Essence of Seoul, Full Day City tour

From $400.00 per group Lowest Price Guarantee

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Essence of Seoul, Full Day City tour

2 Adults x $400.00

$800.00

Approx Total

$800.00

Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Private transportation

All Fees and Taxes

Overview

Seoul has been the capital of Korea for over 600 years since the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It was called as "Hanyang" during Joseon Dynasty, but after liberation from Japan in 1945, World war II, it has been called "Seoul". Seoul, the capital of Republic of Korea, is the most popular tourist attraction throughout Korea. With countless sights to see and places to go, such as royal palaces, traditional markets, and high-end shopping districts, Seoul is a city with so much to offer that you might not know where to start first. The best tour for foreigners to learn about culture and life of Seoul and Seoulites. All in one, Awesome full day city tour enjoying Past, Present and Future of Seoull. In short, recommended for the first time visitors and it is the orientation tour for them.

Pickup points

THE PLAZA Seoul, Autograph Collection
119 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, KR, 04525

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Pickup details

All hotels in Seoul ... Read more ▼

Itinerary

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919). Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art. The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.

1 hour 30 minutes
National Folk Museum of Korea

Located inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea presents historical artifacts that were used in the daily lives of Korean people in the past. Through the displays, visitors can learn about the domestic and agricultural lifestyles, as well as Korea’s cultural beliefs. The National Folk Museum of Korea has three permanent exhibitions and two special exhibitions as well as a library, souvenir shop, and other subsidiary facilities.

30 minutes
Insadong

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center. The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique. Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (green onion pancake), and lose yourself in all the joyous festivities of the street.

1 hour
Jogyesa Temple

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period and was once turned into ashes due to fire and was rebuilt under the name of Gackhwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result. Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddhist’s birthday also takes place at this temple.

1 hour
Bukchon Hanok Village

Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.

40 minutes
N/A

Namsan Seoul Tower was the first tower-type tourism spot in Korea. The top of the tower is at almost 480m above sea level, including Namsan Mountain (243m) and the tower’s own height (236.7m), making it one of the tallest towers in the Orient. It is comprised of Seoul Tower Plaza, recently opened to public access after 40 years, and N Seoul Tower, operated by CJ Foodville since 2005. The tower was first established as a broadcast tower to send out TV and radio signals in 1969. As of now, it has become one of the representative landmarks and multi-cultural venues in Seoul.

1 hour
Namdaemun Market

Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as wholesale markets. Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 11:00pm to 4:00am, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.

1 hour

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Free Cancellation

June 13100% refund

June 14No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

4 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

4
4 stars

0
3 stars

0
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-3 of 4 reviews with 5 stars

VIP experience

Published on Jan, 2025

Chris gave us knowledgeable insights into Korean history, culture and way of life. The tour itinerary was excellent and was flexible if required.

Superb City tour with a great knowledgeable guide

Published on Jul, 2023

Chris H. was our tour guide and also our driver. I believe he is an independent tour operator and has been doing these Seoul city tours for many years. He was totally professional and super knowledgeable. He arrived at our hotel early and picked us up in his large air conditioned van. He was an excellent driver and gave us all sorts of information about Seoul, S. Korea, and every one of the sites we visited. He had a lot of knowledge and adapted the itinerary based on time and traffic and our preferences. I felt like he just really knew what he was doing and enjoyed his job. I liked that he addressed both my husband and I and our two young adult (collegiate) daughters and our teen son, even though they are all young enough to still be called "kids". He engaged our entire group. He also knew how to take good pictures! I am surprised that so many tour guides have not mastered the art of taking pictures for their clients. Doing a private tour is the way to go! We got so much done in one day and hit all the "must sees". Possibly this pace is too fast for some who prefer to linger at each spot, but we prefer to get a good overview of the city and then choose later if we want to return anywhere. We would never have been able to see all of this and get all of this information on our own or with a large bus group tour. And with a group of at least 4 or 5, the price per person is nearly the same as with a group tour, so it is totally worth the money. 5/5 stars, I would totally recommend this tour to anyone coming to Seoul for the first or tenth time!

Great full service tour!!

Published on Jun, 2023

This was a great tour! Chris communicated with us 2 days prior to our tour and then again on route to pick us up. He picked us up promptly at our hotel and drove us to various landmark tourist spots. It was great to be able to just relax on the first day of our Seoul trip and get a good layout of the city and see a lot of the "must see" spots. Especially cool was all the information he provided as he led us around Gyeongbokgung Palace. No way would we have been able to appreciate all the buildings there, as it is a massive complex. Bukchon Hanok Village was also cool, and then he took us to Insadong for lunch at a dumpling place. We got to walk around Insadong as well and then we went to N Seoul Tower and got to see great views of the city. The car was clean and comfortable and the pace of the tour was good. Highly recommend, especially if you have a family or big group. Thumbs up to Chris!Thank you!!!

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Essence of Seoul, Full Day City tour | 8 hours

Inclusions / Exclusions

Overview

Pickup points

Open in Google Maps

Itinerary

Gyeongbokgung Palace

National Folk Museum of Korea

Insadong

Jogyesa Temple

Bukchon Hanok Village

N/A

Namdaemun Market

Sample Menu

Additional Info

Free Cancellation

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