Quick Info
- Route: Gyeongbokgung → National Palace Museum of Korea → Seodaemun Prison History Hall → Deoksugung → Jongno Pocha Street
- Total time: About 7–8 hours
- Recommended start: 9–10 AM
- Best for: Korean history, palaces, museums, and first-time visitors to Seoul
- Walking: Moderate
Hours, closed days, and admission prices can change, so check the latest information before you go.
I walked this entire route in one day. It took me from the royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty to traces of the Korean Empire and the painful history of Japanese colonial rule, all within central Seoul.
I ended the day at Jongno Pocha Street, where I could finally sit down, eat, and relax after several hours of walking.
Getting There
Get directions from your current location to Gyeongbokgung’s main gate (Gwanghwamun) →
Course Overview
I started at Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 and made my way through Dongnimmun Station, City Hall Station, and finally Jonggak Station.
I visited Gyeongbokgung first, then walked straight over to the National Palace Museum next door, followed by Seodaemun Prison and Deoksugung.
It’s not in chronological order, but I planned it this way to keep the travel distance short. In practice, the route flowed pretty smoothly and didn’t require much backtracking.
Stop 1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
This is where my day started.
I took my time walking through the palace grounds, including Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru. Gyeongbokgung is much larger than it looks from outside, and I ended up spending more time here than I expected.
- Hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Suggested visit time: 1.5–2 hours
- Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5
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Moving On: About a 1-Minute Walk
The National Palace Museum of Korea is right next to Gyeongbokgung, so there’s almost no travel time between the two.
Stop 2. National Palace Museum of Korea
After leaving Gyeongbokgung, I walked straight into the National Palace Museum.
Seeing the royal artifacts and exhibitions after walking through the actual palace helped me better understand the buildings and history I’d just seen.
It’s also a convenient place to take a short break during the course.
- Hours: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Closed: Mondays
- Admission: Free
- Suggested visit time: 1–1.5 hours
There are restrooms and drinking water inside, along with air conditioning in summer and heating in winter.
National Palace Museum of Korea – Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
Moving On: 1 Stop on Line 3
Walk back to Gyeongbokgung Station and take Line 3 to Dongnimmun Station.
It’s only one subway stop, so this part of the trip is quick.
Stop 3. Seodaemun Prison History Hall
This was the heaviest part of the day.
Walking through the prison buildings and cells where Korean independence activists were once held gave me a lot to think about.
The exhibitions cover imprisonment, interrogation, resistance, and Korea’s independence movement during the Japanese colonial period.
- Hours: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM
- Winter hours: Until 5:00 PM from November to February
- Closed: Mondays
- Suggested visit time: 1–1.5 hours
- Subway: Dongnimmun Station (Line 3), Exit 5
- Walking time: About 5 minutes
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Moving On: About 20–25 Minutes
From Seodaemun Prison, head toward City Hall Station.
This is the part of the course that takes the most travel time, including the subway transfer and walking.
Stop 4. Deoksugung Palace
Deoksugung felt noticeably different from Gyeongbokgung.
One of the most interesting things for me was seeing Western-style architecture alongside traditional Korean palace buildings.
That contrast reflects the period when Korea was going through major political and cultural changes around the Korean Empire era.
- Hours: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Closed: Mondays
- Suggested visit time: 1–1.5 hours
- Subway: City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), Exit 1 or 12
Deoksugung Palace Guide – The Royal Palace of the Korean Empire in Seoul
Moving On: About 5–10 Minutes
From Deoksugung, continue toward the Jongno area.
It’s a short trip and works well as the final part of the day.
Stop 5. Jongno Pocha Street
After spending most of the day walking through palaces, museums, and historical sites, I finished the course at Jongno Pocha Street.
I rested my tired legs and had dinner here.
After a day filled with heavy history, the warm and lively atmosphere of Jongno felt like a good way to close things out.
- Nearest subway: Jonggak Station (Line 1)
- Best time to visit: Evening
- Good for: Dinner, drinks, and experiencing the nighttime atmosphere of Jongno
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Tips Before You Visit
- Gyeongbokgung and the National Palace Museum are right next to each other, so there’s almost no travel burden between them.
- The National Palace Museum has restrooms and drinking water and is a convenient place to take a break.
- Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays, while the National Palace Museum, Seodaemun Prison, and Deoksugung are closed on Mondays.
- There’s a fair amount of walking involved, so comfortable shoes make a big difference.
- The National Palace Museum is free, making it easy to add to your Gyeongbokgung visit.
- Seodaemun Prison covers imprisonment, colonial rule, and other heavy historical subjects, so it’s worth checking the exhibitions beforehand if you’re visiting with young children.
- Starting around 9–10 AM gives you enough time to enjoy the course without rushing.
More Places to Eat Nearby
- Naju Gomtang House – Near Gyeongbokgung
A hearty bowl of traditional Korean gomtang that’s easy to add before or after visiting the palace.
Naju Gomtang Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Korean Gomtang & Galbitang in Seoul
- Daeha Sikdang – Near Jongno
An old-school Korean restaurant known for samgyeopsal.
Best Korean BBQ Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Traditional Samgyeopsal in Seochon Seoul
- Meongseokjip – Near Gyeongbokgung
A Korean barbecue spot with a cozy, local atmosphere.
Best Korean BBQ in Jongno – 3 Must-Try Pork Belly Spots in Ikseon-dong
- Gwangjang Market – Jongno
One of Seoul’s best-known traditional markets, packed with Korean street food and local dishes.
Best Food in Gwangjang Market – 5 Must-Try Spots Near Gyeongbokgung
- Jangan Dakgalbi – Jongno
A good option for spicy stir-fried chicken after exploring central Seoul.
10 Best Restaurants in Jongno, Seoul: Must-Try Dakgalbi & Korean Food Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
FAQ
How long does the full Gyeongbokgung history tour take?
Including sightseeing, subway rides, walking, and short breaks, I would allow about 7–8 hours for the entire course.
Starting around 9–10 AM makes it possible to reach Jongno around dinner time without rushing through each stop.
Can I visit all four historical sites in one day?
Yes. Gyeongbokgung and the National Palace Museum are right next to each other, and Seodaemun Prison and Deoksugung are both easy to reach by subway.
The route does involve several hours of walking, so comfortable shoes are important.
What if I can’t fit everything into one day?
You can easily split the route into two shorter courses.
One option is to visit Gyeongbokgung + National Palace Museum together and save Seodaemun Prison + Deoksugung for another day.
Is the National Palace Museum worth visiting after Gyeongbokgung?
For me, yes.
Walking through Gyeongbokgung first and then seeing the royal artifacts inside the museum gave more context to what I’d just seen at the palace.
Since the museum is right next door and admission is free, it doesn’t add much travel time or cost to the course.
Getting There
Get directions from your current location to Gyeongbokgung’s main gate (Gwanghwamun) →
Final Thoughts
In a single day, I walked through different periods of Korean history — from the royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty to the Korean Empire and the painful history of Japanese colonial rule.
What I liked about this route was that the places weren’t just historically connected. They were also close enough to visit without spending half the day traveling across Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung and the National Palace Museum made a natural starting point, Seodaemun Prison was the most serious part of the day, and Deoksugung brought me back into central Seoul before dinner.
If you’re interested in Korean history and want to see more than just one palace, this is a route worth walking at least once.
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