Review of the “Seoul City Sightseeing Tour” Exploring Seoul

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Seoul Sightseeing Day Tour Locations

The above map shows all the stops in this Seoul City Sightseeing Day Tour.

HOW TO USE THE ABOVE SEOUL DAY TOUR MAP:

Action	Description
Click a Colored Point of Interest	Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest
Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right	Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account
On Larger Map view, click the STAR ☆ under “Seoul Day Tour“	Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account to access anytime on Computer* or on Phone App**
*On Computer: In your Google Maps, Click “Saved” on left bar → Click “Maps” → Click “Seoul Day Tour“	**On Phone App: In your Google Maps app, Click “You” on bottom bar → Scroll to bottom → Click “Maps” → Click “Seoul Day Tour“

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

The Experience

Morning: Historic Seoul Comes Alive

Jogyesa Temple

The first stop is at Jogyesa Temple, the center of Korean Zen Buddhism. Even though it’s located downtown, the temple feels both calm and peaceful, a nice contrast to the bustling city.

Once you arrive you’ll immediately notice the ceiling of lanterns, each colored bright and vibrantly. But as you head towards the temple, you’ll notice the contrast where the colors transform into a peaceful and serene temple.

The guide will go over significance of everything, from the lanterns, the sculptures and even the ceiling decor. You’ll also be given a bit of free time to roam around, take some photos, and enter the temple. Before entering, you are required to remove your shoes at the doorway and also absolutely no photos once inside!

Gyeongbokgung Palace

The next stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace, the grandest and most iconic of Seoul’s royal palaces. Here you’ll wander through the vast courtyards, admire the intricate architecture, and, if timing allows, watch the changing of the guard ceremony at the main gate at 10 AM. It’s important to note that the changing of the guards does not happen on Tuesdays, so book this tour accordingly!

National Folk Museum of Korea

Located within the palace grounds is the National Folk Museum of Korea, which provides helpful context about traditional Korean life, customs, and history. The guide will go over traditional Korean customs and traditions, giving verbal context to the museum’s installments without needing to spend time reading.

Ginseng Center

Afterwards, you’ll be taken to a traditional ginseng center to learn about Korea’s most famous herbal remedy. While there is a sales aspect, it’s still an interesting cultural insight into Korean wellness traditions. Free samples are provided to help you in any shopping decisions.

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Lunch & Insadong

For lunch, we were brought to Insadong, one of Seoul’s most charming neighborhoods. This area is known for traditional Korean restaurants, teahouses, and souvenir shops. It’s the perfect place to try dishes like bibimbap and bulgogi while soaking up a more traditional atmosphere.

I opted to eat Korean Gyoza (which was delicious!!), and stopped by a cafe for a much-needed tea paired with a nice view of the street.

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Afternoon: Seoul from Above

N Seoul Tower

After lunch we headed to the famous N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain. We took the cable car up the mountain and got some amazing views of Seoul as we ascended.

Once at the top of the mountain, you’ll get more amazing views of the city, and you can stroll along the wooden walkways where hundreds of love locks were left by couples. You can even purchase or bring your own love lock to put on the fence if you want to leave a mark.

We were given free time to explore the area, and if you want, you can also purchase a ticket to go up the Tower to the observation deck to get an even high view of Seoul.

Namsangol Hanok Village

Our last stop on the tour was at Namsamgol Hanok Village. Here you’ll see restored traditional homes that show what life was life during the Joseon Dynasty. It is much quieter than Bukchon and you get an amazing view of the Tower from here.

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Is It Worth It?

👍Pros	⚠️Cons/What to Consider
Covers Seoul’s top highlights in one day (palace, tower, hanok village)	Long day (7–8 hours) with a fair amount of walking
Knowledgeable, English-speaking guides add cultural and historical context	Some stops can feel a bit rushed, especially at popular sites
Great overview for first-time visitors of Seoul	N Seoul Tower observation deck ticket not included
Convenient transportation between attractions	Ginseng shop stop feels sales-oriented
Excellent value for money compared to visiting sites individually	Limited free time if you prefer slow, independent exploring
Mix of history, culture, and city views	Itinerary may change depending on palace closures (e.g., on Tuesdays)
Lunch stop in Insadong offers authentic food and shopping	Not ideal for travelers who dislike group tours

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Where to Stay in Seoul

In Seoul, I stayed at the Hotel Skypark Central Myeongdong, which is centrally located and within walking distance to Myeongdong Shopping Street with tons of eating and shopping options right nearby. Book your stay by clicking here, or check availability for your dates below and click “Search”:

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Thank you!-Jeanie

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