Daegu
Southeastern Korea's second-largest Yeongnam city, known for old markets, mountain trails and local dishes such as ttaro-gukbap.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Daegu is a large city in southeastern South Korea. It ranks second only to Busan in the Yeongnam region. It sits in a basin about 80 km inland, ringed by Palgongsan, Biseulsan and Waryongsan. Known as the Apple City and once the Textile City, it still has working old markets. Seomun Market, one of the top three markets of the Joseon period, still trades today. Yangnyeongsi in Namseongno is counted as Korea's oldest herbal medicine market.
Visitors come for the markets, the hiking and the Confucian and Buddhist sites. Ttaro-gukbap, a local dish in which rice and soup are eaten separately, is unique to Daegu in Korea. Dongseongno is the main downtown, and Apsan and Palgongsan both have trails, with Palgongsan also served by a cable car to the summit. Gyeongju, the former Silla capital, lies east of the city and makes a common day trip. Summers are hot and humid, with most of the rain falling in the summer rainy season, so spring and autumn suit walking the hills.
Daegu in five
- Plan a weekend for the Seomun night marketThe night market runs Friday and Saturday 19:00 to 23:30 and Sunday 19:00 to 22:30, and is closed Monday to Thursday, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. Hours vary by stall.Seomun Market on VisitKorea
- Skip the market on closed SundaysSeomun Market's daytime hours are 09:00 to 18:00 and it closes on the first and third Sundays of each month, though closing days vary by shop. The listing says cards are accepted.
- Arrive by KTX at Dongdaegu StationThe KTO lists a KORAIL lounge at Dongdaegu Station, free for same-day KTX passengers, which makes it the main rail gateway. Reserve seats on Korail's site or app before a weekend.Rail and transport planning
- Pair Daegu with Gyeongju or BusanDaegu sits on the same southeast rail corridor as the royal tombs of Gyeongju and the beaches of Busan, so one night here can split a longer trip into two shorter legs.Gyeongju travel guide
- Do outdoor stops before noon in July and AugustDaegu's summer highs run among the hottest in the country (see the months table), so keep Apsan and market lanes for morning or after dark and plan a cool indoor break.
Things to do in Daegu
See all attractions in Daegu
Need to know
- Getting there
- KTX to Dongdaegu Station; express buses also serve the city
- Getting around
- Subway, buses and taxis
- Best base
- Near Dongdaegu Station or the Seomun Market area
- Market hours
- Day 09:00–18:00; night market Fri to Sun evenings
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low-3°Cold, dryJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dry
- FebruaryPartly cloudy4 rainy daysHigh8°Low-2°Cold, clearFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low3°Mild, dustyMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dusty
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low8°Spring blossomsAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blossoms
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Warm, clearMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, humidJunePartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Rainy seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 241 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Hot, typhoonsAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, typhoons
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Clearing, mildSeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 207 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clearing, mild
- OctoberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Crisp, quietNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Crisp, quiet
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh6°Low-2°ColdDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Daegu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Daegu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Daegu
05:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°5°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°8°7%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Thu14°9°92%Thursday: Rain. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri12°2°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat8°-1°0%Saturday: Clear. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun10°-1°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 05:34 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gyeongjusame rail corridor; check Korail for timesRoyal tombs and temples of the Silla capital, an easy second stop.Read the guide
- Busanby KTX; check Korail for timesBeaches and fish markets at the end of the Gyeongbu line.Read the guide
- Seoulby KTX; check Korail for timesThe capital is the other end of the same line.Read the guide
Before you go to Daegu
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Daegu, checked
- Seomun Market 09:00 to 18:00, closed 1st and 3rd Sundays; night market Fri and Sat 19:00 to 23:30, Sun 19:00 to 22:30, closed Mon to Thu.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Daegu
Cities, KTX routes and entry rules
Read the guideGyeongju travel guideSilla tombs and Bulguksa temple
Read the guideBusan travel guideBeaches and fish markets by the sea
Read the guideSeoul travel guidePalaces, markets and where to base
Read the guideTrains and transportKTX, buses and local transit
Read the guideK-ETA explainedWho needs it and where to apply
Read the guideDaegu FAQ
Is Daegu worth visiting?
Yes for a market and food stop between Seoul and the southeast coast. Seomun Market has a long history, a weekend night market and a wide range of goods, while Apsan adds hills and cafés. Skip it if your time is tight and you want sights on the coast.
How many days do you need in Daegu?
One full day covers Seomun Market and an evening at the night market, and two days leave room for Apsan and a slower pace. Use it as a night on the way to Gyeongju or Busan rather than a long stay.
When is Seomun Night Market open?
Friday and Saturday 19:00 to 23:30 and Sunday 19:00 to 22:30, closed Monday to Thursday, per the KTO listing. Hours vary by shop, so go early in the evening and check closing days.
When is the best time to visit Daegu?
April, May, September and October. July and August are hot and humid, with the rainy season and typhoon risk, so schedule outdoor stops for mornings and evenings.
How do you get from Seoul to Daegu?
By KTX to Dongdaegu Station, or by express bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal. Check Korail for current times and book weekend seats ahead.