The Complete Seoul City Sightseeing Tour
Don’t miss a beat and make the most of your precious time in Seoul! See all of our capital city’s top highlights in an incredible one-day sightseeing tour that will set you up for the rest of your stay in Seoul and South Korea.
(121 Reviews)
“Omg Kelly was hands down the best guide i had in 4 weeks in Korea!! Gave us such interesting insights and made the whole day unforgettable. her local knowledge, attitude and service was fantastic. You gotta do this tour”
Sara T
Adventurer
“Great tour, takes you to all of Seoul, the best way to explore the city and then know exactly what you want to do next”
Jorge
Adventurer
“we loved our tour. It was affordable, informative and super convenient. From drop off at each stop, to being picked up promptly after and the great cultural history we learned. Ray spoke great English and all his restaurant suggestions were spot on. Highly recommended tour”
Hayley
Adventurer
“Awesome tour with loads of stops to really get an understanding of Seoul! Superb value for money and Lynn was a exceptional tour guide! Thank you for an informative and fun tour! i’m now looking at which tour i will book for my last day in Seoul tomorrow.”
Kim.
Adventurer
About the tour
Seoul is a unique and vibrant city unlike any other capital city in the world! It blends the cutting edge of technological innovation with historical and cultural monuments, allowing you to explore centuries-old palaces, temples, and other sites that are wrapped around modern skyscrapers and entertainment. With a mouth-watering food culture, countless unique dishes, distinct architecture, traditional markets, and fun experiences, it’s easy to get lost and overwhelmed with what to see and do in Seoul.
Our Seoul City Sightseeing tour is designed to ensure you hit all the top highlights while giving you a sense of direction and ideas for what you want to do and where you want to explore during your remaining time here.
Itinerary
Myeongdong Subway Station
Meeting Point 1: Myeongdong Subway Station Exit 9, located in front of Sky Park Hotel Ⅲ (3). Please aim to arrive 15 minutes early to account for navigational mishaps.
Seoul City Hall Subway Station
Meeting Point 2: City Hall Subway Station Exit 6. You’ll find Exit 6 located beside the Plaza Hotel. Please try to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
Cheonggyecheon Stream (Pass By)
As we glide past, look down. A sparkling stream suddenly appears in the concrete jungle, lit by neon and lanterns, where office workers kick off their shoes to wade on hot days. Interestingly, this stream was actually buried under a freeway until 2005, when major rejuvenation works were carried out!
Jogyesa Temple
Step into a rainbow explosion of hanging lanterns. Inhale incense, hear wooden fish drums echoing, and watch monks in grey robes glide past a 500-year-old lacebark pine. Pay respects to the triad of golden buddhas in the Daeungjeon Hall (Great Hero Hall) by bowing and lighting candles.
Gwanghwamun Gate (Changing of the Guard)
* Note: Every day except Tuesdays. Trumpets blare! Royal guards in bright silk robes and horsehair hats march with perfect timing. Feel the ground shake as they shout ancient commands right in front of you and send you straight back in time to the Joseon Dynasty.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
* Note: Every day except Tuesdays. Cross the stone bridge over lotus ponds, walk under the massive red gate, and suddenly you’re inside the “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven”. The throne hall still glitters with golden dragons after 630 years. Get lost in the maze of passages and take in Joseon high life.
National Folk Museum of Korea
* Note: Every day except Tuesdays. Spin an old stone mill, play traditional games, and step into a recreated 1950s Seoul street complete with vinyl records and vintage bikes.
The Blue House (Pass By)
* Note: Every day except Tuesdays. Get a quick peek at those famous blue tiles (over 150,000 of them!). South Korea’s version of the White House, guarded by sharpshooters who once shot at a North Korean assassin here.
Changdeokgung Palace
* Note: Tuesdays only! Step through the oldest surviving palace gate in Seoul (Donhwamun, from 1412) and wander serene courtyards lined with ancient trees. Admire perfectly balanced halls where Joseon kings actually lived for centuries (unlike the more ceremonial Gyeongbokgung). UNESCO loves it because the buildings blend so beautifully with the natural landscape. It feels like the palace grew out of the mountain itself!
Bukchon Hanok Village
* Note: Tuesday only! Get lost in tiny alleys between curved tile roofs. Peek into courtyards, smell kimchi jars fermenting, and realize people still live in these 600-year-old fairy-tale houses.
Korea Ginseng Museum
Taste 6-year-old red ginseng so potent it makes your tongue tingle. See roots shaped exactly like little people (that’s why it’s called “man-root” and costs more than gold). Discover the roots of 1,500 years of Korean medicine and culture, and learn how this “elixir of life” boosts vitality. You will also have an opportunity to visit the Government-Approved Korean Ginseng Center shop, where you can taste Korean ginseng tea and a variety of products, as well as purchase them for your own health benefits or as a gift if you wish.
Insadong
Duck into twisting lanes filled with brush-painting smells, sizzling hotteok (Korea’s take on dessert pancakes), and the famous “poop bread”. Hunt for handmade hanji paper crafts, quirky teaware, and street calligraphy artists who’ll write your name in perfect hangul before your eyes. It’s the perfect place to find a souvenir or pick up some gifts to take back home.
Gwangjang Market
Dive into chaos: grannies yelling, knives flashing, steam rising. Bite into crunchy bindaetteok (a savory mung bean pancake) and addictive “drug” gimbap that’s been served here since 1905. It’s the famous market BTS fans will recognize, where Episode 11 of “Run BTS!” was filmed.
Namsangol Hanok Village
Five perfect hanoks in a quiet valley. If you’re lucky, you might catch a live performance and be able to try some traditional Korean games like arrow throwing, spinning a traditional top, and forget you’re only minutes from skyscrapers.
Namsan Cable Car
Hop into a swaying glass gondola. Watch Seoul spread out like a glittering circuit board as we climb 236m in just a few minutes to reach the top.
N Seoul Tower
Doesn’t include a lift ticket to go up the tower. Snap a love lock with thousands of others at the terrace, watch the iconic tower glow against the skyline, and soak in panoramic views of Seoul sparkling below (on clear days, you can actually spot North Korea!).
Myeongdong Shopping Street
Drop-off location 1: Neon-lit beauty paradise where K-pop blasts from every corner. Fun fact: Myeongdong sells more cosmetics per square meter than anywhere else on Earth. Drop off here to shop at 300+ stores, devour street food carts (lobster skewers, anyone?), and join the famous late-night skincare-haul crowds that keep going until midnight.
Namdaemun Market
Drop-off location 2: Korea’s oldest (600+ years) and biggest traditional market with 10,000 stalls open until dawn. Fun fact: You can buy everything from hanbok to hiking gear to a live eel here. Perfect drop-off for bargain hunting, hot mandu dumplings, and endless night market energy.
Seoul City Hall
Drop-off location 3: Iconic glass building with a vertical garden wall taller than a 10-story building (made of 70,000 plants!). Drop off here for stunning night photos of the wave-shaped facade, grab craft beer or coffee at the trendy cafes inside, or stroll 3 minutes to Deoksugung Palace and romantic Jeongdong-gil gingko tree lane.
Tour Info
Includes
Professional Licensed Tour Guide (English or Chinese)
Transportation
Entrance Fees & Taxes
Namsan Cable Car Round Trip
Excludes
Meals/Food/Snacks
Drinks/Beverages
Additional Notes
Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Not wheelchair accessible
Tour Highlights and USP
Dia says…
This tour is perfect if you have only 1 day in Seoul, or if you want to find your bearings without wasting a whole lot of time figuring out what there is to see and do, and where you want to go. It’s also ideal for families, friends, or groups with varying interests, as it offers something for everyone. Your guide will also provide a local perspective, giving you insight into Korea and its culture, and setting you up for what you may like to see or do next.
Free Cancellation 24hrs Before Tour
Requirements
Walking shoes, water, an appetite, and a will to explore ancient and modern Seoul!
Who is it for
Everyone: Solo Travellers, Couples, Families & Friends (no age limit).
Check off the top highlights and maximize time
Get local knowledge and insights
Comfort, convenience and get a sense of direction
Book TourRecommended
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