Seoul Palaces, Museums and Suwon Hwaseong

Stay in Jongno and explore the Five Grand Palaces, the Jongmyo Shrine and the national museums, plus a day trip to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.

Using Jongno-Anguk as a base, this slower-paced plan spreads out the sights. Gyeongbokgung, the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, Jongmyo Shrine and Changgyeonggung are covered over two days, along with the Naksan Fortress Wall and Ihwa Mural Village. One day is set aside for the National Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea and Leeum Museum of Art. On day four, take the subway to Suwon and back, walk the Hwaseong Fortress walls and eat Suwon fried chicken. The final day covers Seochon and Deoksugung before departure. Ideal for travelers who love history and museums; shopping and nightlife are deliberately left out.

Autumn foliage in the Changdeokgung Secret Garden is at its best. Book a guided tour time slot online in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival: Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun

Seoul（Gyeongbokgung Palace、Gwanghwamun Square & Cheonggyecheon）

Take AREX from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station, then transfer to subway Line 1 to Jonggak or Line 3 to Anguk, about 1.5 hours in total. Explore on foot in the afternoon.

Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays, so check the guard changing ceremony times in advance.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 2 · Donggwol Gate, Jongmyo Shrine and Naksan Fortress Wall

Seoul（Changdeokgung Palace、Changgyeonggung Palace、Jongmyo Shrine、Ihwa Mural Village & Naksan Park）

Walk from Anguk to Changdeokgung, pass Changgyeonggung and head south to Jongmyo Shrine. Then take the subway to Hyehwa Station and walk up Naksan Park and Ihwa Mural Village.

The Changdeokgung Secret Garden requires a guided tour reservation. Changdeokgung and Jongmyo Shrine are closed on Mondays; on weekdays, Jongmyo is mainly visited by guided tour.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 3 · Yongsan Museum Day

Seoul（National Museum of Korea、War Memorial of Korea、Leeum Museum of Art、Itaewon）

Take subway Line 4 to Ichon Station for the National Museum of Korea, then transfer at Samgakji to visit the War Memorial of Korea. Then take Line 6 to Hangangjin Station; Leeum Museum of Art and Itaewon are within walking distance.

The War Memorial of Korea and Leeum Museum of Art are closed on Mondays. The National Museum of Korea has large galleries, so allow at least half a day.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 4 · Suwon Hwaseong Fortress Day Trip

Suwon（Hwaseong Haenggung Palace、Hwaseong Fortress Wall Walk、Hwahongmun & Banghwasuryujeong、Paldalmun Market & Suwon Chicken Street）

Take subway Line 1 for about 1 hour, or KTX/ITX for about 30 minutes, to Suwon Station. Transfer to a bus for about 15 minutes to Paldal Gate. Return to Seoul in the evening.

The Hwaseong Fortress wall loop is about 5.7 km, so wear non-slip shoes. Eat dinner on Suwon's fried chicken street before heading back to Seoul.

Stay: Jongno · Anguk

Day 5 · Seochon, Deoksugung and Departure

Seoul（Seochon & Tongin Market、Deoksugung Palace & Stonewall Road）

Walk or take a bus to Seochon and Tongin Market, then take the subway to City Hall Station to visit Deoksugung and Stone Wall Road. Walk to Seoul Station and take AREX to the airport, about 1 hour.

At Tongin Market, you can buy the traditional coin lunch boxes. Deoksugung is closed on Mondays.

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