Top 5 Gyeongbokgung Palace Tours with English-Speaking Guide

I have experienced visiting Gyeongbokgung alone and with friends. While it was fun, I found that a guided tour of the palace was way more memorable and meaningful. The royal and cultural spot made more sense after hearing tales from a local. If you are also looking for a Gyeongbokgung Palace tour to add to your Seoul itinerary, I recommend booking this popular option with an English-speaking guide.

In a nutshell

• What is Gyeongbokgung? Gyeongbokgung or Gyeongbok Palace (gung or 궁 means palace) was a major royal residence and seat of monarchial power. It was constructed in 1395 — more than 600 years ago — and houses stunning bridges, gates, and pavilions that look stunning in all seasons.
• Which are the bestselling Gyeongbokgung Palace tours? Among foreign travelers, this morning tour of Gyeongbokgung and this tour that explores Seoul’s palaces, Insadong, and Namdaemun Market (booked 6k+ times) are the most popular on Klook. (If you typically book on GetYourGuide, you can find the top-selling tour of Gyeongbokgung here for just $32.)
• Other experiences in Gyeongbokgung. Aside from tours, you can also rent a hanbok or traditional Korean wear here or book this fun photoshoot experience in the palace.

Quick Book

Best Gyeongbokgung Tours with an English-Speaking Guide for Tourists

But first — what is Gyeongbokgung? The largest among the royal palaces in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 and had become the primary seat of power and royal residence. It was erected three years after the Joseon Dynasty was established, under the reign of King Taejo. The name of the palace, Gyeongbok, means great fortunes and abundance for the new dynasty (gung means palace).

With its expansive grounds and picturesque spots, Gyeongbokgung has become a must-visit attraction in Seoul today. The palatial complex is home to stunning pavillions, bridges, historical gates, and monarchial halls, allowing visitors the chance to see what it was like when South Korea was still under a monarchial rule. By joining any of the following Gyeongbokgung tours in Seoul, you may get to witness the Changing of the Guards Ceremony (depending on the tour schedule), know about the significance of the outer courts and inner courts, and learn about the structural changes that took place during the Japanese takeover and thereafter.

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace Morning Tour

Scheduled between 9:30am-11:30am, this morning tour of Gyeongbokgung is designed to give visitors a quick overview of the palace. Your tour guide will provide you a fun overview of the royal complex, sharing a bit of history and trivia about the Korean capital. Many participants of this tour said that the English-speaking guides are very knowledgable and are kind enough to take photos of them during their visit. If you are looking for a light and easy tour that only includes Gyeongbokgung Palace (most include other palaces and other markets), then this is the option to book.

• PRICE: Book here from $38.9
• WHAT’S INCLUDED: 2-hour tour, English-speaking guide, & admission to Gyeongbokgung Palace
• ITINERARY (subject to change):
  • 9:20am: Meet up at Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5
  • 9:30am-11:30am: Guided tour of Gyeongbokgung
  • 11:30am: End
• BEST REVIEW: “Initially, we had planned to explore Gyeongbokgung Palace on our own, thinking it would give us the flexibility to take our time and absorb the experience. However, deciding to book a tour guide turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip. The tour was absolutely worth it…”

2. Gyeongbok Palace + Cheongwadae Blue House Walking Tour

Both former seats of government, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Cheongwadae (or the Blue House) attract travelers from all around the world. This afternoon tour will provide you a glimpse of the centuries-old Joseon Dynasty Palace and Korea’s former presidential home and workplace. Through illustrations and fun anecdotes, your English-speaking guide will show the ins and outs of these political structures and even give you some trivia about life in South Korea.

• PRICE: Book here from $39.05
• WHAT’S INCLUDED: Guided tour of up to 3 hours, English or Chinese-speaking guide, & admission to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Blue House
• ITINERARY (subject to change):
  • 1pm: Meet up at Gyeongbokgung Subway Exit 4
  • Blue House Guided Tour
  • Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour
  • 4:15pm: End of tour
• BEST REVIEW: “The tour was well [organized]… We were only a few people so it was very private… we got the chance to ask many questions. Lizzy [was] a great tour [guide,] and she told us many interesting things about the Blue House and the Palace.”

3. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Temple Guide

One of the top-selling tours in Seoul, the “Palace and Temple” guided visit will take you to 4 significant spots in the capital: Jogyesa Temple, the Blue House, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the Korean National Police Heritage Museum. What our team likes about this tour is that you get a mix of everything — historical, cultural, and religious insights. Aside from the fascinating guided tour of the Joseon Dynasty palace, participants also get a meaningful tour of Jogyesa Temple, a 14th-century structure that is still highly regarded by locals today. Many reviews on Klook say that the tour guide was very fluent in English, demonstrated superior knowledge about each place, and, most importantly, approachable.

• PRICE: Book here from $31.4
• WHAT’S INCLUDED: 4.5-hour tour, hotel pick-up (airconditioned vehicle), English-speaking guide, & admission to all attractions
• ITINERARY (subject to change):
  • 8am: Hotel pick-up
  • 9am-12:30pm: Jogyesa Temple, Blue House, Gyeongbokgung, and Korean National Police Heritage Museum
  • Around 12:30pm: Drop off at City Hall
• BEST REVIEW: “…The tour was fun… at a good pace. Was an enjoyable day!”

4. History of Seoul Day Tour: Insadong, Namdaemun Market, and Palaces with Lunch

Booked more than 6k+ times on Klook, this Gyeongbokgung tour is packed yet well-paced. From your hotel, you will drive by the Blue House before visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Korean National Police Heritage Museum. You will then break for lunch (included) before proceeding to either Changdeonggung Palace (or Hanok Village) and Insadong. The variety of attractions will help you learn about South Korea’s colorful past and help you appreciate the thriving country that it is today.

• PRICE: Book here from $76.7
• WHAT’S INCLUDED: Approximately 8-hour tour, English-speaking guide, roundtrip hotel transfers (pick-up and drop-off), admission to attractions, & traditional Korean lunch
• ITINERARY (subject to change):
  • 9am: Hotel pick-up
  • Blue House (drive-by), Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korean National Police Heritage Museum, Lunch, Changdeonggung Palace, and Insadong
  • 5pm: Drop off to hotel or accommodation
• BEST REVIEW: “Our party of [four] had a fantastic time with our guide… She was funny, very efficient…and always made sure everyone has a great time. We learned a lot about Seoul history…”

5. Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Village, & Gwangjang Market Tour

Finally, we have the popular Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon Hanok Village tour, which features two of the most-visited sites in Seoul. By joining the half-day option, you get to take photos of the Gyeongbok Palace and stroll in the Insta-worthy Bukchon Hanok Village (they also have a full-day tour that includes Namsangol Hanok Village, Namdaemun Market, and other attractions). The tour will end at Gwangjang Market, the nation’s first market.

• PRICE: Book here from $30.89
• WHAT’S INCLUDED: 4 or 8-hour tour, English-speaking guide, & transfers between attractions
• HALF-DAY TOUR ITINERARY (subject to change):
  • 8:40am: Meet up
  • Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Bugak Palgakjeong, Gwangjang Market
  • 12:45pm: End
• BEST REVIEW: “[We] joined the city tour…together with our senior citizens. [We were] very happy because our tour guide, [Ms.] Jenny, was very [knowledgeable about]…all the places that we went to and gave us insights on the culture of Korea,” reads a review for this Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour on Klook.

More Gyeongbokgung Palace Tours

All of the tours we have listed above our available on Klook, the leading activity booking platform for Korea-bound travelers. If you want to view the best Gyeongbokgung tours on other travel apps like GetYourGuide and Viator, check out our list below:

1. Gyeongbok Palace, N Seoul Tower, & Insadong Tour (1.1k+ recommended)
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, and Namsangol Hanok Village Tour (1k+ recommended)
3. Seoul City Highlights, Palace Tour, and Optional Hanbok (600+ recommended)
4. Best Seoul Palaces & N Seoul Tower Tour (600+ booked)
5. Seoul City Highlights Private or Shared Tour (590+ recommended)

Seoul Travel Deals

Klook.com