Full-Day Palace Tour Seoul: Gyeongbok, Changdeokgung & Temples

Walk through Korea's royal palaces and temples, then browse two of Seoul's biggest markets.

This full-day guided tour of Seoul covers the city's main palaces and cultural sites with hotel pickup, a professional English-speaking guide, lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. You'll visit Gyeongbok Palace and the National Folk Museum, Jogyesa Temple, Changdeokgung Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and end with shopping time in Insadong and Namdaemun Market. The itinerary includes a stop at a ginseng center to learn about Korea's ginseng industry. Note that Changdeokgung Palace closes Mondays (Bukchon Hanok Village substituted) and Gyeongbok Palace closes Tuesdays (Deoksu Palace and History Museum substituted).

Step-by-step itinerary

Seoul Palace and Market Tour

• Start tour with transportation
• Pass by Blue House
• Visit Gyeongbok Palace
• Explore National Folk Museum
• Visit Jogyesa Temple
• Stop at Ginseng center
• Lunch at traditional restaurant
• Visit Changdeok Palace
• Shop in Insadong
• Shop in Namdaemun Market
• Return to hotel

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. Blue House passing by
2. National Folk Museum of Korea 15m
3. Jogyesa Temple 30m
4. Changdeokgung Palace Entry included 1h
5. Insadong 30m
6. Namdaemun Market 1h

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transport between sites.
• entry and guided time at Gyeongbok Palace, the National Folk Museum, Jogyesa Temple, and Changdeokgung Palace.
• a stop at a ginseng center to learn about Korea's ginseng industry.

Times

• Every day 09:00

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Before you book

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 4h before

Ages Adult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infants must sit on laps

Operated by SEOUL CITY TOUR CO. LTD.

Prices and times updated yesterday

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The experience

You start with hotel pickup in the morning and head out with a professional guide who explains Korean history and culture as you move through the day. The first stop is the Blue House, the official residence of South Korea's head of state, which gives context to the government and the country's division. From there you move to Gyeongbok Palace, the largest and most important palace in Korea, where the National Folk Museum sits inside the palace grounds. You'll see cultural artifacts and learn how Koreans lived across different periods.

Mid-morning brings you to Jogyesa Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in South Korea, located in central Seoul. The guide points out how Korean Buddhism differs from Buddhist practices in other Asian countries, giving you a sense of what makes Korean culture distinct. After this cultural immersion, you stop at a ginseng center to learn about Korea's major ginseng industry and have the chance to buy some to take home. Then comes lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant, included in the tour price.

The afternoon focuses on Changdeokgung Palace, added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1997 and known as one of Korea's most preserved and beautiful palaces. You'll have time to walk the grounds and take in the architecture. From there, the tour moves to Insadong, a neighborhood full of Korean tea places, traditional street food, and souvenir shops where you can browse at your own pace. The final stop is Namdaemun Market, Seoul's oldest and biggest market, where you can buy clothing, gadgets, electronics, food and more at lower prices before being dropped back at your hotel.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Gyeongbok Palace and why is it the main stop on this tour?

Gyeongbok Palace is the largest and most important palace in Korea. The tour visits it early in the day with your guide, and you also explore the National Folk Museum inside the palace grounds to see cultural artifacts and learn about Korean history across different periods.

Is lunch included in this full-day tour?

Yes, lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant is included. It comes after the temple visit and ginseng center stop, roughly midway through the day.

What happens if Gyeongbok Palace or Changdeokgung Palace is closed on the day I book?

Gyeongbok Palace closes on Tuesdays. If that's your tour date, you'll visit Deoksu Palace and the History Museum instead. Changdeokgung Palace closes Mondays. If that's your date, you'll visit Bukchon Hanok Village instead.

How much time do I spend shopping, and where?

You visit two shopping areas in the afternoon: Insadong, a neighborhood with tea places, street food, and souvenir shops where you can browse at your own pace; and Namdaemun Market, Seoul's oldest and biggest market with clothing, gadgets, electronics and food at lower prices.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional English-speaking guide, lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle are all included. A stop at a ginseng center is also part of the itinerary, though any purchases there are your choice.

How much walking is involved?

A moderate amount of walking is involved throughout the day. The operator recommends wearing good walking shoes. The tour suits all fitness levels, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller.