Seoul · Gyeongbokgung Palace · Gwanghwamun · Neighborhood · Morning · 3–4 hours
Gyeongbokgung Palace before the tour buses
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun Square while the courtyards are still quiet. Save Bukchon Hanok Village for another morning.
Palace · first visit
- Best for
- A first Seoul morning built around the palace most visitors come to see.
- Start at
- Be at the gate near opening. Walk the courtyards — the changing-of-the-guard crowd is easy to get stuck in.
- Getting there
- Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) toward the palace, or Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) and walk north.
- Budget
- Palace ticket. Skip the hanbok rental line if you are short on time.
Where you go
Walk
Gwanghwamun Square
Ten minutes on the palace axis, then walk to Gwanghwamun Gate.
Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
See
Gyeongbokgung Palace (Heungnyemun)
Buy the ticket here, then take your time at Geunjeongjeon Hall.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
See
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion / inner courts
The pond pavilion is quieter than the first courtyard.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
See
National Folk Museum edge
Leave north if you want coffee in Samcheong-dong — not a second palace.
Gyeongbokgung Palace north, Seoul
Good to know
- English audio or a paper map is enough. Skip the forty-person flag tour unless you actually want one.
- If Geunjeongjeon Hall is packed, walk the east colonnades and leave north toward Samcheong-dong.