Gyeongbokgung Palace
Source: royal.khs.go.kr, checked 13 Oct 2026.
The largest of Seoul's five grand palaces, with Gwanghwamun Gate at the south end and the throne hall, Geunjeongjeon, behind it. The National Folk Museum and the National Palace Museum sit inside the grounds.
Insider tip
The guard-changing ceremony at the gate runs at 10:00 and 14:00 (not Tuesdays), per Visit Korea. Wearing hanbok gets you in free. If you also plan to see Changdeokgung or Deoksugung, the ₩6,000 combined ticket is worth pricing against separate tickets.
What the guides say about Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the five grand palaces and the one to start with. It's closed on Tuesdays, an adult ticket is ₩3,000, and you can walk in free if you wear hanbok. It opens at 09:00 and closes at 17:00 from November to February, 18:00 in March to May and September to October, and 18:30 from June to August.
A morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace, lunch at Myeongdong Kyoja and an evening at the tower fit into one day without a long ride.
What's on at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Upcoming events at Gyeongbokgung Palace and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Seoul events calendar.
Gyeongbokgung Night Viewing (autumn 2027 run)
Time 19:00 to 21:30 Station Gyeongbokgung (Line 3), exit 5
The autumn 2026 run was Sept 2 to Oct 2, 19:00 to 21:30 with last entry 20:30, tickets ₩3,000 booked online, per the Korea Heritage Service palace office. Free for children 6 and under, adults 65 and over and anyone in hanbok. The 2027 dates haven't been announced.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0 Free admission at the four palaces, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs
During the Korea Grand Festival the four grand palaces, Jongmyo and the royal tombs are open free of charge. Jongmyo switches to general admission, and the Changdeokgung Huwon (Secret Garden) special tour is excluded. The notice says regular closing days remain excluded.
Seollal at the royal palaces
Seollal is on Feb 6, 2027. At Seollal 2026 the four palaces were free to enter for the holiday, with folk games such as yut at Unhyeongung, 11:00 to 16:00, Feb 16 to 18. The 2027 palace programme hasn't been announced.
K-Royal Culture Festival (spring 2027)
The 2026 spring festival ran Apr 25 to May 3 with an opening on Apr 24. Pre-booking opened Apr 8 at 12:00 on Ticketlink, and Creatrip for foreign visitors. The 2027 dates haven't been announced.
Chuseok at the royal palaces
Chuseok is on Sept 15, 2027. For Chuseok 2026 the four palaces, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs were free to enter, per Visit Korea's holiday guide. The 2027 programme hasn't been announced.
Smaller local events nearby
English guided tour at Gyeongbokgung Palace Exhibition
Daily except Tuesdays. Next: Mon 2 Nov · Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun
English tours run at 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 every day except Tuesdays, and groups under 10 can join without a reservation. Palace admission is KRW 3,000 for foreign adults and free in hanbok.
Palace admission KRW 3,000 for foreign adults; free in hanbok · 11:00, 13:30 and 15:30 · Map · Source: Visit Seoul (Seoul Tourism Organization)
English guided tour at MMCA Seoul Exhibition
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Next: Tue 3 Nov · National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul), Gallery 3 entrance, Bukchon and Samcheong-dong
A 40-minute tour in English, first come first served and free with museum admission, listed for the Do Ho Suh exhibition. Tours are not offered on national holidays, and the schedule can change without notice.
13:30 and 14:30 · Map · Source: MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art)
Nearby
Around Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun
Palace gates, museums and the Seochon lanes
This is the formal centre of Seoul. Gyeongbokgung sits at the top of Sejong-daero, with Gwanghwamun Square in front and a cluster of free museums around it. Seochon, the grid of small streets to the west, has Tongin Market and a few cafes.
Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun has 13 places on the Roam Seoul map: 5 museums, 3 palaces and temples, 2 restaurants, 1 landmark, 1 market and 1 cafe. Read the Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Gyeongbokgung Palace?
- 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
- How do I get to Gyeongbokgung Palace?
- The nearest station is Gyeongbokgung (Line 3), exit 5. Gyeongbokgung Palace is in Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun, Seoul.
- How long do you need at Gyeongbokgung Palace?
- Plan for 2 to 3 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace?
- Weekday morning.
Stay near Gyeongbokgung Palace
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