Seoul Royal Palaces & Market Tour

From$75

8 hours

Seoul, South Korea

About this activity

Immerse yourself in Seoul's rich history and culture with a full-day tour of its royal palaces and bustling markets, guided by an expert.

Highlights

Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace's grandeur
Visit the serene Changdeokgung Palace
Stroll through the vibrant Namdaemun Market
Discover traditional crafts in Insadong
Experience Seoul's rich cultural heritage

Full description

Dive into Seoul's captivating history and vibrant culture on this comprehensive full-day tour. Begin with a visit to the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul's Five Grand Palaces, where you'll marvel at its stunning architecture and learn about its storied past. Next, explore the tranquil Changdeokgung Palace, renowned for its harmonious integration with nature and its beautiful Secret Garden. Afterward, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Namdaemun Market, Korea's largest traditional market, where you can shop for unique souvenirs and sample authentic Korean street food. Conclude your day in Insadong, a neighborhood famed for its antique shops, art galleries, and traditional tea houses, offering a glimpse into Korea's artistic soul. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and local life, ensuring a memorable experience in Seoul.

Included / Excluded

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional English-speaking guide
Admission fees to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces

Meals and beverages

Important information

Know before you book

The tour operates in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
Confirm your hotel pickup location and time upon booking.
Be prepared for potential crowds at popular sites and markets.

Know before you go

Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves significant walking.
Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and vibrant market scenes.
Carry some cash for personal purchases at the market and shops.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

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

Good to know

Gyeongbok Palace will be replaced by another tourist attraction when it is closed on Tuesdays.
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony will be cancelled when it is rainy.
You might not be allowed to pass by the Presidential Blue House for the security.
Changdeok Palace will be replaced to Bukchon Hanok Village on Mondays.

Traveler reviews

4.9

66 reviews

Great time!

We had a great time with Joo! She gave us history and she connected with each one of us and made recommendations based on what we like! I recommend wearing comfy shoes as there is a lot of walking and site seeing. They accommodated everyone’s wants and needs in the group. Thank you for the fried chicken recommendation Joo!

priscillagA8521XFSep 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Joo is the best for the full day tour in Seoul

Great experience from start to finish with Joo

eduardorY6900YUSep 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Joo is the best!

Joo is an amazing guide. She have a good knowledge about the history, the city and also funny stories! We enjoyed the lunch with her too because she recommend typically food and ate with us which was really nice to experience authentic korean food🍀

789burabSep 18, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Very experienced, courteous and informative guide!

We had a lovely full day tour with Jo. She was very flexible because our group was quite small and so we were able to make some changes that suited us even better than the usual itinerary! Highly recommended!

CorrezSep 16, 2026TRIPADVISOR

History in one day!

Clara our local guide was very communicative before the trip, knowledgable throughout and even afterwards, was helpful regarding our questions about Seoul and food recommendations.

bonitah971Sep 14, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Gyeongbok Palace will be replaced by another tourist attraction when it is closed on Tuesdays. The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony will be cancelled when it is rainy. You might not be allowed to pass by the Presidential Blue House for the security. Changdeok Palace will be replaced to Bukchon Hanok Village on Mondays.