Private Full-Day Guided Tour in Seoul with Lunch, Tea and Dinner
Description
Get ready for an amazing adventure in Seoul with this jam-packed full-day tour! It's perfect for those who are visiting for the first time and want to see the best of the city. We've got an exciting lineup of attractions lined up just for you. But wait, there's more! We'll continue our food adventure at a famous restaurant, tea house, and the Kwangjang market, where you can feast on an incredible variety of mouthwatering Korean foods. It's a foodie's dream come true! And guess what? You won't have to worry about going hungry because we've got you covered! Lunch and dinner are included in this awesome tour, so you can savor the flavors of Seoul throughout the day. Get ready to have an amazing time, make unforgettable memories, and experience the best of Seoul in one epic day!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The National Folk Museum of Korea is located in the lovely Gyeongbokgung Palace from the Joseon dynasty. It shows the history, farming, and traditional artwork of Korea. The museum has around 100,000 objects and also features old buildings and structures from the 20th century in an outdoor area.
Gyeongbokgung, also called the Northern Palace, is the largest and considered by many to be the most beautiful of Seoul's five main palaces. It's a popular attraction in South Korea that you shouldn't miss. It was constructed in the 14th century and is the oldest palace from the Joseon Dynasty in the country. It's located in the vibrant Jongno-Gu district, which is known for its cultural activities. When you visit, you can experience 600 years of history and witness an impressive changing of the guards ceremony.
Bukchon Hanok Village is located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, which are two palaces from Seoul's Joseon Dynasty. The village has many traditional hanok houses that have been transformed into restaurants, teahouses, cultural centers, art galleries, and B&Bs. It's a great place to get a glimpse of the past and experience the old-time atmosphere.
It was built during the time when Korea was under Japanese control. The house is a great example of a well-preserved modern hanok, which is a traditional Korean house. It is situated on higher ground, providing amazing views of Bukchon Hanok Village. This hanok is one of the largest remaining traditional houses in the city. Because of its unique history and significance, it was designated as a Citizens' Cultural Heritage site and turned into a museum.
Even though it's a popular tourist destination, this lively neighborhood is a major center for culture and art in Seoul. It's filled with fantastic tea houses, restaurants, street food stalls, galleries, and souvenir shops, making it a place you shouldn't miss when visiting.
Cheonggyecheon Stream is a long stream, about 11 kilometers in length, that flows through the center of Seoul. It was created as part of a project to improve the city. The stream used to exist during the Joseon Dynasty, but it disappeared over time. After the Korean War, a highway was built on top of the stream as the country focused on economic development. However, in 2003, the highway was removed, and the stream was restored to its original state. The stream begins at Cheonggye Plaza, which is a popular place for cultural events. It passes under 22 bridges and has many interesting places to visit along the way. Eventually, it merges with the Hangang River.
The Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center houses a special place called "HiKR Ground," which serves as a promotional center for Korean tourism. Here, visitors can enjoy both K-Pop experiences and view captivating media art. The name "HiKR Ground" represents Korea's warm welcome ("Hi") to global tourists and its desire to be an exciting playground for everyone.
While Kwangjang Market is popularly recognized as a place for clothing shopping, those who are familiar with it know that it's a true paradise for food enthusiasts. This bustling market offers a wide array of inexpensive, traditional Korean snacks and street foods that will delight your taste buds. For an authentic and budget-friendly delight, make sure to try the enormous mung-bean pancakes. Here are some foods recommended by many: -Mayak Kimbap: These are addictive bite-sized seaweed rice rolls filled with various ingredients like vegetables and pickled radish. They are often served with a spicy dipping sauce. -Tteokbokki: It's a snack made with chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy sauce. -Kalgugsu: It's a noodle dish with handmade noodles in a tasty broth with vegetables and sometimes meat or seafood. -Korean pastries: They are fried pastries made from dough that is twisted into a unique shape. We try several dishes there and take some photos.
Samgyetang is a Korean dish made with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng, garlic, and other herbs. The chicken is cooked until it becomes tender, creating a nourishing soup. People believe that eating samgyetang can give them energy and improve their health. It's a popular dish in Korea, especially during the hot summer months. It's known for its delicious taste and comforting qualities.
Insa-dong has been a symbol of the past for a long time. This place is known for being the place where Park Young-hyo, the person who created the Korean flag, used to live. The house has preserved its traditional style and has a charming hanok atmosphere. You can enjoy the pretty garden decorated with flowers and trees while drinking tradtional tea.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel Lobby near Concierge
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(8)
We recently enjoyed a full-day tour of Seoul, which included visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Blue House, Kwangjang Market, and several other iconic sites. Our guide, Laura, was exceptional—her deep knowledge of Korean history, culture, and politics added immense value to the experience. Exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace was a highlight, as Laura provided fascinating insights into the historical significance of the site and the royal traditions of Korea. The visit to the Blue House offered a unique perspective on the country’s political history and current affairs. Kwangjang Market was a vibrant stop, where we immersed ourselves in local food and culture. Laura’s recommendations made it easy to navigate the market and try authentic Korean dishes. Overall, the tour was a fantastic way to learn about the rich history of Korea and its people. We left with a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the culture. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Seoul!
I can recommend this Tour. I had the pleasure of a wonderful solo day tour with the owner of Jolly Tours. Perfect english and a very diverse Tour. Historic and modern Korea as well as Shopping, Coffee and last but Not least great foods. The typical Ginseng stuffed chicken, Beef sashimi and octopus. I had a wonderful day. Thank you Kim.
I can strongly recommend Seoul Jolly Tour. I enjoyed the day tour very much. I was picked-up and dropped-off in the hotel by the owner Kim. Since I was alone, we took taxis and metro. The tour was a very good selection of historical and modern sightseeing, limited souvenir shopping and I very much enjoyed the lunch and dinner. Kim provided great insights in the history of the country and explained still existing food habits (e.g. Ginseng Chicken). I had a wonderfull day. Thank you Kim.
We had such a great experience with Alex. The food we tried was so much better than we had expected. The information she shared was invaluable and we look forward to going back to Korea soon and doing another tour with her. Thank you so much for making this trip one of our best experiences of South Korea 😊
I was very impressed with my tour guide (Monica). She was a delight! I learned so much about the Korean culture and history. She was considerate of my traveling needs and paid close attention to my abilities. I would HIGHLY recommend this tour company!!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We will continue to work for your happiest treavel experience in Korea. Once again, we appreciate your review.
Thank you Alex for a wonderful & very memorable day. I enjoyed every aspect of the tour. You are a fabulous host. Very warm, knowledgeable & easy going tour guide. Thank you for the wonderful & quirky cafes you took me too. Loved experiencing your country through your eyes. Highly recommend Alex. She is a beautiful person. I made a friend for life xxx
Thank you so much for your kind review. You are a lady filled with passion and energy for different cultures and people. I truly admire your openness and warmth. Your love for Korea is unmistakable, and you have given me the strength to continue forward as a tour guide. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. X
Our guide was Jina for this private tour. Even before our tour, Jina reached out to us and introduced herself via WhatsApp. She provided us with information around the weather on the day of our tour, which was helpful in deciding what to wear. She came and picked us up from our hotel on time. She explained to us our itinerary for the day. She was very accommodating as we asked the day before the tour if we could do a hanbok rental which was not included. Jina gladly re-arranged the tour schedule to suit our request. She was deeply knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and considerate. Jina organized taxis for us if the next place we go to is far. She explained all the history and importance of the places we visited and how its shaped Seoul as a city. She gladly took pictures of us on her phone and sent them to us via WhatsApp. Jina took us to some of the hidden gems around Seoul and found us some great shops to buy souvenirs. The restaurants she took us for lunch and dinner were amazing and where locals would go. The food we were served were all incredible. Jina also surprised us with presents/souvenirs to remember her which showed us the effort and thought she placed in organizing these gifts. Her generosity made our experience even more unforgettable and special. By the end of the tour, we were like old friends, meeting after a long time. It truly was an incredible and exceptional tour that we highly recommend to anyone and everyone who are first timers in Seoul. We have learned a lot about Seoul through the eyes of a local. We ate, shopped, walked like Seoulites. We could not have asked for a better guide or Seoul tour than this. We greatly enjoyed everything that Jina planned and organized for us. It was totally worth it. What are you waiting for? Book this tour now and don’t miss out!!! Gamsahaeyo Jina :)
Alex is amazing, so kind and shared such great information on this tour. It was the perfect tour for a short trip in Seoul and allowed me to see so much in one day. Heavily recommend this tour.
Thank you for the lovely review. I also thoroughly enjoyed the tour with you. Your personality and warmth shone through throughout the tour yesterday. I hope you can return to Korea to explore more in the future. Have a safe journey back home! Thank you again.
