Itinerary · South Korea
Rainy day in Seoul: where to go indoors?
On a rainy day in Seoul, link Lotte World Tower's observatory, COEX Starfield Library, DDP exhibitions and Gwangjang Market by subway. Plus rain normals.
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A rainy day in Seoul: the plan
On a rainy day in Seoul, see Lotte World Tower's observatory, COEX Starfield Library and the exhibitions at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), then have dinner at Gwangjang Market. Seoul's subway reaches nearly every sight, so a route is easy to plan even in the rain.
Spend the morning around Gangnam and the afternoon and evening around Dongdaemun and Jongno to keep travel simple.
- Morning: Lotte World Tower observatory, then COEX Starfield Library
- Afternoon: exhibitions at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), then Dongdaemun shopping malls
- Evening: mung bean pancakes, mini gimbap and yukhoe at Gwangjang Market
When does Seoul get the most rain?
July-August is Seoul's hot, humid and rainy monsoon season. These figures are 30-year normals for 1991–2020 at Seoul station, from the Korea Meteorological Administration. July and August get far more rain than other months.
They are averages, not this year's weather, so check the forecast before you go.
- June: normal high about 27.6°C / about 129.5 mm
- July: normal high about 29°C / about 414.4 mm
- August: normal high about 30°C / about 348.2 mm
- September: normal high about 26.2°C / about 141.5 mm
- For comparison, January: normal high about 2.1°C / about 16.8 mm
Morning: Lotte World Tower observatory and COEX Starfield Library
Lotte World Tower is Korea's tallest tower, and from its high observation deck you can look out over the whole city.
Then head to COEX Starfield Library in Gangnam, which follows Lotte World Tower on Day 4 of our guide's itinerary. Lines 2 and 9 run through Gangnam.
- Lotte World Tower: Korea's tallest tower, high observation deck
- COEX Starfield Library: Gangnam
- Gangnam subway: Lines 2 and 9
Afternoon: DDP exhibitions and Dongdaemun shopping malls
In the afternoon, take the subway to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a futuristic curved building with exhibitions and night lighting.
The nearby Dongdaemun shopping malls open late, so you can stay into the evening if the rain keeps up.
- DDP: curved building, exhibitions, night lighting
- Dongdaemun shopping malls: open late
Evening: warm up at Gwangjang Market
Have dinner at Gwangjang Market, a classic market famous for mung bean pancakes, mini gimbap and yukhoe. The crispy mung bean pancakes go well with makgeolli and cost about 5,000-7,000 won each.
Queues peak at lunch and dinner. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but some market stalls prefer cash, so carry a little.
For a hot soup, try gukbap or seolleongtang. Many places are open 24 hours, and a bowl is about 10,000-15,000 won.
- Gwangjang Market: mung bean pancakes, mini gimbap, yukhoe
- Mung bean pancake: about 5,000-7,000 won each
- Queues peak at lunch and dinner
- Some stalls prefer cash
- Gukbap or seolleongtang: about 10,000-15,000 won a bowl
Getting around in the rain
Buy and top up a T-money card at convenience stores; it works on the subway, buses and many taxis, and transfer discounts apply automatically. On city buses, tap your card when boarding and exiting to get the transfer discount.
The subway is clean and signed in English, and service ends around midnight. Climate Card short-term passes (1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days) give unlimited Seoul subway and bus rides; check Seoul's official site for prices and coverage.
Local map apps are handy for transit and walking directions in Korea.
- T-money: buy and top up at convenience stores; automatic transfer discounts
- City buses: tap on and tap off
- Subway: service ends around midnight
- Climate Card short-term pass: check official info for prices and coverage
Plan your Seoul trip
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FAQ
Which month gets the most rain in Seoul?
By the Korea Meteorological Administration's 1991–2020 normals at Seoul station, July gets about 414.4 mm and August about 348.2 mm, the most of the year. July-August is the hot, humid monsoon season.
How do I get around Seoul on a rainy day?
Seoul's subway reaches nearly every sight. Link Lotte World Tower and COEX, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and Gwangjang Market by subway.
What should I eat at Gwangjang Market?
It is famous for mung bean pancakes, mini gimbap and yukhoe. A pancake is about 5,000-7,000 won. Queues peak at lunch and dinner, and some stalls prefer cash.
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