8 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Meet your friendly local guide at your Seoul hotel and travel by comfortable coach through the capital city streets. Pay a visit to Jogyesa Temple, which is widely recognized as the top Buddhist temple in the nation. Once you’ve wandered the grounds head past the Blue House (Cheongwadae), where the current president resides.
Your knowledgeable guide then takes you to Gyeongbokgung Palace, where the royal family lived during the Joseon Dynasty. Learn how this 14th-century structure was built and gain a deeper understanding of its iconic status as you wander the grounds learning about its architecture and traditions. While at Gyeongbokgung Palace, visit the National Folk Museum and learn about the history and culture of Korean residents. Galleries include information about traditional farming, hunting, royalty, and aristocracy.
Next, venture to a traditional ginseng center, where you learn about this medicinal staple. Enjoy a traditional Korean lunch in Insadong and relax while you tuck into a bowl of bibimbap (rice, vegetables and meat). Spend some time at your leisure wandering the shops and town streets before making your way to the North Seoul Tower.
Stationed atop Mt. Namsan, this incredible city landmark offers up stunning views from its towering observation deck. Once you’ve snapped some photos, head to Namsangol Hanok Village, where your guide takes you through the model village streets that offer a look at the Joseon Dynasty life. Check out various housing styles and incredible gardens as your guide points out key features and shares a bit of Korean history.
Operated by
SEOUL CITY TOUR CO. LTD.
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
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Good, except for infomerical
Gretchen_H, Apr 2025
For the most part, the tour was fabulous. The guide was great and the sites he took us to were fascinating. A major caveat, however, is the ridiculous and outrageous sales pitch stop at the ginseng factory. I do not book a paid tour to endure an infomercial. Viator should be ashamed of such absurd practices. Absolutely outrageous.
Perfect City Overview
385malloryc, Apr 2025
I had so much fun on this tour! Chloe was an excellent tour guide and all the stops were 5/5 stars! Well worth your time, and an excellent way to get a grasp of the city when you first arrive!
AJ is just the best
gag2us, Apr 2025
If you ever go to Seoul this is the best tour you can have, and if you are lucky enough to have AJ as your guide you cannot ask for anything better. AJ is just the best!
Well organized tour AMAZING Tour Guide
marissa e, Apr 2025
Sadie from Seoul City Tour was helpful, professional and courteous from beginning to end. She guided a bus load of tourists through each stop making accommodations as needed (older adults, slow walkers, etc.) while informing us of history, culture and the significance of what we were seeing. The Changing of the Guard was symbolic and beautiful; it was fun to see that many people rented Korean traditional outfits to go to the Palace. Communication from the tour company office (Polly) and with Sadie was excellent and helped to make for an enjoyable day. We also purchased a full day DMZ tour from the Seoul CityTour company and requested Sadie; they accommodated us, and again, we had a great experience with Sadie.
Itinerary
Jogyesa Temple
After morning pickup from your hotel, travel by comfortable coach to your first stop of the day, Jogyesa Temple, the chief Buddhist temple in Korea and a calm sanctuary from the busy streets of Seoul.
20 minutesThe Blue House
Next, drive by the Blue House (Cheongwadae), home to the South Korean president. Located at the foot of Mt Bugaksan, the presidential complex exemplifies traditional Korean architecture.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Continue to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the primary residence of the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty. Constructed in the 14th century and the largest of the Five Grand Palaces, Gyeongbokgung is considered the most beautiful palace in Seoul. Walk around the compound with your guide to see traditional Joseon architecture.
** Gyeongbok palace is closed ever tuesdays. We will visit to Deoksu palace instead
30 minutesAdmission IncludedNational Folk Museum of Korea
Within the compound, visit the National Folk Museum to learn about how people have lived in Korea from ancient times to today. Your guide shows you displays that demonstrate daily life for members of the aristocracy and ordinary citizens, including traditional farming and hunting techniques, weaving, cooking and other tasks.
20 minutesAdmission IncludedGwanghwamun Gate
Keep your camera handy for the changing of the guard ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate.
** Tuesdays are not available
10 minutesInsadong
Korean Ginseng Shopping Center
People know about the Korea's famous Ginseng and you can also buy it
20 minutesInsadong
Stop at the ginseng center to learn about the reputed medicinal uses of the sought-after plant, and then take a break for lunch in Insadong, a neighborhood known for its traditional tea houses and antique galleries. Relax over a nutritious plate of bibimbap (rice with vegetables and meat) or bulgogi (grilled marinated beef) at a restaurant, and then enjoy some time to shop for authentic Korean souvenirs at the array of small stores.
1 hourN Seoul Tower
After lunch, head over to N Seoul Tower, which stands on Mt Namsan in central Seoul, and take the elevator up to the observation deck to enjoy panoramic views over the city.
** Obervoaty ticket is not included.
** Cable car is included
1 hourNamsangol Hanok Village
Then visit Namsangol Hanok Village, where your guide leads you on a walk around this model village that features five hanok (traditional Korean homes) from the Joseon Dynasty. The restored houses illustrate various social classes, from peasants to royalty. You can also admire the site's traditional Korean-style garden with an elegant pavilion and stream.
30 minutes
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Admission Fee
- Professional guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel pickup
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- hotel drop off (drop is available myeongdong / city hall / itaewon)
Additional Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A moderate amount of walking is involved; it is recommended that you wear good walking shoes
- Please note: On Tuesdays, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum and Namsangol Hanok Village may be closed; if this is the case, you will visit Deoksu Palace, the History Museum and Myeongdong instead
- Tour Schedule can be changed because of local circumstance or weather.
- 1 of the shopping centers are included (Ginseng Center)
- Tuesdays : Gyeongbok Palace is closed so, we will visit to Deoksu Palace
- Mondays : Namsan Hanok Village is closed so, we will visit to Bukchon Hangok Village
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.