Where to See Autumn Leaves in Seoul: Picture-Perfect Spots

Seoul slips into its most cinematic mood between mid-October and early November, when ginkgo canopies glow like gold and palaces deepen into layered reds and umbers.

Days start crisp and bright, streets soften under yellow confetti, and the skyline looks gentler from hilltop trails. Plan by neighborhood clusters to cut down travel time, lean on the metro for fast hops, and anchor each day with one sunrise or sunset so colors stay rich and photographs feel unhurried.

Peak color rolls in waves: higher ridgelines usually blush first, city streets and riverside parks follow, and palace courtyards hold onto warmth even on overcast days.

Mornings are calm and generous for empty frames, golden hour bathes leaves from behind for an effortless glow, and blue hour wraps stone walls and towers in a quiet, romantic haze. Pack light layers, comfortable shoes, and a small power bank; the rest is simple—choose a cluster, walk slowly, and let color do the heavy lifting.

Think of Seoul as 2 easy halves. North of the river you’ll find the palaces, Bukchon’s hanok lanes, and museum-flanked streets that keep their character even when busy; south of the river, broad parks, design districts, and café avenues turn autumn into a lifestyle loop.

If time is tight, dedicate one day to each: palaces and hanok in the north, parks and shopping streets in the south. Mornings work best for quiet alleys and courtyards; late afternoons belong to river grasses and hilltop viewpoints.

Dress in light layers you can peel off between cool shadows and sunny plazas, and keep a metro card handy so you can leap from one pocket of color to the next.

Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung set the tone for autumn in Seoul, with wooden eaves framing maple bursts and still ponds turning every reflection into a painting; when possible, time Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden for a mid-morning wander so the courtyards feel bright but not crowded.

Deoksugung’s Stonewall Walkway wraps you in a long, gentle curve of romance, show up near blue hour and the lanterns lift the remaining light into the leaves. Thread Bukchon’s hanok alleys in the early hours and the orange-red canopies sit quietly over tiled roofs and carved doors, then drift to Namsan Park where forested paths climb toward N Seoul Tower, giving you city panoramas that glow as the lights come on.

Seoul Forest spreads out like a leafy campus: ginkgo lanes run straight and golden, riverside paths soften into silver water, and cafés nearby make it easy to pause without losing momentum. Olympic Park lends itself to long, unhurried loops with gentle hills, lakeside paths, and the famous solitary tree that turns spare compositions into moody postcards.

As the day leans toward sunset, climb to Haneul (Sky) Park where silver grasses sway against the skyline and every step higher multiplies the horizon; if stairs feel long, consider the shuttle and save energy for the summit. World Cup Park’s neighboring sections—especially Pyeonghwa and Noeul—offer layered grasses and quieter corners, perfect when you want the same drama without the crowds.

Garosu-gil in Sinsa turns shopping into a stroll through gold, with ginkgo-lined blocks that shine brightest before the brunch rush; grab coffee, then shoot straight down the boulevard for clean, symmetrical frames. In the west, Yonsei University’s avenues and the nearby Sinchon ginkgo tunnel deliver a continuous canopy that feels theatrical when the leaves peak together.

Seochon’s backstreets and Tongin Market lanes carry warm tones and old-Seoul texture, so you can weave snacks and small galleries between color pockets. When the afternoon light slides toward amber, follow Samcheong-dong Road where cafés and boutiques sit under yellow canopies leading you naturally back toward the palaces.

Bukhansan’s granite and maple pairing is autumn’s power move: pick a moderate trail and start early so the ridges stay quiet and the city opens beneath you in layers.

If time or energy is limited, Achasan and Eungbongsan offer shorter climbs with generous payoffs—Han River viewpoints, soft evening light, and just enough elevation to step above the bustle. On hazy days, these smaller hills still deliver a clean separation between foreground leaves and distant skyline, which makes color feel saturated without much editing.

When you’ve tasted the city and want a different tempo, Dumulmeori in Namyangju gives misty riverside mornings where willows trail into the water and boats sit quietly in frame, turning simple walks into cinematic sequences.

The Garden of Morning Calm leans curated and intimate, with arched bridges, manicured maples, and meandering paths that compress color into every turn; pair the visit with a slow tea break and you’ll return to Seoul reset and satisfied. Both spots are straightforward by public transit or tour, which keeps planning low-stress.

One day, north-side focus: Enter Gyeongbokgung at opening to catch courtyards in calm light, drift into Bukchon for hanok alleys under warming leaves, pause for lunch along Samcheong-dong’s cafés, then circle Deoksugung’s Stonewall Walkway as lanterns flicker on and finish with a gentle Namsan ascent for a sunset skyline.

Two days, balanced color: Day one leans heritage—Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden in the morning, Seochon’s side streets for a late lunch, and an easy loop back toward Deoksugung for blue-hour ambience. Day two bends modern—start in Seoul Forest while the ginkgo lanes are quiet, slide to Garosu-gil for brunch and people-watching, meander through Olympic Park’s lakes and gentle hills, and end atop Haneul Park where silver grass catches the final light.

Backlight makes leaves glow instantly, so step under a canopy and expose for highlights to keep color clean and luminous. Use nearby textures—hanok roofs, stone walls, railings, or river reflections—to create foreground framing that adds depth without clutter.

For snappy reels, build a three-beat rhythm: a tight leaf texture to open, a walking medium shot for movement, and a wide establishing frame for payoff; aim for half-second to one-second cuts so sequences feel kinetic but not frantic. A circular polarizer can deepen reds and tame glare on ponds and palace tiles, and even on rainy days, overcast light will saturate color and flatten shadows in a flattering way.

Samcheong-dong rewards slow afternoons with dessert cafés and tea rooms that sit neatly between palace gates, letting you rest without losing the thread of the day. Down south, Sinsa and Garosu-gil deliver bakeries and all-day brunch that slot perfectly between Seoul Forest and Olympic Park, so you can refuel and roll on.

When you’re hugging the west side, Tongin Market’s dosirak experience turns sampling into a mini adventure—build a tray, eat in the communal hall, then stroll Seochon’s galleries as the streets warm into late-day color.

Seoul’s metro reaches every location in this guide, so tap in with a T-money card and transfer freely whenever the day needs a reset. Palaces can sell out popular time slots on peak weekends, which makes early arrivals and flexible sequencing useful; in hanok alleys, keep voices low and doorways clear because many houses are lived in, not staged.

Temperatures swing from sunny plazas to breezy ridges, so layer a light knit, scarf, and windproof shell, and slip a small umbrella into your tote in case rain rolls through. Parks are largely free, palace combo tickets are excellent value, and planning one sit-down meal around the day’s anchor spot keeps the budget tidy.