What's the Weather like in Seoul in June?
Temperature
The rapidly increasing temperatures of the previous months start to shallow out in June. The average monthly temperature in Seoul increases to 21°C in June. Daytime averages hit 26°C and nights only cool to 16°C.
Rainfall
Precipitation dramatically increases in June as Seoul enters the monsoon season. Rainfall totals in the beginning of June only average 90mm but hit 230mm by the end of the month. The total monthly average comes out to 133mm. The change in the chances of precipitation is equally drastic, at 20% in the beginning of June and 40% at the end of the month.
Sunshine Hours
The longest day of the year in Seoul is 14 hours 36 minutes, and there is little variation between the beginning and end of the month. The chances of cloud cover do increase however, with a 50% average chance of overcast or mostly cloudy skies by the end of the month. Despite the long days, the cloudy skies will only give you an average of six hours of sunshine every day.
Humidity
The average relative humidity in Seoul rapidly climbs in June as monsoon season approaches. The monthly average is 72%. With the increasing temperatures, there may be periods where the humidity levels are uncomfortable, but for the most part it should be pleasant to most people.
Wind
The average winds in Seoul average 3.1 m/s in June, and blow out of the southwest to southeast.
Dress Code
Bring clothing that you'll be comfortable in during warm, humid conditions. Examples would be loose-fitting shirts and shorts made of a lightweight material. You'll also want to be prepared for heavy rains too, so a heavy raincoat and even pants & boots would be a good idea, especially if you plan to spend any time outside. Keep in mind that you may have to remove your footwear in certain buildings. The Seoul extended forecast will let you know what the temperature & rains should do during your trip.
Seoul Hotels in June
Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Times Square
One of the most sought-after hotels in Seoul is the four-star Courtyard Seoul Times Square. This large hotel is set in the Times Square shopping mall and is only a few minutes from the nearest train station. Standard rooms and suites are both available, with beautifully appointed rooms, marble bathrooms, flatscreen TVs, and complimentary WiFi. Other hotel amenities include a gym, business center, and free parking. There is one trendy café to start your day off at the Marriott, and your choice of dozens of outstanding restaurants surrounding the hotel at the shopping center.
Hotel PJ
Hotel PJ is a casual four-star hotel in Seoul's Myeongdong district and is perfectly suited for the business traveler. The modest rooms all feature sitting areas, flatscreen TVs, safes, and modern bathrooms. Suites are also available and add balconies and upgraded traditional Korean furnishings. Guests have access to the business center, small fitness center, coin-operated laundry, and a free local shuttle service. Breakfast is served in the airy P&J Restaurant for a nominal fee; you can also eat brunch and dinner here. The nearest metro station is less than 1km away from the hotel.
G2 Hotel
G2 Hotel is an affordable option for travelers on a budget. This humble hotel offers standard rooms and suites with contemporary furnishings, beautiful bathrooms, flatscreen TVs, and minifridges. The suites also have kitchenettes. The hotel features a casual restaurant that serves breakfast and fusion Italian lunches. Other facilities at the hotel include a fitness center, laundromat, business center, and a rooftop garden. G2 Hotel is only a five-minute walk from the nearest metro station and is an easy walk to the popular Myeongdong shops and restaurants.
Bars and Restaurants
La Seine
La Seine is an upscale, all-you-can-eat buffet in the expansive Lotte Hotel World. Despite being one of the more upscale buffets in Seoul, it is still a great place to take the kids. The food options vary quite a bit, but most of it is Oriental and Western in origin. The food is prepared at live cooking stations right in front of you and served fresh. Much of the food is made to order in this manner. The steaks are especially tender and the seafood is as fresh as it can get. The dining room is open from 6AM to 10PM with breaks between meals.
KyoChon Chicken Dongdaemun
It may be "fast food", but KyoChon Chicken has some of the best fried chicken you'll find in Seoul. KyoChon Chicken is located in Dongdaemun and is open 24 hours. As with any self-respecting Korean chicken restaurant, their chicken is never frozen and very fresh. The chicken is served in their original house style, and also a spicy red chili style, with a number of flavorful sauces to compliment. Despite KyoChon being considered a fast food restaurant, they do have a number of craft beers on tap. Anyone who orders the spicy chicken will say that the beer is a necessity. Crisp potato wedges and nachos are served as sides.
Vatos Urban Tacos Itaewon
Vatos is a casual Mexican restaurant in Yongsan, and has an edgy, urban vibe to it. They serve some tasty traditional street tacos made with tender carne asada, juicy carnitas, and fresh shrimp. Other menu items include burritos, burgers, kimchi carnitas fries, and Nutella nachos for dessert. They offer a large selection of craft beers on tap and delicious Mexican cocktails like margaritas. There are three locations in Seoul; their signature location is in Itaewon and is open daily from 11:30AM until 11PM (midnight on Friday & Saturday). Reservations are accepted by telephone.
Prost
Prost is a late-night pub & grill in Yongsan-gu, next to Glam Lounge. The dark wood interior lends to the ambience of an old English pub, but mixed with modern décor and furnishings. Menu items are traditional pub foods like burgers, sandwiches, fries, nachos, and chicken. They do have a great draft beer selection and a full bar serving an unlimited variety of cocktails. Prost opens at 5PM Monday through Friday and 3PM on Saturday and Sunday. They are open until almost sunrise some mornings.
Things to do in Seoul in June
There's a very colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony at Deoksungung Palace three times a day, and it's one of Seoul's top attractions. Royalty first used Deoksungung Palace in the 15thcentury and today it is undergoing some massive restorations in order to return it to its former glory. You can walk through the grounds and visit the many vibrant, ornate buildings spread out in the palace grounds. The palace is also home to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at 11AM, 2PM, and 3:30PM Tuesday through Sunday, at Daehanmun Gate. It lasts approximately 30 minutes. It is an elaborate, colorful ceremony full of tradition that you shouldn't miss.
Namsan Seoul Tower
Namsan Seoul Tower is one of Seoul's skyline features that is on most tourist's "must see" lists, and it's just a short walk from Seoul Plaza. The tower was, and still is, used as a communications and observation tower. Today it has been opened up to commercial use. The plaza on top of the hill is full of restaurants, shops, a game plaza, and an observation deck. A cable car takes you near the top where you can wander around and explore the different viewpoints. You may notice some gates and fences are full of painted locks; these are the "love locks" and it's a tradition that couples should participate in if they're visiting Namsan Seoul Tower. The tower is 480m above sea level and the plaza closes at 11PM.
Seoul Dano Festival
Dano is a traditional Korean holiday that falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, which is typically in June in the Julian calendar. The main purpose of the festival is to expel misfortune and bring good luck, and this was especially relevant to farmers. Men wear iris roots around their waist and women wash their hair in water boiled with sweet flag. Other festival traditions include making kites, eating rice cakes, and dragon boat races in some locales. You can experience this festival in many different locations throughout Seoul and South Korea.
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market has the distinction of being the first permanent market in Korea. The market covers only 10 acres but has over 5,000 shops staffed by 20,000 people. The smells of the food vendors are delightful and you'll want to walk from food stall to food stall sampling the traditional Korean street foods, like mung bean pancakes, rice cakes, sashimi, and blood sausage. The second floor of the market is almost completely dedicated to fabrics quilts, bedding, robes, and raw textiles. There are also many other artisans selling woodcarvings and other crafts. The Gwangjang Market is open Monday through Saturday from 9AM until 6PM.
