Palaces, hanok alleys and Insadong tea houses, all within walking distance of each other
Jongno and Gwanghwamun make up the old center of Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Bukchon hanok alleys and the tea houses of Insadong are close enough to walk between, so a well-ordered day here covers a lot of ground. Changdeokgung and Jongmyo Shrine sit a little further east; both run on timed or guided entry, so check the tour times in their guides before you set out.
Most people try to do the palace, Bukchon and Insadong in one go. It works, but treat it as a full day rather than a morning, and keep in mind that Bukchon is a place where people live: the core alleys are open to visitors only between 10:00 and 17:00. Gyeongbokgung closes on Tuesdays, Changdeokgung on Mondays.
Below, our guides are grouped by neighborhood, followed by where to eat, one-day routes, hotels in the area and the stations you will actually use.
| Main stations | Gyeongbokgung & Anguk (Line 3), Gwanghwamun (Line 5), Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1, 3, 5) |
| From Incheon Airport | Airport Limousine Bus 6011 stops at Anguk Station |
| How long | One full day for the palace, Bukchon and Insadong; more if you add Changdeokgung, Jongmyo or Seochon |
| Quietest time | Weekday mornings, especially in Bukchon |
Must-see
Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide: Hours, Tickets & Best Time
Ticket prices, free entry in hanbok, quieter times and the subway route.
Bukchon Hanok Village: Hours, Best Time & How to Get There
Visiting hours for the residential alleys, the walk from Anguk Station and when crowds thin out.
Changdeokgung & Secret Garden Guide from Anguk Station
Timed Secret Garden tour tickets, quieter days and the short walk from Anguk Station Exit 3.
Jongmyo Shrine Visitor Guide Near Jongno 3-ga Station
Guided-tour times, tickets, the Royal Palace Pass and the Tuesday closure.
Neighborhoods
Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon & Seochon
The main palace, the hanok hill behind it and the quieter Seochon lanes to its west. Bukchon’s residential alleys are open to visitors only from 10:00 to 17:00, and weekday mornings are the calmest time to walk them.
- Samcheongdong Travel Guide: Seoul’s Artistic Hanok Village & Cafe Street
- Changgyeonggung Palace Guide: Hours, Tickets & Greenhouse
- National Palace Museum of Korea Guide: Free Entry Tips
- MMCA Seoul: 7 Things to See Near Anguk Station
- Can Foreigners Get Gyeongbokgung Night Opening Tickets?
- Hanbok Rental Gyeongbokgung: Your Ultimate Photoshoot Guide
- Seochon Village Travel Guide Near Gyeongbokgung Station
More guides
Insadong & Ikseon-dong
Galleries, craft shops and tea houses along Insadong-gil, with the narrower hanok lanes of Ikseon-dong a few minutes east.
- Insadong Seoul Travel Guide: Ssamzigil, Tea Houses & More
- Ikseon-dong Hanok Village: Alleys & Indie Shops
- 6 Best Insadong Traditional Craft Shops Near Anguk Station
- Jogyesa Temple Guide: Free Entry Near Jonggak Station
Gwanghwamun & Cheonggyecheon
The wide square in front of Gwanghwamun Gate and the stream walk that starts at its south end. Gyeonghuigung, the least visited of the palaces, is a short walk west.
- Gwanghwamun Square Guide: Hours & Best Time to Visit
- Cheonggyecheon Stream Night Walk Guide from Gwanghwamun
- Seoul Lantern Festival 2026: Cheonggyecheon Dates & Tips
- Gyeonghuigung Palace Visitor Guide: Hours & Crowds
Daehangno & Naksan
The small-theater district around Hyehwa Station and the old city wall that climbs to Naksan Park.
- Daehangno: Seoul’s Vibrant Live Theatre & Indie Performance Hub
- Naksan Park Hyehwa Station: 7 Things to See Nearby
Seodaemun & Dongnimmun
Seodaemun Prison History Hall, Independence Gate and the park are within about 5 minutes of Dongnimmun Station Exits 4 and 5. Allow one to two hours for the prison; the History Hall is closed on Mondays.
Map of this area
The palaces, Bukchon, Insadong and Gwangjang Market are all within about 3 km of each other. Open the area in a map app to see how they connect:
Eat here
Restaurant roundup
Gwanghwamun Restaurants: 20 Best Picks in Seoul (2026)
Twenty places around Gwanghwamun Square for Korean classics, quick lunches and dinner.
Restaurant roundup
The 10 Best Restaurants in D Tower Gwanghwamun
Ten restaurants in the D Tower building next to Gwanghwamun Station, from modern Chinese to Hanwoo.
Restaurant roundup
The 6 Best Restaurants in Bukchon Hanok Village
Hanjeongsik, hanok fine dining and pasta bars inside the hanok neighborhood.
For market food, Gwangjang Market is at the eastern edge of Jongno. More areas are on our Where to Eat in Seoul page.
Itineraries through this area
- Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon & Insadong: One-Day Seoul Itinerary: the classic palace, Bukchon and Insadong day with walking routes.
- One Day in Insadong Itinerary: Ssamzigil to Jongmyo: Ssamzigil, Jogyesa Temple and Jongmyo Shrine.
- Gwanghwamun Deoksugung Seochon Itinerary: 1 Day Plan: Gwanghwamun, Deoksugung and Seochon, with lunch at Tongin Market.
- One Day in Dongdaemun Itinerary: DDP, Gwangjang & Night Shopping: DDP, Gwangjang Market and night shopping.
Where to stay in this area
Area stay guide
Where to Stay in Insadong & Bukchon, Seoul: Best Hotels
Hotels near Anguk Station, from hanok stays to family suites.
Area stay guide
Where to Stay Near Jongno 3-ga Station: Best Hotels & Ikseon-dong
Budget to boutique hotels around Jongno 3-ga Station and Ikseon-dong.
Area stay guide
Where to Stay Near Gwanghwamun & Gyeongbokgung Station
Hotels by Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung stations, including hanok hotels.
Getting there
- Gyeongbokgung (Line 3): the palace and the National Palace Museum
- Anguk (Line 3): Bukchon, Insadong and Changdeokgung
- Gwanghwamun (Line 5): the square and the start of Cheonggyecheon
- Jonggak (Line 1): Jogyesa Temple
- Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1, 3, 5): Ikseon-dong and Jongmyo Shrine
- Hyehwa (Line 4): Daehangno and Naksan Park
New to the subway or buses? Seoul Subway Guide: T-money Card, Fares & How to Ride · How to Ride Seoul Buses: Colors, Fares & T-money Guide · How to Take a Taxi in Seoul Using the Kakao T App
Photos on this page: Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr), Korea Open Government License Type 1. Title graphics: Korea Visiting.