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Seoul Private Tours
Book a Private Seoul Tour with a Local Tour Guide
Seoul Art, Culture, & Historical Tours
Full-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my standard and very popular Itinerary for this ~8 hour tour: it can be adjusted for individual preferences. Its intention is to be a fascinating orientation & overview of Seoul "old & new", with introduction to who the Koreans are, and the key points of their history and customs. We can move faster and see more, or take our time and see a bit fewer sites; it's all up to your personal style. I will be telling colorful stories all along the way. You will learn so much, and in context!!
Gyeongbokgung,Bukchon,Gwangjang,N-SeoulTower,Hongdae
Tour to explore essence & highlight of traditional Korean culture from best palace, folk culture, traditional house village, traditional food, panoramic view of Seoul, young & vibrant modern culture. Tour feature Gyeongbokgung palace - the most beautiful place and best architecture, Bukchon Hanok Village, Gwangjang market, N Seoul Tower, Hongdae street. Guide share cultural information that help guest fully appreciate the authentic beauty and value of traditional Korean culture and architecture.
Tracing the western influence in Korea
Since its opening the door to the outer world in 1876, many foreigners have visited and lived in Korea. This tour will follow their stories, why they came, who there were, what they have done.
Half-day Intro to Seoul and Korean History
This is my most popular standard tour, perfect for any visiting Korea for a serious first look. It walks us through the best sights of Seoul's historic central downtown area, very close to each-other, while I tell the relevant colorful stories at each brief stop. It is completely flexible on the timing and number / nature of the sites visited; all depends on where I pick you up and drop you off, and just what you want to see and do. On this system I also offer a full-day version of this tour.
Seoul Highlights Tours
Exploring the ancient side of Seoul
Hop on the metro to Gyeongbokgung Palace where you’ll experience the elegant royal culture and history of the Joseon Dynasty. After, make your way to the Blue House which was the official residence of South Korean Presidents. Then walk around the historical Bukchon Hanok (Korean traditional house) Village and find a beautiful and charming cafe or restaurant at Ikseondong alleys to quench your thirst. Lastly head to Myeongdong area for various Korean street foods and restaurants offerings.
Seoul Highlights with Locals
We'll meet at your hotel and visit all the great sights of Seoul. Seoul has been the capital of the dynasties (Baekje, Joseon) and South Korea. It has been called as "Hanseong", "Hanyang", "Seoul" as time goes by. With dynamics of modern life and traditional places to see, such as royal palaces, traditional markets, N Seoul Tower and local places, Seoul is a city with so much to offer that you might not know where to start. Dress Code: Smart Casual, Comfortable walking shoes :)
Must-see attractions in Gangnam
Hop on the metro to Bongeunsa located in the heart of ritzy Gangnam, the shrines and halls of the Buddhist temple. Gangnam, located south of the Hangang River in Seoul, is not only a financial, economic, and educational hub, but also a city that leads trends in lifestyle, fashion, shopping, and Hallyu (K-culture). You will be aware of what's the Gangnam style by visiting Starfiled Library in Coex shopping mall, Lotte Tower with Seokchon Lake view, Songlidangil Cafe Street and so on.
Seoul Local Life and History
WELCOME TO SEOUL. At the forefront of fashion and technology but deeply traditional, Seoul brings together palaces, temples, avant-garde design, and mountain trails. On our tour, we will discover a fascinating mix of old and new, traditional culture with contemporary attractions.
Seoul Food & Drink Tours
Ultimate foodie tour - Gwangjang & Mangwon market
Let's take a locals' look at Seoul on this walking tour of Gwangjang Market and Mangwon market. Start with Gwangjang Market, Seoul's oldest covered market. They are famous for mung bean pancake and seaweed roll. After the food, walk along Cheonggyecheon stream where locals love to hang out and relax. Take the subway to the second market, Mangwon market. The market is famous for sweet chicken. These are the most popular food markets in Seoul, the best places to try the local food!
BBQ at the largest meat market in Korea - Private tour
Let's have a barbecue at Majang Meat Market, the largest meat market in Korea. Lots of butchers sell fresh meat from all over the country, and 60% of the all meat in Seoul is traded in this clean and modern market If you want to try the best quality Korean beef, Hanwoo, this is the place you should visit. The high quality meat is up to 30% cheaper than supermarkets. *** The meat and restaurant is NOT inclusive in the tour.
Noryangjin Fish Market Tour with Evening Dinner
Taste the amazingly fresh seafood at the largest fish market in Seoul! Explore the market and pick out different seafood and eat them in the market's restaurant. My favorite food is shrimp in the market. The restaurant grills the shrimp and it tastes just amazing! The market handles almost 50% of the metropolitan volume and trades up to 300 tons of fishery products every day. Try new tastes in this market. You just might be surprised!
Seoul Off the Beaten Path Tours
Buam-dong, Seoul’s Hidden Charming North Park-neighborhood
This is a lovely neighborhood of “Gangbuk” Seoul behind famous Mt. Bugak, with a wide variety of offerings, scenic and fascinating, but only a few “insiders” know about its very charming character. We will visit the “Sword-Washing Pavilion”, then a beautiful waterfall with a colorful Buddhist temple right next to it! We will proceed into a hidden quiet peaceful area with late-Joseon-era ruins-relics amidst great trees. Then along a high ridge with great views, and some unique cafes & others.
Korean History Tour with history lover
History tells a lots about our culture. If you love history and wanna learn more background of Korea, why don't you join this tour? We will visit museum and show you and tells you what you should know about Korea briefly in various aspects like religion, culture, art and food. You will learn a lot more than you think! Not only just Korean history, but you will also learn more about oriental cultural backgound and get to understand.
Seoul Nature & Outdoor Tours
Easy hiking (Ansan, Inwangsan, Achasan or any other)
I love hiking! I hiked a lot of mountains in the world alone, and I've led a hiking club over 4 years. Now, I want to share this beautiful nature with foreign visitors! These are all easy trails. You can choose one of them. If you want any specific mountain, please let me know. I usually hike Ansan, Inwangsan or Achasan mountain. I don't hike fast as I love to feel trees and mountains. I'm sure once you hike with me, you'll like hiking in Korea as much as I do!
Petite France and Nami Island Private Tour
Sit back and relax as I take you for a charming private tour in the countryside away from the bustling city life of Seoul. Petite France, a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside and a favorite filming venue for many Korean dramas you might see on T. V. Next stop, about an hour and a half drive from Seoul, we will visit beautiful and serene Namiseom Island. We will make it a full day private tour and I will get you back to your accomodation in Seoul late afternoon.
Seoul Unique Experience Tours
Professional Hanbok Photoshoot in Seoul
I am a professional photographer and I will love photographing you at beautiful places in Seoul! I suggest nice spot to take pictures or you can tell me some, too. (eg, royal palaces, in front of seoul city hall, bukchon hanok village, etc) No matter what, couple, solo, friendship, family, paparazzi photo. After we meet, I will take pictures of you (about 150-300 shots), then give you all the image files at no extra charge! Let's do it for fun and keep the memories forever.
Private Hanbok photograph tour with local guide in Seoul
Dressed up like korean princess with korean traditional dress Hanbok! You can wear beautiful Hanbok for 2 hours in Palace or Hanok village and take instagramable pictures. This is one of unique experience in Korea and definitely memorable experience. Highly recommended to single tourists, couple tourists and family tourists.
Seoul Day Trip Tours
Seoul Tour Reviews
Sixto A.
Full-day Seoul History, Religious, Culture & Nature tour
““Excellent Experience””
The tour I had with Mr Hans I must say was an excellent experience. From the time I made my initial inquiry about the booking upto the time he dropped me off in Seoul Station was AMAZING! He always respond to my emails in a timely manner! He was a very knowledgeable, fun, attentive, hospitable and very professional. I enjoyed my short layover stay in Seoul. I will definitely come back to South Korea with my family and will 100% use Mr Hans again. I would definitely recommend him to our friends.
Hans K.
(3 reviews)Thanks a lot for your excellent feedback, I was also happy to meet you as my valuable client....Keep in touch and good luck..
Carmen P.
Two-day's tour for comprehensive highlight of Korean traditional culture & customs
“2 day tour Seoul with Guide Paul”
Paul was our tour guide for our 2-days package tour. We have traveled from Puerto Rico and this is our first time in Korea and we wanted to learn as much as possible about the Korea within the time available. Paul is extremely knowledgeable about Korea's history and culture. He is very diligent, responsible, and above all very patient since we are traveling with our 3 year old daughter. He was kind and sweet with our daughter. He met us with an umbrella to protect ourselves from the strong sunlight and a portable fan for our daughter due to the very hot weather. That was very considerate of him! We learned a lot during the 2-day tour. Paul is a great teacher and we are very happy to have chosen him for our tours in Seoul!
Paul K.
(12 reviews)I really appreciate your good review and it feels like great encouraging for me to better serve my future guests. Meantime, I hoped you and especially your baby enjoyed your tour because of heat wave. Hope your remaining tour will be great! The center of culture and center of tour is architecture. Culture is based on spirit of times. Architectural style represents the spirit of times. We can see as much as we know about the spirit of times. Confucianism was the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung represents Confucianism. Without the knowledge about Confucianism, we are not able to fully appreciate authentic value and beauty of Gyeongbokgung.
“The best half day Seoul tour I could have ”
Don L. Was super nice and very informative, telling me stories of Korean history and modern Korean life. It was easy to discuss and arrange the tour exactly how I wanted it. Don was punctual, arrived on time and taken me to all the best places in Seoul! Yummy traditional Korean lunch was a bonus in the end of tour! Thank you Don very much, I definitely use your excellent guiding services next time I am in Seoul!
Don L.
(1 reviews)Thank you Irina for your kind review. It was my pleasure to serve you!!!
The best tours and activities
With a real local of your choice
The option to personalize your tour
Just contact your favorite local
Only private tours!
So no group tours with strangers
Private Tours in Seoul
Set your sights on Seoul’s soul with a local, knowledgeable tour guide steering you through the city, from the cozy Ikseon-dong to underground jazz bars.
Planning an itinerary for a city as jam-packed as Seoul can be a breeze with insider tips and experience from a local who’s spent time learning the cities intricacies.Trying to find a place to taste your first “jjukumi gui”? Maybe you’re looking for a relaxing cafe that’s tucked away from the city noise? Add both to your personalized itinerary and create the memories you’ve always wanted.
When you have the power to control your itinerary, Seoul transforms into a playground of peaceful parks, historical sites and traditional hidden gems. From Insadong district’s laid back music scene to handcrafted cocktails in Cheongdam, you get to explore each site at your own pace.