Autumn gives you a good reason to slow down in Seoul. Palace gardens fill with red and gold, ginkgo trees brighten ordinary streets, and the wooded paths around the city become places you want to linger rather than simply pass through.
You do not have to leave Seoul or spend a whole day hiking to enjoy the season. Some of the loveliest autumn walks sit close to cafés, shopping neighborhoods and cultural sights you may already be planning to visit. Others take you into quieter corners of the city, where a garden or temple becomes the main reason for the outing.
Here are 15 beautiful autumn foliage spots in Seoul, with a mix of familiar favorites and less obvious places. You’ll find practical tips for fitting them into your trip, along with a few easy suggestions for bringing home lovely photos.
When Is the Best Time to See Autumn Leaves in Seoul?
Late October to early November is a good starting point for planning, with some city parks and tree-lined streets keeping their color into mid-November. The timing changes each year, and the best week for yellow ginkgo leaves may not match the best week for red maples or copper-colored metasequoias.
Keep your plans flexible and check recently taken photographs of your chosen locations. Look for the actual visit date, because older autumn pictures often get shared again during the season.
Weekday mornings generally give you a better chance of a relaxed walk, although popular places can still be busy. Bring comfortable shoes and an extra layer, especially if you plan to stay out after sunset.
1. Changdeokgung Secret Garden: A Classic Seoul Autumn Experience
If you want autumn leaves in a traditional Korean setting, Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden, also called Huwon, is a wonderful place to start. Wooded slopes, ponds and pavilions make the garden feel like a landscape designed to be enjoyed slowly.
Around Buyongji Pond, the combination of water, colorful trees and pavilion roofs is especially memorable. It is one of those places where a simple travel photograph already has plenty going on in the background.
This visit needs some advance planning. The Secret Garden has limited timed admission and a separate ticket from the palace grounds. Book ahead if possible and arrive early enough to walk through the palace to the garden entrance. Follow the route and entry arrangements for your booked session.
Anguk Station on Line 3 is a convenient starting point. Expect slopes and steps, and check the calendar before booking: Changdeokgung normally closes on Mondays, with exceptions around public holidays.
2. Seoul Forest: Golden Ginkgo Trees and an Afternoon in Seongsu
Seoul Forest is an easy choice if you want autumn scenery and a neighborhood outing in the same day. You can spend the morning walking among the trees, then continue into Seongsu for lunch, cafés and shops.
The ginkgo grove is a highlight when the leaves turn yellow. Also explore the metasequoia paths and Mirror Pond, which give the park a little more variety than one famous photo spot. The golden trees are a lovely backdrop for a picture together, but the paths between the busiest areas can be just as enjoyable.
This is a popular autumn destination, so do not expect to have the ginkgo grove to yourself on a sunny weekend. Going earlier leaves more time to wander before the afternoon crowds.
Take the Suin–Bundang Line to Seoul Forest Station, or walk from Ttukseom Station on Line 2. General park admission is free.
3. Namsan Park: Autumn Woodland Close to the City Center
Namsan is often treated as a trip to N Seoul Tower, but the woodland walks deserve time of their own in autumn. You can enjoy colorful trees without making the summit the goal of your visit.
The Northern Walking Path, also called the North Ringway, is a particularly good option. Its broad pedestrian route takes you through wooded scenery, with enough room to enjoy a steady walk and stop when a patch of color catches your eye.
For a relaxed outing, choose a section of the path rather than trying to cover every part of the mountain. A photograph beneath the autumn canopy can be just as memorable as a skyline view from the top.
Myeongdong Station and Namsan Yejang Park provide a useful approach from the city center. Allow for the uphill access even if you stick to the gentler walking route, and leave time for the return before heading to dinner.
4. Deoksugung and Its Stone-Wall Road: An Easy Central Seoul Walk
Deoksugung’s stone-wall road is one of the easiest autumn stops to add to a Seoul itinerary. Close to City Hall, it combines old stonework, seasonal trees and the streets of Jeong-dong in a walk that does not require a separate excursion.
Start near the palace’s main gate and follow Deoksugung-gil along the wall. Yellow leaves above the stonework make a beautiful backdrop, and there are opportunities to continue exploring the neighborhood afterward.
If you have more time, go inside Deoksugung Palace as well. The grounds add traditional buildings and a different perspective on the trees, with the surrounding city never far from view.
Use City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2. The public street outside is separate from the ticketed palace visit. Deoksugung normally closes on Mondays, so check the schedule if you want to include the grounds rather than only the wall-side walk.
5. Changgyeonggung Palace: Autumn Reflections Around Chundangji Pond
Changgyeonggung is an appealing choice if you enjoy palace visits with plenty of garden scenery. You can explore the historic buildings, then spend the rest of your visit following paths through the trees.
Make your way toward Chundangji Pond, where autumn color is reflected in the water. It is a lovely place to pause rather than hurry onward to the next courtyard. The nearby Grand Greenhouse adds another interesting stop, with its white structure standing out against the surrounding landscape.
Although Changgyeonggung sits beside Changdeokgung, they are separate palace visits. You do not need a Secret Garden reservation to explore Changgyeonggung’s regular grounds, which makes it a useful option when garden sessions are full.
Hyehwa Station on Line 4 is a convenient starting point, followed by a walk to the entrance. The palace normally closes on Mondays. Allow enough daylight to enjoy the pond even if you plan to stay into the evening.
6. Olympic Park: Ginkgo Trees and Room to Wander
Olympic Park is a good choice when you want a spacious autumn outing. Its open lawns, tree-lined paths and rolling earthworks give you plenty of room to decide how far you feel like walking.
For seasonal color, look for the ginkgo-lined stretch along Wiryeseong-gil, beside the park. Inside, explore the paths around Mongchon Fortress for a mix of trees and open scenery. One Tree Hill is another recognizable stop, although the surrounding avenues are the better place to focus on autumn leaves.
You could easily spend longer here than expected, so choose a couple of areas rather than trying to see the whole park. Bring a drink and leave time for a break between walks.
Mongchontoseong Station on Line 8 is useful for the World Peace Gate side. Olympic Park Station on Lines 5 and 9 serves the other side, so choose your entrance around the places you want to see.
7. Seokchon Lake: Autumn Leaves With Lotte World Tower in View
Seokchon Lake may be famous for spring blossoms, but its waterside paths are also worth visiting in autumn. The cherry trees take on seasonal color, and the lake gives you an easy walking route in the middle of Jamsil.
You can stroll around the east lake, the west lake or both, depending on your time. Along the way, look for views that combine the trees, water and Lotte World Tower. It is an easy way to bring a recognizable part of Seoul into your travel photos.
This is a practical stop if you are already planning shopping or sightseeing around Jamsil. Nearby Songnidan-gil also gives you somewhere to continue for a meal or café break.
Take Lines 2 or 8 to Jamsil Station. Expect more walkers on weekends, and keep the lakeside paths clear when stopping for pictures. A weekday morning is a good option for a slower visit.
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8. Seokpajeong: A Historic Garden Above Buam-dong
Seokpajeong, also written Seokpajung, is one of the places I would choose for a less obvious autumn outing. Connected to Seoul Museum in Buam-dong, the garden brings together traditional buildings, mature trees and rocky hillside scenery.
Its appeal is the way the autumn maples sit around the old architecture. Follow the garden paths, take your time around the buildings and enjoy the change of pace from central Seoul. This works particularly well if you like combining a cultural visit with time outdoors.
Entry is through a combined Seoul Museum and Seokpajeong ticket; a separate garden-only ticket is not available. The standard adult ticket is currently ₩20,000, so plan to enjoy the museum as part of the visit too. Normal closure days are Monday and Tuesday.
From Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3, continue by bus or taxi toward Seoul Museum. Check the museum’s current opening calendar before traveling, as exhibition changeovers can affect access.
9. Gilsangsa Temple: A Peaceful Stop in Seongbuk-dong
For a different side of Seoul, head to Gilsangsa Temple in Seongbuk-dong. Its wooded grounds and understated buildings make it an appealing place to enjoy autumn at a slower pace.
The pleasure here is in the smaller details: leaves around the paths, trees beside the halls and glimpses of roofs between branches. You do not need a long itinerary to appreciate it. Take a quiet walk through the areas open to visitors, then leave time to explore more of Seongbuk-dong afterward.
Gilsangsa remains an active temple. Keep conversations soft, avoid photographing people at prayer and respect any signs marking private areas.
Hansung University Station on Line 4 is a useful starting point, followed by a local bus or taxi uphill. Search for 길상사 in Seongbuk-gu to identify the right place. It is less obvious on a first Seoul itinerary, but autumn weekends can still attract plenty of visitors.
10. Jingwansa Temple: Autumn at the Foot of Bukhansan
Jingwansa Temple is worth the journey if you would like a taste of Seoul’s mountain scenery without committing to a summit hike. In Eunpyeong, the temple sits beneath the wooded slopes of Bukhansan, with autumn color surrounding the approach and buildings.
Enjoy the temple grounds and the paths leading up to them, then combine the visit with nearby Eunpyeong Hanok Village. Traditional roofs, mountain views and a café break make a satisfying half-day outing without needing to rush between distant attractions.
The temple and its wooded backdrop are especially appealing together in photographs. Keep your visit respectful, and treat any longer mountain trail as a separate plan that needs suitable shoes and enough daylight.
Start from Yeonsinnae Station, then continue by bus or taxi toward the hanok village and Jingwansa. There is still a final walk, so allow more travel time than you would for a central palace visit.
11. Maeheon Citizens’ Forest: A Leafy Escape in Yangjae
Often still called Yangjae Citizens’ Forest, Maeheon Citizens’ Forest is a good option for travelers staying south of the river. Its dense planting and walking paths give you a woodland break without leaving the city.
Wander through the park’s tree-lined paths, then consider continuing beside Yangjaecheon Stream if you feel like a longer outing. The mix of trees creates a varied autumn scene, with fallen leaves adding to the atmosphere underfoot.
This is a place I would choose for a relaxed walk with a friend or partner rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. It also works well when you want some outdoor time between other plans around Yangjae or Gangnam.
Take the Shinbundang Line to Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Station. Search for 매헌시민의숲 or 양재시민의숲; both names refer to the park. The wooded paths are the main attraction, so give yourself time to explore beyond the entrance.
12. Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs: Autumn Woodland in Gangnam
Seonjeongneung, the Seolleung and Jeongneung royal tombs, offers an unexpected change of pace among Gangnam’s buildings. Within the grounds, wooded paths connect historic burial areas, giving you a cultural visit and an autumn walk together.
Follow the permitted routes through the trees and take time to understand the site as well as enjoy its scenery. The seasonal foliage and open spaces around the tombs feel quite different from the streets outside.
This is a place for a respectful heritage walk. Stay off restricted burial mounds and keep photographs considerate of the setting. It is especially useful if your day already includes Gangnam and you would like something beyond shopping and cafés.
Seolleung Station on Line 2 and the Suin–Bundang Line is a convenient starting point. Admission is ticketed, and the site normally closes on Mondays. November hours are shorter than summer hours, so plan a daytime visit rather than expecting an evening stroll.
13. Ansan Jarakgil: A Forest Walk Without a Summit Climb
If you want a longer walk among autumn trees, consider Ansan Jarakgil in Seodaemun. This trail winds around the mountain, with wooden boardwalk sections and forest scenery that make the journey itself the attraction.
The metasequoia groves are particularly appealing in autumn, while other stretches offer a mix of seasonal color and evergreen woodland. Choose a section that suits your energy rather than feeling you need to complete the whole circuit, which is around seven kilometers.
The Jarakgil route is gentler than climbing to the summit, but the approach from the surrounding streets can still be steep. Plan your entrance carefully if you are visiting with a stroller or someone who finds hills difficult.
Use 안산자락길 in your map app and choose an access point in Seodaemun. Dongnimmun or Hongje stations can serve as starting points, with the onward walk or bus connection depending on your entrance. This is Seoul’s Ansan mountain, not Ansan city outside Seoul.
14. World Cup Park’s Metasequoia Path: Tall Trees and Copper Autumn Colors
World Cup Park offers more than the famous silver grass at Haneul Park. For autumn trees, make time for the metasequoia path near the foot of Haneul Park, where tall trunks line a woodland walk.
As the foliage changes, the trees take on warm copper shades. It is a lovely setting for a gentle stroll and a simple photo together beneath the canopy. Look for 메타세쿼이아길 around Haneul Park when planning your route, rather than heading straight to the upper grass fields.
If you have more time and energy, you can add Haneul Park for open views and silver grass. That is a separate uphill outing, and the grasses provide a different kind of autumn scenery from the leaves below.
World Cup Stadium Station on Line 6 is a useful starting point. Allow time to walk through the wider park area, and bring a layer if you plan to continue to the more exposed upper park.
15. Munmyo Confucian Shrine and Seonggyungwan: Golden Ginkgo Trees Around a Historic Academy
For golden autumn leaves in a traditional setting, Munmyo Confucian Shrine and Seonggyungwan National Academy deserve a place on your Seoul itinerary. This historic complex brings together a shrine dedicated to Confucius and the academy that educated scholars during the Joseon dynasty.
The autumn highlight is the courtyard in front of Myeongnyundang Lecture Hall, where enormous, centuries-old ginkgo trees turn bright yellow. Their spreading branches above the tiled roofs make a beautiful scene, especially when fallen leaves begin to cover the ground. Include a little of the old architecture in your photos to capture what makes this spot special.
You can combine the visit with nearby Changgyeonggung Palace or lunch around Daehangno. It is a lovely addition to a day in this part of Seoul, although the courtyard can be busy when the ginkgo leaves are at their best.
Take Line 4 to Hyehwa Station, then walk toward Sungkyunkwan University’s Seoul campus. Search for 성균관 명륜당 to find the historic courtyard rather than a general university entrance. Visit during daytime opening hours, check access before setting off and respect any areas closed to visitors.
Which Autumn Spots Should You Choose?
For a first visit to Seoul, I would start with Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden, especially if you can secure a timed ticket. Changgyeonggung is another lovely palace option, while Deoksugung’s stone-wall road is easy to fit into a shorter gap between other plans.
For autumn scenery and cafés, pair Seoul Forest with Seongsu, or enjoy Seokchon Lake before a meal around Songnidan-gil. Both combinations let you enjoy the season without making the whole day about foliage.
For less obvious outings, choose Seokpajeong, Gilsangsa or Jingwansa. Each gives you a reason to explore a different neighborhood, although they are separate destinations rather than one easy walking route.
If you mainly want time among trees, consider Ansan Jarakgil, Maeheon Citizens’ Forest or the World Cup Park metasequoia path. Choose according to where you are staying and how much walking you want to do.
You do not need to visit all 15. Pick a few that fit naturally into your trip, leave room for a warm drink and an unplanned stop, and enjoy Seoul while the season is changing.
And if you would like to be in the photos too, you can hire a local photographer in Seoul with Photo Trips. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple or with family, it is a lovely way to capture memories of your trip without always being the one holding the camera. Share the autumn setting you have in mind, and choose a location together that suits your dates, travel plans and the venue’s photography rules.
