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The season of cherry blossoms has passed, and summer has arrived in South Korea! Where would you like to travel in Korea this summer?
Summer in South Korea? That definitely sounds fun! While most people tend to visit the country during the winter season, the number of visitors is relatively low during the hot and humid summers. That means you’ll be able to enjoy the country without bumping into other tourists all the time!
What’s summer in South Korea really like?
Summer in South Korea spans from early June to mid-September, with the hottest period typically occurring in late July and early August. During the summer, the temperature typically ranges from around 80°F (27°C) to 90°F (32°C). It’s manageable temperature-wise, but then it’s the humidity that makes people think twice before planning a trip to South Korea in summer. It can be incredibly humid, and there’s a lot of rainfall.
You can expect daytime highs of 27–34 °C and high humidity, particularly in urban areas. In 2025, Seoul experienced a record 22 consecutive tropical nights (lows above 25 °C) in July; therefore, travelers should be prepared for warm evenings as well.
The rainy season, known as jangma, typically begins in late June and can last into late July, bringing short but heavy downpours. Recently, climate change has increased rainfall intensity, so be ready for sudden showers even on sunny days.
Read more:
- South Korea Travel Guide – Best Time of Year to Visit South Korea
- First-Timer’s Ultimate South Korea Travel Guide – Things to Know Before Traveling to South Korea
But it is a beautiful time in Korea with sunny skies, warm evenings, and some fantastic activities that you can enjoy.
When is summer in Korea?
Summer in South Korea runs from early June until mid-September. The peak summertime is in mid-July.
What to do in South Korea during the summer?
Even though it is hot and humid, don’t be left hiding in an air-conditioned mall or your hotel. You can enjoy splashing around the beach, munch on sweet Korean desserts, and relax in the Korean countryside!
If you are still skeptical, here are eight interesting things to do in South Korea that will convince you to visit the Land of Morning Calm during summer.
If you’re anything like me, be sure to check out option #4. Your taste buds will be eternally grateful!
Pro Tip:
- Download a weather app with hourly updates and UV index alerts.
- Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
#1 Splash around in a water park
Nothing beats the summer heat like thrilling rides in water parks. You can splash around in the cool and refreshing water in these parks. There are many fantastic water parks in South Korea where you can chill out, such as Gimhae Lotte Water Park, Caribbean Bay, Sealala Water Park, and many more.
You can read about these amazing water parks here: 10 Water Parks in South Korea to Beat the Summer Heat
#2 Chill out at beaches
As South Korea is a peninsula, there are so many beaches. The country is lined with beaches on three sides! From Gangneung in the north to Hyeopjae in Jeju – you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Although if you are in Seoul, there aren’t any beaches but you can take a short train ride to the closest one. You can also make a day trip to any of the closest islands for a day of fun.
If you are in Busan, then there is no shortage of options, including the famous Haeundae Beach.
So, grab your summer essentials and work on your tan on the beach while the waves lull you to sleep! Or if you are the more adventurous type, then enjoy the beach activities and work up a sweat.
During the summer, the beaches in Korea are quite busy, so make sure to get there early to grab the best spot!
#3 Enjoy Korea’s Summer Festivals
Korean summer music festivals are quite popular all around the world. There are so many happening during the summer that it becomes hard to keep track.
Other than music, there are so many more festivals and celebrations that you might not have even heard about. From mud wrestling to water gun fights, tranquil fireflies to wild craft beer festivals – Korea has something that will delight you during summer in Korea.
Boryeong Mud Festival
Apparently, the mud at Boryeong is good for your skin, so, of course, there’s a giant mud festival in July. It’s exactly what it sounds like, too — a giant mud party. There is mud wrestling, mud bathing, extreme mud sports, K-pop concerts, fireworks, a water park, and lots of great beachside restaurants.
Daegu Chimac Festival
The festival celebrates Korea’s love of fried chicken and beer. Chimac, a portmanteau of chicken and maekju (beer in Korean), is the perfect remedy to summer’s hot weather. The ice-cold beer keeps you fresh, while the fried chicken just tastes so damn good!
Top Summer Festivals & Bloom Events in 2025
South Korea comes alive with colorful festivals and seasonal blooms during the summer. Here are the must-see highlights for 2025:
| Date (2025) | Event | Location | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 15 – Jul 5 | Hydrangea Festival | Seoul Forest & Geoje Island | Endless rows of pastel hydrangeas—perfect photo spots. |
| Jul 12 – Jul 21 | Boryeong Mud Festival | Daecheon Beach | Mud slides, mud wrestling, beach concerts, and fireworks. |
| Jul 19 – Jul 21 | Daegu Chimac Festival | Daegu Duryu Park | Celebrate Korean fried chicken & beer with live music. |
| Jul – Aug weekends | Hangang Summer Festival | Outdoor movies, night markets, live bands, and water sports. | Outdoor movies, night markets, live bands, water sports. |
| Aug 2 – Aug 4 | Sinchon Water Gun Festival | Seoul (Sinchon area) | Massive street water fight—dress to get soaked! |
| Aug 8 – Aug 12 | Buyeo Lotus Festival | Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do | Stunning lotus blooms, traditional dance, and night lanterns. |
| Throughout summer | Waterbomb Festival | Seoul, Busan, Daegu | K-pop performances + giant water gun battles. |
Festival Tip: Many summer festivals involve getting wet, so bring a waterproof phone pouch and a change of clothes.
#4 Korean summer dishes are delicious
All Korean food is simply mouthwatering and delicious with many unique dishes for each season.
Summer in Korea might be the best time to sample Korean food. There is a wide range of dishes to enjoy during hot days ranging from icy-cold noodles to steaming hot chicken soup that is meant to keep you fresh and healthy on the hottest days.
#5 Go for a sunrise hike
A trip to Korea cannot be complete without doing at least one hike. Of course, during the summer, you can’t do it in the middle of the day, but you can always go for a sunrise hike.
In Jeju Island, there is even a peak named Seongsan Ilchulbong or ‘Sunrise Peak’ where you can enjoy the first rays of the morning sun. During the New Year eve, people hike up to see the last sunset of the year gone by and the first sunrise of the new year.
#6 Night markets in Seoul to shop
Seoul hosts a variety of night markets across the city, known as Bamdokkaebi Night Markets, which are fantastic places to hang out in the evenings. Thousands of people, both tourists, and locals flock to these markets. You can find a lot of local fashion and jewelry designer goods and fleets of food trucks to keep you engaged.
Night markets operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during summer in Korea, but not all are open on each night.
#7 Thrilling theme parks
Alongside the water parks, South Korea has some of the best and greatest adventure thrilling theme parks. Two of the most popular theme parks to visit during the summer in South Korea are Lotte World and Everland. There are many other smaller family-friendly parks that you can check out.
Read more: All you need to know about before visiting the magic world of Lotte World in Seoul
#8 Indoor Activities for Rainy Days
If the weather turns stormy or unbearably hot, South Korea has plenty of indoor escapes:
- COEX Aquarium (Seoul) – Korea’s largest aquarium, perfect for families.
- National Museum of Korea (Seoul) – Air-conditioned, free entry, and home to priceless artifacts.
- Lotte World Adventure (Seoul) – Indoor theme park with rides, an ice rink, and shopping.
- Themed Cafés – Cat cafés, board game cafés, and even VR gaming lounges across the country.
- Underground Shopping Centers – Places like Gangnam Underground Mall or Bupyeong Underground Market offer hours of browsing away from the sun or rain.
How to stay cool during the summer in Korea?
Other than the fun-filled activities, you can enjoy some local cuisine that will keep you chilled.
Bingsu
It is one Korean dessert that defines summer. Bingsu is a simple dessert that consists of shaved ice flakes with a topping and sauce. There are many types of bingsu you can enjoy with a plethora of different toppings. Some of the simpler ones contain fruit, ice cream, yogurt, sauces, nuts, or red beans.
Icy caffeinated drinks
Korean variety of icy caffeinated drinks is something one must definitely try while visiting South Korea in summer. Have you ever tried Jeju Honey Peanut Latte, Sweet Potato Latte, Oatmeal Latte, Lavendar Cafe Breve, ‘Monkey Banana’ Coffee, or even a Black Pepper Latte? Well, all of them might not be for your palate, but you gotta try them all at least once, right? YOLO!
Essential travel tips for a trip to South Korea in summer
- Drink lots of water as hydration is essential. Try balancing out the cooling lattes with water as coffee is dehydrating.
- Carry an insulated water bottle that you can refill from the water coolers in many places in Korea. It will help in keeping you hydrated.
- Get a mini portable fan that can fit in your pocket. These tiny little fans will help in keeping cool while you are roaming in the streets of Korea.
- Ice cream is always a great solution, no matter when or where. These sugary treats might not be recommended because of health reasons, but nothing beats an ice cream when you are melting down like one.
- Avoid going out in the middle of the day and enjoy cooler evenings and nights. It is more comfortable, and there are a lot of activities during the night you can enjoy without sweating as much.
- Pack your sunscreen or SPF as sun protection is much needed when you are enjoying summer. It is very easy to get sunburnt here.
And there you have it! List of all the activities that you can do to enjoy summer in South Korea and how you can stay cool. Prep your SPFs, pack your bags, hop on a plane, and head to Korea now!
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