It’s cherry blossom season again this year, with the trees blooming in late March and early April. As they begin to bloom one by one, it takes a week for them to reach full bloom, and another week for them to fall off again, leaving us with less than ten days to enjoy the flowers at their fullest.
Here are some of the best cherry blossom festivals and spots in Seoul that you should visit for a romantic ten days of spring flowers.
1. Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival
During the flower season in April, the Yunjung-ro Cherry Blossom Road in front of the Yeouido National Assembly becomes crowded with people. The Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival is held in early April, and centred around Yunjung-ro.
Yeouido Yunjung-ro (map)
2. Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
From late March, when the whole of Seokchon Lake turns pink, people flock here one by one to enjoy the springtime. The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is usually held in the first week of April.
Seokchon Lake (map)
3. Yangjaecheon Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival
The pink colour under the blue sky is beautiful, but the cherry blossoms really come into their own at night. This festival at Yangjaecheon is where lights are installed and the blossoms are illuminated to show off their beauty.
The Yangjaecheon Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival is held in early April, as close to when the flowers are at their peak bloom. The festival is accompanied by busking and other performances, so be sure to visit Yangjaecheon on a spring evening in April!
Yangjaecheon Area (Yeongdong 1-gyo ~ Yeongdong 2-gyo) (map)
4. N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)
Cherry blossoms bring back fond memories of April and first love, so why not visit N Seoul Tower for the ultimate in romance? During the cherry blossom season, you can enjoy the path leading up to Namsan Tower and get the view of the tower through the cherry blossom trees.
📍 N Seoul Tower (map)
5. Seoul Forest
Enjoy cherry blossom viewing at Seoul Forest, where deer roam freely and there is a picnic garden under the trees.
How about a picnic among the cherry blossoms, tulips and other plants in full bloom in Seoul Forest, which is comparable to Hyde Park in London and Central Park in New York?
📍 Seoul Forest (map)
6. Dream Forest in North Seoul
North Seoul’s Dream Forest is Seoul’s third largest park. This place has a cherry blossom road in the spring and a maple forest in the fall, so many people visit each season to view the flowers.
Along with the cherry blossom path, there is also a large pond, Wolyeongji Pond, and an observation deck with a panoramic view of Seoul’s major mountains, making this a great spot to enjoy the springtime cheer.
📍 North Seoul Dream Forest (map)
7. Gyeongui Line Forest Trail
The cherry blossom trees can be easily seen growing along the Gyeongui Line Forest Road, which runs through the Yeonnam-dong area, and from the rooftop bars and cafes located in the middle of Yeontral Park.
This is another cherry blossom spot where you can sit in a café with a good view of the trees and spend a leisurely time drinking coffee.
📍 Gyeongui Line Forest Road (map)
8. Jangan Cherry Blossom Trail
A two-day spring flower festival is held annually along the 3-kilometer stretch of the Jangan Cherry Blossom Trail between Gunja Bridge and Ewha Bridge along Jungnangcheon in Dongdaemun-gu.
Leading up to and after the festival, photo zones and night-time landscape lighting will be installed, so you can enjoy the flowers day and night at Jangan Cherry Blossom Trail along Jungnangcheon.
📍 Jangan Trail (map)
9. Dorimcheon Cherry Blossom Path
Dorimcheon Park, which attracts an average of 120 people a day, is a favourite among residents of the neighbouring Yeongdeungpo and Gwanak districts, with its long avenue of blossoms. In 2022, it was added to Seoul’s 166 beautiful spring flower paths.
Dorimcheon Cherry Blossom Trail is therefore a relatively new spot. It’s a great place to visit when you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms without the crowds. Dorimcheon is also connected to the nearby cherry blossoms on the banks of Anyangcheon.
📍 Dorimcheon Trail (map)
📍 Anyangcheon Embankment Trail (map)
10. Olympic Park
The Olympic Park is an oasis in the middle of the city, and the way to the Olympic Pavilion is through the so-called Cherry Blossom Tunnel. As you walk along the path surrounded by flowers, the octagonal pavilion appears in front of you, making it one of the must-see spring flower spots.
📍 Olympic Park (map)