Henri Leroux

Seoul · experience

Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung royal palace tour

A small-group, full-day tour of Seoul’s two great royal palaces, including the UNESCO-listed Changdeokgung, with Jogyesa Temple and Namdaemun Market along the way.

8 hours (approx.)Small group, up to 15 travellers (minimum 2 to run)From €61

The experience

Seoul’s two great royal palaces in one small-group day, including the UNESCO-listed Changdeokgung.

A full-day, small-group tour built around Seoul’s two great royal palaces — Gyeongbokgung and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Changdeokgung — with Jogyesa Temple, Insadong’s antique street and Namdaemun Market along the way.

Capped at 15 travellers, considerably smaller than the standard 40-person coach version of Seoul’s city sightseeing tours.

Duration

8 hours (approx.)

Group

Small group, up to 15 travellers (minimum 2 to run)

Languages

English

Format

Small-group vehicle between stops, with walking at each site.

Meeting point

Hotel pickup in Central Seoul (guests in narrow alleys or outlying areas meet at the nearest subway station instead).

Pickup and drop-off

Hotel pickup included in Central Seoul; ends with a group drop-off in Insadong rather than individual hotel drop-offs.

Who this suits

A good choice when it matches the way you want to use the city.

  • Travellers who want both of Seoul’s great palaces, not just Gyeongbokgung.
  • A genuinely small-group alternative to the larger coach tours covering similar ground.

Itinerary

The route at a glance.

The guide and exact sequence are confirmed on the day. Times below are a useful indication of how this visit is normally structured.

  1. 1

    Jogyesa Temple

    30 minutes
  2. 2

    Gwanghwamun Gate

    Changing of the guard.

    20 minutes
  3. 3

    Gyeongbokgung Palace

    1 hour
  4. 4

    National Folk Museum of Korea

    20 minutes
  5. 5

    The Blue House

    Pass-by
  6. 6

    Ginseng Museum

    30 minutes
  7. 7

    Insadong

    Lunch at own expense.

    1 hour 20 minutes
  8. 8

    Changdeokgung Palace

    UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    1 hour
  9. 9

    Namdaemun Market

    30 minutes

What the visit includes

The practical detail before you choose a date.

Highlights

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace and the changing of the guard
  • Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Insadong’s antique street and Namdaemun Market
  • Capped at 15 travellers

Included

  • ✓ Hotel pickup in Central Seoul
  • ✓ English-speaking local guide
  • ✓ Admission to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum and Changdeokgung Palace

Not included

  • • Gratuities
  • • Hotel drop-off (group drop-off in Insadong only)
  • • Lunch

Before you go

A few essentials for the day.

  • Not wheelchair accessible, but stroller accessible; not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnancy or serious heart conditions.
  • Changdeokgung is closed Mondays, substituted with Bukchon or Namsangol Hanok Village; Gyeongbokgung is closed Tuesdays and on special occasions, substituted with Deoksugung.
  • Moderate fitness required.