Seoul has five royal palaces, and if you are short on time, the choice is simpler than it looks. If you only see one palace, go to Gyeongbokgung — it is the biggest, the most dramatic, and the one your eyes expect when you picture a Korean palace. If you have half a day, pair it with Changdeokgung and book the Secret Garden tour. And if you only have an hour after dinner, Deoksugung is your palace — it stays open until 9 p.m. and the stone-wall walk outside is lovely.
Each palace has a different personality, a different ticket price, and — the detail that ruins more itineraries than anything else — a different closing day. I have spent afternoons wandering all five, and this is the honest breakdown of which one deserves your limited time.
Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Seoul palace should I visit if I only have time for one?
Go to Gyeongbokgung. It was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, founded in 1395, and nothing else in the city matches its scale — the throne hall Geunjeongjeon with its double-tiered roof, the wide stone courtyard where court officials once lined up, and the mountain ridge rising behind it all.
The guard ceremony at the main gate runs twice a day, at 10:00 and 14:00, and it is genuinely worth timing your visit around — colorful uniforms, drums, and a short ceremony that gives the whole place its sense of occasion. There is also a free English guided tour at 11:00, 13:30, and 15:30 on open days. Wear a hanbok and entry is free; otherwise adults pay 3,000 won, which is one of the best value admissions in any world capital. Hours run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in spring and autumn, with last entry an hour before closing. Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays — do not make the mistake I watched a tour group make, turning up at a locked gate.
Is the Changdeokgung Secret Garden worth the extra ticket?
Yes — but only if you have at least half a day. The Secret Garden, known as the Huwon, is the reason Changdeokgung exists on UNESCO's list: a wooded hillside of ponds, pavilions, and 300-year-old trees that the kings used as their private retreat.
There are two important catches. First, the garden can only be visited on a guided tour, and it costs an extra 5,000 won on top of the palace's 3,000 won admission. Second, those tours run at set times and fill up, so book ahead or arrive early in the day. The standard palace grounds are beautiful on their own — the buildings sit naturally among trees rather than in grand formal courtyards — but the Huwon is the part you will remember a year later. The Buyongji pond, with its small pavilion reflected in water lilies, is the single prettiest corner of any palace in Seoul. Changdeokgung closes on Mondays.
Photo: IGEL, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Which palace is best for an evening visit?
Deoksugung, without question. While Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung shut their gates in the late afternoon, Deoksugung stays open until 9 p.m. year-round, with last entry at 8 p.m. Admission is just 1,000 won.
Deoksugung is the smallest of the paid palaces, which is exactly why it works for a tight schedule — you can see it properly in about an hour. It also has the most unusual architecture of the five: traditional Korean halls stand alongside a Western-style stone building, a legacy of Korea's turn-of-the-century history. Outside the main gate, the stone-wall road along Jeongdong-gil is one of the most romantic walks in the city, lined with ginkgo trees that turn gold in autumn. I once walked it on a cool October evening with the palace lamps just coming on, and I still think about it when people ask me for one underrated Seoul experience. Changgyeonggung also opens until 9 p.m., if you want a quieter alternative.
Photo: Joongwon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Should I bother with Gyeonghuigung?
Only if you are nearby or you love quiet corners. Gyeonghuigung is the smallest palace and it is completely free — but it is also the least restored, and you can walk through the whole thing in 45 minutes.
Here is the honest take: if your trip is palace-themed and you want to collect all five, Gyeonghuigung is a pleasant half-hour detour near Gwanghwamun. The Seoul Museum of History sits right next to it, so you can combine the two. But if you have limited time, it is the one to cut. It closes on Mondays (and January 1st) like the others, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How do the five palaces compare at a glance?
Here is everything you need to choose, in one place:
| Palace | Scale | Standout feature | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | Largest | Throne hall, guard ceremony | 2–3 hours | Your one palace if time is tight |
| Changdeokgung | Large | Huwon Secret Garden, Buyongji pond | 3–4 hours with garden | Half-day deep dive |
| Changgyeonggung | Medium | Historic greenhouse, evening hours | 1.5–2 hours | Night stroll, quiet visit |
| Deoksugung | Small | Stone-wall road, mixed architecture | 1 hour | Quick evening stop |
| Gyeonghuigung | Smallest | Free, peaceful, museum next door | 45 minutes | Only if nearby |
Two practical notes: admission fees and hours shift with the season, so treat the numbers here as the 2026 baseline and confirm on the day. And watch the closing days — Gyeongbokgung rests on Tuesdays, the other four on Mondays.
Photo: Nick-D, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How much do the Seoul palaces cost?
Less than a coffee. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are 3,000 won each for adults, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung are 1,000 won each, and Gyeonghuigung is free. The Secret Garden at Changdeokgung adds 5,000 won and must be toured with a guide.
If you are planning to visit several palaces, look into the integrated palace ticket sold at any palace ticket office — it covers Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Jongmyo Shrine in one purchase, and it saves both money and queue time. Korean and foreign visitors pay the same prices everywhere.
FAQ
Do I really get into Gyeongbokgung free if I wear hanbok?
Yes — anyone in a properly worn hanbok enters Gyeongbokgung free. It needs to be the full outfit, not a top thrown over jeans. Rental shops line the streets near the palace, and honestly, walking the grounds in hanbok is one of the best photo experiences in Seoul.
Do I need to book the Secret Garden tour in advance?
The Huwon can only be visited on a guided tour at set times, and spots are limited, so booking ahead is strongly recommended in busy seasons like autumn foliage. The tour is in Korean by default with set English slots, and it runs about 90 minutes.
Can I walk between the palaces?
Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung are an easy walk apart through the Gwanghwamun area. Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung sit side by side and are connected by a footbridge. All five are within a few subway stops of each other, so a two-palace day is very doable.
Which palace has the changing of the guard ceremony?
Gyeongbokgung. It takes place at Gwanghwamun Gate at 10:00 and 14:00, and it is free to watch from outside the gate even without a palace ticket. Arrive 15 minutes early for a good spot.
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