticket only available to visitors.  Otherwise, there’s a Naejangsan autumn day tour from Seoul you could also enjoy! Are you staying in Busan? Then, look at the Naejangsan National Park Autumn Day Tour from Busan.

Gyeongju Cheomseongdae, Pink Muhly

Gyeongju Cheomseongdae, located in Gyeongju, South Korea, is a historic astronomical observatory with a rich heritage. It’s one of the world’s oldest observatories that has withstood the test of time, holding immense cultural and historical significance. Seasonal flowers surround the observatory, and when autumn arrives, it transforms into a captivating landscape adorned with vibrant pink muhly grass.

Pink muhly grass is known for its striking pink color, which gradually softens to a lighter tone as its flowers fully bloom. The contrast between the time-honored Cheomseongdae observatory and the backdrop of billowing pink muhly grass clouds undoubtedly creates an ideal setting for your Instagram photos.

Nami Island in Autumn

Situated in Gapyeong and 1.5 hours from Seoul, Nami Island is a beautiful place to visit during autumn in Korea. The island has a trail of beautiful trees, riversides, and some of the best views offered by nature to the people who visit this place.

Going to Nami Island during the daytime gives you the perfect opportunity to take good-looking photographs of yourself standing in front of the trees of different colored leaves. You will not be surprised if you stumble upon a location on the island that looks familiar because many romantic scenes from Korean dramas have been shot on this island.

Remember to wear a light jacket when you visit because it can get a little chilly among the trees and riversides. Check out this page for Nami Island Tour.

Read our blog: Nami Island 남이섬: Unique Things To Do

Baekyangsa Temple

Baekyangsa Temple and Baekamsan Mountains, located in Jangseong, Jeollanamdo, is also one of Autumn’s best places to visit. They are dressed beautifully by the autumn leaves. Also, the annual foliage festival here magnificently displays the fullness of autumn and leaves you at peace with yourself. Moreover, the Jangseong region is famous for apples, sweet persimmons, grapes, and pine needles. This autumn will be the best time to experience this harvest. Come to experience autumn in Korea truly.

Daegwallyyeong Sky Ranch

Visiting Daegwallyyeong Sky Ranch will be a different experience than other national parks in Korea. That is because you will enjoy your autumn not alone but with cute and friendly animals kept here. You can spend your day with more than 400 majestic-looking cows, 100 sheep, and 40 horses and goats.

Moreover, you can walk on clean roads and take in the magical greenery around you, or you can take the tractor ride services provided in the park. Autumn foliage, fresh grass on the ground, and a bright blue but cloudy sky with animals grazing in the autumn look exactly like a scene from a beautiful oil painting.

Apart from being available for the general public, the park is also home to one of Korea’s largest dairy farms.

Yangju Nari Park

Famously known for pink grass fields, Yangju Nari Park has a different but equally magical view to offer the tourists visiting it in the fall. If you’re visiting the park from Seoul, it will take 1.5 hours to reach there.

People who spend their autumn in these pink fields have a lot of great things to say about it. Where every national park has something different for its visitors, Yangju Nari Park tops them all. The pink and purplish grass fields under the clouded sky of autumn create a breathtaking scene for those who can experience it.

Even though there is no spot for dining or hanging out, you can visit the park for its beauty and nature.

Read our blog: Yangju Nari Park 양주 나리공원: Korea’s Autumn Wonderland

Dumulmeori

Visit this attractive site from Seoul in only 1.5 hours in Yangpyeong. The local Koreans also drive up to this location when the hustle-bustle of city life drains them out, and want to freshen up a bit.

The park is a popular tourist attraction because it is surrounded by water and 400-year-old trees. The summer and spring seasons always bring in a lot of people, but it’s during the autumn season that you should be paying a visit to Dumulmeori.

Many scenes from Korean drama serials have been shot in this location. If you like photography, you will like this place even more because of all the photographic backgrounds easily found here. Discover the best Autumn day tour in and near Seoul here. 

Ueumdo

Ueumdo stands as one of the iconic geosites within the Hwaseong Geopark. It’s renowned for its dinosaur egg fossils, picturesque reed, and sedge fields. During the autumn season, the atmosphere becomes refreshingly crisp. You can leisurely wander through the thriving reed fields, soak in the tranquil ambiance, and explore the distinctive geological fossil sites. While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the nearby Hwaseong Songsan Green City Observatory. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful landscape. 

Additionally, BTS filmed their music video for “Spring Day” here, which is famous for its music and stunning visuals. If you’re a fan of BTS, you should visit this place at least once.

Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve

The Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve is a popular autumn destination. It is Korea’s largest reed colony, spanning 495,867 square meters. The reed fields at Suncheon Bay turn a gorgeous shade of yellow and blossom in the fall. Watching the entire field sway in the wind is like watching waves on the sea.

Furthermore, the Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve is a natural habitat for more than 140 bird species, including migratory and endangered species. When you take a stroll here, you can enjoy the fresh air and have the chance to spot unique bird species such as the hooded crane, white-naped crane, Oriental White Stork, and black-faced spoonbill.

Also, the sunset views here are especially stunning, so don’t miss them when you visit. Head to the observation deck to admire the sunset scenery at its finest.

Check this handpicked activity: UNESCO World Heritage Suncheon

Frequently Asked Questions About Autumn in Korea