Gyeongbokgung — the main event
The largest and most visited of the five, Gyeongbokgung is the palace most people picture when they think of royal Seoul. Its scale, the mountain backdrop, and the changing-of-the-guard ceremony held several times a day make it the right first stop if you're only visiting one. The National Folk Museum sits inside the palace grounds as a bonus stop.
Changdeokgung — the one with the secret garden
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Changdeokgung is smaller and more intimate than Gyeongbokgung, built to follow the natural landscape rather than a rigid symmetrical plan. Its main draw is the Huwon (Secret Garden), accessible only on a guided tour with limited daily capacity — book ahead if you want to see it.
Deoksugung — the one with a stone wall walk
Smaller and more central, right next to City Hall, Deoksugung mixes traditional Korean architecture with a Western-style stone building, reflecting its more recent history. The Stone Wall Walkway alongside it is a popular short stroll, especially at night when it's lit up.
Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung
The two lesser-visited palaces — worth it if you have extra time or want a quieter experience, but skippable on a short first trip in favor of the three above.
| Palace | Best for |
|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | First-timers, the changing-of-the-guard ceremony |
| Changdeokgung | The Secret Garden, UNESCO status, a quieter atmosphere |
| Deoksugung | Central location, night walks, East-meets-West architecture |
The hanbok trick
Wearing a traditional hanbok generally gets you free entry to the main palaces — rental shops cluster around Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon. See our hanbok experiences guide for how that actually works.