Full-Day Seoul Highlights Private Guided Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
Bukchon Hanok Village is nestled between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace is a must-visit for a glimpse into traditional Korean culture. It boasts well-preserved Hanok houses (Korean traditional houses) that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Wander through the narrow alleyways, enjoy tea and snacks in charming teahouses, and visit one of the many cultural centers or museums to learn about Hanbok (traditional clothing) and other Korean crafts. For a more immersive experience, visitors can even book a stay at a Hanok guesthouse. Plan to spend around 1 to 1.5 hours exploring Bukchon Hanok Village.
Insadong is a vibrant and artistic neighborhood in the heart of Seoul, famous for its traditional art galleries, antique shops, tea houses, and souvenir stores. Strolling along the main pedestrian street, visitors can discover unique Korean handicrafts, pottery, and traditional calligraphy tools. Be sure to try some delicious street food, like Hotteok (sweet Korean pancakes), and visit Ssamzigil, a shopping complex with a spiral walkway featuring more handicraft shops and eateries. Allocate about 1 to 1.5 hours to explore Insadong Street.
Established in 1905, Gwangjang Market is one of Seoul's oldest and most beloved traditional markets. With over 5,000 shops, it's a haven for foodies and shoppers alike. Sample a variety of mouthwatering Korean street food, such as Bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and Gimbap (Korean sushi rolls). Apart from food, the market is also famous for its quality fabrics, vintage clothing, and hanbok stores. Be prepared to immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere. Expect to spend about 1 to 1.5 hours to explore and savor the diverse culinary delights of Gwangjang Market.
Namsan Tower: Officially known as N Seoul Tower, this iconic communication tower sits atop Namsan Mountain, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Seoul's skyline. Ride the cable car or hike to the top, and take in the cityscape from the observation deck, which stands 479 meters above sea level. Namsan Tower is also a popular spot for couples who attach love locks to the railings as a symbol of their everlasting love. Onsite, you'll find a variety of restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. For a truly memorable experience, visit at night to see the tower illuminated. Plan to spend around 1 to 1.5 hours enjoying the views and attractions at Namsan Tower.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
It is important that you give us your pick up location as soon as possible. If we do not have your pick up location 24 hours before your tour, we will cancel the tour. We will send you a reminder message 3 days before your tour. We will give you your assigned guide's info at that time along with instructions on meeting your guide in your hotel lobby or outside your building if staying in an Airbnb. Pick up time is at 9:30am and you will depart immediately. Your 9.5 hour day starts at 9:30am whether you are ready to go or not. If you are not ready to go and we cannot get a hold of you, your guide will wait 60 minutes until 10:30am. If you don't show up or contact us before 10:00am, it will be a "no show" and no refund will be given.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
Reviews(48)
Our tour guide, Kory, was absolutely exceptional and made the entire experience unforgettable. From the moment the tour began, he was knowledgeable, engaging, and incredibly organized. His passion for the history, culture, and local attractions was evident in every story and explanation, bringing each destination to life. What truly set him apart was his ability to connect with everyone in the group. He was friendly, patient, and always willing to answer questions or provide additional recommendations. His attention to detail ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the experience. Thanks to their expertise and enthusiasm, this was one of the best tours I have ever taken. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an informative, enjoyable, and memorable experience. Five stars all the way!
Kory was an excellent guide. His historical knowledge of South Korea was impressive. Attentive to our time frame—- made excellent suggestions as to format. He was especially helpful with a member with special needs.
the whole experience from first dealing with Albert and Grey then meeting Fred our guide for the day was just perfect couldn't have asked for more we would certainly recommend arranging your tour with these lovely people
Thank you, Rob, for your kind words! We're thrilled you had a perfect experience with Albert, Grey, and Fred. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
We had an amazing experience thanks to The Korea Tour Company. The planning process prior was really easy with great communication from the operator. We had a party of 8, which can be a lot, but the guides and drivers did a fantastic job of making sure everyone was engaged and enjoyed the experience. Highly recommended.
Thank you, Rich, for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled our team could contribute to making your family’s trip to Seoul enjoyable and seamless. Your kind words mean a lot to us.
Mr Ahn Ji-Hoon was the perfect host for our 4 days Seoul tour. He is very knowledgeable and super friendly and helped us navigate Seoul with ease.
Hi Kenneth. Thank you for your review and choosing Korea Tour Company!
I must say that it was a smooth and stress free trip for my mum and I. We had a great time with Mr Choi - our guide. He is knowledageable, friendly and accommodating. There was no rush. And we did not any identification with us but he tried his best - and to get the free entrance for my mum who is 86 years old. And he DID it. At the ski resort, he managed to talk to one of the staff to let us in into the skiing area - (we were actually not allowed in as we did not pay the entrance fees) to play with snow! It was truly an amzaing awesome trip for us. And to staff whom i have been communicating with - Albert and Grey Jang - both did a fantastic job - communication and response was fast and information very precise. Thank you. Highly recommended. if there is a 6 star - i would award.
Thank you for your review and choosing Korea Tour Company!
Kori - Travel guide Nov 14, 2025 November 2025 Kori was an exceptional tour guide during our visit to Korea. He was knowledgeable, warm, and extremely attentive to everyone’s needs. His explanations were clear and engaging, and he made each location meaningful and enjoyable. Because of his professionalism and genuine passion for sharing Korean culture, our experience was truly unforgettable. I highly recommend Kori
Thank you for your review. We are happy to hear about your experience with Kori.
We had an outstanding experience with our tour guide, Kori. He was incredibly patient with our group of seven and shared so much insightful knowledge, not only about Korea’s history, but even photography tips, which our Instagram-loving group really appreciated. He always drove safely, and the van was clean, comfortable, and very well maintained. Kori is caring, kind, and truly attentive. He left us with such a positive impression of how warm and welcoming Koreans are. We felt taken care of from start to finish. We also want to thank our driver on the last day (11/15/2025)who brought us to Incheon Airport. Even though he didn’t speak much English, his kindness and warm smile made us feel calm and at ease. Overall, the service was exceptional and made our trip even more memorable. Highly recommended!
Thank you for your review, Edith. We are happy to hear about your experience with Kori.
Great 8 hour Seoul tour with James. He was very accommodating, flexible and pleasant. Definitely recommend this tour!
Thank you so much for your review and recommendations and thank you for choosing Korea Tour Company.
If you want a true VIP experience, hire this guy! Always punctual, extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and fluent in English. He goes the extra mile without being asked and always with a smile. The taxi was luxurious and well-equipped, stocked with cold water on hot days, umbrellas for both sun and rain, and even sunscreen when we forgot ours. Highly recommended, you absolutely won’t regret it! He greeted us well-prepared and had even researched our home country beforehand. I’ve never felt so welcomed in any foreign country. Travel in comfort, style, and learn a lot along the way! I honestly cannot give him enough stars to reflect the quality of his service!
Hi Bart. Thank you for your feedback. We are happy to hear you had a great time. Thank you again for choosing Korea Tour Company.
