Seoul Guided Walking Tour: free English tours of palaces and Bukchon
The city-run Seoul Guided Walking Tour is free. Volunteer guides lead about 40 courses in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean, from Gyeongbokgung to Bukchon Hanok Village and evening routes. You book online at least three days ahead, and a tour now needs two people to be confirmed. Booking, times and cancellation.
Seoul runs a free walking tour program for visitors. The Seoul Guided Walking Tour has about 40 courses, from Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village to city wall trails and evening walks, led by volunteer guides in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. The guiding costs nothing; palace admission and any experience fees you pay yourself (Visit Seoul, checked 2026-11-05). You book online at dobo.visitseoul.net at least three days ahead. Plan on bringing a friend: a tour now needs at least two people to go ahead.
Who runs it?
The program is offered by Seoul and listed on Visit Seoul, the Seoul Tourism Organization’s official site. The guides are Seoul Cultural Tourism Volunteer Guides, people who know the city’s history and culture and give their time to show it to visitors.
Courses are grouped by theme: palaces, royal tombs, hanok and villages, the city wall and its Dulle-gil trails, urban regeneration, architecture and arts, tradition and culture, and a set of night courses.
When do the tours start?
- Weekdays: 10 am and 2 pm
- Weekends: 10 am, 2 pm and 3 pm
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
- Night courses: 6 pm and 8 pm, except four courses that start at 6 pm and 7:30 pm (Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Namsangol Hanok Village and Seoullo 7017)
A group is up to 10 people, or 20 for Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung and Changdeokgung. Other travelers can join your tour as long as the group is not full.
How do I book?
Book online at dobo.visitseoul.net, on a computer or phone, at least three days before the tour. The confirmation comes by text message and email, and you can check it on the “View / Cancel” page.
- A tour is confirmed only with at least two participants. If you book alone, your reservation shows “Wait for Confirmation”, and it may be canceled if no one else signs up.
- The guides are volunteers, so some dates may have no guide available. Weekends, public holidays and the peak months (April, May, September and October) fill up first.
Which course should I pick?
Two courses in central Seoul, as the official course pages describe them:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: about 2 hours, from Gwanghwamun through Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru and the royal quarters to Hyangwonjeong Pavilion. Meet in front of the Gyeongbokgung ticket booth. Palace admission is separate.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: 2 to 3 hours, starting at Unhyeongung Palace and passing the Bukchon Culture Center, Gahoe-dong and Jeongdok Public Library. Meet in front of the Unhyeongung Palace information center.
Each course page lists its own meeting place, so read it before the day. If you want an evening inside a palace without a tour, our guide to Deoksugung at night covers the palace that stays open late.
What if I cannot make it?
Cancel online until 24 hours before the tour. After that, email walkingtours@sto.or.kr or contact your guide. If you are not going, cancel at least 4 hours before the start: more than two cancellations with under 4 hours left can restrict future bookings.
For questions, the Seoul Guided Walking Tour office answers on weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm at +82-2-6925-0777 (Visit Seoul, checked 2026-11-05).
Before you fly
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Check the official site before you go
Courses, start times and booking rules can change. Check the Seoul Guided Walking Tour pages on Visit Seoul (english.visitseoul.net/walking-tour) and the booking site (dobo.visitseoul.net) before you plan your day.
FAQ
- Is the Seoul Guided Walking Tour really free?
- Yes. The guiding is free. Palace admission, cultural experience fees and transport are not included, and you pay them yourself (Visit Seoul, checked 2026-11-05).
- How far ahead do I need to book?
- At least three days before the tour, online at dobo.visitseoul.net. Weekends, holidays and the busy months of April, May, September and October fill up first.
- Can I book a tour on my own?
- You can, but a tour now needs at least two participants to be confirmed. A booking for one person goes to "Wait for Confirmation" and may be canceled if no one else joins.
- What times do the tours start?
- Day tours start at 10 am and 2 pm on weekdays, and at 10 am, 2 pm and 3 pm on weekends. Gyeongbokgung starts at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. Most night courses start at 6 pm or 8 pm.
- How do I cancel?
- Online until 24 hours before the tour. After that, email walkingtours@sto.or.kr or contact your guide. Canceling with less than 4 hours left more than twice can limit future bookings.
Before you go
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