Seoul's palaces and hanok quarters 50

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3) Exit 5

Joseon's foremost royal palace. Free on the last Wednesday of the month or in hanbok. The changing of the guard ceremony (10:00 and 14:00) is always free.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 3

A UNESCO World Heritage site famed for autumn foliage. Free entry applies to the main palace only; the Secret Garden requires a separate booking.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Hyehwa Stn. (Line 4) Exit 4

A palace with a Grand Greenhouse and the Chundangji pond. Linked internally to Changdeokgung, and beautifully lit during night openings.

Historic site · Jung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2) Exit 2

A downtown palace where Seokjojeon sits alongside traditional halls. Open until 9pm, it's popular for evening strolls and the stone wall road; the changing of the guard is free.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Lines 1, 3, 5) Exit 11

A World Heritage shrine housing the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, with a meditative path through dense woods. Self-guided visits on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are the most relaxed.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 6, Jonggak Stn. (Line 1) Exit 2

Head temple of the Jogye Order in the heart of the city. Shade from centuries-old scholar trees, seasonal lanterns and chrysanthemum displays. A quiet place to rest, close to Insadong.

Historic site · Jung-gu · Myeongdong Stn. (Line 4) Exit 8, Euljiro 1-ga Stn. (Line 2) Exit 5

The Gothic cathedral that symbolises Korean Catholicism. The heated and cooled sanctuary is a good break from Myeongdong shopping, and the basement 1898 arcade has cafes and restaurants.

Historic site · Gangnam-gu · Bongeunsa Stn. (Line 9) Exit 1

A thousand-year-old temple opposite COEX, ringed by Gangnam skyscrapers. The 23m Maitreya Buddha and pine-lined paths make it a downtown healing spot.

Historic site · Mapo-gu · Hapjeong Stn. (Lines 2, 6) Exit 7

A Catholic martyrdom shrine on a hill overlooking the Han River. River views from the quiet garden and sculpture walk, close to Hapjeong and Hongdae.

Historic site · Gangbuk-gu · 4.19 Democratic Cemetery Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)

The April 19 Revolution memorial hall and memorial path are open free. A quiet spot at the foot of Bukhansan for a walk and a history lesson.

Historic site · Gangbuk-gu · Hwagye Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)

A mountain temple within the city, founded in the early Joseon era. Look around the grounds for free and combine it with a Bukhansan hike.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3)

The former presidential residence, opened to the public in 2022. The Main Hall, Nokjiwon garden and Bugaksan trail are free; the trail requires online booking.

Historic site · Jung-gu · Chungmuro Stn. (Lines 3, 4)

Five restored hanok, a traditional garden and the time capsule plaza. The garden is open 24 hours, so early morning and evening walks work well.

Historic site · Seongbuk-gu · Hansung Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

The Hyegok Choi Sunu Memorial House is the old home where Choi Sunu, celebrated author of "Leaning on the Entasis Pillar of Muryangsujeon," lived from 1976 until his death in 1984. In 2002

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Dongnimmun Stn. (Line 3)

A 1920s Western-style house with a story tied to Korea's independence movement. A 400-year-old ginkgo tree stands beside it.

Historic site · Gangnam-gu · Seolleung Stn. (Line 2, Suin-Bundang Line)

A favourite walking spot among Joseon royal tombs in the middle of the high-rises. A lunchtime stroll for office workers, with a photogenic pine tree path.

Historic site · Nowon-gu · Hwarangdae Stn. (Line 6)

Taereung, tomb of Queen Munjeong, and Gangneung, tomb of King Myeongjong. Beautiful pine forest paths plus the Joseon Royal Tombs Exhibition Hall.

Historic site · Seocho-gu · Cheonggyesan Ipgu Stn. (Sinbundang Line)

The tombs of King Taejong and King Sunjo. An ecological forest trail away from the city centre, lovely for walking to birdsong.

Historic site · Songpa-gu · Cheonho Stn. (Lines 5, 8)

A historic site believed to be a Baekje royal capital from 2,000 years ago. Walk the earthen rampart trail and imagine Baekje history, free of charge.

Historic site · Songpa-gu · Jamsil Stn. (Lines 2, 8)

A historic site marking the painful history of the Manchu invasion of 1636. Combine it with a walk around Seokchon Lake and a look at Lotte Tower.

Historic site · Gangdong-gu · Amsa History Park Stn. (Line 8)

A Neolithic village site dating back 6,000 years. Reconstructed pit houses, prehistoric hands-on programs and a wide lawn make it ideal for families.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Seodaemun Stn. (Line 5)

A designated historic site, Gyeonghuigung served as a secondary palace in the late Joseon period.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

Bukchon Hanok Cheong is a public hanok on the hillside at 11 Gahoe-dong, a rare sight in Bukchon.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

Nakseonjae stands on the boundary between Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. The large Nakseonjae sits at the far left, with Seokbokheon and Sugangjae adjoining to its right, and flower beds behind them.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Hansung Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

Historic site · Mapo-gu · Mangwon Stn. (Line 6)

National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 413 / Built in 1972.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3)

Sujeongjeon stands west of Geunjeongjeon, with Gyeonghoeru Pavilion to its north.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

Designated a Treasure on January 21, 1963.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Seodaemun Stn. (Line 5)

Located in Hongpa-dong, Jongno-gu, this house is where composer Hong Nan-pa, who left behind beloved Korean art songs and children's songs, spent his final years, living here for six years from 1935.

Historic site · Jung-gu · Sindang Stn. (Lines 2, 6)

National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 412.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

Historic site · Dobong-gu · Bukhansan Ui Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)

Historic site · Gangbuk-gu · Bukhansan Ui Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)

Bonghwanggak stands in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

History

Museum · Eunpyeong-gu

A cultural venue offering exhibitions, education and hands-on programmes on the history of Eunpyeong and hanok culture.

Historic site · Gangnam-gu · Seolleung Stn. (Line 2, Suin-Bundang Line)

▷ The story of Seolleung: Seolleung holds the tombs of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, and his third queen, Queen Jeonghyeon of the Yun clan. It is a dongwon igangneung, with one T-shaped shrine serving burial mounds set on two separate hills

Historic site · Gangseo-gu · Gaehwasan Stn. (Line 5)

A city temple on Gaehwasan that Gyeomjae Jeong Seon once painted. See the stone pagoda and Buddha, then walk Gaehwasan, all free.

Historic site · Seocho-gu · Nambu Bus Terminal Stn. (Line 3)

A 1,600-year-old temple said to date from the reign of King Chimnyu of Baekje. A quiet, free retreat on the slopes of Umyeonsan.

Historic site · Seongdong-gu · Yongdu Stn. (Line 2)

Recreated 1960s-70s shacks, an old classroom and a corner shop. Pair it with the free Cheonggyecheon Museum next door.

Historic site · Seongbuk-gu · Sungshin Women's Univ. Stn. (Line 4, Ui-Sinseol Line)

The tomb of Queen Sindeok, second queen of King Taejo. Dense forest paths and a valley make for a quiet, restorative walk.

Historic site · Seongbuk-gu · Dolgoji Stn. (Line 6)

The tomb of King Gyeongjong and his second queen, Queen Seonui. Formerly the site of the old KCIA headquarters, it stays quiet and makes for a leisurely walk.

Library · Dobong-gu · Bukhansan Ui Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)

Public library in Dobong-gu. Free entry and reading, with heating and air conditioning.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

The Bukchon hanok where Korean painter Jedang Bae Ryeom lived. A registered cultural heritage site with its main and guest quarters open to visitors, easy to combine with a walk along Gyedong-gil.

Historic site · Jongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3)

The private residence of Heungseon Daewongun, where King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong held their wedding ceremony. Admission free, right outside Anguk Station Exit 4.

Historic site · Seongbuk-gu · Hansung Univ. Stn. (Line 4)

The hanok Han Yong-un built facing north so as to turn his back on the Japanese Government-General. A small historic site that pairs well with a walk up the Seongbuk-dong hills.

Historic site · Songpa-gu · Mongchontoseong Stn. (Line 8)

An earthen fortress of Hanseong Baekje inside Olympic Park. A 2.7 km dirt path runs along the grassy ridge, and the famous Lone Tree photo spot is here.

Historic site · Jung-gu · Hoehyeon Stn. (Line 4)

National Treasure No. 1 and the south gate of the Seoul City Wall. Open free of charge up onto the wall, with a changing of the guard ceremony on weekdays.

Library · Jongno-gu · Sinseol-dong Stn. (Ui-Sinseol Line)

A hanok library built reusing some 3,000 roof tiles salvaged from the Donuimun New Town demolition, tucked into a Sungin-dong alley near Sinseol-dong Station.

Library · Guro-gu · Oryu-dong Stn. (Line 1)

A Guro-gu municipal children's library in a hanok, with traditional culture programs that make it a good outing with kids.