Things To Do in Korea in Autumn + Useful Travel Korean Expressions
- My Korean Lesson
- 21 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Planning a trip to Korea in the fall? Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Korea. The weather is cool and comfortable, the mountains turn beautiful shades of red and yellow, and there are plenty of seasonal activities to enjoy.
If you're visiting Korea between September and November, here are 5 things you should definitely try!
1. 🍁 See the Autumn Foliage
One of the best things about autumn in Korea is the beautiful fall foliage.
You can see colorful leaves almost everywhere—from city parks and university campuses to mountains and palaces.
Some popular places to enjoy the autumn colors include:
- Namsan (남산) in Seoul
- Seoraksan (설악산) in Gangwon-do
- Naejangsan (내장산) in Jeollabuk-do
- Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁) in Seoul
You don't necessarily need to go hiking. A simple walk through a park or around a palace can be a beautiful autumn experience.
🍂 Useful Korean word:
단풍 (dan-pung) = autumn foliage/fall colors
You might hear Koreans say:
단풍이 예뻐요.
The autumn leaves are beautiful.
2. Visit a Korean Palace in Hanbok
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Korea's traditional palaces.
In Seoul, you can visit places like Gyeongbokgung Palace(경복궁) and Changdeokgung Palace(창덕궁) and even rent a hanbok (한복) nearby.
Wearing hanbok while walking around a traditional palace surrounded by colorful autumn leaves is a very memorable experience—and yes, it's also a great photo opportunity! 📸
One fun thing to know: visitors wearing hanbok can often enter certain palaces without paying the regular admission fee, depending on the palace's current rules.
🍂 Useful Korean word:
한복 (han-bok) = traditional Korean clothing
Try saying:
한복을 입어 보고 싶어요.
I want to try wearing hanbok.
3. 🌰 Try Korean Autumn Foods
Autumn isn't just beautiful in Korea—it's delicious, too!
Fall is a great season to try some Korean seasonal foods and street snacks.
Look for things like:
🌰 군밤 (gun-bam) — roasted chestnuts
🍠 군고구마 (gun-go-gu-ma) — roasted sweet potatoes
🐟 전어 (jeon-eo) — gizzard shad, a seasonal fish
🍐 배 (bae) — Korean pear
🍎 사과 (sa-gwa) — apples
And if you're walking around Seoul on a chilly evening, grabbing a warm roasted sweet potato from a street vendor can be surprisingly satisfying.
You can say:
군고구마 주세요!
Please give me some roasted sweet potato!
4. 🥾 Go for an Easy Hike
Korea has lots of mountains, and autumn is one of the best times to explore them.
But don't worry—you don't have to climb a huge mountain! 😄
There are many easy hiking trails and walking paths where you can enjoy the scenery without being an experienced hiker.
For example, you can try:
- Namsan in Seoul
- Inwangsan in Seoul
- Seoraksan National Park
- Hallasan on Jeju Island
If you're a beginner, choose a short trail and check the weather before you go.
And remember: Koreans love hiking! You may notice that Korean hiking trails can be surprisingly lively, especially on weekends.
🍂 Useful Korean word:
등산 (deung-san) = hiking / mountain climbing
Try saying:
등산을 좋아해요.
I like hiking.
Or:
등산을 해 보고 싶어요.
I want to try hiking.
5. ☕ Have a Cozy Café Day
Finally, leave some time in your itinerary for something very simple:
Go to a café and enjoy the season. ☕🍂
Korea has an incredible café culture, and autumn is perfect for spending a slow afternoon in a cozy café.
Try a warm latte, tea, or a seasonal dessert while looking out at the autumn scenery.
You can also explore cafés in neighborhoods known for their beautiful streets and architecture, such as Ikseon-dong, Seochon, or Jeonju Hanok Village.
And here's a useful Korean phrase to know when ordering:
아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
One iced Americano, please.
Yes, Koreans absolutely drink iced coffee in autumn, too. 😂
🍂 Wrap-Up: Things to do in Korea in autumn
A trip to Korea doesn't have to be packed with famous tourist attractions from morning until night.
Sometimes, the most memorable moments are the simple ones: walking under colorful 단풍, eating a warm 군고구마, wearing 한복, hiking a quiet trail, or sitting in a cozy café with a cup of coffee.
And there's one more thing you can add to your trip:
Try speaking a little Korean. 🇰🇷
You don't need to be fluent. Even a few simple phrases can turn an ordinary tourist experience into a more meaningful one.
Instead of simply pointing at a menu, try:
이거 주세요.This one, please.
Instead of just taking a picture, try asking:
사진 찍어 주세요.Could you take a picture for me?
And when someone helps you, don't forget:
감사합니다!Thank you!
These little moments are a great way to connect with Korean people and experience the country beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Have a wonderful autumn trip to Korea!
Happy travels, and happy Korean learning! 💛
📌 Image Note
Some images in this post were created using generative AI for illustrative purposes. They are not photographs of actual locations.
If you found this lesson helpful, a small donation would mean a lot and help support the growth of My Korean Lesson. Thank you so much for learning with me! 🤗💛
Comments