What's the Weather like in Seoul in August
Temperature
August is one of the hottest months in Seoul, along with July. The average monthly temperature is 24°C. Daytime averages are just a touch higher than July, at 28°C. Nighttime temperatures, like July, average 20°C. The record high and low in August was 38.2°C and 13.5°C.
Rainfall
The summer monsoons start to taper off in early August. Rainfall totals still average 364mm, however, with an average chance of precipitation of 40%. Rains will continue to decline going in September.
Sunshine Hours
The length of the day Seoul starts to rapidly decline in August, with 14 hours 5 minutes in the beginning of the month and 13 hours 2 minutes by the end of the month. Cloud cover will decrease though, with an average 48% chance of overcast or mostly cloudy skies. The amount of sunshine averages only five hours per day.
Humidity
Like July, Seoul is very humid in August. The humidity does start to taper off towards the end of the month. The average relative humidity is 79%, and visitors not acclimated to high temperatures and humidity may be downright miserable.
Wind
Winds average 3.3 m/s in Seoul in August. Wind speeds will significantly increase in strength if any typhoons approach the Korean peninsula. Winds are mostly from the southwest to southeast.
Dress Code
Visitors to Seoul in August will want to wear comfortable, light clothing that won't be restrictive in the heat and humidity. It is acceptable for women to wear short skirts & shorts, but low-cut tops may earn some stares from locals. Dress style is typically smart-casual. Also keep in mind that rains can be steady and heavy at times, so you'll want to be prepared with adequate raingear. Also keep in mind that you'll have to remove footwear in some buildings, so you'll want something that you can easily slip in and out of and possibly socks. Check the Seoul 14-day forecast before you start packing for a better picture of the weather.
Seoul Hotels in August
Le Meridien Seoul
Le Meridien Seoul is a stylish five-star hotel in the metropolitan Gangnam district. This elegant hotel features 336 rooms and suites decorated in light tones and simple furnishings with European influences. Some rooms feature furnished balconies with great city views. Le Meridien is home to some of the finest restaurants in Gangnam, including the upscale Chef's Palette buffet, Latitude 37 lounge & bar, the fancy Elements Korean restaurant, and the more casual Lab XXIV gastropub. Le Meridien also has an indoor virtual golf course, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and day spa. The nearest metro station is only two minutes away.
Hotel Shinshin
Hotel Shinshinis a modest four-star hotel near Namdaemun Gate, in a busy neighborhood with numerous cafes, shops, and restaurants. The hotel features 75 modern rooms in four different styles, each with their own flavor. Some have wooden floors and modern furnishings while others are in a more traditional Korean style. All rooms have safes, flatscreen TVs, and free WiFi. There are also suites with separate living rooms. Hotel Shinshin has one restaurant & bar with an urban ambience and offers outdoor seating. Hotel Shinshin is just a five-minute walk from the nearest metro station.
Ocloud Hotel
Gangnam is full of trendy hotels, and Ocloud is another fine example of what you can find. Rooms are all decorated in a cozy, minimalist style with hardwood floors, work desks, flatscreen TVs, and minifridges. Ocloud also has suites with living areas, kitchenettes, and dining tables. Other hotel facilities include a fitness center, meeting room, and rooftop garden with great views. Ocloud Kitchen serves a large breakfast buffet in the morning and transforms into a great steakhouse in the evening with international foods. The nearest metro station is less than three minutes from the hotel.
Ibis Styles Ambassador Myeongdong
Ibis Styles Ambassador is a great four-star budget hotel in the popular Myeongdong district. This colorful hotel features 180 vibrant rooms with stylish décor, flatscreen TVs, minifridges, and free WiFi. There's a funky breakfast lounge serving a complimentary healthy breakfast to start the day off right, a rooftop bar with outstanding city views and light snacks, and a lively dining room serving international foods for lunch and dinner. The hotel also offers a fitness center, business center, laundry, and an airport shuttle for a fee. The hotel is less than five minutes from the nearest metro station.
Bars and Restaurants
The Parkview
The Parkview is a funky, pricey buffet in central Seoul, located in the Shilla hotel. The Parkview's upscale dining room is composed of hardwood floors and marble accents, with views of Mt. Namsan and local gardens, helping visitors feel more connected with nature. The buffet consists of a large selection of Asian foods, cooked right in front of you at multiple live cooking stations. In addition to their pan-Asian specialties, they also serve international cuisine and a large selection of seafood. The Parkview is especially known for their bakery and dessert spread. The buffet is open from 5:30AM until 9:30PM with breaks in between meals. Reservations are recommended.
Linus' Bama Style BBQ
You can get a taste of southern U.S. BBQ specifically Alabama BBQ at Linus' BBQ in Itaewon. Linus' has been featured in many magazines and cooking shows, and for good reason. They start with the best meat brisket, chicken, ribs, and pork and smoke it with their house sauce. Typical sides include fried okra, pork & beans, coleslaw, and mac & cheese. If you're worried about getting dirty, the restaurant provides finger-gloves. Linus' is open daily from 11AM until 10:30PM. It will get very busy during peak hours, and reservations are not accepted.
Myeongdong Kyoja
The casual Myeongdong Kyoja is an authentic Korean restaurant in central Seoul, specializing in handmade, knife-cut buckwheat noodles, or Kalgusku. Their signature dish is a soup that consists of a thick chicken broth with the soft, delicious noodles. They also serve pork dumplings, spicy noodles, and bean noodle soup. The menu is small, but this is the original Kalgusku restaurant and they use nothing but the best ingredients. The restaurant itself is very modest, but it has a cozy atmosphere with great staff. Myeongdong Kyoja is open daily from 10:30AM until 9:30PM.
The Griffin Bar
The Griffin is one of the more memorable bars in Seoul and is perfect for late nights. This exceptional lounge is located on the roof of the J.W. Marriott in Dongdaemun Square. The upscale bar features contemporary décor but with a taste of 1930's lounge atmosphere. The bartenders are the best at their craft and serve amazing specialty cocktails. The Griffin also serves food, such as soups, sandwiches, smothered fries, and fried chicken. Most of the bar is indoors but there is also an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy spectacular views of Seoul. Live jazz music rounds out the experience. The Griffin is open Monday through Saturday from 1PM until 5AM.
Things to do in Seoul in August
Bukchon Hanok Village
Seoul is surrounded by many old, traditional villages, and one of the more popular is Bukchon Hanok Village. This beautiful village contains narrow alleys, beautiful gardens, and buildings as old as the Joseon dynasty. The quaint village is popular for photographers and other tourists who can walk among the houses and admire their character and architecture. Some of the buildings cater to tourists, serving as teahouses, cultural centers, and restaurants. Be advised that tourism rules have been put into place in order to limit the burden of tourists on the village, which was never designed to handle the number of people that go through there every day. Visiting hours are Monday through Saturday from 9AM to 5PM.
National Museum of Korea
Seoul's largest museum is the National Museum of Korea, located in central Seoul. This gorgeous museum is one of the most visited in the world and tourists agree that it is one of the top attractions in Seoul. You will be able to admire some amazingly old artifacts at this museum, from prehistoric times to present. The museum has a large collection of artifacts from medieval times, modern history, Asian art & calligraphy, and artistic sculptures. Rotating exhibits from other worldwide locations come through this museum. It is open at 10AM every day; closing hours are 6PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9PM Saturday and Wednesday, and 7PM on Sunday. There is also a café and gift shop at the museum.
Everland Amusement Park
Everland Amusement Park is a popular theme park in Yongin, providing entertainment for the entire family. The park has various themed areas, including a zoo with animal riding, European Adventure with carnivals and rollercoasters, Magic Land with water rafting, and American Adventure with a hurricane simulator and children's rides. Every area of the park has shops and restaurants. Everland also hosts a variety of shows, and some of the more popular are the animal shows. Everland Amusement Park is open daily from 10AM until 10PM.
Gwanghwamun Square
Gwanghwamun Square connects Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Gate with a large public square. Restaurants and shops that you can stop in while circumnavigating the large square surround the plaza. There is a large gold statue of King Sejong near Gyeongbokgung Palace, with an underground museum dedicated to that period of history. There is a second underground museum below the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, dedicated to his impressive victories. A fountain in the middle of the square is often a good place to cool off. Many other attractions near Gwanghwamun Square make it a good stop for an hour or two.
