These two sit right next to each other, and together they're the single best morning you can build in Seoul.
Here's how we structured ours, and everything worth knowing before you go.
Quick Facts
| Best time | First thing in the morning, before the tour groups |
|---|---|
| Changing of the Guard | Runs at set times through the day — check the schedule and time your arrival around it |
| Hanbok rental | Rent nearby for free palace entry |
| Pair it with | Insadong and Gwangjang Market afterward — we did both the same day |
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung is Seoul's largest and most famous palace, and the Changing of the Guard Ceremony out front is worth timing your arrival around — it's a genuinely impressive, colourful ceremony that photographs beautifully. We rented a hanbok from one of the shops just outside the palace grounds, which comes with the added bonus of free entry when you're wearing one.
Inside, budget around 90 minutes to properly walk the grounds. It's Seoul's biggest palace, and the scale of it — courtyards, halls, the throne room — makes it worth the time rather than rushing through.
Bukchon Hanok Village
A short walk from the palace, Bukchon is a hillside neighbourhood of centuries-old traditional Korean houses (hanok) built into narrow alleyways. It's one of the most photographed parts of Seoul, and deservedly so — the combination of traditional architecture and the city skyline in the background is genuinely striking.
It's a residential area, so keep noise down and be respectful of people's homes as you walk through. The main viewpoints are well signposted, and it's an easy, mostly flat walk between them.
Continuing your morning
How to Sequence Your Morning
- Arrive at Gyeongbokgung early, in time for the Changing of the Guard
- Rent a hanbok beforehand for free entry and better photos
- Spend 60-90 minutes exploring the palace grounds
- Walk to Bukchon Hanok Village
- Continue on to Insadong or Gwangjang Market for lunch
FAQ
Is it worth renting a hanbok for the palace?
Yes — beyond the free entry, it makes for genuinely better photos against the palace's traditional architecture, and it's a fun, low-cost experience in itself.
How much time do you need for Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon together?
Budget half a day — roughly 90 minutes at the palace and another hour or so wandering Bukchon.
Is Bukchon Hanok Village a real neighbourhood or a tourist attraction?
Both — people genuinely live there, so it's worth being mindful of noise and respecting private homes, even though it's also one of Seoul's most visited spots.
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