What to do and see in Seoul, South Korea: The Best City Tours

December 20, 2021 Alida England

Seoul is the business and cultural hub of South Korea, where skyscrapers tower over Buddhist temples. Take it all in from the N Seoul Tower, built atop a peak in Namsan Park. The teahouses and shops of Insadong give you a taste of Korean flavor, which you can further experience with a visit to the grounds and museums of Gyeongbokgung. UNESCO World Heritage Site Changdeokgung Palace is a fine example of authentic ancient architecture.
Restaurants in Seoul

1. Group DMZ Peace Tour : N.Korea 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Brige

11-6 Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea PLK Travel
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

1. Well-organized Group Budget Tour You can enjoy the well made full-day tour with affordable prices with our professional guide. 2. No Shopping We never take your time away for unnecessary shopping center! We care customers' satisfaction and valuable time! 2. Do short hiking to Mt.Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and enjoy the full view at the top. *15 min taking to up

Inclusions: Licensed Professional Tour Guide, Roundtrip Trasnfer from Seoul, Admission fees to DMZ

Exclusions: Lunch, Travel insurance, Anything not mentioned in details

Reviewed By scottbH5949VX

Wonderful day trip with our private guide Paul and our driver Mr. Cho! Very knowledgeable and engaging insight from Paul. We enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. Thanks again!

2. Full Day- Essential Seoul City Tour & Gourmet Tour(including Lunch and Dinner)

Bergen travel
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5.0 based on 13 reviews

You can enjoy both city tour and Gourmet Tour. We will visit the most popular tour attractions like Gyeongbokgung palace, Changing ceremony of the Royal Guards, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong and etc. You will experience handcraft making, Hanbok wearing and etc.. For tasting of Korean foods, we will visit not a group tourist restaurants but famous quality local restaurants, and taste Jinseng Chicken soup at the popular restaurants for lunch. For vegetarian, there are nice vegetarian restaurant. This restaurant is famous enough to have more than ten minutes of queuing lines always. During the tour, we also enjoy Korean snacks or tea. For dinner, we will taste various kinds of street foods at Kwangjang market. For all above mentioned tour activities and foods are included in our tour and you don't need to reserve separate tickets for city tour and food tour. Through this combined tour with professional licensed English speaking guide, you will feel Korean's life, culture and heritage.

Inclusions: We will taste Jinseng Chicken Soup(Michelin Restaurant) for lunch. We will visit not a group tourist restaurants but a popular local restaurants. A nice vegetarian restaurant is also available., During the tour, we will taste traditional Korean snacks or teas., We will have a dinner at Gwangjang market with various traditional street foods, and Korean rice wine( makkŏlli) will be served together., All Fees and Taxes, English speaking guide with official tour guide license, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Gratuities(optional)

Reviewed By rickyg305

My wife and 2 teenage daughters were met promptly at our hotel by Mr Bergen on Christmas day 2019, where he immediately impressed us with his kind demeanor, hiking experience, and great English. He guided my family with expertise and professionalism , he taught my family how to use our walking sticks properly and helped our family reach the summit. He provided our family with the best memories of our very first mountain hiking.

3. Seoul Art Tour with a Local Expert: 100% Personalized & Private

Seoul, South Korea City Unscripted Seoul
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Insadong is a neighborhood permeated with everything artistic, eclectic and creative. Explore it with one of our local Seoul hosts, flitting between traditional tea houses and even more traditional porcelain shops. Stroll along the largest street, Insadong-gil, pop into an art gallery or a stationary store, discover ancient writing techniques or stop by Jogyesa Temple. You may want to also see Ssamziegil, a market/mall hybrid - quirky, right? After all of that, you might need a break, and a traditional tea ceremony sounds like just the thing. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: A private and personalized experience , 3 hours with a Host, Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Additional transportation costs , Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By katosheppeck

Our guide was both kind and competent. She accommodated our very specific and probably unusual itinerary to orient a new student to the area. I can't recommend highly enough having a local guide in an unfamiliar city, especially for travelers who don't speak the language. It is an absolute must! I will look for a local guide wherever I go in the future and hope they are as kind as Oki.

4. 1 day Jeonju City tour by KTX Train from Seoul

Tagy Travel Korea
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

1 hour 36 minutes KTX train that travels at the speed of 300km/h ride from Seoul, Jeonju welcomes visitors with its charming and relaxed atmosphere. Jeonju is a city famous for the Jeonju Hanok village, delicious Jeonju bibimbap. This fascinating tour takes you to Jeonju by KTX, tour Jeonju Hanok Village and Geumsansa Temple, and experience making Korean traditional paper. In the evening, you can take a KTX train back to Seoul It is the perfect place to go on a weekend or Jeonju day trip from Seoul. No better place encapsulates the particular atmosphere unique to Jeonju like the Jeonju Hanok Village nestled in the heart of the city. With more than 800 traditional Korean Hanok houses made out of wood, clay and unique roofs clustered in a single area, Most of the things to see in Jeonju are located in the Hanok village, such as Gyeonggijeon shrine, Jeonju Hyanggyo Confucian school, traditional Korean paper factory, and Pungnammun gate but Geumsansa temple is in the outskirt of Jeonju.

Inclusions: 1 Day Private tour, Qualified Local English-speaking guide, KTX round-trip fare (Economy class), All admission fees to tourists sites, Hanji (Korea's traditional paper) Making experience fee, Hotel Pick-up (Seoul area)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Drop off Service (Seoul), Accommodation, Gratuities

Reviewed By MAS_CT88

Kyungae, from the travel agency was very accommodating, answered all my questions, she also suggested the best tours we get for the dates we were in Jeju island. Everything was done online, emails and messenger. It was hassle free. My tour guide/driver was Jay. He was awesome, knowledgeable, extremely nice and made sure, I had a fun time on this tour. He was always on time and knows a lot about the places we visited. Truly a wonderful experience. Definitely will book them again.

5. Central Seoul Tour

Top Korea Tour - Private Day Tours
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5.0 based on 68 reviews

Book this private full day tour of Seoul, to enjoy at your own pace with comfort. On this 8-hour journey, in an air-conditioned minivan, you will be accompanied by an expert driver cum guide on an itinerary that was designed to give you great understanding of Seoul. Lunch is not included, you can pay separately.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Driver guide (Driver and Guide for the larger group, more than 8), Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and coffee/tea (available to purchase), Gratuities, Lunch

Reviewed By edlevis

This was my second trip with Miae at Top Korea Tour. Three years ago she took me on a city tour of Seoul. I had so much fun and learned so much that I reached out again on my next visit to the area. This time we traveled 1-1/2 hours outside of Seoul to historic Gangwha Island. We visited Gwangseongbo Fortress, built in the 17th century to protect Korea from foreign invasion, and Jeondeungsa Buddhist Temple dating back to the 4th century. Our lunch was a delicious traditional Korean barbeque. After lunch we visited the Gangwha Peace Observatory where we could look across the Han River through telescopes to the farms and mountains of North Korea. From the observatory we proceeded to the popular Joyang Bangjik Coffee shop built on a former factory site and retaining much of the original decor. We visited the Ganghwa Anglican Cathedral combining traditional Korean architecture with Anglican Christian interior. We walked through the Pungmul Traditional Market offering locally grown foods such as turnips, sweet potatoes, and fish along with handcrafts. Then we returned to Seoul. Pickup and dropoff service was provided to my hotel. Miae is an excellent tour guide. She is very knowledgeable, upbeat, friendly, and fun. Top Korea Tour is highly recommended.

6. Full-day Customizable Private Seoul Highlight Tour with Hanbok Experience

Here Korea Travel
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4.9 based on 19 reviews

Don't waste your time for other tourists waiting and compulsory shopping centers in package tour! Spend enough time at the tour destination and enjoy the tour with your own friend or family! This tour program will help you do that! In this tour program, you will visit major palaces, Gyeongbok palace after rental of hanbok. So you will take pictures in the palace in Hanbok! Furthermore you will visit other tour destination like Bukchon Hanok village or Namsan Hanok village, Gwangjang market, Seoul N Tower, Myeongdong Hyper shopping center,etc. But this is just a suggestion plan for you. If there's other place you want to visit, you can change the itinerary! Lunch is included which can be Grilled Bulgogi Set Menu or Korean home style table, Korean noodle,etc. Depending on your interest you can choose menu in the budget.  Tour guide will bring you to good local restaurants that locals love! This tour is made to make your trip to Korea more special and memorable!

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and dropoff, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Lunch, English speaking Driver/tour guide, Private tour, Entrance fee : Gyeongbok palace and Hanbok Rental

Exclusions: Dinner, 5 USD tips per day per person, Other acitivities - Except Gyeonbokgung Palace and Hanbok Rental

Reviewed By NicolasL312-fr

It was a great tour, Gyeongju was a great city to visit. Our tour guide Mimi, was amazing from the moment she picked us from our hotel to every step of the visit and really tried to make the best trip possible for us. She spoke very well English and was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend if you wish to fully understand the Shilla period.

7. Private DMZ Peace Tour : N.Korea 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Bridge

PLK Travel
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4.9 based on 35 reviews

1. Private DMZ Tour :Visit Essential must-visit place of DMZ including 3rd invasion Tunnel with professional tour guide! 2. No Shopping! We care customers' satisfaction and their valuable time! 3. Visit Mt.Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and enjoy the full view at the top. (15 ~20 min walking to the up)

Inclusions: Private tour, Transport by private vehicle, Professional Driving Tour Guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Travel Insurance, Gratuities, Anything not mentioned in details, Lunch

Reviewed By Kuri_B0

The staff was very friendly and helpful despite having a huge group. There was no problem or difficulties in our part. We were given some free time to roam around different areas on our own, which was nice. Recommend to anyone who wants to comfortably travel around Korea!

8. Seoul Food Tours, Eat Like a Local : 100% Personalized & Private ★★★★★

Seoul, South Korea City Unscripted Seoul
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4.6 based on 8 reviews

Join one of our hosts to eat your way around Seoul, stopping off at the places where locals really eat. Try dishes like kalguksu, a soup made of hand made noodles and anchovy-based broth, garlic bomb chicken stew and mandu (dumplings). Visit a sikdang (local restaurant) or a local Korean barbeque restaurant with no tourist in sight! You might stand out a little, but it's worth it for the food! Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: A private and personalized experience, 3 hours with a host, 6-8 tasting of Korean specialties and 2 soft drinks per person, Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks other than the ones included in the experience, Tickets to any attractions, Transportation costs , Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By katosheppeck

Our guide was both kind and competent. She accommodated our very specific and probably unusual itinerary to orient a new student to the area. I can't recommend highly enough having a local guide in an unfamiliar city, especially for travelers who don't speak the language. It is an absolute must! I will look for a local guide wherever I go in the future and hope they are as kind as Oki.

9. Full-Day Essential Seoul Tour

Traesco
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4.6 based on 303 reviews

Visit some of Seoul's most famous attractions during this 8.5-hour guided tour. Visit Jogye Temple, pass by The Blue House, Gyeongbok Palace, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Bugak Skyway, and Myeongdong with no more than 15 people for a personalized, small-group experience.

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off , Transportation to/from attractions by air-conditioned minivan or van

Exclusions: Lunch, Food and drinks, unless specified, Infant meals, Gratuities

Reviewed By Pete_M017

The drive was on time and waiting. very professional approach to the job and easy communication in English.

10. Hongdae Private Tours by Locals: 100% Personalized

Seoul, South Korea City Unscripted Seoul
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Being so close to a university, Hongdae hums both day and night! You’ll join one of our local Seoul hosts as they show you this exciting pocket of Seoul, filled with explosive street art, quirky flea markets and street performers aplenty! Discover themed cafes as well as tiny sidewalk cafes, serving up delicious street food. From silly antics at the Trick Eye Museum to comedy shows at the NANTA Theatre, we’ll give you a thousand reasons to love Hondae! Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: Private and personalised itinerary, 3 hours with a Host , Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Transportation costs, Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By katosheppeck

Our guide was both kind and competent. She accommodated our very specific and probably unusual itinerary to orient a new student to the area. I can't recommend highly enough having a local guide in an unfamiliar city, especially for travelers who don't speak the language. It is an absolute must! I will look for a local guide wherever I go in the future and hope they are as kind as Oki.

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