Palaces & Hanok Lanes
Half to full day · 7 stops
Seoul's historic core is wonderfully walkable: two great palaces, the hanok hill between them, and the craft lanes that spill out below. Wear comfortable shoes, and rent a hanbok to walk the palace grounds for free.
- 1
Landmark · Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Start at the largest palace and its lotus-ringed Gyeonghoeru pavilion.
- 2
Landmark · Gwanghwamun
Gwanghwamun Square
Step out the main gate onto the civic plaza beneath King Sejong and Admiral Yi.
- 3
Restaurant · Seochon
Tosokchon Samgyetang
Lunch on rich samgyetang in a Seochon hanok just west of the palace.
- 4
Culture · Bukchon
Bukchon Hanok Village
Climb the residential hanok lanes for the famous rooftop view — tread quietly.
- 5
Culture · Anguk
Changdeokgung & Huwon
Tour the UNESCO palace and its wooded 'Secret Garden' on the far side of the hill.
- 6
Culture · Insadong
Insadong
Wind down through the craft street's galleries, tea houses and the Ssamziegil mall.
- 7
Play · Jongno
Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley
End in the 1920s hanok alleys, now packed with tiny cafés and bistros.