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Full-Day Seoul Highlights Private Guided Tour: Exploration of South Korea's Vibrant Heart
4.8
20 Ratings
Seoul
Experience the vibrant heart of South Korea on a full-day private guided tour of Seoul. Explore historic palaces, traditional villages, bustling markets, and enjoy a panoramic night view of the city.
Duration:
9 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Gyeongbokgung Palace - Known as the “Palace of Shining Happiness,” Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest and most iconic of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Visitors can marvel at its intricate architecture, colorful murals, and beautiful gardens. Don’t miss the changing of the Royal Guard ceremony, which takes place multiple times a day. You can also explore the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum, both located within the palace grounds. Expect to spend around 1.5 hours here depending on how in depth of a tour you want.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Entrance Fee (Gyeongbokgung Palace)
- Licensed Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Insurance
- Gratuities
- Namsan Tower cable car (optional 16,000KRW)
- Namsan Tower observatory (optional 21,000KRW)
Additional Information
Discover the vibrant heart of South Korea with our Seoul City Highlights Tour. Start at the grand Gyeongbokgung Palace, home to the Joseon Dynasty, and witness the mesmerizing Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. Wander through the traditional ‘Hanok’ houses of Bukchon Village, before exploring the artful alleys of Insadong Street, brimming with tea houses and galleries. Immerse in the culinary delights of Gwangjang Market, sampling local flavors. Conclude with a panoramic night view of Seoul from Namsan Tower—an unforgettable encounter with Seoul’s cultural tapestry.
- The listed amount of time that will be spent at each site is an estimation. You can adjust as you like, as long as the touring day ends within the 9.5 hours listed.
- During your day, you will spend about 1 hour moving from location to location. You will also have about 1 to 1.5 hours for a stop for lunch. All told, everything will add up to 9.5 hours total.
- If there happens to be time leftover after visiting all the attractions, your guide will be happy to take you to an additional location(s) in central Seoul. Any subsequent entrance fees or parking are not included and paid by you on the spot.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced by Changdeokgung Palace on Tuesdays.
- The shops at Gwangjang Market is closed on Sundays. The food stalls and restaurants will be open.
- The cable car and observatory are optional at Namsan Tower and not included. If not taking the cable car, you can either walk or take a bus to the base of the tower.
- Infant seats for children 3 and under are available on request, but subject to availability. Please contact us to make sure we have one available on your tour date.
Location
Gyeongbokgung Palace
161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(20 Ratings)
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Dak_gal
Jun 6, 2024
The Best of Seoul - We were a group of 9 Americans who had just completed a mission trip in Cambodia. We had a 12 hour layover in Seoul on our way home so we booked a day tour with Korea Tour Company. It was amazing. We were so pleased. Our guide was Sori. She knew just where to take us to be at the best advantage for photos or to be ahead of the crowds. We totally enjoyed the day and were so pleased. Thank you for showing us your beautiful city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yehoshua
May 7, 2024
A very interesting trip - The protection and organization of the trip was excellent. The guide Kory was excellent with extensive knowledge and very kind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager15284284425
Apr 29, 2024
Best tour guide ever - It is our first time to Seoul, it wouldn't have been this great and hassle free if it's without our tour guide, Mr Kory.
I strongly recommend Mr Kory because of his professionalism, and always going extra miles for us. He did his best to accommodate to our request.
Eg. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, he ran to the first in queue, so that we can take the photo with the guard without waiting. He also helped us to queue for lunch, while allowing us to shop around at Insadong.
I will definitely recommend Mr Kory to my family and friends, and will definitely look for him again when I visit Seoul again.
Thank you Korea Tour Company for assigning Mr Kory to be our tour guide! :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthew
Apr 19, 2024
A great day trip in Seoul with the greatest tour guide ever!!!! - If I could give more than 5 Stars I would!!!
We decided to take a quick trip to Seoul and I found the Korea Tour Company and arranged for a day Tour of the highlights of Seoul.
We really got so lucky to have Kory as our guide. He was so friendly from the very first second and we all became quick friends.
We visited the Palace first and Kory (who is extremely knowledgeable) told us all about the history of the Palace and other information in great detail.
As we visited more locations like the Blue House and a scenic over watch of Seoul we all became so involved with Kory's knowledge and his professional yet very friendly demeanor.
The Van he picked us up in was very nice, he had water for us and was constantly making sure we had everything we need.
He also took very good care of my Mother-in-law. Ensuring she got in and out of the van with no problems etc.
We also found out that Kory is an expert photographer and he took great shots of us during the visits to the sites.
And the final wow moment was....
He wanted to take us to a great Chicken soup restaurant. We arrived and there was a line of at least 40 people.
He told us to wait in line, went inside and within 5 minutes we were seated right away!!!
He knows people so we were treated as VIP guests. And the food was outstanding!!!
I have already recommended 8 people to use this company and to ask for Kory!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancy_f
Apr 4, 2024
Antonio was a wonderful... - Antonio was a wonderful tour guide. He fit the tour to our destinations . He took photos for us. He stopped to get pancakes when we were hungry. He told us the history on the places we visited. It was a great day in Seoul!
Review provided by Viator
Kush_p
Mar 23, 2024
Great tour with Andy - Andy our tour guide was awesome. He cartered to our needs. One of the palaces was clsoed to he took us to anotjer one. He also took us shopping for skin products and steered us away from unnecessary expensive products.
I would ask for Andy if you do this as he is fun. He even went out of his way to help us get soccer tickets, made sure we got thete the next day. We even had some other issues in days after and he was very helpful. Again, Andy made this tour worthwhile.
Review provided by Viator
Soobink977
Feb 28, 2024
Amazing Memories in Seoul - Our tour guide Sori did such an amazing job! We did enjoy every moment of the tour! She was knowledgable, attentive, and patient! We felt lucky to have her as our tour guide! If you are not sure where to go and want to learn about the history of Seoul, I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikailadancer
Feb 19, 2024
Seoul tour! - Andy was incredible! He took me to see as many things as he possibly could with my short layover time, and made sure I was on time to my Kpop dance class!! He taught me so much about Korea and I will definitely be using him again when I come back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheenadianas2024
Jan 26, 2024
Had a great time!!! - We had a great time in Korea during this trip. We hired a private tour throughout our tour. Our tour guide was always on time. Even with the busy schedule we had, she made sure we enjoyed every bits of it. It was quite an experience. When I go back to Korea, will definitely get Korea tour company to organise our itinerary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Autumnsnowy
Jun 13, 2024
Uninterested Tour Guide. Not worth the money spent - I booked a private DMZ tour for 7 pax with Korea Tour Company in June. One of my colleague dropped out and another one decided to drive to the destination to meet us there. Without informing me in advance, the Korea Tour Company came to fetch us in a small car that can only fit 5 person, even though I had paid for a car for 7 pax. The tour guide also asked my colleague who arrived earlier at the DMZ center to queue up at the ticket counter while we were still on the road. This is seriously unacceptable and ridiculous. We wasted at least 1.5 hours at the center because of the queue as the company did not purchase the tickets in advance for us. The tour guide also did not care to explain much about the sites (I was observing other tour guides on site) but rushed through everything. They also included in our itinerary a "tourist shopping stop" which was not originally in my itinerary. At the end we got so bored, we decided to abandon the tour and end it by 1 2.30 PM.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
