Seoul palace guide: which palaces to visit and how to rent hanbok
Compare Seoul's five major royal palaces, learn which ones are worth your time, and get a step-by-step guide to renting hanbok for free palace entry and photos.
Quick answer
Seoul has five major royal palaces, but most first-time visitors only need to see two: Gyeongbokgung for the grand scale and Changdeokgung for the Secret Garden. Renting a hanbok near any palace gets you free entry to all palaces and makes for excellent photos. Budget ₩15,000–₩25,000 for a two-hour rental and arrive before 10 AM to avoid the worst crowds.
The five palaces at a glance
| Palace | Best for | Time needed | Admission | Secret Garden? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | Grand scale, guard ceremony, first-timers | 1.5–2 hours | ₩3,000 (free in hanbok) | No |
| Changdeokgung | Secret Garden, UNESCO World Heritage | 2–3 hours | ₩3,000 + ₩5,000 garden (free in hanbok) | Yes |
| Changgyeonggung | Night walks, fewer crowds | 1–1.5 hours | ₩1,000 (free in hanbok) | No |
| Deoksugung | Stone-wall path, city views, evening access | 1–1.5 hours | ₩1,000 (free in hanbok) | No |
| Gyeonghuigung | Quiet, local feel, photography | 30–45 min | Free | No |
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most visited. It was the primary royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty and sits directly north of Gwanghwamun Square [1]. Changdeokgung is the most beautiful, with a UNESCO-listed Secret Garden (Huwon) that requires a guided tour and advance booking.
Gyeongbokgung: the must-visit palace
Gyeongbokgung is the palace most visitors picture when they think of Seoul. The main throne hall (Geunjeongjeon) is massive, the grounds are well-maintained, and the National Palace Museum of Korea is on-site and free.
What to see:
- Geunjeongjeon — The throne hall where coronations and state events took place
- Gyeonghoeru Pavilion — A two-story pavilion on an artificial pond, one of the most photographed spots
- Hyangwonjeong Pond — A hexagonal pavilion on a lotus pond, beautiful in every season
- National Palace Museum — Free admission, excellent exhibits on royal life
The guard-changing ceremony happens three times daily at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM (closed Tuesdays). The ceremony at the main gate (Gwanghwamun) lasts about 20 minutes and is worth timing your visit around.
Practical details:
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (varies by season)
- Subway: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5
- Tip: Arrive at 9 AM opening to see the palace without crowds
Changdeokgung: the most beautiful palace
Changdeokgung was the preferred palace of many Joseon kings because of its harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape. The Secret Garden (Huwon) is the highlight — a 30-acre garden with pavilions, ponds, and ancient trees that requires a guided tour [2].
The Secret Garden tour:
- Tours run at fixed times (typically 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM)
- The tour is in Korean with English audio guide available
- Booking online in advance is strongly recommended, especially on weekends
- Tour lasts about 90 minutes
Practical details:
- Closed: Mondays
- Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (palace), garden tours at set times
- Subway: Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3
- Tip: Book the Secret Garden tour at least one day ahead on the official site
Hanbok rental: how it works
Renting a hanbok is the best hack for palace visits. Wearing hanbok grants you free entry to all five palaces (normally ₩1,000–₩3,000 each), and the photos against palace architecture are the quintessential Seoul souvenir [3].
Step-by-step rental process
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose a shop | Rental shops cluster near Gyeongbokgung Station and Bukchon Hanok Village | — |
| 2. Pick your hanbok | Choose from hundreds of styles — traditional, modern, royal, casual | 10–15 min |
| 3. Get dressed | Staff help you put it on and adjust the fit | 5–10 min |
| 4. Explore | Walk to the palace, take photos, enjoy the experience | 1.5–2 hours |
| 5. Return | Bring the hanbok back to the shop; they handle cleanup | 5 min |
What it costs
| Rental type | Duration | Price range | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic hanbok | 2 hours | ₩15,000–₩20,000 (~$11–$14) | Hanbok, hair accessory |
| Premium hanbok | 2 hours | ₩25,000–₩35,000 (~$18–$25) | Elaborate design, full accessories |
| Royal hanbok | 2 hours | ₩30,000–₩45,000 (~$21–$32) | Elaborate layers, crown/headpiece |
| With photoshoot | 1–2 hours | ₩50,000–₩100,000 (~$35–$70) | Professional photographer included |
Most shops charge extra for extended hours (typically ₩5,000 per additional 30 minutes). Return the hanbok on time to avoid overtime fees.
Tips for the best experience
- Go early. Arrive at the rental shop by 9 AM. You get first pick of hanbok styles and the palace is empty for photos.
- Choose colors that contrast with the palace. Red, blue, and green hanboks stand out against the earth-toned palace walls. Avoid beige or brown.
- Wear comfortable shoes underneath. You will be walking on stone paths. Some shops provide traditional shoes, but they are not comfortable for long walks.
- Bring a phone charger. You will take hundreds of photos. A portable battery is essential.
- Check the weather. Hanbok rental shops do not provide rain gear. Skip the rental on rainy days.
Which palace to pair with hanbok
| Palace | Why it works | Best photo spots |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | Largest grounds, most iconic backdrop | Geunjeongjeon steps, Gwanghwamun Gate |
| Changdeokgung | Secret Garden in hanbok is magical | Buyongjeong Pavilion, Yeongyeongdang |
| Deoksugung | Stone-wall path is romantic | Jeonggwanheon, the stone-wall walkway |
Gyeongbokgung is the default recommendation. It has the widest open spaces for photos, the guard ceremony adds atmosphere, and the surrounding Bukchon Hanok Village means you can extend the hanbok experience beyond the palace walls.
A one-day palace itinerary
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Rent hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Station | Bukchon / Gyeongbokgung area |
| 9:30 AM | Enter Gyeongbokgung Palace (free with hanbok) | Gyeongbokgung |
| 10:00 AM | Watch the guard-changing ceremony | Gwanghwamun Gate |
| 10:30 AM | Walk through palace grounds, take photos | Gyeongbokgung |
| 11:30 AM | Walk to Bukchon Hanok Village (10 min) | Bukchon |
| 12:00 PM | Explore Bukchon alleys in hanbok | Bukchon |
| 12:30 PM | Return hanbok to shop | Rental shop |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch in Insadong (5 min walk) | Insadong |
This route keeps you in one neighborhood, minimizes transit, and gives you a full morning of palace and village exploration in hanbok.
SeoulSheets connection
SeoulSheets includes palace locations, opening hours, and subway exit numbers. Use the sightseeing category filter to plan a palace-focused day. The spreadsheet also links nearby restaurants and cafes, so you can plan a lunch stop near whichever palace you visit. For the hanbok rental, the shopping entries near Gyeongbokgung Station include rental shops with district fields and opening hours.
References
[1] Klook: Hanbok Rental Seoul Guide
[2] Girl on a Zebra: Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide
[3] Bachelor of Travel: I Rented a Hanbok in Seoul — What to Know
[4] One Blue Hat: A Day Exploring Seoul Palaces — Hanbok Itinerary Guide
Image credits: Cover image: Gyeongbokgung Palace Main Gate by Adam Duckett, CC BY-SA 3.0. Hanbok children by Piqsels, CC0. Palace visitors by Piqsels, CC0. Images were cropped for layout.