Which Royal Palace in Seoul to Visit, Which to Skip & How to Choose the Best One
Seoul has five major royal palaces, and technically, the best advice is simple: see them all. Each one tells a different chapter of Korea’s history, and together they create a fuller picture of the Joseon dynasty.
But let’s be realistic. Not everyone has unlimited time. If you are visiting Seoul for just a few days, palace hopping every single day might not be how you want to spend your trip. That is exactly why we wanted to put together this honest guide. If you are short on time, here is what we would personally prioritize, what you can skip without regret, and how to choose the palace that best fits your travel style. Before diving in, it also helps to understand what makes each palace different, because they are not just five versions of the same place. Once you know the basics, it becomes much easier to decide.
How Many Palaces Are There in Seoul
As mentioned, Seoul has five major royal palaces from the Joseon dynasty, all located close to each other in the city center. The “big five” are Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung. In theory, you could visit all of them if you have enough time and energy. In reality, palace fatigue is real. We personally managed to waddle through four of them during our trip, and by the end, we definitely had opinions on which ones felt unforgettable and which ones you could skip if your schedule is tight.
Why Are There Five Palaces in Seoul
It may seem extra at first. Why would one city need five royal palaces? The answer goes back to the Joseon dynasty, when kings built multiple palaces for different purposes. Some were main residences, others were secondary palaces used during emergencies, political unrest, or when the main palace was damaged. Fires, invasions, and rebuilding periods also played a big role, leading to the construction of new palaces while others were restored. Over time, Seoul developed five grand royal complexes, each with its own personality, layout, and story. That is why visiting them does not feel repetitive. Each one reflects a slightly different moment in Korea’s royal history.
Understanding Seoul’s Five Palaces: Oldest to Newest Explained
Before deciding which palace to visit, it helps to understand the timeline. They were not all built at once, and each had a slightly different purpose. Here is a simple, oldest-to-newest breakdown so you can see how they fit into Seoul’s royal history.
- Gyeongbokgung (1395). The oldest and main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. It served as the king’s primary residence and the political heart of the kingdom.
- Changdeokgung (1405). Built as a secondary palace, it later became the main royal residence for many kings. Known for its harmonious layout and the famous Secret Garden.
- Changgyeonggung (1483). Created as a residential palace for queens and royal family members. It had a more private, domestic role than the main palace.
- Gyeonghuigung (1617). Used as a backup palace during times of crisis and political unrest. Kings often stayed here when the main palace was unavailable.
- Deoksugung (officially established as a palace in 1611, expanded in the late 1800s). Originally a royal residence that later became an official palace. It is best known for its unique mix of traditional Korean and Western-style buildings.
Now, when you waddle through them, it makes much more sense why they feel different. They were not five copies of the same idea, but five chapters of the same royal story.
Our Personal Ranking of Seoul’s Royal Palaces
We will not bore you with long history lessons here. As we mentioned, we managed to visit four of Seoul’s five royal palaces, and we have written detailed posts about each one where you can dive deeper into the stories and background.
This section is different. This is our personal take. If we were visiting Seoul again with limited time, here is exactly how we would approach the palaces, which ones we would prioritize, and how we would plan it smarter the second time around.
1. Changdeokgung Palace: Our Absolute Favorite
Out of the four palaces we visited, Changdeokgung easily takes our number one spot. It is absolutely gorgeous, spacious, and less chaotic than some of the others. We loved how wide and open the complex felt, which made wandering around feel relaxed rather than rushed.
If you are planning to rent a hanbok and take photos, this is a perfect setting and much better than the overcrowded Gyeongbokgung Palace, though it has its own magic as well. The architecture, the courtyards, the natural backdrop, everything just works beautifully together. And the biggest bonus? The Secret Garden. Having that peaceful, almost hidden oasis included in your visit makes the whole experience feel even more special. It was honestly just a blast waddling around here.
If you want the full breakdown with tickets, tips, and whatnot to miss, you can read more in our detailed blog post here: Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul: Why This Was Our Favorite Royal Palace.
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace: The Iconic One That Still Feels Magical
Gyeongbokgung is the main palace in Seoul and the first royal palace built for the Joseon dynasty, established in 1395. It served as the dynasty’s primary palace until it was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions in 1592, and later restored in the 19th century, which is why so much of what you see today feels grand and carefully rebuilt.
Yes, it can get seriously overcrowded, but it still has a certain magic, especially if you rent a hanbok and then just wander like we did. The further you drift away from the main gates and the busiest photo spots, the calmer and prettier it gets, and that is where it really clicked for us. We went all in and wore hanbok for this one, which made the whole visit feel extra special. If you want all our tips plus our full hanbok and breakfast plan for the day, read the full post here: Waddling Around Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.
3. Deoksugung Palace: Small, Cozy, and Full of Surprises
Deoksugung ended up being our third favorite palace, and it surprised us in the best way. It is smaller than the others, which actually makes it feel more relaxed and manageable. Instead of grand, endless courtyards, it almost feels like a city park where history just happens to live. You can really sense that locals come here to stroll, sit, and enjoy the space, not just to tick off a sightseeing list.
What we loved most was the unexpected Western style architecture inside the complex. Seeing those European influenced buildings next to traditional Korean halls gives Deoksugung a completely different vibe compared to the other palaces. And if you visit in autumn, it is absolutely magical. The fall colors against the palace walls make the whole place feel warm and cozy.
If you are curious about what to expect and whether it fits into your Seoul itinerary, you can read more in our full blog post here: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Deoksugung Palace.
4. Changgyeonggung Palace: The Quiet Surprise Next Door
Changgyeonggung comes in fourth place for us. Not because it is less beautiful, but simply because if we had to choose and rank them, this would be the order. It still absolutely deserves a visit.
We actually explored it right after Changdeokgung, our number one palace, since they sit right next to each other. Realistically, if you are already visiting Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden, there is a very high chance you will naturally continue here as well. The combination makes perfect sense and flows nicely.
If you were separating them completely and had very limited time, this would be the one we would place fourth. That said, it still surprised us. The beautiful lake adds a peaceful atmosphere, and there is even a small botanical garden inside, which makes it feel totally different from the other palaces. Each palace really does have its own personality.
If you want the full breakdown and tips for visiting, you can read more in our separate blog post here: Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul: A Quiet Palace Worth Exploring.
5. Gyeonghuigung Palace: The One We Missed (For Now)
Gyeonghuigung takes the fifth spot on our list, but only because it is the one palace we did not manage to visit this time, which feels like a small regret. From everything we researched and saw, it looks like it could have ranked much higher for us. So this one is officially saved for our next Seoul waddle.
An interesting fact about Gyeonghuigung is that it was often called the “Western Palace” and served as a secondary royal residence during times of political instability. Several kings actually used it as their main living palace for certain periods. Unfortunately, much of the complex was destroyed during the Japanese occupation, and what you see today is partially reconstructed. That also means it is typically much quieter than the other palaces, making it potentially perfect if you want space and fewer crowds.
Next time we are in Seoul, this is definitely where we are heading first.
Can You Visit All Five Palaces in One Day
Technically, yes. Realistically, it depends on what kind of traveler you are.
All five palaces are located relatively close to each other, so on paper it looks doable. If you move quickly, skip deeper exploration, and do not linger too long in courtyards or museums, you can check them all off in a single day.
But here is the honest part.
If you try to squeeze all five into one day, you are probably looking at about 45 to 60 minutes per palace, maybe a little longer for Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung. That means no slow wandering, no peaceful sitting by the lake, no proper Secret Garden experience, and definitely no relaxed hanbok photoshoot. You would mostly be waddling, snapping a few photos, and moving on. And these palaces really deserve more than that.
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A More Realistic Timeline for Visiting Seoul’s Palaces
If you actually want to enjoy them, here is what we would recommend:
- 1 Day (Very Short Trip). Choose one or maximum two palaces. Pair Changdeokgung with Changgyeonggung since they sit next to each other. Or do Gyeongbokgung as your main highlight.
- 2 Days. Do two palaces on one day and one on the second. This allows around 2 hours per major palace, including wandering, photos, and slower moments.
- 3 Days. This is the sweet spot if palaces are high on your list. You can comfortably visit four of them without rushing and still explore other parts of Seoul.
- 4+ Days. Now you can realistically visit all five, including the Secret Garden tour, museums, and time to just sit and enjoy the atmosphere.
- If we were planning again, we would never try to do all five in one day. Palace fatigue is real. After the third courtyard, they can start blending together unless you give them the time they deserve.
Palace Tickets & A Little Penguin Tip
Tickets for Seoul’s royal palaces are very affordable, usually around 3,000 to 5,000 KRW per palace, depending on which one you visit and whether you add special areas like the Secret Garden. There is also a combined palace ticket available that covers multiple palaces at a discounted price, which makes sense if you are planning to visit more than one.
And now for a little Penguin Tip. If you are wearing a hanbok, you get free entry to the palaces. Yes, really. That means you can rent a hanbok for photos and skip the entrance fee at the same time. It makes the whole experience feel more immersive, and it is actually a smart budget move if you were planning to dress up anyway. A win for aesthetics and for your wallet.
We visited the palaces at a slow pace, and honestly, that made all the difference. Instead of rushing from gate to gate, we wandered, sat down in quiet corners, admired the details, and let each place sink in. That slower rhythm helped us actually feel the atmosphere rather than just ticking off another landmark. If there is one last tip we would leave you with, it is this: do not rush them. Even if you only choose one or two palaces, give them proper time. Waddle a little further than the main courtyard. Step away from the busiest photo spots. Pause by the lake. Look up at the roof details. That is where the magic really happens.
Seoul’s royal palaces are not just sightseeing stops. They are spaces to breathe in the middle of a busy city. Waddle wisely, take your time, and enjoy every courtyard.
Pack your bags and waddle though Seoul’s palaces!
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