Seoul Capital Area, South Korea

Seoul

Seoul sets Joseon-era palaces, hanok alleys and busy markets next to modern towers, with a restored stream walk running through the old centre.

Seoul: Seoul : Essential History Walking Tour for Visitor
Featured walk: Seoul : Essential History Walking Tour for Visitor · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Seoul has been Korea's capital for more than 600 years. The Joseon kings built five grand palaces here, and Changdeokgung with its Secret Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The old core north of the Han River is good for walking: from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon's hanok houses and Insadong's craft streets lie close together, and the Cheonggyecheon stream runs east through the centre.

What makes Seoul distinctive

  • Five Joseon-era royal palaces
  • Traditional hanok houses in Bukchon
  • Street food at Gwangjang Market
  • The Cheonggyecheon stream walk

Walking tours in Seoul

Hand-picked guided walks in Seoul, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 28 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in Seoul · History walks in Seoul · Night and ghost tours in Seoul

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Jongno

    The historic centre, with palaces and Insadong.

  • Myeong-dong

    Shopping streets and evening food stalls.

  • Hongdae

    The university district, known for street music and nightlife.

  • Itaewon

    An international district of restaurants and bars.

Free self-guided walk

Palaces and hanok lanes

A free self-guided walk through old Seoul, from Gwanghwamun Square through Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village to Insadong.

4.2 km · 6 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Palace quarter

    Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon and Changdeokgung, linked by hillside lanes.

  2. Cheonggyecheon

    An 11 km stream path below street level, starting near Gwanghwamun.

  3. Seoul City Wall

    Restored sections of the old fortress wall over the hills, such as Naksan.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    The centre is gently sloped; Bukchon, Namsan and the city wall trails are steep.

  • Distances

    Gyeongbokgung to Changdeokgung through Bukchon is about 30 minutes.

  • Maps

    Use Naver Map or KakaoMap for walking directions; Google Maps is limited in Korea.

When to visit

  • Spring

    Cherry blossoms in early April and mild weather.

  • Summer

    Hot and humid, with the monsoon in July.

  • Autumn and winter

    Autumn colours peak in late October; winters are cold and dry.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Incheon International Airport is about an hour from the centre on the AREX train; Gimpo serves some regional routes.

  • By rail

    KTX high-speed trains reach Busan in under three hours.

Local transport

  • Metro

    An extensive subway network with signs in English; pay with a T-money card.

  • Buses

    Colour-coded city buses take the same card.

Questions travellers ask about Seoul

How many days do I need in Seoul?

Three or four days covers the palaces, markets and a few districts.

Can I wear hanbok to the palaces?

Yes, and visitors wearing hanbok get free entry to the main palaces.

Is Seoul walkable?

The historic centre is; use the metro between districts, as the city is very large.

Seoul: Seoul : Essential History Walking Tour for Visitor
Country overview

South Korea

Palaces and hanok alleys in a high-tech capital

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.