Small-Group Seoul Tour with Gyeongbokgung Palace (hotel pick-up)
Recommended by 95% of travelers
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Seoul, South Korea
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spend a morning in Seoul visiting highlights including Jogyesa Temple, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the National Folk Museum. You'll also stop for photo ops outside the Presindential Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) and Gwanghwamun Gate during the changing of the guards. Your 3.5-hour tour includes transportation, entrance fees, guide, and hotel pickup. You will be dropped off at either City Hall or Insadong.
- 3.5-hour Seoul royal palaces and highlights tour
- Visit Jogyesa Temple for insight into Korean Buddhism
- Get a look at palace life in Korea while touring Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Watch the royal guard changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate
- Includes entrance fees, guide, and hotel pickup
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup in Central Seoul
- All Fees and Taxes
- Food
- Hotel drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
After morning pickup from centrally located hotels in Seoul, travel in a climate-controlled vehicle to your first destination, Jogyesa Temple.
At the temple, hear about Zen Buddhism in Korea, and stroll through key parts of the colorful compound. Next, stop in Blue House Square for photo ops of the official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea, Blue House, and Mt Bukak in the background.
Next, go to Gwanghwamun Gate to watch the ceremony of the changing of the royal guards. Then head to the northern palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, for a tour that details how the royal families and their court attendants lived. Finally, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to learn about daily life in Korea from the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910).
Stop by the Korean ginseng center on the way to your drop-off location (either City Hall or Insadong), where your tour ends after 3.5 hours.
At the temple, hear about Zen Buddhism in Korea, and stroll through key parts of the colorful compound. Next, stop in Blue House Square for photo ops of the official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea, Blue House, and Mt Bukak in the background.
Next, go to Gwanghwamun Gate to watch the ceremony of the changing of the royal guards. Then head to the northern palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, for a tour that details how the royal families and their court attendants lived. Finally, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to learn about daily life in Korea from the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910).
Stop by the Korean ginseng center on the way to your drop-off location (either City Hall or Insadong), where your tour ends after 3.5 hours.
1
Jogyesa Temple
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Gwanghwamun Gate
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Gyeongbokgung Palace
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
4
National Folk Museum of Korea
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
The Blue House (Pass By)
5
Cheongha Korea Ginseng Museum
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not recommended for participants with back problems or heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
- This tour is proceeding with minimum 2 people and if the participants number is below it, the tour can be cancelled.
- Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday. > On Tuesdays, the tour will visit Deoksugung Palace or the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace instead. In the event of inclement weather, the itinerary may change to the National Folk Museum of Korea for your comfort and convenience.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 77 reviews
Violeta_R, Apr 2026
Excellent tour. Hee so is nice and friendly. Our driver Mr. Gilbert is friendly too. We will recommend it to friends and family if they come and visit Korea.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are delighted to hear that you had an excellent time on our Gyeongbokgung Palace tour.
It is heartening to know that you found both Hee-soo and Mr. Gilbert friendly and professional. I will make sure to share your compliments with them—they will be very encouraged by your feedback. We are also truly grateful for your promise to recommend us to your friends and family.
We look forward to welcoming your loved ones to Korea in the future!
Best regards,
SeoulNTour Team
Thad_S, Apr 2026
Eddie did a great job especially since we had a rainy day! Very friendly and helpful! We would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Eddie despite the rainy weather. We will be sure to share your compliments with him. We hope to welcome you back to Seoul again soon!
Amit_T, Apr 2026
The tour was well planned and paced. Would recommend the half day tour to those who didnt want a deep dive
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your kind recommendation!
Thank you so much for your great review! We are glad to hear that you found the tour well-planned and enjoyed the pace of our half-day itinerary.
Your recommendation is very helpful for future travelers who are looking for a concise yet fulfilling introduction to Seoul's highlights. We always strive to provide a balanced experience for all our guests.
We hope to welcome you back for another wonderful journey in the future!
Best regards,
Seoul N Tour Team
DEE_W, Apr 2026
Lovely and friendly guide with an interesting tour. We really enjoyed the museum part of the tour.
The little gift shop was cute too!
Wear comfortable shoes!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We appreciate your feedback!
Thank you for choosing our Royal Palace & Seoul City tour. We are delighted that you had an interesting time exploring Gyeongbokgung and the museum with our team.
Your advice about wearing comfortable shoes is very helpful for future travelers! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope your memories of Seoul remain wonderful.
Warm regards,
Seoul N Tour Team
Mitchell_H, Feb 2026
Our tour guide, BK, was thorough, friendly, and the information he provided was readily accessible. He provided an excellent introduction to complex topics that made them easy to understand and enjoyable. Also his energy and enthusiasm went a long way in sparking our continued curiosity about Korean cultural topics.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your wonderful review.
We’re delighted to hear that BK’s thorough explanations, friendly approach, and enthusiastic energy made the tour both engaging and easy to understand.
It’s especially rewarding to know that the Royal Palace & Seoul City Tour with SeoulNTour sparked your curiosity and interest in Korean culture.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on another memorable tour in the future.
Marta_P, Jan 2026
Sookhee is a great guide. We learnt interesting facts about history of Korea and Seoul. Highly recommended tour.
William_B, Jan 2026
If you do it in winter please dress appropriately. Mr Bk was great! Spoke good English and was very informative and accommodating. We did a morning tour that took 3 hours, 9 to 12. It included a tour of the grand palace and a ginseng factory. At the grand palace we saw a ceremonial changing of the guard.
Ashley_M, Nov 2025
The tour guide was super knowledgeable and kind!!! My friend and I only did the half day tour but we were able to learn a lot.
Yvonne_R, Nov 2025
The tour is well worth the money. Mr. Young who took care of us was a great guide, knowledgeable, kind and accommodating. Very convenient with the hotel pick up. Even the Ginseng museum was interesting as long as you don’t let them pressure you into buying.
rtimleonard, Oct 2025
Great tour showcasing the Temple and Royal Palace. Tour guide “Young” was outstanding. Outgoing and friendly making for a pleasant day.
Chandni_P, Oct 2025
The tour was very informative we really enjoyed the attractions and the great descriptions by the tour guide
Casey_H, Sep 2025
The tour with Sookhee was great. She did a great job of explaining Korean culture and history in a short time. She positioned us perfectly for the changing of the guard ceremony.
Only complaint: the ginseng stop and sales pitch (which was obviously required by the tour company rather than the guide was too much.
Edmund_C, Sep 2025
The tour guide Sookhee was very informative. The 3 of the 4 places we visited were very interesting. The visit to the Ginseng Museum was not that interesting
Lori_K, Aug 2025
Suki is amazing. Extremely knowledgeable (like a history book). She had good communication prior to the tour, and was prompt to pick up our large family group at the hotel. She also was excellent at taking many family photos for us. Her English language skill was very good.
Bruce_S, Aug 2025
My San and I had a great time on the tour. Ms. Sookhee was a great guide who provided lots of helpful information. The only negative was the ginseng “museum” - which was really nothing more than a glorified sales pitch.
Julie_K, Jul 2025
We spent the morning with Junie and she was wonderful! The tour was informative and the whole family (kids 6 and 10) really enjoyed the tour! It was a hot morning but Junie was great in taking it slow, finding shade and trying to make us all as comfortable as possible.
Kimberly_S, Jul 2025
Unfortunately, the tour was not as described in the details. I feel like we got scammed. We went to a different palace and not Gyeongbokgung Palace. No royal guard ceremony. I wouldn’t do this tour again.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for leaving us such a thoughtful review.
We would like to take a moment to clarify a few important points.
As noted on our website, Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed every Tuesday. For this reason, the Royal Guard Ceremony is also unfortunately not available on Tuesdays. Instead, we visit Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden (Huwon). The Secret Garden, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique and enriching experience that many of our guests deeply appreciate.
Due to continued demand from guests wishing to join a Royal Palace tour even on Tuesdays, we created a special Tuesday-only itinerary featuring Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden.
Many guests who hoped to visit the Secret Garden have found this version of the tour especially rewarding and meaningful.
In fact, the total admission fees on Tuesdays are higher. However, we cover the full cost ourselves to ensure the overall value of the tour remains the same for our guests, despite the schedule change.
We regret if there was any confusion regarding the itinerary, and we apologize if any part of the tour operation felt lacking. We appreciate your feedback and will continue to reflect on ways to improve our service.
We hope this explanation helps clear up any misunderstanding. Thank you again for joining our tour!
Michael_D, Jul 2025
Our guide Lua was great. She was very knowledgeable and made it an interesting experience. It was an extremely hot day and Lua was kind enough to stop in areas of shade to give her explanations.
Elizabeth_M, Jul 2025
Great way to learn more about Korea and explore a few sights in one half day. I learned a lot and enjoyed seeing the sights, but would have liked to explore the Folk Museum on my own
Sandeep_M, Jun 2025
The tour was very informative. The whole family enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend this shorter version rather than the full day. Our tour guide Junie was very knowledgeable.
James_W, Jun 2025
This tour was definitely worth the money and the experience. Our tour guide (Sookhee) was amazing! She was clear, concise, super nice and most of all, she overextended the tour. She did more than just the Royal Palace. She took us to the South Gate Market, Insadong and the Ginseng Museum! As a Korean-American, I was able to communicate with her in both languages. She was really nice, friendly and extremely funny. All in all, great tour and an extremely wholesome experience!
Joyce_K, Jun 2025
What a perfect knowledgeable tour guide and friendly korean hospitality. i couldn’t have asked for more. I will be back and I will be looking for more tours! Thank you for everything.
Emma_D, Apr 2025
Wild and ver6 wet day. Not the best da6 to do a tour in Seoul. Was fun though and our guide Yung was a giggle. Enjoyable and informative. Would have loved to have seen the palace changing of the guard though.
Tandy_D, Apr 2025
Experience includes some self-serve some guided touring. The experience at the Buddhist temple is self-guided and can be different depending on the time of arrival since during worship times, access to the inside of the temple is restricted. The temple was interesting, but without guidance from a tour guide, not easily understood. The Palace experience was good, but very touristy. Lots of people and the changing of the guards is a show. The Palace is huge and not easily navigable for the disabled or people who are not sure-footed or cannot climb steps due to the cobblestones, gravel, stairs, etc. Lots of walking as well. This was a guided tour and learning about the history and background was great. Then there was the palace museum, which was also very interesting, but tiring. We spent quite a long time at the palace. An unknown was the GInseng tour. Not sure that this is necessary as it was very heavily a sales pitch for very expensive GInseng products. Overall the tour guide was very good, very knowledgeable and very friendly. He accommodated our needs and was helpful. Overall I would recommend this tour. We only spent 1/2 day, but others spent the whole day.
Patrick_R, Jan 2025
This was essentially a private tour for our family (maybe there were no other bookings that day) of Seoul. Our guide Young was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw the main Buddhist temple, a palace, and a ginseng center.
Tim_O, Oct 2024
We were really keen on doing a tour like this, however another tour we looked at warned of a visit to the Ginseng Factory, so we picked this tour instead. We arrived and got the run down for our day, which included a visit to the Ginseng Factory that wasn't listed on the website!
The morning went well, and our guide was nice and informative. However we then got to the point of the tour where we visited the National Palace Museum. We entered through the rear exit gate (which was a bit strange) and then the turbo button was hit. We rushed through the museum in the space of 15 minutes seeing a couple of displays.
Then as many reviews have noted, it was time for a two hour visit to the Ginseng Factory! We spent so much time here, which was really frustrating. This included a walk through their museum and then being put into a room with the door closed. The staff were nice, but if we wanted to buy Ginseng we would do so on our own time not a tour! It's a shame because it detracts from the other sites and the nice tour guide.
Would recommend ensuring your itinerary is Ginseng Factory free in writing when booking any tour similar to this one!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your review and for sharing your thoughts on the Ginseng Center. We want to clarify that the Ginseng Center stop is mentioned on our tour page, as ginseng is a representative product of Korea that many customers enjoy exploring. We’re sorry to hear that your experience there did not meet your expectations.
We truly appreciate your feedback and will consider incorporating more cultural sites into our tours in the future.
We're glad to hear you enjoyed our guide, and we hope you had a wonderful time in Korea overall. Thank you once again!
ChinLan_N, Oct 2024
Mr Young was great tour guide as he gave us good insight into Korean history & culture. Lunch recommendation in Insadong for Korean noodles & dumplings was great.
James_F, Aug 2024
Was very well done. Our tour guide provided us with a great understanding of the history of the places we visited. He was very affable and fun to be with. Highly recommended
SHARON_G, Jun 2024
unfortunately, our Guide rushed us through the palace. We saw very little of it. He said it was too hot. I had done a tour that included the palace the day before and it was wonderful and it was hot, but we suffered through it and thoroughly enjoyed how beautiful the Palace was, I thinking that the other guest must've been disappointed
AMIT_A, Jun 2024
The host was 10 mins before time at pick up; extremely caring and punctual. Through out the trip she was attending every member of the group individually.
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