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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!!
UNESCO Jongmyo and Changdeokgung Walking Tour ; World Cultural Heritage Sites.
Jongmyo Shrine and Changdeokgung Palace, registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites for their outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity, are Koreans' pride. The world's most solemn and quietest Jongmyo Shrine is always a good place to visit. Beautiful cafes and shops along Seosulla-gil, attract passers-by. Changdeokgung Palace beloved by kings, is an eco-friendly space built while maintaining the maximum natural environment.
Gangbuk Seoul (Northern district of Hangang River in Seoul) one day tour
This is the highlight to cover the traditional district in Seoul(called "Gangbuk"). You will learn overall Korean history including Seoul, life passages of Koreans(from birth till after death) and Korean democracy evolvement. You will feel the beauty of traditional architecture harmonized with modern buildings in Seoul. This tour covers visiting old palace, folk museum, city stream, old city wall and etcetra. For more description, refer to the itinerary below.
Where Tradition Meets Innovation: From Changdeokgung to DDP
A Perfect Seoul Tour Blending Tradition and Modernity. Experience the past, present, and future of Korea by exploring Jongmyo, a site preserving deep traditions, and DDP, an representing cutting-edge technology. Jongmyo & Changdeokgung Palace: Visit to these UNESCO World Heritage- Bukchon Hanok Village: Stroll traditional hanok houses DDP : futuristic architectural landmark where modern art and design coexist. Myeongdong Street: Enjoy most famous shopping and food destinations.
Seoul Highlights Tours
Unique Local Experience With Me!
I've received many requests like, 'Can you recommend some hidden gems and real local places where you hang out with your friends?' So, I organized these and created a tour package! Don't worry, I've already tested it with my foreign friends, and I chose only the best options :) We are going to experience everything from history to culture!
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.
Essence of Seoul - Private Walking Tour
"For first-time visitors to Seoul" Seoul is a real mix of history, culture, and tasty food! As a Seoulite and a licensed tour guide with over 10 years of experience and native-level English skills, I'm excited to show you the best of my city. My private Seoul walking tour is all about giving you a personalized experience. Whether you're into palaces, markets, temples, or just wandering through charming neighborhoods, I'll be your guide, sharing fun facts and stories along the way.
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 Nature & Outdoor Tours
8 hours Hiking & Cultue tour to Bukhansan Mt
Exploring for Korea’s unique natural beauty! Located in the middle of downtown Seoul, Mt. Bukhansan (836.5 meters, 2,744 feet) is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea, offering beautiful scenery and stunning views. This is one of 3 iconic natural landmarks of Seoul along with Han River and Mt. Namsan It was designated as Korea’s national park, in 1983., also is a cultural place which has long history and tradition.
6 hours hiking tour to Bukhansan mountain
Bukhansan Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea, showing the exquisite sceneries with oddly formed rocks and strangely shaped stones and stunning views of Seoul from its peaks. Located in the middle of downtown Seoul, Bukhansan mountain(836.5 meters, 2,744 feet) is one of 3 iconic natural landmarks of Seoul along with Han river and Namsan mountain. Bukhansan was designated as Korea’s national park, in Apr. 2, 1983.
3 hours hiking to Inwangsan Mt. along fortress wall of Seoul
Hiking along 4km of western part of Seoul Fortress wall on Inwangsan Mt, with stunning view of Seoul. Located in the middle of downtown Seoul and just next to Gyeongbokgung palace. Inwangsan Mt (338.2 meters) is an attractive hiking destination where you can enjoy view of central Seoul like a picture and relax in a pretty cafe or experience of traditional market after hiking. Without a high altitude, Inwangsan Mountain is the best mountain to enjoy leisurely hiking.
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!
Seoul Unique Experience Tours
Religion (Buddhism) experience with local guide
This tour will give you a chance to experience Buddhist religious activities together with native Korean. You will understand the history of Buddhism, basic theory of Buddhism, different kinds of Buddha & Bodhisattva, the structure of Buddhist temple and each simbol & meaning.
Pilgrimage of K-Pop entertainment companies
If you are K-pop fans, why don't you visit the major 4 K-pop entertainment enterprises buildings! It will remain a good memory for you when you are back home later. The journey to the buildings will give you pleasant times. The major 4 are YG, HYBE, SM and JYP. You can take photos in front of the building and enjoy drinks at cafes in front of the buildings. For BTS's fan, ex-HYBE building, a BTS restaurant so called, and their ex-dormitory house currently being used as a bakery & cafe.
Religion (Catholic) experience with local guide
This tour will give you a chance to experience Catholic religious activities together with native Korean and understand the history of Catholic in Korean society. If you want, even you can attend Catholic mass together with me. You will feel how the Korean catholic believers were struggling to keep the religion and what lead them to sacrifice of their lives. You will also get some general understanding of Korean religion activities such as Catholic, Buddhism and Protestant.
Hiking, Shamanism & Korean lives in early 1900s
Make an experience of hiking in Seoul! The peak is 338m. You can also stop by a sort of Shaman Village on the way down. I'll tell you about Confucianism, Buddhism, and folk beliefs. Before starting the hiking the mountain, stop by a western style expatriate house, built in early 1920s. I felt moved and much sympathised by the challengeous life of the couple. After descending, we'll visit the nearby Japanese colonial prison, Independence Gate Park and a traditional market.
Seoul Food & Drink Tours
Walk Korea Tours: Food Tour in Seoul
This tour is not only for drinking but for understanding Korean culture through food & drinks. Soju Bomb or Poktanju (or Poktan-ju. "bomb liquor") is a special word that describes a lass of beer with cup of Soju in it. I will show you how to make Poktanju and how to enjoy it. You don't need to drink if you don't like or cannot do it, but like or not drinking, you can enjoy this tour to experience the best authentic Korean food culture which will tell how the real Korea is!
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.
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!
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.
Off the Beaten Path behind touristy on foot
Seoul have "Old and New", just around the corner. But lots of tourist just go through the touristy area. Kevin will bring your every nook cranny, on foot.
Seoul Shopping Tours
Seoul Tour Reviews
“Wonderful time! ”
I had a wonderful time on the tour of Seoul during my layover. Kelly was super helpful, easy to communicate with and easy to meet. She took me around and she was very knowledgeable about all the things we got to see together. I highly recommend her as a tour guide. The best! Don't hesitate! Excellent English too!
Kelly O.
Thank you so much for the review, it was very nice to meet you! :) I think we had a lot of good conversation and we got to see many places. I also read the book you gave me and that was impressive, thank you again for that as well!! :D
Moira S.
Pick-up at Incheon Airport and Hongdae Street tour
Customized
“Alice K. is the best ever . . .”
Honestly, my experience using Alice as my guide could not have been better! She was so professional and communicated clearly. I was anxious arriving in a country that I did not know the language (and the words I tried sounded nothing like they should, so nobody had a prayer of understanding me). She communicated with me every step, letting me know she was at the airport and advising me from step 1. She helped me get set up with the internet, helped with luggage, got me checked into the hotel (great car service with water bottles, etc.), and then shared all her knowledge of Hongdae by giving me a wonderful tour. She was so professional. I highly recommend her especially for anyone who needs a kind person who enjoys helping you enjoy Korea. Seoul was amazing and she made sure I could relax and enjoy myself. She was wonderful. I fully intend on using her again the next time I come to South Korea. Thank you Alice for helping me make memories!!!
Alice K.
Hello Moira!! I'm glad to hear that you arrived home safely. I was very worried because the WhatsApp messages weren't connecting. I was so happy to spend a wonderful time with you, who came all the way to Korea in the cold winter to see your daughter. I hope our country feels even warmer to your daughter. You were truly a great traveler. I wanted to show you more of Korea as you tried to understand it and wanted to visit libraries here. If you ever come back to visit your daughter again, please let me know. I would love to show you more of how beautiful this country is, a place where your daughter can continue to enjoy living. Wishing you health and happiness always. Best Regards. From Alice.
“12 hour layover in Seoul”
I had a wonderful day with Alice on my layover. She met me right outside of customs and was excellent communicating where to meet. We had a fast and furious day seeing the sites, eating the food, and doing a little unexpected shopping for cold weather gear for me. I'm so grateful to have spent the day with Alice and to have seen a snapshot of Korea. It was fascinating!
Alice K.
Thank you, Val. I also had a really great time today. It felt like meeting a close friend after a long time. I especially enjoyed having so many fun conversations with you. I hope you get a good rest on the flight back and have a comfortable journey. Wishing you happiness always, and I hope your family stays healthy and does well.
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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.