History · Seoul · South Korea
8 historic sites to see in Seoul
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Start with Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden and Bukchon Hanok Village. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 12–17 hours across 4 areas; 5 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 5
- Time to see them all
- 12–17 hours
- Areas
- Jongno, Insadong and Yongsan
Historic sites in Seoul
Palace · Jongno
1.Gyeongbokgung Palace
The changing of the guard ceremony is held at the gate.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
Palace · Jongno
2.Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden
Behind it, the Secret Garden (Huwon) of ponds, pavilions and old trees can only be seen on a guided tour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Jongno
3.Bukchon Hanok Village
Viewpoints on Bukchon-ro 11-gil look over the rooftops to the city towers.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Street · Insadong
4.Insadong and Ssamziegil
The spiral Ssamziegil complex climbs four floors of craft shops around a courtyard. Side alleys hide traditional tea houses serving jujube and quince teas.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- History
Museum · Yongsan
5.National Museum of Korea
The permanent galleries are free, and a children's museum is attached.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Yongsan
6.War Memorial of Korea
Outside, an open-air display of tanks, aircraft and artillery is popular with children. Entry is free.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Jongno
7.Jogyesa Temple
It is festooned with thousands of paper lanterns in the weeks before Buddha's Birthday, and offers temple-life programmes for visitors.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
Palace · City Hall
8.Deoksugung Palace
The stone-walled Deoksugung Doldam-gil lane around it is a favourite walk, especially in autumn.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- After dark
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jongno | Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden, Bukchon Hanok Village and Jogyesa Temple | 2–3 hours + 2–3 hours + 1–2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Insadong | Insadong and Ssamziegil | 1–2 hours |
| Yongsan | National Museum of Korea and War Memorial of Korea | 2–3 hours + 2 hours |
| City Hall | Deoksugung Palace | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 5 free, 3 low cost. Book ahead for Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden. The longest visit is Gyeongbokgung Palace; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden: Secret Garden tours have limited places; reserve online in advance, especially in spring and autumn.
How to fit them into 5 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Jongno): Gyeongbokgung Palace, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Jongno): Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden → Bukchon Hanok Village, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Jongno and Insadong): Jogyesa Temple → Insadong and Ssamziegil, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Yongsan): National Museum of Korea → War Memorial of Korea, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 5 (City Hall): Deoksugung Palace, at least 1 hour.
The quietest months for queues
- January: highs of 2°C (36°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. The coldest month, with biting winds and occasional snow; clear skies and quiet palaces reward visitors who dress for it.
- February: highs of 5°C (41°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Still cold but brightening; good-value hotel rates outside the Lunar New Year holiday.
- March: highs of 11°C (52°F), about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds. Cool and changeable, with the first spring flowers late in the month; fine-dust days are common.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Jongno and Insadong — Palaces, hanok lanes, tea houses and traditional craft shops
- Itaewon and Hannam-dong — International restaurants, bars and hillside boutiques below Namsan
More of Seoul
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Seoul?
Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395 as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty and largely reconstructed after Japanese-era destruction, Gyeongbokgung spreads behind Gwanghwamun Gate with the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, the Gyeonghoeru pavilion on its lotus pond and the National Folk Museum on site.
+Which of these are free in Seoul?
Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong and Ssamziegil, National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and Jogyesa Temple.