Gyeongbokgung: adult individual ticket ₩3,000. November–February 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:00. Closed Tuesdays, with a replacement closure after public-holiday openings.
Official information & photos ↗KOREA / SEOUL
Seoul · Practical city guide
Palaces, neighbourhoods and a greener city
Choose a base, connect your route and make a realistic budget.
Full city guide →
2018-03-18 · Richard Mortel ↗ · CC BY 2.0 ↗Archive photo; not evidence of current conditions.
Arrival & getting around
1. From Incheon Airport use AREX all-stop to Hongik University, or Seoul Station then Line 4 to Myeongdong. Express trains do not stop at Hongik University. 2. Use Line 3 for Gyeongbokgung/Anguk; reach Seoul Forest by Suin-Bundang Seoul Forest Station or Line 2 Ttukseom. 3. Return via your booked airport connection; AREX changed timetables on 23 October 2026, so use the travel-date timetable rather than an old last-train time.
Check before booking
National Museum permanent exhibitions are free; paid special exhibitions are separate. Some Buddhist sculpture, metalcraft, calligraphy and wood/lacquer galleries are closed for renovation until 28 January 2027.
Official information & photos ↗Three days, two nights
Day 1: arrive and leave luggage, visit Gyeongbokgung if open, then choose Seochon or Samcheong-dong for a meal and an Insadong walk.
Day 2: spend an unhurried day around Seoul Forest and Seongsu. Choose cafés, shops or a shorter park loop rather than crossing the whole city.
Day 3: choose one nearby morning stop or an open National Museum gallery if departure allows; collect luggage and leave time for the airport transfer.
Compare three lodging bases
Anguk/Insadong base for palace and old-town walks. Good for heritage days; airport arrival still needs the final city connection.
나인트리 바이 파르나스 서울 인사동 서울 종로구 인사동길 49
Myeongdong Station base for shopping, meals and Namsan. A useful first-visit centre; Seongsu and Hongdae remain separate transit trips.
L7 명동 서울 중구 퇴계로 137
Hongik University Station base with AREX all-stop and Line 2 access. Convenient airport connection; allow city travel for the palace district.
홀리데이인 익스프레스 서울홍대 서울 마포구 양화로 188
Choose your table
Cooked ginseng chicken soup near Gyeongbokgung fits the palace day. Ask about ginseng, nuts and other ingredients rather than assuming suitability.
토속촌삼계탕 서울 종로구 자하문로5길 5
Hand-pulled dough soup and potato pancakes suit a Samcheong-dong stop. Broth and clams mean the soup is not automatically vegetarian.
삼청동수제비 서울 종로구 삼청로 101-1
Choose mung-bean pancakes, gimbap or cooked snacks near Jongno 5-ga. Compare stall portions and displayed prices; distinguish raw beef from cooked dishes.
광장시장 서울 종로구 창경궁로 88
Build your budget
Editable planning allowances, not current hotel or menu quotes. KRW; excludes travel to/from this city, shopping and insurance. Children are not priced separately: count every traveller at the adult allowance or adjust each amount. Meals = 3 × nights + 1.
Group total: —Per traveller: —
Your pocket itinerary
Choices and budget are saved in this browser. Review routes, opening notices and availability before travelling.
Three stops worth your time
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Understand royal space before exploring nearby old streets.
90–120 min
경복궁 서울 종로구 사직로 161
2. Seoul Forest
A green pause alongside Seongsu, with a short loop instead of an all-day cross-city rush.
45–90 min
서울숲 서울 성동구 뚝섬로 273
3. National Museum of Korea
Choose one open collection for historical context or a rainy-day alternative.
90–120 min
국립중앙박물관 서울 용산구 서빙고로 137