Busan in February: Late Winter, Lunar New Year & First Blossoms (2026)

February is winter’s gentle hand-off to spring in Busan — still cold but easing late in the month, dry and bright, with the camellias in bloom, the first plum blossoms appearing and the Lunar New Year holiday. Here is everything you need to plan it well.

Last Updated: June 2026

The short version

February is late winter easing toward spring: cold and dry early on, then noticeably milder by the end of the month, with Korea’s mildest, least snowy winter weather.
It is the month of Seollal (Lunar New Year) — in 2027 around 6–8 February — when much of the country travels and many shops close, so plan around it.
The first flowers arrive: camellias bloom on Dongbaekseom and the first plum blossoms appear late in the month — early hints of spring.
The sea is at its coldest (~12.5°C) with no swimming, but the winter coast, hot springs and indoor Busan are at their best.

What is in this guide
1. Is February a good time to visit Busan?
2. Busan weather in February, in detail
3. Seollal: Korea’s Lunar New Year
4. First signs of spring: camellias & plum blossoms
5. Korea’s mildest winter, easing toward spring
6. The winter sea, beaches & hot springs
7. February events & what’s on
8. What to pack for February
9. A smart February itinerary & the verdict

February is the month winter loosens its grip in Busan. It starts cold and dry but eases noticeably toward the end, as the first signs of spring appear: the camellias are in bloom on Dongbaekseom, and the earliest plum blossoms start to open late in the month. As mainland Korea’s mildest, driest and least snowy corner, Busan stays bright and dry, with snow a real rarity, so it is comfortable for sightseeing. February also contains Seollal, the Lunar New Year and one of Korea’s biggest holidays, which reshapes a few days with travel and closures. The sea is at its coldest now, so this is not a beach-bathing month, but the winter coast is dramatic for walks, the hot springs are still a highlight, and the slow turn toward spring gives the month a hopeful, transitional feel. If you want a crisp, bright, low-crowd late-winter trip with the first flowers and a mild-for-Korea climate, February is a quietly lovely time to come. This guide covers the weather week by week, Seollal and what it means for your trip, the first camellias and plum blossoms, Korea’s mildest winter, the winter sea and hot springs, February events, what to pack, and a smart day plan — plus how February compares with January and March. Build it into the rest of your trip with our complete Busan Travel Guide.

Red camellia flowers in bloom on the winter coast of Busan in February — February brings Busan’s first flowers — the camellias bloom boldly along the winter coast. Photo: cultivar313, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

1. Is February a good time to visit Busan?

Yes — February is a quietly lovely, transitional time to visit Busan. It is still late winter, so it is cold, but it eases noticeably toward the end of the month, and as mainland Korea’s mildest, driest, least snowy city it stays bright and dry, with snow rare. You also get the first flowers of the year — camellias and the earliest plum blossoms — low crowds outside the holiday, and the cosy pull of the hot springs.

The two things to plan around are the cold (still real, though easing) and Seollal, the Lunar New Year, which brings travel chaos and closures for a few days. The sea is also at its coldest, so no swimming. But for crisp bright days, the first signs of spring, hot springs and a dramatic winter coast — with a hopeful, turning-season feel — February rewards the well-prepared traveller.

The verdict: February is great for a crisp, bright late-winter trip with the first flowers and few crowds. Pack warm layers, plan around Seollal if your dates overlap, lean on the hot springs, and enjoy a Busan that is gently turning toward spring.

2. Busan weather in February, in detail

February starts in deep winter but eases toward early spring by the end of the month, staying dry and bright throughout:

Period	Daytime high	Feel & conditions
Early February	~7–8°C	Cold, crisp, dry; still deep winter
Mid February	~8–9°C	Cold but softening; bright; often around Seollal
Late February	~9–10°C	Milder; first hints of spring; camellias & plum

Daytime highs climb gently from around 7–8°C early in the month to about 9–10°C by the end, with overnight lows near 1°C. It stays dry and often sunny, with very little snow. One quirk: the sea is at its coldest of the year in February, around 12.5°C, lagging behind the air — so it is firmly not a swimming month. But the days are bright and increasingly mild, and the first flowers signal that spring is on the way.

Still dress for winter. Early February is properly cold, so bring a warm coat and layers; by late month you can lighten up a little as the temperatures ease, but mornings and the coast stay chilly.

3. Seollal: Korea’s Lunar New Year

The biggest thing to know about February is Seollal, the Lunar New Year — one of Korea’s two largest holidays, when families reunite, honour ancestors and travel en masse to their hometowns. In 2027 it falls around 6–8 February, though the exact dates shift each year with the lunar calendar, so confirm before you book.

The country is on the move: trains, buses, flights and highways are packed for several days around Seollal — book any intercity transport (KTX especially) far in advance.
Some closures: many small shops, local restaurants and businesses close for the holiday, particularly on the main day. Big department stores, major attractions, convenience stores and tourist areas generally stay open, but expect a quieter, slower city in places.
It can also be a plus: you may catch traditional events, folk games, palace and heritage-site programmes and a special holiday atmosphere.

Plan around it: if your dates overlap Seollal, book transport and hotels early, don’t rely on small local eateries on the main day, and lean on department stores, big attractions and tourist districts, which stay open. Avoid travelling on the busiest days if you can.

4. First signs of spring: camellias & plum blossoms

February is when the first flowers of the year appear in Busan — a hopeful preview of spring, especially in the milder second half of the month:

Camellias (dongbaek): the camellia flowers are in bloom through winter into early spring, most famously on Dongbaekseom (Camellia Island) by Haeundae — bold red blooms against the winter coast.
Plum blossoms (maehwa): the earliest plum blossoms start to open late in February, the very first blossom of the Korean spring, ahead of the cherry blossoms in late March.
A turning season: the gardens, temple grounds and parks begin to stir, and the milder late-February days are lovely for a gentle flower walk.
Timing: for the first plum blossoms, aim for the very end of February into March; camellias are reliable through the month.

Catch the first bloom: a late-February visit lets you see the camellias and the first plum blossoms — the opening act of Korea’s spring — with the cherry blossoms still to come in late March (a reason to plan a spring trip too).

A quiet Busan winter beach under bright clear February skies — Busan’s beaches stay quiet and dramatic in February, lovely for bracing late-winter walks.

5. Korea’s mildest winter, easing toward spring

Even in late winter, Busan keeps its status as the mildest, least snowy city on mainland Korea — and February adds the bonus of gradually warming weather:

It rarely snows: Busan is in the least snowy part of the country, so a white February is the exception — mostly it is dry and clear.
Dry and sunny: winter is the driest season, with bright days that make sightseeing comfortable.
Warming late: the cold eases through the month, and by late February there is a real sense of spring approaching.
The cold sea: the one hold-out is the sea, at its coldest now — no swimming — but the coast is dramatic and crowd-free.

Why it matters: if you want a Korean winter without heavy snow and deep cold, and a feeling of spring on the horizon, February in Busan delivers bright, dry, increasingly mild days — dress warmly early in the month, lighter later.

6. The winter sea, beaches & hot springs

February is past swimming season — the sea is at its coldest — but the coast and the hot springs are among Busan’s great winter pleasures:

Bracing beach walks: Haeundae, Gwangalli, Songjeong and Songdo are quiet and beautiful for a wrapped-up walk under bright skies, with the camellias of Dongbaekseom nearby.
Gwangalli & the bridge: the lit Gwangan Bridge over Gwangalli is a year-round highlight, crisp and clear on a February night.
Hot springs & spas: Busan is a hot-spring city — Spa Land in Centum City and the Hurshimchung hot springs in Dongnae are the perfect way to warm up after a cold day.
Indoor Busan & hot food: the aquarium, malls and museums suit the coldest hours, and hot soups like dwaeji-gukbap warm you up.

Balance it: bright coastal walks and flower spotting by day, a hot spring and a steaming bowl of soup to thaw out — the classic Busan winter rhythm, with spring just around the corner.

7. February events & what’s on

February’s calendar centres on Seollal, with winter attractions and the first flowers through the month:

Seollal programmes: around the Lunar New Year, expect traditional cultural events, folk games and special activities at heritage sites and around the city.
Camellia & plum season: the camellias on Dongbaekseom and the first plum blossoms late in the month are the season’s natural highlights.
Lingering winter lights: some of the winter light displays (such as the Gwangbok-ro/Nampo-dong festival) often run into February — check the dates.
Check the calendar: exact event dates change each year, so look up Busan’s official tourism event calendar for your travel days.

Time it if you can: aim for the milder late February for the first blossoms and gentler weather — and if your trip overlaps Seollal, embrace the holiday traditions while planning around the closures.

The lit Gwangan Bridge over Gwangalli on a crisp February night in Busan — Crisp February nights are lovely for the lit Gwangan Bridge over Gwangalli.

8. What to pack for February

February is still winter but easing, so pack warm layers you can lighten as the month goes on:

A warm coat: still essential, especially early in the month and for chilly mornings and the coast.
Layers: sweaters, long sleeves and thermal layers you can peel off as the days warm late in the month.
Warm accessories: a scarf, gloves and a hat for cold days and the windy coast (you may need them less by late month).
Comfortable shoes: for walking, sightseeing and flower spotting.
Lip balm & moisturizer: the dry winter air can be harsh on skin and lips.
A small umbrella: rain (and very rare snow) is uncommon, but a compact umbrella covers any wet spell.

Tip: February is a layering month — warm enough for a cold early-month coast, light enough to shed a layer on a mild late-month afternoon among the first blossoms.

9. A smart February itinerary & the verdict

February rewards a flexible plan around bright days, the first flowers and cosy warm-ups. Here is how the turn from winter to spring compares, then a simple template:

	January	February	March
Weather	Coldest (~6°C)	Cold, easing late (~8–10°C)	Spring begins (~12–13°C)
Snow	Very rare	Very rare	None
Big draw	New Year sunrise	Lunar New Year & first blossoms	Spring & cherry blossoms (late)
Flowers	Camellias begin	Camellias; first plum	Plum, then cherry
Sea	Cold (~13°C)	Coldest (~12.5°C)	Cold, warming

Bright midday out: sightsee, walk the winter coast, see the camellias on Dongbaekseom and explore Gamcheon and the markets while the sun is up.
Catch the first blossoms: late in the month, look for the first plum blossoms in gardens and parks.
Warm up: a hot spring, spa or jjimjilbang and a steaming bowl of soup.
If Seollal overlaps: book transport and hotels early, rely on big attractions and department stores on the holiday, and avoid travelling on the busiest days.

The verdict: February is a quietly lovely, transitional time in Busan — late winter easing toward spring, Korea’s mildest and driest weather, the first camellias and plum blossoms, cosy hot springs and a dramatic winter coast, with only the cold and Seollal to plan around. Come for crisp bright days and the first signs of spring, dressed for winter that is slowly letting go. Plan it all with our complete Busan Travel Guide.

Busan in February FAQ

Q. Is February a good time to visit Busan?

Yes — it is a quietly lovely, transitional time. February is still late winter but eases toward the end of the month, and Busan has the mildest, least snowy winter on mainland Korea (dry, often sunny, rarely snowy). You get the first flowers — camellias and early plum blossoms — and low crowds outside the Seollal holiday. The trade-offs are the cold (still real early on) and the sea being at its coldest.

Q. What is the weather like in Busan in February?

Cold but easing toward spring. Daytime highs climb from around 7–8°C early in the month to about 9–10°C by the end, with overnight lows near 1°C. It stays dry and often sunny with very little snow. Oddly, the sea is at its coldest of the year (around 12.5°C), lagging the air, so it is firmly not a swimming month.

Q. When is Seollal (Lunar New Year) in 2027 and how does it affect travel?

Seollal falls around 6–8 February in 2027, though the dates shift each year with the lunar calendar, so confirm before booking. Millions travel for the holiday, so trains, buses and flights are packed — book intercity transport early. Many small shops and restaurants close, but big department stores, major attractions and tourist areas stay open.

Q. Can you see flowers in Busan in February?

Yes — February brings the first flowers of the year. Camellias (dongbaek) are in bloom through the month, most famously on Dongbaekseom by Haeundae, and the earliest plum blossoms (maehwa) start to open late in February — the first blossom of the Korean spring, ahead of the cherry blossoms in late March.

Q. Does it snow in Busan in February?

Rarely. Busan sits in the least snowy part of mainland Korea, so snow is the exception — February is mostly dry and clear, and the cold eases toward the end of the month. If you want a Korean winter without heavy snow, Busan is a good choice; dress warmly early in the month, lighter later.

Q. Can you go to the beach in Busan in February?

Not for swimming — the sea is at its coldest of the year (around 12.5°C). But Busan’s beaches are beautiful in winter for bracing walks and clear-air photos, the camellias bloom on Dongbaekseom, and the lit Gwangan Bridge is lovely on a crisp February night. For bathing, you would want June to early September.

Q. What should I pack for Busan in February?

Warm winter layers you can lighten as the month warms: a warm coat (especially early on), sweaters, long sleeves and thermal layers, plus warm accessories (scarf, gloves, hat) for cold days and the coast. Add comfortable shoes for walking and flower spotting, lip balm and moisturizer for the dry air, and a small umbrella just in case.

Q. Busan in February or March — which is better?

February is late winter, still cold but easing, with Seollal, the camellias and the first plum blossoms. March is spring proper — milder, with plum and then the famous cherry blossoms in late March. Choose February for a quiet late-winter trip with the first flowers and hot springs; March for warmer spring weather and the cherry blossoms — pack warmer for February.

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