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

4.9
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 1696 reviews |
location pin icon 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
location pin icon Seoul
4.9 /5
1696 reviews
View all Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up) photos
View all Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up) photos

Get your discount tickets for the Small-Group Full-Day Royal Palace & Seoul City Tour (Pick-up), save up to 9% !

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9% OFF Refundable
Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (hotel pick-up)
FROM

$50.12

REG. $55.00

Offer details

Pickup included

Overview

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

Meeting and Pickup

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.

End Point

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)

Pickup Information

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.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. 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.
Duration: 30 mins
2. Gwanghwamun Gate
Keep your camera handy for the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
Duration: 20 mins
3. Gyeongbokgung Palace
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.
Duration: 60 mins
4. National Folk Museum of Korea
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.
Duration: 20 mins
5. Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae)
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.
6. Cheongha Korea Ginseng Museum
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.
Duration: 30 mins
7. Insadong
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.
Duration: 80 mins
8. Changdeokgung Palace
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.
Duration: 60 mins
9. Namdaemun Market
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.
Duration: 30 mins

Inclusion

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

Local guide(English speaking)

Driver/Guide

Exclusion

Gratuities

Hotel drop-off (Drop-off at the Insadong only)

Lunch

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

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

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

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

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.

Supplied by Seoul N Tour

Reviews

4.9

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 1696 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
1550
4 stars
104
3 stars
28
2 stars
7
1 stars
7

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