Small-Group Full-Day Royal Palace & Seoul City Tour (Pick-up)

4.9 (1,809 reviews) 8 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

1,809 reviews

4.9

GyeongBokGung Palace — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Insadong Alley — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore the highlights of Seoul on a full-day tour with an informative guide. Highlights include Jogyesa Temple, the Blue House, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate, and tours of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in traditional culture at the National Folk Museum of Korea, Insadong Antique Street, Namdaemun Gate, and Namdaemun Market. The tour includes entrance fees and hotel pickup in Central Seoul.

Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays or during special events. In such cases, the itinerary will change to Deoksugung Palace without prior notice.

Full-day Seoul tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace
View traditional shops and goods at Insadong Antique Street and Namdaemun Market
Learn about Korean Dynasties when visiting two royal palaces
Includes all Entrance fees, Local English-speaking guide, and Hotel pickup in Central Seoul

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At a glance

Duration: 8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Seoul N Tour

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–10 years) · Adults (11–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hotel pickup in Central Seoul (Meeting time can be changed depends on each locations)
Included: Local guide(English speaking)
Included: Driver/Guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Hotel drop-off (Drop-off at the Insadong only)
Not included: Lunch

Itinerary

Jogyesa Temple

30 min

Jogyesa Buddhist Temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea, and is famous for being located in the city.

From the busy streets of Jongno, follow the road towards Anguk Subway Station, and you will see Jogyesa Temple.

The first things you will notice at the temple are the lovely trees. These locust trees and baeksong trees in front of the Daeungjeon, the main temple building, are about 500 years old.
Gwanghwamun Gate

20 min

Keep your camera handy for the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
Gyeongbokgung Palace

one hour Admission included

After visiting Jogyesa Temple, you will move on to the next place called Gwanghwamun to watch the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. It is a ceremony to announce the changing of the royal guards, as well as to clarify the guards' identities. Then, you will head toward Gyeongbokgung, which was the main palace and the most beautiful palace during the Joseon Dynasty.

Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays or during special events. In such cases, the itinerary will change to Deoksugung Palace without prior notice.
National Folk Museum of Korea

20 min Admission included

Within the compound, visit the National Folk Museum to learn about how people have lived in Korea from ancient times to today. Your guide shows you displays that demonstrate daily life for members of the aristocracy and ordinary citizens, including traditional farming and hunting techniques, weaving, cooking and other tasks.
Stop 5

Passing by

The Blue House (Cheongwadae) was built on the grounds of the royal garden from the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) using traditional Korean architectural styles.

Constructed on the grounds of a Joseon Dynasty royal garden, the Blue House features traditional Korean architecture. On our tour today, we will take a drive-pass to see its main buildings and exterior.
Ginworldart Korean Ginseng Museum

30 min

Before reaching Insadong, you will have the opportunity to visit the Government-Approved Korean Ginseng Center, where you can taste Korean ginseng tea and a variety of products. You will also learn about the benefits of Korean ginseng and gain valuable information about its qualities.

Korean ginseng is globally recognized for its exceptional quality, particularly for its effectiveness in boosting immunity, combating fatigue, and preventing aging. Extracted from roots that are over six years old, it contains a high concentration of saponins, offering various health benefits. In Korea, it is a highly popular gift exchanged to improve health.

A visit to the Korean Ginseng Center is included in the itinerary, providing a chance to explore and purchase ginseng products. Discover one of nature’s finest plants and find a special, precious traditional Korean gift.
Insadong

1 h 20 min

Insadong is a place of traditional culture near Gyeongbok palace. Insadong was famous since the Joseon dynasty for having lots of antique shops. Today Insadong is popular among tourists for having lots of traditional tea houses, antique shops, traditional handcraft shops, and lots of other shops.

Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street. Insadong is a place of traditional culture.

We will provide time for lunch there.
8
Changdeokgung Palace

one hour Admission included
Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405.

It was the principal palace for many of the Joseon kings and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces.

It is recorded as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1997 for having its beautiful appearance of that time.

The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden.
- On Mondays, Changdeokgung Palace is closed, so we will visit Bukchon Hanok Village instead.
Namdaemun Market

30 min

Soongryemun (Namdaemun) is a main gate of former Seoul fortress in Joseon dynasty. It is commonly called as Namdaemun.

The gate was built in 1396, in King Taejo's reign. And it was reconstructed in 1447 by king Sejong and in 1479 by king Seongjong.

In 2006 the Seoul city opened the passage to the gate to public. The gate is now listed as Korea's national treasure #1. But in February 10th 2008, the gate was all burnt away by arsonist and the wooden gate was all burnt away by that accident.

The Cultural Heritage Administration has announced to rebuild the gate similarly to its original appearance. The rebuilding was done by early in 2013.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Estimated pickup is between 08:30 ~ 08:50 AM at City Hall Station, Exit 6 (next to The Plaza Hotel). Your exact time will be confirmed via WhatsApp, your booking platform, or email by 6:00 PM (KST) the day before your tour.
Estimated pickup is between 08:20 ~ 08:40 AM. Your exact time will be confirmed via WhatsApp, your booking platform, or email by 6:00 PM (KST) the day before your tour.
If you don't want us to pick you up, you can meet us at 9 am at the front gate of Jogyesa temple where is the first attractive to visit.

End point

City Hall Station at Exit 6 (The Plaza Hotel)

A central landmark on Seoul's main street. Due to occasional public rallies, walking from Namdaemun Market (approx. 7 mins) is recommended if roads are blocked. (Subway Line 1 & 2 / Blue & Green Line)
Myeongdong Shopping Town (Main Entrance): The heart of Seoul’s fashion and cosmetics district, where you can explore vibrant street food stalls and trendy boutiques as the evening begins. It is conveniently located right by Euljiro 1-ga Station (Subway Line 2, Green Line).
This is the final stop of our tour. As many hotels are located around Namdaemun Market, this is a convenient drop-off point for guests who wish to walk back to their accommodations or take a taxi immediately to their next destination.

Pickup points

Grand Mercure Ambassador Seoul Yongsan
Klaven Hotel Myeongdong City Hall
Lotte City Hotel Mapo
Nine Tree Premier ROKAUS Hotel Seoul Yongsan
Crown Park Hotel Seoul
Hotel Skypark Myeongdong 3
Hotel Gracery Seoul
Hotel Shillastay Gwanghwamun
NINE TREE BY PARNAS SEOUL MYEONGDONGⅠ
Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong
Shilla Stay Mapo
Hotel Skypark

and 138 more pickup points

Pick-up is available only for hotels located within Central Seoul that are accessible by our mini-bus. If your accommodation is outside this area or situated in a narrow alley where vehicle access is restricted, we will guide you to a designated meeting point or the nearest major subway station instead.

Using your ticket

Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.

Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Royal guard changing ceremony might be cancelled due to weather conditions
Please be advised that Changdeokgung Palace is closed every Monday. Accordingly, the tour will visit Bukchon Hanok Village or Namsangol Hanok Village instead. In the event of inclement weather, the itinerary may change to the National Museum of Korea to ensure a comfortable indoor experience.
Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays or during special events. In such cases, the itinerary will change to Deoksugung Palace without prior notice.
This tour is proceeding with minimum 2 people
Lunch (Not included): We provide free time for lunch in Insadong, allowing you the flexibility to explore and enjoy a variety of local restaurants of your choice.