【Korea】Complete Guide to Seoul’s Autumn Foliage Spots! Recommendations by Travel Style...

Limited from late October to early November! Don’t miss this breathtaking scenery that lasts only three weeks

🍁 Seoul’s autumn foliage was even more beautiful than I imagined!

Korean autumn, especially the autumn foliage in Seoul, is truly beautiful 😊🍁✨

It has a charm that differs from Japan’s autumn foliage, and the combination of Korean traditional architecture and colorful leaves is breathtaking.

But there’s one important thing to know about Seoul’s autumn foliage!

⏰ The best viewing period lasts only three weeks!

The best time to see Seoul’s autumn foliage is only three short weeks from late October to early November.

That’s exactly what makes it so precious and truly beautiful 🥰

If you miss this brief period, you’ll have to wait another year…!

But don’t worry. This time, I’ll introduce some special autumn foliage spots for each travel style 👇💓

📸 For photography lovers: Hanbok photos at Gyeongbokgung（경복궁）

The soft morning light offers the perfect photo opportunity

If you’re looking for Instagram-worthy photos, **Gyeongbokgung（경복궁）** is an absolute must-visit!

As Seoul’s most iconic royal palace, it offers especially beautiful scenery during the autumn foliage season 📷

🌅 Recommended time

The best time is immediately after opening in the morning!

There are fewer people and the light is soft, so you can take amazing photos ✨

I was delighted when I chose a red hanbok because it matched perfectly with the autumn foliage 🥰

The yellow of the ginkgo trees, the red of the autumn leaves, and the colors of the hanbok blend together to create a picture-perfect shot that looks just like a painting.

📍 Access information

• Just outside Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3
• Opening time: From 9:00 (varies depending on the season)
• Free admission when wearing hanbok!

📚 For History Lovers: The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace

Experience spectacular autumn foliage at a UNESCO World Heritage Site

If you want to enjoy the autumn foliage while feeling the history, the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung (창덕궁) is truly amazing.

This is a special garden that only members of the royal family could enter during the Joseon Dynasty.

The autumn foliage reflected in the pond looked just like a painting, and I found myself captivated by the view🥹

🏛️ Highlights of the Secret Garden

The Rear Garden (Secret Garden) of Changdeokgung is a space where nature and man-made beauty are in perfect harmony.

The autumn foliage around Buyongji Pond (Puyongji) is especially spectacular, with the inverted leaves reflected on the water’s surface🍂

You can enjoy the scenery in every season, but the autumn foliage season is truly exceptional.

The beauty created by the harmony of historic buildings and nature gives you a feeling of being refreshed both physically and emotionally.

📍 Access Information

• A 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Anguk Station on Subway Line 3
• The Secret Garden requires advance reservations (Japanese tours available)
• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

☕️ For Cafe Lovers: Stylish Cafes in the Seoul Forest Area

Enjoy a Blissful Coffee Break While Admiring the Autumn Leaves from a Terrace Seat

For those who love cafe hopping, the Seoul Forest area is highly recommended☕️🍂

There are stylish cafes scattered throughout the area, and enjoying coffee while admiring the autumn leaves from a terrace seat is simply the best✨

🌳 What Makes Seoul Forest Special

There are many trendy cafes around the vast urban park known as “Seoul Forest.”

After taking a stroll through the forest, relaxing at your favorite cafe is a classic way for locals to spend their time🍃

In particular, the Seongsu area is home to many cafes renovated from warehouses and cafes surrounded by greenery, making it perfect for Instagram-worthy photos💕

📍 Access Information

• Just a short walk from Seoul Forest Station on the Bundang Line
• Recommended cafes: Onion、Daelim Changgo、Cafe Layered

🏃 For Active Travelers: Namsan (남산) Hiking

The Panoramic View of the Autumn Leaves from N Seoul Tower Is Breathtaking

For active travelers who want to enjoy the autumn leaves while getting some exercise, the **Namsan (남산)** hiking trails are wonderfully refreshing!

The view of the autumn leaves from the tower is breathtaking💯

⛰️ What Makes the Hiking Trails Special

Namsan has several hiking trails, so you can choose one according to your fitness level.

The trails are well maintained, so even beginners can hike with confidence✨

From N Seoul Tower at the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of autumn leaves covering Seoul🍁

You’re sure to be moved by the breathtaking 360-degree scenery!

🚡 There is also a cable car

No worries if you’re thinking, “Hiking isn’t really my thing…”

You can easily get to the tower by taking the cable car🚠

The views from the cable car are also wonderful, so we recommend taking the cable car up and walking back down on the way back.

📍 Access Information

• Accessible on foot from Myeongdong Station on Subway Line 4
• Cable car fare: 11,000 won round trip
• A separate ticket is required to enter the tower

💑 For Couples: An Evening Stroll Along the Stone Wall Road (Toldam-gil)

The golden ginkgo-lined street is incredibly romantic

For couples, the stone wall road (**돌담길**) is especially romantic around sunset💕

In particular, the stone wall road in the Bukchon (Pukchon) area is enveloped in golden ginkgo leaves and light, creating special memories😌

🌆 The Magic of Sunset

During the “golden hour” around 4–6 p.m., the yellow ginkgo leaves are illuminated by the setting sun and glow golden✨

The combination of hanok stone walls and autumn foliage creates an atmosphere unique to Korea.

Holding hands and taking a leisurely stroll will make you feel as though you’re spending time in a scene from a movie🎬💕

📍 Access Information

• 10-minute walk from Anguk Station on Subway Line 3
• Located within the Bukchon Hanok Village area
• Please be considerate of noise, as it is a quiet residential neighborhood

👨‍👩‍👧 For Families: A Picnic at Olympic Park

Kids will love it too! Enjoy both deer and autumn foliage

For families, we recommend having a picnic at the spacious Olympic Park🧺

🦌 See the Deer!

There is an area in Olympic Park where deer roam freely, and it is very popular with children🦌

Being able to interact with deer while admiring the autumn foliage will make the perfect memory for children✨

🎨 Spacious Lawn Areas

The park has vast lawn areas where you can spread out a picnic mat and enjoy a picnic.

Bringing gimbap (Korean-style seaweed rice rolls) or fried chicken and relaxing together as a family is the Korean way🍱

There are also convenience stores and cafés nearby, so it is perfectly fine to go empty-handed!

📍 Access Information

• Right by Exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on Subway Line 5
• Free admission
• Bicycle rentals available

💡 Good to Know! Useful Information for an Autumn Foliage Trip

Knowing these tips in advance will help you enjoy your trip even more comfortably

✓ Visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds

Since weekends are crowded with tourists, we recommend visiting on a weekday morning if possible.

It is relatively quiet especially between 9 and 11 a.m., making it easy to take photos at your leisure📷

✓ Reserve hanbok rentals and tower tickets in advance

We recommend booking popular hanbok rental shops and N Seoul Tower tickets in advance.

It may be crowded and involve long wait times on the day…💦

If you make an online reservation in advance, you can enjoy it smoothly!

✓ The best time for photos is 4–6 p.m.

If you’re particular about taking photos, the “golden hour” from 4 to 6 p.m. is perfect🌅

The soft light beautifully illuminates the autumn leaves, allowing you to capture dramatic photos.

Silhouette photos taken against the light are also wonderful✨

✓ It’s surprisingly beautiful even on rainy days

Rainy days are often avoided, but actually, autumn leaves on rainy days are beautiful too🌧️

Leaves wet with rain become more vivid in color, creating a moist and atmospheric landscape.

Walking with an umbrella is also very photogenic☂️💕

✓ Comfortable shoes are a must

You’ll be walking quite a bit at every spot, so it’s best to wear comfortable shoes◎

Fashion is important too, but sneakers or flat shoes are recommended for enjoying yourself comfortably👟

🍂 Make the most of your Seoul trip during the autumn foliage season

Seoul’s autumn foliage is a precious sight that lasts for only three weeks, from late October to early November.

If you miss this period, you’ll have to wait another year🥹

That’s why you should start planning now and make your dream autumn foliage trip a reality✈️💕

📷 Show us your autumn foliage photos too

At イェプリコ, we love having everyone share their memories of traveling in Korea🥰

If you take beautiful photos of the autumn foliage, please share them on social media.

We’d be delighted if you posted them with the hashtag #イェプリコ📸✨

🌟 We’re also constantly updating other information about autumn in Korea

Korea has plenty to offer in autumn besides autumn foliage spots!

At イェプリコ, we regularly share useful local information, including the latest Korean food recommendations, beauty information, and hidden gems🐰

We hope to continue serving you as a reliable source of trustworthy information that brings you closer to Korea💖