Changdeokgung Palace Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Changdeokgung Palace. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Best Seoul City Tour (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insadong, Namsan Tower)

• Small-Group Full-Day Royal Palace & Seoul City Tour (Pickup)

• Downtown Seoul Guided Food & Market Tour With 8+ Local Tastings

• VIP Full Day Seoul Private Sightseeing Tour Fully Custom to You

• Full-Day Palace Tour in Seoul

General admission to Changdeokgung Palace costs 3,000 won for adults, and is free for people under 18 and seniors over 65. Visitors can pay extra to see the Secret Garden, which costs an additional 5,000 won for adults and seniors and 2,500 won for kids ages 7–18. Passes are also available, combining entry to this palace with entry to other palaces in Seoul.

Yes, visiting Changdeokgung Palace is worth it, as it's one of Seoul's most important historical palace complexes. It's a cultural landmark where you can learn about the history of the Joseon Dynasty, and it is also home to a gorgeous, sprawling garden full of lotus ponds and ornate pavilions, making it a great place for photos.

Per one customer who booked the VIP Full Day Seoul Private Sightseeing Tour Fully Custom to You, "We've traveled all around the world, and this tour was truly exceptional—one of the best of the best! [...] We visited a stunning palace with a breathtaking secret garden, explored the impressive presidential palace, wandered through a charming historical neighborhood where we enjoyed a full tea experience, and even visited a local market. Every stop was thoughtfully chosen and timed just right."

Changdeokgung Palace offers free guided tours in English twice a day. Alternatively, you can opt for a Seoul sightseeing tour that includes the palace and other neighboring attractions. If you purchase entry to the palace’s Secret Garden, it consists of a mandatory 90-minute tour. Space and times are limited, so book in advance.

Changdeokgung Palace is open Tuesday–Sunday from 9am–6pm. Hours are slightly shorter in the winter—November-January—when the palace closes at 5:30pm. In the summer—June-August—closing time is at 6:30pm. Changdeokgung Palace is closed on Mondays. Whenever a public holiday falls on a Monday, the palace will be closed on Tuesday.

When visiting Changdeokgung Palace, be sure to see the impressive Donhwamun Gate and the grand Injeongjeon Throne Hall. Also, take time to check out Huijeongdang Hall, the King's residence, and Daejojeon Hall, the Queen's residence. Don’t miss the Buyongji Pond and Pavilion in the palace’s Secret Garden (admission sold separately).

For one week every spring and autumn, Changdeokgung Palace (along with the city’s four other palaces and Jongmyo Shrine) hosts the K-Royal Culture Festival. During this festival, discover Korean cultural heritage through live performances, exhibitions, and other programs. In spring, the palace offers the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour, a lantern-lit guided tour of the grounds.

Changdeokgung Palace is within easy walking distance of several essential Seoul attractions, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Jongmyo Shrine, and Bukchon Hanok Village. Save time and maximize your budget with a Royal Palace Pass, available at participating locations. This pass grants you access to the four palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Changdeokgung Palace. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Seoul:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace

• Namsan Tower

• Insadong

• Bukchon Hanok Village

• Jogyesa Temple

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Seoul.