Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up)

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

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.

* 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

Additional Info

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

On Mondays, Changdeokgung Palace is closed and you will go to Bukchon traditional Hanok Village instead

On Tuesdays, the Gyeongbokgung Palace and National Folk Museum of Korea is closed, so you will go to Changdeokgung(including secret garden) and in the afternoon you will visit Bukchon Hanok Village instead.

This tour is proceeding with minimum 2 people

Starting from September 1, 2024, lunch will no longer be included. Due to the difficulty in providing a variety of lunch options, we have reluctantly made this change. Please understand that you will have free time for lunch in Insadong, where you can choose your own dining options.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Bottled water

Hotel pickup in Central Seoul (Meeting time can be changed depends on each locations)

Local guide(English speaking)

Driver/Guide

Gratuities

Hotel drop-off (drop-off at the City Hall or Myeongdong only)

Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Jogyesa Temple

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.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Gwanghwamun Gate

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

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up)

Pickup included

Reviews

4.87

1,429 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1301

Seoul Palace Tour
slange1,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ms Sookhee was an excellent guide. Her English is clear. She was very knowledgeable about the history and told many very interesting stories that were easy to understand and gave a very comprehensive account of that history but in an interesting way.
Very detailed long tour
mgold9,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a very long and detailed tour. Suki provided lots of historical detail on Korean history including assassinations, poison and occupation by Japan. Saw several palaces, a museum and more. This tour took all day but had time for lunch. If you have the time and energy, this is the tour for you!
Incredible comprehensive one-day tour of Seoul
tmcmahon2018,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We rated this tour 5 out of the 5 because the system would not take a 6 out of 5. This was a small group tour of the major historical and cultural sites in central Seoul. It was our lucky day because we received a private tour with our guide BK and our driver Mr. Kim. We toured in an extremely comfortable van by a talented and safe driver(Mr. Kim). The tour started precisely on time and moved at a quick pace in order to avoid crowds when possible. We visited all of the major historical sites and shopping areas in central Seoul. Our guide BK was spectacular. He was professional, approachable, informative and thorough on historical and cultural facts. He was accommodating at all times. He tailored our tour based upon our interests and engaged in conversation on a wide range of topics. BK and Mr Kim made this tour truly unforgettable. We have taken literally hundreds of guided tours in many parts of the world, we tried to think of a tour and tour guide that we enjoyed more. We could not.
Great day in Seoul
Alicia B,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
I had a great day with Lua and a small group yesterday. The sites are gorgeous and Lua was lovely - very informative super accommodating and thoughtful about how she ran the day. She even went out of her way to help translate for me when I was looking for a specific gift for my daughter at the last stop. Highly recommend the tour and Lua as a guide!
Tour
dustinj607,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Lou was a great tour guide.Really great tour loved all the history about the palaces and the lunch was great also the day market was massive enough to wear me out.
A fine introduction to Seoul
drmarkfox,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
A fine introduction to the old city and sights of Seoul. BK provided a great overview of the Buddhist temple and Royal Palace moving on the Folk Museum and Bukchon Hanok Village, ending up in one of the great markets in the center of town. He also provided an insight into working and family life which really added to the experience.
Tour of seoul
jeannette c,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour was very interesting mr young was very knowledgeable and covered the whole history of Seoul we all enjoyed it immensely thank you
The guide Mr. BK was excellent.
SunilR774,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The guide, Mr. BK was excellent. He was knowledgeable and like able. He managed the group well toasty on time. Other than the Ginseng museum, I liked all the other attractions on the itinerary.
Lovely tour
Trudy H,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Well planned tour. Timing was good at each place and Joey was an informative, helpful and charming guide.
Korea trip
328marific,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sophie is very friendly and told the story of the Korean dynasty as well as their. Culture. This tour is. Wry educational giving us the chance to learn about this country and understand more in depth.