Private Seoul Royal Palaces and City Wall Tour

Seoul's royal palaces are spread across the old city, and their opening days differ, which is why a plan helps. This private tour covers the main ones in a single day with a driver-guide, in a Kia Carnival limousine with seats for up to six guests. The listing states that the tour is private and designed for your own party, whether you travel alone, as a couple, with family or in a group.

The itinerary starts with Gyeongbokgung Palace, which the listing calls the grandest of Seoul's royal palaces, then walks the streets and hanok houses of Bukchon Hanok Village. It continues to Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden, and to Changgyeonggung, which is connected to Changdeokgung and was mainly a residence for the royal family. Deoksugung Palace, where traditional buildings stand next to Western-style ones, is also named, and the tour ends at a scenic section of the Seoul City Wall. The tour lasts about seven hours and the itinerary can be customised.

The price includes the palace tickets, the Secret Garden ticket, the hotel pickup and drop-off, the English-speaking driver-guide, fuel, tolls and parking, and a coffee. Meals and personal expenses are not included. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

Check the opening days. Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays; if your tour falls on a Tuesday, the listing says it visits Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden instead, subject to availability. Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden are closed on Mondays, in which case you see Gyeongbokgung and then COEX Mall or another suitable attraction. If a core palace cannot be visited, the operator offers a full refund of the entire affected booking, not only of the palace portion.

The operator is Seoulmate Tours, and the tour is booked through GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. It suits travellers who want the palace circuit organised by someone who knows the closing days.