덕수궁
About
Joseon palace halls, Seokjojeon’s Western-style stone façade and a leafy back pond on a compact central Seoul walk.
Traditional palace halls and Seokjojeon, an early Western-style stone building, share the same compact grounds at Deoksugung. The contrast is the point: one turn brings you from familiar tiled roofs and wooden halls to a formal stone façade. This was a Joseon royal palace, closely tied to the final emperor, Gojong, and it feels quieter than its central Seoul setting suggests once you are inside. Take an unhurried circuit through the grounds, then look for the back pond and the Heritage Shop, especially in autumn when foliage gathers around them. In the evening, the palace lighting gives the buildings a different outline; visitors also praise the night guided tours, where docents explain Gojong’s history in a way children can follow. Seokjojeon’s interior is a separate undertaking: reserve online through the palace site, with booking opening seven days ahead at 10:00. The National Museum of Modern Art’s Deoksugung branch also requires a separate ticket. Individual admission is ₩1,000. The grounds open Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 21:00, with entry closing around 20:00; they are closed Mondays. City Hall Station, on Lines 1 and 2, is the practical approach, and there is no on-site parking. Allow time to wander rather than treating the visit as a quick photo stop; the nearby stone-wall road makes an easy continuation on foot. Deoksugung suits couples, families and solo visitors who want a manageable palace walk, with enough architectural contrast to hold attention without a full day. The night tours can be a good way to give the buildings context, though one visitor found background noise distracting and felt the guide leaned too much on a tablet.
Menu
- 일반권 (개인)₩1,000
- 일반권 (단체/10인이상)₩800
- 통합 관람권 (6개월 중 1회)₩6,000
- 점심시간 (3개월 10회)₩3,000
- 시간제 관람권 1 (12개월)₩30,000
- 시간제 관람권 2 (12개월)₩100,000
- 상시 관람권 (1개월)₩10,000
Local tips
- Arrive before 20:00 for entry on an evening visit.
- Book the Seokjojeon interior online seven days ahead, from 10:00.
- Use City Hall Station on Line 1 or 2; there is no on-site parking.
- Set aside time for the back pond and nearby stone-wall road.
- Check the calendar before visiting; the palace is closed Mondays.
Details
- Seoul City Hall (시청역)
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 09:00–21:00
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 09:00–21:00
- Wednesday
- 09:00–21:00
- Thursday
- 09:00–21:00
- Friday
- 09:00–21:00
- Saturday
- 09:00–21:00