Gyeongbokgung Palace
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Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace

161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Basics

The royal palace grounds stretch for 100 acres (40.5 hectares) and offers a number of sights to see, including the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Hyangwonjeong Pond, and the National Folk Museum of Korea, which features more than 98,000 artifacts that detail Korean history and culture. Other highlights are the Third Inner Gate (Geunjeongmun), the Throne Hall (Geunjeongjeon), the Executive Office (Sajeongjeon), and, of course, the king’s and queen’s quarters.

A stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace is included in most Seoul city tours and on just about every royalty-themed tour of Seoul. Visit on a bus or walking tour that includes entry and you can explore all parts of the complex while also stopping at other cultural sites such as Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Namsangol Hanok Village.

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Korean Palace and Market Tour in Seoul Including Insadong and Gyeongbokgung Palace
Korean Palace and Market Tour in Seoul Including Insadong and Gyeongbokgung Palace
USD100.00 per adult
Traveller Favourite
Thank you Miel!
This tour was a good introduction to Seoul on my first day in the city. We saw some amazing temples as well as freedom to walk around markets - but the best part was our tour guide Miel who was just a pleasure to talk to. She made sure we were always engaged and comfortable. Would definitely recommend. Miguel.
Miguel_M, Mar. 2023

Recent reviews from experiences in Seoul

So much fun. The only...
star-5
So much fun. The only...
Melly_R, Mar. 2023
Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul
So much fun. The only thing is it needs to cleaning on the rentals because you could see the dirt. But the lady that help us helpful
The sightseeing was...
star-4
The sightseeing was...
Lourdes_T, Feb. 2023
Seoul City Sightseeing Tour Including Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village
The sightseeing was overall beautiful. They picked us up from our hotel and dropped off which is very nice touch! Our tour guide “Spring” was so nice. THE BUS SMELLS SO BAD WITH CIGARETTES. I think the driver was smoking inside the bus. Please clean your bus and spray to smells clean. NO ONE SHOULD BE SMOKING INSUDE THE BUS!
Seoul City Sightseeing Tour
star-5
Seoul City Sightseeing Tour
RuthE_W, May 2023
Seoul City Sightseeing Tour Including Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village
This was an interesting tour. The Gyeongbokgung Palace and Namsangoi Hanok Village were highlights. The Seoul Tower was great but with a broken elevator, we were unable to actually go up to the viewing area. The Bhuddhist Temple was also interesting. Our guide, Julie was knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. I would recommend this tour.
Very Good Tour!
star-5
Very Good Tour!
Jay_G, Jun. 2023
Seoul City Sightseeing Tour Including Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village
Our tour guide Yujeong did a great job. At no part of the tour did I feel its too long or too short! Korean lunch which was included in our itinerary was fabulous! Ginseng shopping was good as well.
Team Lloyd was a fantastic day out!
star-5
Team Lloyd was a fantastic day out!
Julie_L, Jun. 2023
Full Day Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour with Lunch
The tour guide Lloyd was excellent - lunch lovely, great experience all round and very informative - comfortable bus and great commentary about the history etc Highly recommend
Great tour especially if this is your first time in Korea
star-5
Great tour especially if this is your first time in Korea
Nina_D, Jun. 2023
Full Day Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour with Lunch
This tour was a really great overview of Korean culture and history. Sadie, our tour guide, was amazing. I highly recommend
Great experience, learnt...
star-5
Great experience, learnt...
Scarlett_J, May 2023
Seoul Best Rated Half-day Walking 600y Historic palace n Bukchon
Great experience, learnt about the history and culture with some sights! Would recommend especially for those with limited time
Amazing Experience
star-5
Amazing Experience
Ceci_D, May 2023
Korean Palace and Temple Tour in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple
Our tour guide Jun was really good. He was polite and spoke English very well. He showed and told us everything we needed to know about the places we went and was very patient. It was great to see some history of this country and I would love to try other tours when I come back.
Great way to see the Palace
star-5
Great way to see the Palace
Jane_S, May 2023
Royal Palace Morning Small-Group Tour (No Shopping)
Sam was a very kind and organised guide. He explained everything we were seeing, things we would have had no idea about without a guide! The tour was very punctual and well paced.
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TOUR
star-5
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL TOUR
VERONICA_B, May 2023
Full Day Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour with Lunch
Sadie was very nice and very knowledgeable! We had such a great time visiting the temples and learning about their history. Highly recommend this tour! (This tour is really only about visiting the main temples + Korean Ginseng Center + Insadong + Namdaemun Market) Expect a lot of walking! Also Happy birthday to Buddha (2023/05/27)
Great tour
star-5
Great tour
Jeff_W, Apr. 2023
Seoul Best Rated Half-day Walking 600y Historic palace n Bukchon
Helpful guide with lots of knowledge of the landmarks we walked by, I would recommend this tour to others
Enriching experience
star-5
Enriching experience
MariaEloisa_G, May 2023
Full Day Small-Group Royal Palace and Seoul City Tour with Lunch
Tidbits about korean culture and history were really enlightening and made the tour more enjoyable and enriching. Sadie spoke very good English. And the tour was well-coordinated.
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Things to Know Before You Go

  • Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the complex's vast grounds.

  • Some areas of the palace complex offer limited access for wheelchairs.

  • Last admission is offered one hour before closing. The palace is closed on Tuesdays.

  • Restrooms are available onsite.

  • Pets are not allowed at the palace.

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How to Get There

The closest metro station is the aptly named Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3). Get out at Exit 5 and you'll emerge right at the palace grounds. A parking lot sits to the left of the palace.

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Trip ideas


When to Get There

Gyeongbokgung Palace is open from Wednesday to Monday year-round, and on weekdays, it’s often full of touring Korean schoolchildren. Fall is a popular time to visit thanks to the autumn foliage that turns a deep red, while springtime brings cherry blossoms. If you want to see Gyeongbokgung Palace at its quietest, come early in the morning. (The Korean palace complex opens at 9am throughout the year but has varying closing hours.) The site is huge, though, so you should be able to find some peace and quiet no matter the time of day.

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Changing of the Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace

If you time your visit right, you’ll get to see the royal guard-changing ceremony, an experience that allows you to witness full Joseon-era regalia in all its glory. The ceremony takes place twice daily (except Tuesdays) at Gwanghwamun Gate—the imposing main gate that separates the palace from one of the busiest parts of the city—at 10am and 2pm.

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Gyeongbokgung Palace
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Gyeongbokgung Palace?
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in Seoul?
A:
As well as visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: