Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple)
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 222 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) worth booking?
Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) is a 3-hour experience in Seoul, South Korea, from $30 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 222 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (222)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $30 per person
Our Seoul City Half Day Tour is a complete and effortless experience. Just be sure to have your camera charged because you’re about to go on an unforgettable journey! You will be in the capable hands of our licensed tour
What you get
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Professional guide(English or Chinese)
- Surcharges on fuel
About this experience
Our Seoul City Half Day Tour is a complete and effortless experience. Just be sure to have your camera charged because you’re about to go on an unforgettable journey! You will be in the capable hands of our licensed tour guide who is available to answer any questions at any point, so feel free to ask away! Are you looking to dive into Korea’s history and culture? Then our Gyeongbok Palace tour is the perfect choice for you! Don’t miss the chance to follow in the footsteps of royal history, see the President’s home, and witness an iconic ceremony!
What's included
Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Professional guide(English or Chinese)
- Surcharges on fuel
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Hotel Drop off Service
What you'll see and do
Jogyesa Temple
The Jogyesa Buddhist Temple is one of the most important landmarks of Korean Buddhism, first established all the way back in 1935. The temple is located in downtown Seoul and is graced by an ancient white pine tree. There are a few important steps to entering the temple. First, you must go through “Iljum”, which is the one pillar gate. The “Iljumun” symbolizes the division between the world of the living and that of the holy Buddha world. You will have a beautiful spiritual experience and be able to admire the splendid, golden statues.
40 minutes here
Gyeongbokgung Palace
* Please note that Gyeongbok Palace is closed on Tuesdays, so it will be substituted for pretty Changdeok Palace. You will see the meticulously choreographed ceremony that takes place in front of Gwanghwamun Gate. This tradition originated during the Joseon Dynasty and the city decided to bring it back for reenactment in 1996. The soldiers wear colorful blue and red uniforms and gracefully patrol the gates of the palace in protection of the king. The tradition is very elegant and simply beautiful to watch! Gyeongbok Palace (Except Tuesdays) It was first destroyed during the Imjin War between 1592 and 1598. Then, Imperial Japan destroyed a large portion of Gyeongbokgung Palace in the 20th century. The palace, however, has been restored time and again, and is now close to its former splendor! Some of the highlights here are Gangnyeongjeon, the king’s main quarters, Geunjeongjeon where the king accepted formal visits, Gyeonghoeru – the special banquet hall, and more!
60 minutes here · Admission included
Cheongwadae Sarangchae
Cheongwadae Sarangchae which serves as an exhibition hall to important Korean artifacts and documents. Here, you can learn about politics, history, and culture. Located just in front of the Blue House, this museum is a two-floor building that has a souvenir shop, so you can buy thoughtful gifts for the history lovers in your family. On the first floor, there is a permanent exhibit that presents traditional Korean clothing, food, and music, and is a must-see! The second floor is where you will go to learn in-depth information about the Korean presidents and their legacies. You will also be inspired by the geography section which displays photos of the regions of the country that every traveler should visit!
40 minutes here · Admission included
Cheongha Plus
Ginseng Shopping Center
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Seoul
Myeongdong Subway Station Exit 9
Meeting point
Seoul
City Hall Subway Station Exit 6
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Myeongdong Subway Station Exit 9
Ends at
City Hall Subway Station Exit 6
Options you can book
Half Day Seoul Trip-Morning
Pickup included
Half Day Seoul Trip-Afternoon
Starting points: City Hall Station, Seoul, South Korea Myeong-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 222 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
222 verified traveler reviews for Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Seoul Tour Review
We had an amazing time on this tour. Our guide was so informational and kind. The price was great for everything we did.
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Greetings from VIP Travel. This is Denisa. Thank you very much for taking the time to share your wonderful 5-star review with us. We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a pleasant and memorable experience during your tour with our professional guide. Your kind words and thoughtful feedback mean a great deal to our entire team. It is always rewarding to know that our efforts helped create an enjoyable and meaningful experience for our guests. Reviews like yours not only motivate our guides and staff, but also help future travelers feel confident when choosing our tours. Once again, we sincerely appreciate your support and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit to Korea. With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Tripadvisor
Alice tour
The guide was so fun and nice to us, very beautiful places to visit :)
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your wonderful 5-star review. We’re delighted to hear you had a memorable experience with our guide. Your kind feedback means a lot and inspires our team to continue delivering great service. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Korea. With warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Tripadvisor
Experience
Recommend to get this tour, tour guide help me with patience
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for your 5-star review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and had a great experience with our guide. Your kind feedback truly encourages our team and is deeply appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit to Korea! Warm regards, Denisa Experience the DMZ from Seoul with VIP Travel
via Tripadvisor
I had a wonderful...
I had a wonderful experience on this fast-paced tour, which brought history to life in a dynamic and engaging way. Our guide Jenny was excellent; knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely friendly throughout.
via Viator
Perfect…even on a rainy day!
This was a wonderful experience! Very informative and friendly. Jenny was amazing and fun!
Response from the operator: Dear Customer. We are so happy that you had a wonderful tour with one of our professional guide. We appreciate a lot for your recommendation and your time to give us a 5-star review. 😊 Your comments will be very welcome to other customers and to us. Thank you for your valuable review and recommendation. Hope to see you again with VIP Travel in Korea. Kind Regards Stella
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $30 to $38
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 78
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd, who run 24 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 81.1 and 6 in the 90+ Club.
See everything VIP TRAVEL Co.Ltd runsWhy this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Seoul.
How much does Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) cost?
+
Prices start at $30 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Seoul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) take?
+
Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Seoul is not rushed.
Is Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 222 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Seoul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple)?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple)?
+
Around 78 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Seoul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Seoul and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple) start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Seoul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Seoul?
+
On Outty we rank every Seoul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include DMZ Tour: Defector Q&A, Tunnel & Suspension Bridge /Hotel pick up, Best DMZ Tour Seoul: Defector Q&A, 3rd Tunnel & Suspension Bridge, Seoul: Gyeongbok Palace, Hanok Village, and Gwangjang Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Seoul?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Best Things to Do - Half Day Seoul Trip (Seoul Palace & Temple).
Pick your date
