Where to See the Best Cherry Blossoms in Korea

Spring in Korea brings a well-earned thawing of the frigid winter weather with warm sunshine and cool breezes. And with warm weather come festivals, none better than the swarm of cherry blossom festivals throughout Seoul and Korea. We have our favorites and recommendations for visitors who want to make the best of their time in Korea.

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival

Where:

Yeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Google Maps)
서울특별시 영등포구 여의서로 (Naver Map)

Arguably the most popular cherry blossom festival in Seoul, the Yeouido festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. And for good reason, it has all the hallmarks of a good festival. There’s live music, shops, food trucks and performances all along the street. It’s popular because it has every right to be.

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

Where:

Yeojwa-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (Google Maps)
경남 창원시 여좌동 136 (Naver Map)

The most popular cherry blossom festival outside of Seoul, photographers and travelers flock to Jinhae every year. There are food stalls, shops, themed snacks and more throughout the city. While the activities peak on weekends, the city is nearly impossible to traverse thanks to crowds and traffic.

The festival isn’t relegated to one area so expect a fair amount of walking or bus rides if you want to see it all. The Jinhae Cherry Blossom street has cherry blossom tree with their branches arching over a small stream. At night, there are multiple lights that give the entire area a fairytale vibe. Then there’s Gyeonghwa Station which has long since closed, but photos of the KTX train surrounded in a sea of cherry blossoms is a must-see for anyone in the area.

And, since it’s a true-blue festival, there are multiple tents with tteokbokki, sundae and jeon along with other snacks to be enjoyed. A lot of cafes and restaurants join in on the action with cherry blossom flavored and themed foods available everywhere.

Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossoms

Where:

Jamsil 6-dong Songpa District, Seoul (Google Maps)
서울 송파구 잠실로 180 (Naver Map)

Located just outside of Lotte World, Seokchon Lake is a wonderful place to go for a walk. There are some events, but it’s not as large a festival as Yeouido. Seokchon Lake offers really pretty pictures though and that’s enough reason to visit.

And while the festival may still be growing, there’s plenty to do, see and eat at the Lotte World Mall which is located on the edge of the lake. There’s also Lotte World itself, which extends onto Seokchon Lake, giving you a nice view of the cherry blossoms in the spring.

Gyeongui Line Park

Where:

Baekbeom-ro 16angil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 31 (Google Maps)
서울 마포구 백범로 16안길 31 (Naver Map)

Unlike some other places on this list, the Gyeongui Line Park is a local neighborhood hotspot come cherry blossom season. The park is really just a long path lined with cafes, restaurants and beautifully vibrant cherry blossom trees. The Cafe Parkside has one of the best views in the neighborhood with a second floor that overlooks a sea of cherry blossoms in the spring.

The big draw is how the wind through the park fills the air with loose petals on breezy days. It takes some patience, but it’s an absolutely beautiful sight when you get it just right.

The Cherry Blossom Cafe

Where:

Mapo-gu Yeonnam-dong 256-9 (Google Maps)
연남동 256-9 (Naver Map)

Located along a popular stretch of the Yeonnamdong neighborhood, this cafe is a treasured favorite among locals. A huge and beautiful cherry blossom tree blossoms once a year and is the centerpiece of the cafe’s charms. It’s beautiful all throughout the year, but in the spring it catches the eye of everyone who walks past.