Gyeongbokgung Palace Tours and Tickets

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

• Seoul Cultural Tour - Kimchi Making, Gyeongbok Palace With Hanbok

• Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (Hotel Pick-Up)

• Time Travel in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Folk Museum & Bukchon

• Gyeongju Highlights & Private Tour With a Licensed Guide

• Seoul Private Tour Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon, and Gwangjang Market

Admission to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 2026 costs 3,000 won for adults. Youth, seniors aged 65 and older, and those who wear hanbok in accordance with palace guidelines receive free entry. Guided tours are available at no extra charge multiple times per day, in English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and French.

Yes, Gyeongbokgung Palace is worth visiting, as it is the most iconic landmark in South Korea. Marvel at the sweeping courtyards, ornate throne halls, and mountain-backed setting of this magnificent royal palace that dates back to 1395. This crown jewel of the Joseon dynasty has been meticulously maintained, offering a vivid look at Korea's history. If you want an extra-special experience, consider booking a guided tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace or a Seoul sightseeing tour that includes even more sights—it's a great way to get context and insider stories from a local expert.

Per one customer who booked the Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour (Hotel Pick-Up), "The tour gives you a fantastic overview of the history, the city, the culture, and the people. It is exactly what we wanted for our short stay here. The guide, BK, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer all questions. He also helped us with restaurant ordering and using the subway. The driver was professional and friendly. We would highly recommend this tour and BK as a guide."

Free guided tours of Gyeongbokgung Palace take place three times per day and last around 1.5 hours. It's worth sticking around for an extra hour after your tour to explore independently or to stay to watch the twice-daily Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony. The ceremony only lasts 10 minutes, but it is a highlight of a trip to Korea for many travelers.

As one of Seoul's top historical attractions, Gyeongbokgung Palace gets very busy. The best time to visit is in the morning as soon as it opens as it tends to be quieter before noon. After that, large tour groups arrive, and the weekends also bring huge crowds, so avoid those days if possible.

Yes, visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is worth it. It's the largest of Seoul's Five Royal Palaces which include Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace.

King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, built the Gyeongbokgung Palace in the 14th century. Today, its grounds look stunning in all four of South Korea's distinct seasons, particularly fall and cherry blossom season in spring. In fact, some people argue that it’s Seoul’s most impressive, and photogenic, palace.

Despite its age, Gyeongbokgung Palace is accessible. While there are ramps leading to the entrance and throughout the palace grounds, some are quite steep, so take care. There are also lots of uneven surfaces, which might make exploring with wheelchairs or strollers quite bumpy.

On Gyeongbokgung Palace tours, you'll see the hexagonal Hyangwonjeong Pavilion; the grand Geunjeongjeon Hall, where ceremonies and royal meetings were held; the wooden Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, formerly used as a banquet hall; and the 2-tiered curved roof, which is the most iconic section of the structure.

No, you can't take food into the Gyeongbokgung Palace’s grounds, but you can, however, bring a bottle of water. While there is a convenience store at the palace, there is no restaurant or cafe.

However, you’ll find plenty of eateries surrounding the palace grounds. Samgyetang (a stewed chicken soup), is a popular specialty in the area. Travelers who don’t eat meat, or who want something sweet to eat, will enjoy tasting the traditional cakes, also for sale near the palace. They get their vibrant green color from matcha powder.

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

• DMZ

• Third Tunnel of Aggression

• Insadong

• Namsan Tower

• Bukchon Hanok Village

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