South Korea Weather in July: Travel Tips for First-Timers

July is the wettest month of the year in South Korea, and along with the oppressive summer heat, it can lead to uncomfortable and muggy weather conditions. July temperatures in South Korea range from highs of 30°C (86°F) to lows of 23°C (73°F).

July to September also marks the typhoon season in South Korea. Although these typhoons are typically not catastrophic, they can lead to high winds and flashfloods, causing property damage both minor and major. So, be sure to consult national weather reports and forecasts before planning any trip to the coastal regions, especially to those towards the south.

The warmer July weather leads to an uptick in tourism in the country. This is largely due to schools giving time off for the summer, so families can travel all over the country. Expect popular tourist attractions like amusement parks to be especially packed. Similarly, beaches are also likely to be far busier than they were during the preceding months of the year, so get there earlier in the day to secure the best spot and beat both the crowds and the heat! The uptick in tourism also leads to higher accommodation and transportation costs during July.

Soft, breathable, fabrics like linen ought to be prioritized when packing for your trip to South Korea during the summer. Make sure you include plenty of linen shorts and tops, summer dresses, sunhats, sunglasses, a pair of comfortable walking shoes or sandals, dress shoes, sunscreen, an umbrella, and swimwear to make sure you have your packing list perfected.

To get an in-depth understanding of what to expect insofar as weather conditions are concerned during July, keep reading below.

South Korea Weather in July: Overview

• Average temperature range: 23°C – 30°C (73°F – 86°F)
• Rainfall: 316 mm (12.5 inches) in Seoul; 228 mm (9 inches) in Busan; 184 mm (7 inches) in Jeju.
• Rainy days: 13 in Seoul; 14 days in Busan; 15 days in Jeju.

July is the wettest month of the year in South Korea. Not just that, it's hot and sticky too, with humidity levels at yearly highs. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from 28°C (82°F) in Seoul, 28°C (82°F) in Busan, and 29°C (84°F) in Jeju Island. The average minimum nighttime temperatures drop down to around 21°C (70°F) in Seoul, 22°C (72°F) in Busan, and 23°C (73°F) in Jeju.

This doesn't mean there aren't beautiful days in South Korea during July. When it's not raining, July can be a great time to relax on the beach or visit one of the country's famed flower festivals.

Weather of South Korea's Major Cities in July

Best Places to Visit in South Korea in July

1. Busan

Even though it is humid in Busan during July, the beautiful seaside city benefits from plenty of sea breeze to help beachgoers cool off. If you do plan to spend time on one of the city's many famed beaches – and you certainly should, considering Busan is one of the best places to do so – go early. This will not just help you beat the heat but also get the best spots and beat crowds.

For periods of the day when it gets too hot, visit the famous Buddhist temple, Haedong Yonggung Temple, or other culturally important spots like the Gamcheon Culture Village.

2. Gangneung

Gangneung is one of South Korea's best kept secrets and the northeastern city is known for three things in particular: it's beaches, museums, and coffee! There are a number of pristine beaches for visitors to choose from, including Gyeongpo Beach, Jeongdongjin Beach, and Anmok Beach.

You can enjoy any of these beaches along with museums like the Museum of Oriental Embroidery and Seongyojang House with coffee brewed from one of the city's many acclaimed cafés to get the full Hangneung experience.

3. Jeju Island

Not only is Jeju known for its picturesque beaches, but also for the beautiful gardens it houses at Hueree Natural Park. Additionally, the Island is a dream to explore by car as well and something worth adding to your bucket list.

July Crowds and Costs

The tourist high season in South Korea is in full swing come July. Schools are off due to the sweltering summer temperatures which means popular amusement parks and attractions are likely to be the busiest destinations.

Although Busan, Gangneung, and Jeju Island remain the best tourist destinations during any given summer due to their pristine beaches, said beaches are also likely to be crowded unless you decide to beat the crowds (and the heat!) by making it to the beaches early.

The larger crowds and the general uptick in commerce in South Korea during July results in higher prices for accommodation and transportation. Book in advance, eat local, and visit museums and cultural heritage sites if you're trying to travel inexpensively.

July Events in South Korea

Boryeong Mud Festival: The otherwise quiet town of Boryeong, located just two hours southwest of Seoul, hosts the incredibly famous Mud Festival, now in its 12th year. What started off as a series of campaigns designed to promote cosmetics made of the minerally-rich local mud has today exploded into a party featuring airshows, dance performances, mud runs, mud baths, and obstacle courses, among other activities, all centered around… you guessed it, mud.

If the idea of getting messy doesn't excite you, you can always opt to hang out at the Mud Plaza in Daecheon Beach. The festival takes place from July 17th and continues until July 26th.

Semiwon Lotus Flower Festival: If you're looking to have a great day trip from Seoul and have an affinity for flowers, the gardens of Semiwon in Yangpyeong County may be worth a visit. Semiwon's botanical gardens are lush with lotuses and the festival remains open for public viewing from July 21st to August 18th. Visitors to the festival can participate in tours, get their faces painted, and have their sketches drawn.

What to Wear in South Korea in July

The hot, muggy, weather means it's best to think along the lines of soft, breathable, fabrics like linen to include in your packing list. While it won't dry as quickly as nylon or polyester, they're certainly more stylish. You are, after all, in South Korea!

When packing for your July trip to South Korea, we recommend packing plenty of summer dresses, linen short and tops, sunglasses, sunhats, a pair of comfortable walking sandals, a pair of dress shoes, sunscreen, umbrella, and swimwear for trips to the beach. You can forget about bringing your jacket or scarves with you as you definitely won't need them.  

No matter how hot or muggy it may get, locals rarely, if ever, roam around sporting tank tops or overly revealing clothes, so do bear this in mind if you don't want to invite unwanted attention to yourself.

Explore South Korea with Global Highlights

Planning a trip to South Korea? Look no further! Our team of travel experts at Global Highlights are here to ensure you have the time of your life when visiting splendid South Korea. With thousands of planned tours under our belt, it's safe to say our specialty is curating trips that go above and beyond in remaining memorable and meaningful for you and your loved ones. We'll keep everything from weather conditions to special interests in mind, so that you can just relax and enjoy the journey!