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Ultimate Guide to Visiting All 5 Royal Palaces of Seoul

ByRoseanne Ducut

Seoul’s royal palaces are some of the city’s top attractions. Visiting is an amazing time-hop, especially in a big metropolitan city like Seoul.

The palaces of Seoul are well-kept, inexpensive to visit, tourist-friendly, and easy to add into any itinerary.

There are five main palaces, plus one residential palace, and I’ve visited them all (some multiple times!)

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about visiting Seoul’s palaces, including how to get there, what to see, and nearby attractions worth adding.

➡️ First time visiting South Korea? Make sure to read my essential South Korea travel tips.

Map of Palaces of Seoul + Interesting Facts

Green and white map of Map of Palaces of Seoul in South Korea

The palaces are spread over central Seoul. If you wanted, you could visit all of them in 2 or 3 days. Here are some quick facts about Seoul’s palaces:

  • The palaces in Seoul are over 600 years old.
  • The oldest palace in Seoul is Gyeongbokgung Palace (1390s).
  • Most were destroyed during the Japanese colonial period and were rebuilt.
PalaceCostNearest Subway
Gyeongbokgung Palace3,000 won ($2.00 USD)Gyeongbokgung
Changdeokgung Palace3,000 won ($2.00 USD)Anguk
Changgyeonggung Palace1,000 KRW ($0.70 USD)Jongno 3(sam)-ga
Deoksugung Palace1,000 KRW ($0.70 USD)City Hall
Gyeonghuigung PalaceFreeSeodaemun
Unhyeongung PalaceFreeAnguk

My Top Tips for Visiting Seoul’s Palaces

All Seoul palaces are free on the last Wednesdays of the month (Culture Day), plus on some Korean public holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day).

If you wear a hanbok, you can enter the palaces for free. There’s plenty of shops to rent a hanbok.

These palaces are closed on Mondays:

  • Gyeonghuigung Palace
  • Changgyeonggung Palace
  • Deoksugung Palace
  • Changdeokgung

Palaces closed on Tuesdays:

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace

If you want more insight into the palaces, you can join a local-led tour like these ones:

🔹 Gyeongbokgung Palace and Temple Tour

🔹 Changgyeonggung Palace Night Walking Tour

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace – Seoul’s Most Popular Palace

Traditional guards in vibrant ceremonial attire stand in front of Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea. The majestic stone arches frame the view of the palace courtyard, with intricate patterns adorning the structure's roof. The scene reflects the cultural heritage and historical significance of the location.

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 and served as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

It’s the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. It’s my most visited palace, and I’m sure I’ll be back many more times.

Cost: 3,000 won ($2.00 USD).

Nearest subway: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 5

It’s undergone many reconstructions, especially after the fires during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and during the Japanese occupation in the early 20th century.

Highlights:

  • Guard Ceremony, a traditional ritual of royal guard changing.
  • Geunjeongjeon Hall, the central throne room of the palace.
  • Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, a serene pavilion by a tranquil pond.

Know Before You Visit:

  • The royal guard changing happens at 10am and 2pm. The palace grounds is massive, so make sure to come back near the entrance in time to catch the ceremony.
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, featuring performers in vibrant red and blue traditional Korean attire with black hats, playing instruments and carrying flags, with onlookers capturing the event.

Nearby Attractions:

  • National Folk Museum of Korea
  • Bukchon Hanok Village
  • Gwanghwamun Square
  • Cheongwadae (Presidential Office)

Gyeongbokgung Palace Tours:

📖 Read my full Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide.

2. Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden

Visitors walking along a winding path in the Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden during autumn, with vibrant red and orange foliage on trees

Changdeokgung Palace was constructed in 1405 and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its natural landscape.

Cost: 3,000 won ($2.00 USD)

Nearest subway: Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 3

This palace was favored by many Joseon kings for its natural landscape and served as a retreat for the royal family.

I’ve visited twice, and once specifically during autumn. The palace is beautiful year-round, but the Secret Garden shows off the most autumn colors compared to the rest of the grounds.

Visitors wearing traditional hanbok exploring Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden in autumn, Seoul, Korea, with colorful foliage and traditional architecture.

The most popular spot is the Secret Garden, which includes a variety of pavilions, halls, ponds, and landscaped gardens. I highly recommend visiting during autumn in Seoul if you can.

🍂 Read my full guide to visiting the Secret Garden during autumn.

Highlights:

  • Huwon Secret Garden, a landscaped nature retreat for royals.
  • Donhwamun Gate, a grand entrance to the palace.
  • Injeongjeon Hall, a historical throne hall.
  • Seonjeongjeon Hall, a meeting place for kings and officials.

Know Before You Visit:

  • You have to purchase separate tickets to the Secret Garden, which are limited daily, so it’s best to book ahead online. You pay for a separate general admission ticket at the entrance.

Nearby Attractions:

Traditional Korean Hanok houses on a quiet street in Seoul, South Korea, showcasing historic architecture and cultural heritage.

Changdeokgung Palace Tours

3. Changgyeonggung Palace — Best Palace for Naure

A large courtyard with a traditional Korean palace building surrounded by green trees at Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul

Changgyeonggung Palace was originally built in the 15th century as a secondary palace for the Joseon royal family.

Cost: 1,000 KRW ($0.70 USD)

Nearest subway: Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station, Line 5, Exit 7

This is one of my favorite palaces in Seoul with plenty of nature sites to explore.

The palace includes Korea’s first Western-style greenhouse, as well as a sundial once used to tell time during the Joseon dynasty.

Highlights:

  • Daeonsil, a grand glass screen greenhouse with rare plants and flowers
  • Ancient Korean sundial to tell time during the Joseon dynasty
  • Tongmyeongjeon Hall, the king’s living quarter
  • Chundangji Pond, a large pond with a walking trail

Know Before You Visit:

  • Changgyeonggung Palace is one of the few palaces in Seoul where you can join a night tour. 🎫 Book tickets here.

Nearby Attractions:

Changgyeonggung Palace Tours

4. Deoksugung Palace in the Heart of Seoul

A large white western-style building with pillars with a green front yard and teal pool - Seogjojeon Building at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul

Deoksugung Palace was built in the late 16th century and is located in the heart of downtown Seoul.

Cost: 1,000 KRW ($0.70 USD)

Nearest subway: City Hall Station, Line 2, Exit 4

It is the smallest of the royal palaces in Seoul, and stands out for its fusion of traditional Korean architecture and Western influences.

I’ve visited many times, mostly during summer and autumn. You’ll clearly see Korea’s seasons reflected here.

The image shows a grand neoclassical building, identified as Seogjojeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, South Korea. The building features tall, white columns and an ornate facade, typical of Western-style architecture during the Korean Empire period. On the steps leading up to the entrance, a woman in a striking red dress poses for a photo while a photographer captures the moment, highlighting the building's historical and cultural significance as a popular tourist spot. The scene is set against a partly cloudy sky, adding a touch of drama to the composition.

Know Before You Visit:

  • Visiting the museum inside Seokjojeon Hall is free, but you must join a guided tour.
  • Entrance fee to the National Museum of Contemporary Art varies by exhibit.

Highlights:

  • Changing of Guards ceremony occurs at 11am, 2pm, and 3:30pm.
  • Seokjojeon Hall, a western-style royal residence and museum.
  • Deoksugung’s bright blue water fountain.
  • National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art inside the palace.
A ceremonial guard-changing event at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, Korea, featuring performers dressed in vibrant yellow traditional attire with blue sashes and elaborate hats. The scene is surrounded by onlookers capturing the historical reenactment against the backdrop of the palace's traditional stone walls and gates.

Nearby Attractions:

Deoksugung Palace Tours:

5. Gyeonghuigung Palace – Free Entry & Off‑the‑Beaten Path

Two individuals seated in quiet contemplation in the shadow of Gyeonghuigung Palace's vibrantly painted eaves, with intricate patterns and green wooden doors, under a clear blue sky in Seoul, South Korea

Gyeonghuigung Palace, the Western Palace, was built in the 1600s and served as a secondary palace and governmental center.

Cost: free

Nearest subway: Seodaemun Station, Line 5, Exit 4

This is the least crowded of all palaces in Seoul and translates to the “Palace of Serene Harmony.”

The image depicts the interior of the throne hall at Gyeonghuigung Palace in Seoul, South Korea. The ornate throne is set on a raised platform, surrounded by rich, vibrant decorations featuring traditional Korean patterns in red, green, and gold. The ceiling is intricately painted, and the backdrop behind the throne displays a symbolic landscape with mountains, the sun, and the moon. Red silk umbrellas and other ceremonial items frame the scene, emphasizing the regal atmosphere of this historic royal space.

Highlights:

  • Sungjeongjeon Hall, the palace’s main royal hall for ceremonies and meetings
  • Tongmyeongjeon Hall, the king’s residence hall
  • Heunghwamun Gate, the front gate to the palace
  • Geumcheongyo Bridge, a stone bridge to enter the palace grounds

Know Before You Visit:

  • The Seoul Museum of History next door to the palace is also free to enter. It’s one of my favorite museums in Seoul.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Seoul Museum of History
  • Gwanghwamun Square
  • Donuimun Museum Village
  • Deoksugung Palace
  • Seodaemun Prison History Hall

Gyeonghuigung Palace Tours

6. Unhyeongung Palace, a Royal Residence

A dark wooden traditional Korean hall at Unhyeongung Royal Residence Palace in Seoul

Unhyeongung Palace was originally built in the late 14th century and served as the residence for Heungseon Daewongun, a prince regent of Korea, and father of Emperor Gojong.

Cost: free

Nearest subway: Anguk Station, Line 3, Exit 4

It’s technically not one of the five main royal palaces of Seoul, but I happened to run across it on my first trip to Seoul.

You can stroll around traditional residential rooms and courtyards.

The image depicts a traditional wooden hall at Unhyeongung Royal Residence in Seoul, South Korea. The building features a classic Korean architectural style with a tiled roof, exposed wooden beams, and a series of steps leading up to the entrance. The white signs with black calligraphy hanging above the doors add to the historical ambiance. Rain is visible, creating a serene and reflective atmosphere as the droplets fall against the structure.

Know Before You Visit:

  • English descriptions are provided for the informational boards throughout the palace.

Highlights:

  • Norakdang Hall, the residence for women.
  • Noandang Hall, the residence for men.
  • Sujiksa, rooms for servants and guards.

Nearby Attractions:

Where to Rent a Hanbok for Your Visit

Traditional Korean hanbok attire showcased within historic palace gate in Seoul.

You can rent a hanbok from shops near the palace entrances, with many offering a wide range of styles and prices.

Many tourists rent a hanbok to take photos. It also gives you free entry to the palaces.

Here are popular hanbok rental shops:

Includes a professional hanbok photoshoot:

Best Palaces in Seoul: What to See Based on Your Time

If you’re limited on time, here are my recommend palaces in Seoul to visit.

Must-visit palace, even if it’s just one day in Seoul:

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace

Other favorite palaces of Seoul, in order:

Though if you have time and are able to, visit all of the palaces in Seoul!

Book before you visit Seoul:

More Seoul Posts

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Roseanne Ducut is a Filipina solo female traveler of over 10 years from the Bay Area, California. She creates ultimate travel itineraries + vlogs inspired by the rich history and pop culture in Asia. A veghead for over 17 years, Roseanne also writes vegan guides to help others plan their trips.