This will easily take at least 1/2 day to explore, even a whole day if you want to see everything properly. The first changing of the guard is at 10am and I believe it is worth coming early for. There’s also an English tour at 11am and I strongly recommend attending this; the tour guides are very informative, knowledgeable and give you all you need to know in 1 hour. Can leave at anytime, and best of all it’s free! The other notable place while your here that’s worth checking out is the national folklore museum. Contains various exhibitions relating to Korean culture and history, lots of explanations are English which is helpful. There is a cafe inside which is handy and leads me to my only small criticism. As it’s a historical palace and they do everything to maintain its tradition, besides the cafe in the museum there isn’t a lot of food/drink options, so I highly recommend you bring a bag or backpack and pack some food and drinks. There are restaurants outside the palace, i think they do let you back in so long as you retain your ticket. If you only visit one palace in Seoul, this is the one to do. Arguably Seoul’s most iconic and important attraction and landmark.

One of the most iconic spot in Seoul Korea to visit. Get ready for a long trek and bring lots of water. Revisit this place when it was hot and everything was outdoors. Majestic and old, this place brings back era of the Korean Dynasty. Deep in rich history, you will learn at least something before you go. There is an indoor museum further back which is free to enter west wing side for the kids to see. More of a children's museum.

Great Temple. There are five important temples in Seoul with this one being the most important one. So if you don’t have that much time, just choose this one. At the time we were there, there was a change of guard ceremony at 1 pm at the main entrance. Apparently can get free entrance if you wear the traditional hanbok clothing.

I chose to go on a really cold day 😂 But it's a pretty place. Coming from India we are used to seeing huge palaces but this one looks rather cozy :) They have free guided tour at specific timings. I got it at 13.30 in English. That was really nice, the tour guide Suyon was really sweet, she took her time in explaining about the culture and the palace . There is a pond , water was frozen and it looked surreal. I am sure the spring and autumn would be prettier :)

I cant believe how gorgeous this place is! This experience was worth every penny. The structures are stunning and beauty follows you at every turn. I could go for a week and still now see enough if this. Mind you I'm a real big fan of historical architecture and Asian History.. so it was a BIG WIN for me to come here. The museum attached to it is also stunning and super informative!! I'll be going back one more time before I leave. They have tour guide if you need them and they will explain everything and answer any questions you have!! What an experience for me!!

A wonderful historical and cultural experience. Numerous places for photo opportunities. You can rent period costumes and dress like royalty! You can spend as much time as you like at each part of the palace complex.

Very beautiful historic palace with plenty to explore and places to take photos. Be sure to come on time for a good spot (I believe it’s 10am and 2pm) for the guard change performance. I went in early August so it was extremely hot and which put me off renting the hanbok, so I recommend going during cooler seasons for a more comfortable viewing experience. The museum nearby is also worth checking out too!

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a fantastic place to visit and a must see for any trip to Seoul. Access is very easy and there are many areas that offer great photo opportunities. The view from the main gate is probably the most famous and also definitely the most crowded. If you want to take a picture here you may have to settle for other people in the background. However, once you get further into the palace grounds it becomes a lot less crowded to the point where once your at the back of the palace there sometimes isn't any other people around and you get a more relaxed private experience. Overall, Although a little busy at the entrance, visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must for any traveller to Seoul.

Large palace and square. A few constructions however, but generally very nice. Always cool to the the residence of highly honoured people. One can even dress up as one of them. The clothes are very colorful - perfect opportunity for pictures. Even the subway stop is beautifully designed to fit the themes of the palace. The area enclosing this palace is a little hard to identify, one can easily exit the place without knowing and can't return either.

I visited midday, was very warm! Awesome experience to see everyone in traditional ‘Hanbok’ - added to the atmosphere. Today all access was free of charge which was awesome. Great photo opportunities - awesome cultural / historical experience.

Must visit places if you are in Korea. You can rent the Korean traditional outfit from out of the place and click pictures with it. If you were wearing a traditional outfit then there will be no entry fee for the palace. There are so many shops outside the place from where you can rent outfits and accessories and change it there in the shops.changing rooms are available there. You must see the guard of honour which takes place every day in the palace. It's beautiful.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a former royal palace built during the Joseon Dynasty. Some people come dressed in traditional outfits, which adds folklore to this majestic place. I recommend that you devote a good part of your afternoon to it if you want to visit the entire palace, courtyards and garden.

The one to see. If you are over 65 you enter for free (thank you Korea). The grounds are interesting to walk through. You can easily imagine what is was like centuries ago...where the soldiers slept, etc. We caught a period parade just before entering in traditional costume. Have fun and rent one yourself.

When come to korea, you won’t miss this place especially with teenagers. 💯 % tourist place and you have lots of shops for bargain and street food was lining up at night to sell all kinds local street food. Very crowded and you can imagine the night is packed with local and tourist especially at night. Many tourist guides standing around to provide you direction and hence very convenient to walk around .

Bursting Modern Korean Culture from Souvenirs to foods! Myeong to the Dong! Wow! The single word that could describe this place - wow. From the signage on the road which marks the entrance of the shopping area I was already trapped in its ambiance. I've read and watched a lot of blogs and vlogs about Myeongdong before coming to Korea. So seeing it in actual is really something. Street foods lined both sides of the road along with different stalls of souvenir items, shoes, socks, chestnuts and all sort of things. Shopping buildings and restaurants are also everywhere. It seems like a never ending stretch because it extends horizontally and vertically. I really loved shopping for souvenirs there because its cheap! Also the selection of food is really nice from hotteok to gyeranpang to odeng. Along with friend chicken with tteok etc.It's truly a heaven for foodies and shoppers. Great place to visit!

I have been to Seoul, Busan and Jeju. This is my favourite shopping street in Korea. This visit to Myeongdong is my third travel here. Myeongdong reminds me of why I like to travel to Korea in the first place.

Great place for street food and shopping. Very safe feeling. Clean streets with lots of lighting. Open late. Buzzing and atmospheric. Good place to buy socks and clothing. Lots of cosmetic stores as well. Enjoy the street food! Suprised with the cheap hoodie on bought from a random street store was such good quality. Washed several times and still good as new.

The streets are almost empty these days. And food stalls are gone! Finally!! It was hard to move before and now it's perfect!! Hope tourists will be back soon but without food stalls.

Famous street in Seoul for shopping, although Crowd and stores have reduced after Covid. But still a must visit if you are visiting seoul.

Wonderful selection of tourist shops all my tourist needs were met I gathered all my Trinkets and take home gifts friendly staff wonderful exciting environment amazing Street Food

Great view of the city!!! It takes a while to get to the top, the elevator, than the cable car, than some stairs, and than the lift, so plan your time. Try and get to the top at sunset. It amazing!! The night view is also spectacular, so don't miss it. Just make sure the weather is clear. The place is very well organized, and even though there are many people here, everything is running smoothly.

Excellent view of the city. I went up the tower 30min before sunset which was ideal for the view of the city in the day and night. Managed to get some great pictures without too much inference from other city tourists. I did hike up to the tower on foot but make sure you have decent shoes, great views as you go up. A Cable car is available to those of us who like to relax. Leave yourself some time to take pictures and peruse the souvenir shops and coffee shop at the footing of the tower.

Very nice experience. Quite expensive. Quiet crowded. But you have a very nice design concept inside the tower. There are stores at the "Plaza" down at the bottom of the tower, as well as at the top of the tower. You have a very nice view over Seoul and further. Especially at evening and sunset it's a beautiful experience.

Great place to visit in Seoul. So much more to this place than just a tall tower. Good (touristy) shops and plenty of quality places to eat. The views, as expected, is fantastic. But the best part for us was the martial arts show, which we caught just by chance. Must see!!!

Gorgeous place to go on an outing. N Seoul Tower is also quite famous for their "love lockers," in which couples take locks with their initials and store them anywhere in the area. It's a little lonely when you're quite single, but the sights are outrageously gorgeous. I took the scenic route by walking the whole 2.3km up, and ended up with very nice views of Seoul. Highly recommended! In addition to the pavillion, the Namsan Tower houses 7 floors with different shops, a game arcade and even photo booths!

Good place to have a look at Seoul's skyline. The entry ticket is reasonably cheap but there isn't too much to do at the observation deck. Unfortunately, the windows were quite dirty and some views/photos weren't as good as they should have. Definitely come at sunset to enjoy both day and night views of the city. The park around the tower is also super nice and worth exploring. There are good opportunities to take photos of the skyline in the park itself if you want to save some money.

The tower offers a stunning view of the city that you won’t find anywhere else. I highly recommended going during sunset so you can get to see the day turn into night, the view is simply breathtaking. The are multiple ways to get to N Seoul Tower: cable car, bus or a challenging walk. There are also restaurants and places to drink.

I’ve been to Seoul many times, and have always wanted to visit Seoul Tower. We decided to go on a weekday to avoid the large crowd, and it was quite packed on a Thursday afternoon after lunch. We didn’t buy tickets in advance, and it was still an easy process - round trip ticket for 14,000 원 per person for adults and 21,000 원 per person for the observation deck which might not be worth it, but a lot to see and do while at Seoul Tower and we probably spent close to two hours there site seeing and taking pics. Then relaxed and ordered drinks and enjoyed the scenic views from the top.

Been here a bunch of times and it's one of my favorite places in Seoul, but I had never been at night until this last trip, and let me say, it's way better! Beautiful view of the city and a cooler walk to the top. Be ready to climb some stairs.

Its a good place to see the birds view of old city. Either you can take rope car ticket for to and fro journey to the top or there is are very long steps to take. There are few fast foods chains at the top and its a good place to chill. We were there on a weekday and it wasn't crowded, its said to be very crowded on weekends. Love lock is another main attraction of this place and there are a lot around the tower. Take tower ticket to see glimpse of new city as well.

Nice place to visit and take a look over the city. We recommend to take the cable car up and walk down by the path and take a look at the city from lower decks. It is worth to buy ticket in advance and have in mind that the queues are long during the weekend (we waited for about 30min).

If you love K-drama.. this is a place where you must visit. It's a lovely place. You don't need to pay the extra to go all the way to the top.., but if you want to.. the view is very nice. Just observing at the lower levels is good enough..(that's where the locks are). The locks that are locked up are quite dirty and moldy.. so make sure once you lock up your lock.. wash your hands... there's also a place to "throw" away the keys.

Fantastic view. Amazing experience. Great animations inside the tower also. An absolute must. We did initially struggle to find the cable car, but we got there in the end!!

Literally, a living historic village. Take a walk back in time and roam around the small short hills of this ancient village. There's this uncanny blend of current living with historic culture. Short walking distance away are the two largest palaces in Seoul. Several awesome cafes nearby as well.

Beautiful alleyways among traditional houses so close to the city. It is a delight to explore this place - do not need maps here. Just stroll about and get lost in the small alleys with these well preserved houses. There are many cafes blended within - take the opportunity to hang out in one preferably with window overlooking the streets to people watch and admire the view.

I always love how old buildings are well preserved. This area is still amazing, but sometimes the place is too crowded. However, I had 1 minute to get a photo of empty streets, but after that, it got crowded, ASAP. (See pictures) I hope tourists always obey the rules of this village, so we can enjoy the ambience.

Super commercialized already. It's supposed to be a traditional village but with the presence of the stores and the souvenir shops, the experience is less authentic and more like a tourist trap. We went here after our visit to the palace. We just walked under the heat of the summer sun. You may rent Hanbok and take pictures in the area.

Incredibly beautiful area where you can explore traditional Korean architecture, though be sure to get there early to escape the crowd. Be prepared for steep uphill walks and bring plenty of sunscreen even in September as it was very sunny. There are some very aesthetic shops and cafes around the area to explore as well

Beautiful old architecture and nice for a calming walk in loud Seoul. Recommend to go early as it can get fuller during the day. Respect the locals and don’t litter, be loud or go inside people‘s places / gardens !

I nice place to visit a short walk from Seoul Royal Palace (Gyeongbokgung). There isn’t much but still quite worth seeing. To get to the main photogenic spot keep walking straight into the alley from the map marker where you go quite a bit up hill. There’s also maps around the area that guide you though a route through multiple villages in the same area if you wish to see more. There’s a traditional dress (both men and women) rental shop down the road from the entrance to the alley which is quite a popular thing for tourists to do.

This is a neighborhood of Korean traditional houses. They look cute, and a lot of people are taking their pictures here. However, please be mindful that this is actually a residential area, and you should keep it quiet :) There are plenty of shops too in this neighborhood.

Get here bright and early! I visited the town on a weekday and was there around 07:30 (which is not even that early). You basically get the entire streets to yourself and don’t have to wait to take your photos. Sun was also nice and low and not yet as hot.

Cute streets, awesome views. Really enjoyed being a tourist in my own country :)

This place is a must! I recommend to do this on your first day of the trip: energy is still high, Chance to absorb the local culture, and mood setting for the rest of the trip. Hopefully we all are as a tourist help to keep this place quiet and nice for the year to come. You must do the whole round and stop at the end with a nice cute tea shop to end the tour.

Love this quieter historic village with many ancient homes especially Dr Baek-Inje property. Many cute shops and cafes and restaurants. Very walkable and perfect for many photo shots. Definitely a highlight of Seoul. Nearby palaces and museums. Can spend several days in this area.

Incredible palace that takes you back in history, the buildings are so vibrantly coloured and there are lots to walk around (although none you can go inside, you can look in from the outside of some). Make sure that you are there early, not many people and you can have some quiet time The secret gardens are a separate ticket which must be bought but this is also a must

These palace grounds are among the best attractions in Seoul. In fact, there are multiple palaces on the grounds so there are lots of things to see. Beautiful architecture, lots of history and even has a secret garden which is a lovely walk. The secret garden tends to only be a guided tour at a specific time so grab tickets early before entering the grounds. Definitely worth a visit!

A cultural landmark that needs to be visited when in Seoul. I havent been to any of the other royal palaces in Seoul so I cant compare but we thought this place was great and not crowded (we visited a weekday in May). Ive been here before and then it was much more crowded, but even then it felt like there were plenty of space for everyone. You should probably combine this with the "Secret Garden" but unfortunately we didnt have the time. I recommend this place.

The palace grounds cover a very large area. There are a lot of well maintained beautiful structures and buildings. Very cheap to enter. Information is available in English to help understand the significance of each place. I fully recommend visiting this site

It's an amazing place. The grandeur of the place reveals to us that the history of Korea goes beyond what we can find in books. This tourist spot is easily accessible and you can make the most of each Palace wrapped in a nostalgic environment and surrounded by nature. It's worth visiting. It's a tour for the whole family!

Among the palaces in Seoul this is my favorite. Its arhitecture was designed according to the land and respecting the nature and not by the architectural Confucian laws therefore more it's even interesting to explore. You will also find furniture and other traces of modernization since it was adjusted so under the first Emperor of Korea (Go Jeong).

Great location with tons of history behind the place. The palace/garden can sometimes feel as if it is a maze but this is a good thing. Tons of places to explore and as a whole is a good insight into what the past was like in Korea. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a historical experience. The tickets were also very affordable.

This palace is nicknamed "The Palace of Prospering Virtue" is one of the palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. It is smaller than Gyeongbokgung Palace, but it has nothing to envy: impressive, beautiful, and huge. I also recommend that you do the palace gardens "secrets of gardens" which, unfortunately, are only done in group visits.@

Very cool and beautiful palace. They offer a free app that gives you an audio guide through your phone which was actually really useful and entertaining. We'd wander to each place, find a shady spot to sit, and listen to the guide. It was sometimes silly but informative. The area is huge and there are so many different things to see. We came on a reallllllly hot day. There were enough shady places to sit and cool down (sort of). Still a lovely place to visit and learn a bit more about such a historical building.

Ginseng chicken soup is delicious and nutritious! Would recommend to all! The queue might appear long but it clears rather fast. There’s already a queue forming at 1100. Would recommend everyone to come early to avoid queueing too long! The roasted chicken taste amazing too!

They started us off with these two small bowls which I first thought was tea and had a big gulp, turns out its ginseng wine 😳 we had the black chicken samgyetang with extra ginseng. The rice is good,cooked to the right level. The chicken is soft. The soup though is very flavorless- but they have salt and pepper for you, so you can add.

Must visit during your trip. This place both feels touristic and local at the same time and this was the best meal I had in Seoul. I ordered black chicken to try out. I don’t think that there is a taste difference vs regular chicken. Soup flavor was amazing. There is a section on the menu explaining how to eat it. I’m glad that they included this. Make sure to check it out if it’s your first time. They also bring ginseng wine before your meal. It was very strong but I’m glad that I tried it. I didn’t wait any line due to off peak tourism season and rain.

Very good! The menu has detailed instructions in English on how to eat it this meal. Remember to add as much soy paste and garlic as you'd like to your broth while it is still simmering in your plate! The chicken is full of tender rice, ginseng, chestnuts and health promoting herbs. We loved it!

Visited 11 June 2023 Sunday cooling evening. The following sharing are based on our unbiased personal opinion and experience We arrived at the restaurant around 530pm. Not much crowd at this hour and we were quickly assigned for a table of 7 pax. The staff prep the table with cutlery and side dishes. And each serve with a shot of ginseng wine. We ordered 1 black and normal chicken with Korea ginseng each, 1 normal chicken with Korea ginseng with additional wild ginseng. And we order a whole roasted chicken 🍗 paired with white rice 🍚 and a pancake. Dinner was served shortly and we savour the long missed taste we had years ago with my family. It was a great memory dinner with my dad when his still alive. Black chicken 3 ⭐⭐⭐ Normal chicken 3 ⭐⭐⭐ Roasted chicken 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ with a hint of ginseng taste Pancake 3 ⭐⭐⭐ not as good compare to others Service 3 ⭐⭐⭐ Price 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ quite reasonable for dinner for 7 @ 103,000 won Overall not a bad restaurant to try it out. Especially when the serve you with ginseng wine to top it up into your soup for the punch

Ok, I didn't know about this place but my friends have recommended here and also said this is a "must visit" tourist place. 1st experience of eating Samgyetang in Korea don't really know what to expect. Looking at the menu didn't knw there are quite a few variations to choose from but I decided to go with the cheapest and most classic option. I thought it was a good idea to have Samgyetang because the weather outside was a little chilly and thought it would like keep the body warm for the rest of the day, contrary to the Koreans who actually take it in summer. I would say the restaurant was pretty crowded but the turnover was very fast, a lot of local domestic 'tourists' as well. There was a very helpful and informational "how to eat samgyetang" information behind the menu so was good for tourists and first timers. The soup was flavourful and nice but what I liked most is the glutinous rice which is stuff inside the chicken. It was well cooked and the rice was very soft and sticky and absorbed a lot of the taste from the soup. If you ask me if the dish was expensive. I would probably say no. I saw reviews saying its expensive but I think its pretty worth based on the premium ingredients used. And also it was a very filling meal. Expensive? No again because I visited other places which were more expensive than here.

I’ll greatly recommend this place for their ginseng chicken soup as it’s by far the best i’ve had in Korea. The chicken is so tender and it taste is so delicious and nutritious. It’s pancake is also very taste. Portion is huge but we managed to finish all by the two of us. The place had lots of sitting. They have both sitting on the floor and chairs dinning room. Be warn, it might keep you strong and awake for hours. Had it around 7pm. Could’t get to sleep by 3am😅.

We ordered Tosokchon Ginseng chicken soup and seafood pancakes. It tastes good. But the service needs to be improved. Due to some people even came later than us but had already eaten the meal. I told to the waiter twice to ensure our meal proceeded. However, the waiter just said need to be patient. Finally, we got our meals after 30 minutes. 🫠

I tried this place for some good tacos. This place is in walking distance from very popular street of Hongdae. The staff speak English so ordering is great for foreigners. I wish they sold individual tacos because I would of ordered more but they only come in sets of a main meal. Overall I would definitely go back.

Delicious Mexican food in the heart of Seoul night life. As authentic as it get being on the other side of the world. Fresh ingredients and homemade tortillas make all the difference. They have a rule on weekend night that you have to buy a set before you can choose single items. I'm like sure 8 tacos fully loaded for 30k won is a great deal that even comes with a drink. But what if I just want one taco?! You'll just have to take the rest home. Yummmmm

Amazing tacos! The owner is really friendly, and the food is amazing. Had to come back a 2nd time to eat here as it is very busy around dinner time. Make a reservation if you want to make sure you get a seat!

Literally the BEST tacos, I've had in SK! And they are foreigner friendly! The owner was very polite and even stood and chatted with us for a little which was very nice! And the strawberry lemonade is highly recommend!!

By far the best pork tacos in Korea. Very tender and flavorful. Funny things is, I really don’t eat pork!!😁 Also the owner gave us great recommendations for other place to eat in Seoul.

Great taco spot in Seoul. Definitely had the right flavours to remind me of Mexico. Had the pork tacos and a chicken enchilada and both were really nice. Solid beer selection as well, but the margaritas are KILLER!!! Woot woot!

Bored of korean cuisine? try abit of mexican. BIG TIP: EAT FIRST BEFORE YOU TAKE PHOTOS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA. 😆 Crispy and fresh ingredients. Pork tacos and cheese fries are must-try. If you are just a couple, can just order 1 set for 1 pax and add ala-carte, don't need to order 2 sets.

Visited this place for Lunch and my expectations were higher then they should have been. Coming from Southern California, the Capital of amazing Tacos in USA, I was hoping to experience a similar taste. This place is more of a fusion taco restaurant, don't get me wrong, the food was very delicious and MOST DEFINITELY worth stopping and trying. The ambiance was very cool and hip. Overall, I'll definitely go back and recommend you try it. Their drinks are amazing too

Amazing food and great service. Many types of beer on tap to enjoy. The Korean Short Rib tacos are the bomb!

Amazing, amazing, amazing! The food is excellent and worth the 30-40 min wait time. Make sure u have your Covid vaccine card otherwise they may not seat you. Menu is easy to understand and their drinks pack a punch.

Ordered the nachos and the burritos both with beef. Big portions and tastes great. Washed it down with a really good margarita. Would definitely go again for the nachos.

This place is just amazing. The California burrito is super good. The kimchi fries are great. The nachos are superb. The kalbi tacos are super duper good.

The taste is not special that can be eaten anywhere....disappointed because it's not as good as the famous one.

Food wasn't very good and it was expensive! Their burrito was a bit cold and very mid. Tacos were so so. Wouldn't recommend due to being so expensive and not tasty at all. Their service was good and the place was very cool.

Awesome authentic fish soup… taste so good and warm during autumn morning… warm our heart. Yum yum

1 standard item which is fish soup. Broth is nice, and so are the side dishes. The fish might have some small bones. Staff are polite and guides you what to do when they see you lost.

This restaurant's atmosphere made by many familes, makes me relaxed. This restaurant has only one menu. Also, this restaurant's soup is one top on the earth, I promise. And, manager of the restaurant is very kind too. I recommend you guys to eat soup in this restaurant.

Super fast! The soup is sooooo good!

Best place to have breakfast around the neighborhood. They only have one menu with one hidden option of egg fry which is a must.

Authentic korean food, especially tasty in cold weathers. Fixed menu with pricing, so don't expect to make any individual orders. Had a fish and toufu soup with assortment of pickled vegetables.

The Kimchi here is delicious. The best food at here, BukOhGuk(북어국) is good for hang over. There are a lot of people at lunch time on weekday because of people working nearby offices.

Great little diner that serves only one menu item. Super fast! Food comes within seconds of sitting. The pollack fish soup and condiments really hit the spot. Great for breakfast.

You go, sit down, get food and eat one of the best of its kind. You can ask for more soup or contents or get a fried egg or more rice but otherwise they give you a soup (there’s no menu, it’s just pollock soup) and you eat with the side dishes like kimchi available in the table you’re sitting at. Even if there’s a line it moves quickly so wait. It’s worth it especially if you want authentic Korean experience without tourists taking over.

(Translated by Google) Porridge and even ginseng chicken are good. The service is great and makes you feel welcome. The staff are very friendly and can speak some English and Chinese to answer. You must come and try this restaurant. A nearby landmark is the Catholic Church. It's on tier 2, so you may need to keep your eyes open for it. The only reason we found was because the queues formed around 9am. Eat happily. (Original) 吃粥和甚至人蔘雞很好。 服務很棒,讓你感覺自己很受歡迎。 工作人員非常友好和能講一些英語中文應答。 你一定要來嘗試這家餐廳。 附近地標是天主教堂。 第2層上的,所以你可能需要把你的睜大眼睛找它。 我們發現的唯一一個原因是因爲排隊行形成大約9上午。 幸福的吃。

(Translated by Google) Weijiaben Korean style porridge (Original) 味加本韓式補身靚粥