At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season Moderate for most of the month. The Constitution Day weekend, 17 to 19 July 2027, and the start of the summer holidays late in the month fill the transport out of Seoul.
Seoul in July — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
Seoul in July offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for food lovers, museums & rainy-day culture. Expect temperatures of 22–29°C, around 13 days of rain, and medium crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around ₩80,000–140,000 for mid-range travellers. Book three to four weeks ahead for the best mid-range rates and the widest hotel choice.
Contents15 sections
#Weather in Seoul in July
Seoul in July averages 22–29°C (72–84°F) with around 13 days of rain, and crowds are medium.
| Measure | July in Seoul |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 29°C / 84°F |
| Overnight low | About 22°C / 72°F |
| Wet days | About 13, with about 414mm of rain, the wettest month of the year |
| Sunset | 7:57pm on the 1st; 7:42pm by the 31st |
| Big dates | Constitution Day, Saturday 17 July 2027, with Monday 19 July as a substitute holiday; boknal, 20 and 30 July |
| Crowds and prices | Moderate, until the Korean summer holidays begin late in the month |
Figures are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Seoul.
What that actually means for your trip:
- This is the monsoon month. Over 1991–2020 the jangma front sat over Seoul from about 25 June to 26 July, and July alone brings more rain than winter and spring together.
- The rain is unpredictable. A monsoon day can be a steady downpour, a grey, close day with one violent shower, or bright sun between two fronts.
- It is humid. About 76% on average, the highest of the year, so a 29°C afternoon feels much hotter.
- The end of the month changes everything. When the front lifts, usually in the last week, the heat builds sharply and the true summer begins.
Is July a good time to visit Seoul? It is a workable month if you plan for rain. The city is built for it: the subway runs underground and on time, the museums, malls and bathhouses fill a wet day, and the dry spells between fronts are green and bright. Hotel prices hold steady until the summer holidays, and the boknal soups are a reason in themselves. Avoid July if you want long days outdoors, or come at the end of the month, after the rains.
#July in the city
Constitution Day, Jeheonjeol, on 17 July, marks the first constitution of 1948 and has been a public holiday again since 2026. Because 17 July 2027 is a Saturday, the holiday moves to Monday 19 July: trains and roads out of Seoul are busy for the long weekend, while the city itself is quieter.
Boknal, the three hottest days of the old calendar, fall on Tuesday 20 July, Friday 30 July and Monday 9 August in 2027. On each, Koreans eat something hot and nourishing to fight the heat: above all samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup, and grilled eel, jangeo.
The summer holidays begin in the last week of July, when schools break up and families head for the beaches and the mountains.
Seoul's riverside Hangang swimming pools usually open for the season at the start of the school holidays.
#What to Do in Seoul in July
Solo Travellers
Spend a wet day at Kyobo Book Centre under Gwanghwamun and the National Museum of Korea, and a dry one walking Seoul Forest and the cafés of Seongsu next door.
Couples
Eat pajeon and drink makgeolli on a rainy evening, the classic monsoon meal, and on a dry night take a walk along the Cheonggyecheon stream as it runs full and green.
Families
The Hangang swimming pools, once they open, are the busiest places in the city on hot afternoons, and on wet days Lotte World in Jamsil is almost entirely indoors.
Groups
Try an escape room or a board-game café in Hongdae or Gangnam on a rainy afternoon, and grilled eel for a boknal dinner.
#Getting Around
From Incheon Airport, the AREX train runs to Seoul Station, and the subway, which runs underground and on time, is the reliable way to move in July. Buses crawl in heavy rain and taxis vanish in a downpour, so allow extra time for anything with a fixed start.
Load a T-money card for the subway and buses; the underground passages between stations at Gangnam, Euljiro and Jonggak keep you dry for long stretches.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₩70,000–115,000 | Hostel bed, noodle shops, the subway |
| Mid-range | ₩180,000–310,000 | Hotel near a big interchange, a boknal dinner, museums |
| Luxury | ₩520,000+ | Five-star with an indoor pool, chef's tables, car service |
July is mid-priced until the last week, when the Korean summer holidays begin. Seoul hotels are often cheaper than the seaside resorts where Koreans go.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Samgyetang on boknal | A little more than an ordinary lunch |
| Pajeon and makgeolli | A modest bill for a table |
| Hangang swimming pools | Small entry fee, in season |
| Kyobo Book Centre | Free to browse all day |
| Bingsu at a café | About the price of a lunch, for two to share |
- Book transport out of Seoul early for the Constitution Day weekend.
- Plan an indoor option for every day.
- Check the K-ETA rules for 2027 before you travel.
#Food & Dining
Beyond the boknal soups, July is the month for mul-naengmyeon, cold buckwheat noodles in icy broth, and the spicy bibim-naengmyeon.
Watermelon and peaches are in season and cheap in the markets, and bingsu, shaved ice with fruit or red beans, is the afternoon cool-down.
#Nightlife
July nights are warm and humid; the city's evenings move to air-conditioned bars, and to the riverbanks when it is dry.
The pavement tents of Euljiro and Jongno 3-ga put up their plastic sides against the rain and stay open.
#Shopping
The department stores hold summer sales in July. Rain gear is sold everywhere, from ponchos to rain boots, and the air-conditioned underground malls at COEX, Gangnam and Yeongdeungpo are where much of July's shopping happens.
#Culture & Etiquette
- Leave a dripping umbrella at the stand by the door, or slip it into a plastic sleeve.
- Carry a small towel or handkerchief, as Koreans do in the humidity.
- Queue patiently for boknal soup; it is part of the ritual.
- Do not hike in heavy rain: trails can slip and streams rise fast.
#Essential Local Phrases
| Korean | Meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 비가 와요 (biga wayo) | It's raining | Small talk all month |
| 복날 (boknal) | The hottest days | On restaurant banners |
| 삼계탕 (samgyetang) | Ginseng chicken soup | The boknal meal |
| 파전 (pajeon) | Savoury pancake | The rainy-day order |
| 빙수 (bingsu) | Shaved ice dessert | On a hot afternoon |
| 방학 (banghak) | School holidays | Why the trains fill up late in the month |
#Packing List
- A compact umbrella and a light rain jacket
- Sandals or shoes that dry quickly
- Light, fast-drying clothes
- A small towel for the humidity
- A light layer for cold air-conditioning
- A waterproof bag for your phone and passport
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen for the days between fronts
#Backup Plans
If it rains all day: spend it at the National Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea and the underground malls at COEX, or in a jjimjilbang.
If the heat returns after the rains: move between air-conditioned spaces, and keep walks for the early morning and the evening.
If a typhoon or heavy-rain warning is issued: stay indoors, and follow the emergency alerts.
#Safety & Health
Water is the July hazard. In heavy rain, keep away from underpasses, riverside paths and low-lying roads, and follow the emergency alerts. Landslides are possible on mountain trails after prolonged rain. Once the monsoon ends, heat and humidity are the risk: drink water steadily and rest in the shade.
Emergency: 119 for fire and ambulance, 112 for police, and 1330 for the travel hotline.
#What's New for July 2027
- Constitution Day falls on Saturday 17 July 2027, with Monday 19 July as a substitute holiday
- Boknal falls on 20 and 30 July and 9 August 2027
- The monsoon usually lifts in the last week of July
- The Hangang pools usually open with the school holidays
- The K-ETA exemption for many nationalities ran to 31 December 2026; check the 2027 rules
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for July 2027. Climate figures are Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals for Seoul. Dates and prices verified against:
- Korea AeroSpace Administration for the 2027 calendar and the boknal days
- Korea Meteorological Administration for the July averages and the monsoon
- Hangang Parks for the swimming pools and closures
- Korea Tourism Organization for the 1330 hotline
- K-ETA for travel authorisation
For the month before, see Seoul in June, and for the month after, Seoul in August.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is July a bad time to visit Seoul?
It is the wettest month, with about 414mm of rain and humidity around 76%, so expect wet days and plan indoor options. It is rarely continuous rain, though: the subway, museums, malls and bathhouses make a wet day easy, and the city is green between the fronts.
When is boknal in 2027?
The three hottest days of the traditional calendar fall on Tuesday 20 July, Friday 30 July and Monday 9 August 2027. Koreans eat hot, nourishing food on them, above all samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup, and grilled eel, so the famous soup restaurants have long queues on those days.
When does the monsoon end in Seoul?
Over 1991–2020 the jangma front left Seoul around 26 July on average, though the date varies from year to year. After it lifts, the heat builds sharply, the Hangang parks and pools fill, and the Korean summer holidays begin.
Is there a public holiday in Seoul in July 2027?
Yes. Constitution Day, 17 July, has been a public holiday again since 2026; in 2027 it falls on a Saturday, so Monday 19 July is a substitute holiday. Trains and roads out of Seoul are busy that weekend, while the city itself is quieter.
What’s the weather like in Seoul in July?
Seoul in July typically sees temperatures of 22–29°C with around 13 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.
How much does it cost to visit Seoul in July?
Budget-conscious travellers can expect daily costs of ₩80,000–140,000, covering accommodation, food, and local transport. Flexible dates can save up to 20% compared with peak-week rates.