Seoul · South Korea
December
Cold but clear — Christmas markets and a very dry sky for winter palace photography.
Strong option
#9 of 12 months
There are better months for Seoul — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
3.7°C
Low
-2.8°C
Rain
33mm
Sun
6hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Seoul
Weather
Below average
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Very good
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in December
- ↑Very dry and blue-sky: Gyeongbokgung Palace guards ceremony photogenic all day
- ↑Budget hotels before the January–February lowest point
- ↑Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village quiet: the alleys without the April hordes
What you sacrifice
- ↓−3°C overnight: genuinely cold — Seoul winter requires serious preparation
- ↓Limited outdoor café culture; life moves indoors to PC bangs, jjimjilbang, and restaurants
- ↓Christmas is not a major Korean holiday — limited festive atmosphere in public
How December compares to October (best month)
| Factor | December | October ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 9 |
| Value | 8 | 5 |
| Crowds | 7 | 4 |
December in other destinations
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Seoul, not across destinations. Methodology →