When is cherry blossom season in Korea, and where are the best places to see them?

Cherry blossom season in Korea typically runs from late March in Jeju and the southern coast to early to mid April in Seoul. Peak bloom usually lasts only 7 to 10 days, so timing matters.

For 2026, expect Jeju and Busan around March 25 to 30, Daegu and Daejeon around April 1 to 5, and Seoul around April 5 to 12. The Korea Meteorological Administration publishes annual blossom forecast maps in late February, so check kma.go.kr or news sites in February to fine-tune your plans.

Best spots in Seoul. Yeouido Yunjung-ro (the road between the National Assembly and KBS) hosts the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival with thousands of trees. Seokchon Lake near Lotte World offers a beautiful loop. Namsan Park, the Han River parks (Banpo, Ttukseom), and the Gyeongbokgung area are also stunning.

Outside Seoul, Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in early April is the most famous, with the Yeojwacheon stream and Gyeonghwa Station drawing huge crowds. Gyeongju (especially Bomun Lake), Hwagae in Hadong, and the road around Jirisan are spectacular and less crowded than Jinhae.

Go early in the morning or weekday evenings for fewer crowds. Bring a small mat for sitting, since picnicking under the trees is a Korean tradition.